Referring to Grand Puba from Brand Nubian. Some of the leaders of the alternative hip hop scene of the 90s.

This is off his album The Solution which is exclusively produced by one of the best, 9th Wonder.

A lot of independent labels started in the 90s, got a big rise up and than fell at the new millenium. Rawkus Records is an example.

Selling drugs are for people who don’t have real skills. Rapping isn’t the only skill Rakim has either, he’s got way more so if that rap shit didn’t work he still wouldn’t be pushing weight.

If he sold drugs, he would be in prison right now, waiting to get out to do something only to get out and sell drugs again.

When listening to hip hop as sophisticated as Rakim, you’ll need a dictionary to look up the complex words he is dropping.

An almanac is a big book full of facts, most of the time being a yearly publication. Rakim is saying that he has all the facts.

When he says to tell the media, the media is always looking for the scoop but most of the time they get their information from unreliable sources. If they go to Rakim, they’re getting straight facts.

The last act is always the best and most awaited for, to make for a good closing to a show/concert. Rakim is always closing the show, leaving the crowd begging for more.

Rakim hasn’t dropped anything wack and probably will not ever. He has his own style and flow that is solidified as his. When new guys come up and try to jack his flow for a dime, Rakim will know that they’re tripping and deal with them.

He is using heroin and morphine as a metaphor for his music. His fans need his music. Sometimes people are all over for him shit that he feels like’s he being suffocated hence saying that people are around his neck, like a new chain.