The 18th Letter performs his recently dropped heat rock. Props to GrandGood.

PREVIOUS: Rakim – Holy Are You [Stream]

The long-awaited album finally drops this fall, but here’s the first single off it. It’s. About. Time. Good lord this song goes in. SHAKE UPDATE: YES!! And I’d usually post the big artwork after the jump… but it’s fucking Rakim. Also, I’ve been asked to only stream. Sorry to those that missed the download link. I’m sure it’s around.

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In the clip above, Substantial sits down with Rakim for UAUTV. The GOAT speaks about his musical upbringing, Nas, who he looked up to when he was younger, etc. This is always cool to see. Artists interviewing artists. Showing love and paying respect.

Dig this rehash of Rakim’s “Juice (Know The Ledge)” Fashawn did back in ’05 when he was 16. Props to Hecktik.

DOWNLOAD: Fashawn – Streets Of Fresno

First off, I’ve gotta reiterate my liking for Asher’s album. Now I’ll be fair, and say I only listened to about half; but from what I heard? Fantastic work. It’s gonna be fun to hear what the hating side of folks that constantly talk about Ash have to say after they hear it themselves. Face it… they’ll probably still hate because people are so scared to go back on something. Dah well… until then, here is a freestyle the kid did on Funk Flex over some classic Rakim. Shouts to eskay on the premier! Asleep in the Bread Aisle drops MONDAY, April 20th (4/20).

DOWNLOAD: Asher Roth – Know the Ledge Freestyle

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Up top is a brief interview by the 18th Letter, down bottom are his performances at the Knitting Factory.

…Slick Rick, Rakim & Notorious B.I.G. I can’t be mad at that list at all. I can never list off a concrete top 3. Slug (of Atmosphere) and Jay-Z interchange on any given day for the top spot and number 3 is always switching. What are the dopeboyz and dopegirlz thinking of Tip’s list though?

Before the album dropped, copped a Grammy…

Remember this guy? Well, Splash shot over his tribute to the original God MC, and I felt it was my civil duty to provide the masses with it. And anybody who thinks Middle Finger U. wasn’t dope should go play with rusty barb wire.

DOWNLOAD: Sauce Money – I Ain’t No Joke ’08

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Oh, you mad? This is just the tip of the iceberg, too. FYI: be on the lookout for the 2dopeboyz x Hip Hop DX x Rock The Bells award tour; Shake will be at the Washington show, while I’ll be at the Denver incarnation.

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As said previously, there will be a slew of these interviews popping up over the week. Jay Electronica and De La Soul have already came and went and now it’s Rakim’s turn. Ra speaks on the differences between Kid Capri and Eric B, what it’s like performing in huge venues and the hip hop scene today. Be on the look out for Kid Capri, DJ Scratch, Redman, Raekwon and more this week!

Those two could never hold a torch.

So the line up for this years Rock the Bells Festival has been released. A Tribe Called Quest will be reuniting (again) to headline. Since they were supposed to “reunite” last year at the same festival and only Phife came out, I’m still skeptical but who knows… maybe since they are on as the headline they’ll come through. I’m glad they dropped Wu-Tang as a full and just kept Rae & Ghost as a set then put Red & Meth together. I’m hyped to finally see Rakim live, as well as the Pharcyde. Kidz in the Hall, the Cool Kids, Wale and Santogold were dope additions. And despite the negative reviews for Jay Electronica’s live show, I’m still excited for it.

READ: Nas, Pharcyde, Tribe, De La Soul, Rae & Ghost To Rock The Bells! [via HipHopDX]