The Master

The Master
Studio album by Rakim
Released	November 30, 1999
Recorded	August 1998 - March 1999
Studio	Soundtrack Studios (New York City, New York) Carriage House Studios (Stamford, Connecticut)
Genre	East Coast hip hop, Conscious hip hop, Underground hip hop
Length	1:02:07
Label	Universal Records
Producer	Rakim (exec.), DJ Premier, The 45 King, DJ Clark Kent, Naughty Shorts, Jaz-O, Nick Wiz, Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence, Punch, V.I.C., TR Love

The Master is the second studio album by American Hip hop recording artist Rakim. It was released in November 30, 1999 under Universal Records. Recording sessions took place at Soundtrack Studios in New York City and at Carriage House Studios in Connecticut from August 1998 to March 1999. Production was handled by Rakim, The 45 King, DJ Premier, DJ Clark Kent, Punch, Jaz-O, Nick Wiz, Naughty Shorts, Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence, V.I.C. and T.R. Love. It includes guest appearances by Nneka Morton, Rahzel and Connie McKendrick. It is the follow up to his 1997 debut The 18th Letter.

The album peaked at #72 on the US Billboard 200 and #7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The Master spawned the singles: "When I Be on Tha Mic" and "Flow Forever".

Track listing

1. "Intro (The Master)" - 1:22
2. "Flow Forever" - 4:11
3. "When I Be on Tha Mic" - 3:42
4. "Finest Ones" - 4:24
5. "All Night Long" - 4:27
6. "State of Hip-Hop (Interlude)" - 0:39
7. "Uplift" - 3:09
8. "I Know" - 4:07
9. "It's The R" - 4:15
10. "I'll Be There" (feat. Nneka Morton) - 5:10
11. "It's A Must" (feat. Rahzel) - 4:24
12. "Real Shit" - 4:21
13. "How I Get Down" - 4:05
14. "L.I. (Interlude)" - 0:53
15. "Strong Island" - 4:34
16. "Waiting For the World to End" - 4:05
17. "We'll Never Stop" (feat. Connie McKendrick) - 4:19

Samples

Flow Forever

• "Since We Said Goodbye" by The Counts

When I Be on Tha Mic

• "Blind Alley" by The Emotions
• "What the World Needs Now Is Love" by The Artistics
• "How About Some Hardcore" and "World Famous" by M.O.P.
• "Peter Piper" by Run-D.M.C.
• "Metal Thangz" by Street Smartz feat. O.C. and Pharoahe Monch

Finest Ones

• "We Belong Together" by The Spinners
• "High Power Rap" by Crash Crew

I Know

• "Let's Straighten It Out" by Latimore
• "Steppin' Out" by Steel Pulse

It's The R

• "Mother's Son" by Curtis Mayfield
• "Tru Master" by Pete Rock feat. Inspectah Deck and Kurupt
• "As the Rhyme Goes On", "Follow the Leader" and "I Know You Got Soul" by Eric B. & Rakim

I'll Be There

• "I'll Be With You" by Grover Washington, Jr.

Real Shit

• "Survival of the Fittest" by Mobb Deep

How I Get Down

• "Funky Drummer" by James Brown
• "The Spring Suite: May Lady" by Rodney Franklin

Waiting For the World to End

• "Brooks 50c Tour (Main Title Collage)" by Quincy Jones
• "Save Me" by Bloodstone
• "All Night" by Xperado
• "Microphone Fiend" by Eric B. & Rakim

We'll Never Stop

• "The New Rap Language" by Spoonie Gee and Treacherous Three