Eric B and Rakim. I Ain't No Joke. 1987.

I don't even understand what's happening to commercial rap these days. It's like they write that shit specifically for MTV reality television shows about pasty pregnant teens stuffed into sweatsuits like sausage casings. I know that sounds all crabby and geriatric, but c'mon. The genre is completely devoid of any tangible quality at the moment. Is good hip-hop dead? I don't think so. It just doesn't get a cameo on Jersey Shore every other fucking minute.

It's time to lock and load the headphones to this classic and redeem your faith.

Nobody can touch Rakim's delivery. Still.