Eric B. & Rakim are a highly influential American hip hop duo, active primarily in the late 1980s. Comprised of DJ Eric B. (Eric Barrier) and MC Rakim (William Michael Griffin Jr.), their music was characterized by Eric B.'s sample-heavy production and Rakim's complex, literate rhymes. They are recognized for their seminal album "Paid in Full," which is often credited with setting the blueprint for the future of hip hop. Their innovative style had a profound influence on the genre, shaping the evolution of lyrical techniques and DJ production skills.