Down by Law and Paid in Full by MC Shan and Rakim, respectively, are considered classics. And if you felt the synergy on both records—although they had different styles—there’s a reason for that: they were recorded in the same studio.
“My whole first album was recorded in a living room,” MC Shan tells Q of HHAD. “I recorded Rakim’s first record in that same living room—‘Eric B. for President.’ And I mixed it.”
Shan went on to explain how he tried to coach Rakim on how to record, which included attempting to alter the laid-back style that would eventually become his signature. However, it didn’t go over so well with the God MC.
“‘Yo, God, nobody never told you how to do your stuff,’” Shan says while mimicking Rakim.
Despite the disagreement, it didn’t affect their relationship. In fact, the two would go on to become friends.
