U.B.R. (Unauthorized Biography of Rakim)
Nas · Street's Disciple [2004]
Dedication to my children, my child Destiny Jones
To my niece and nephews Suree, Malik, Jabari the world is yours
Acknowledgments, first off, I wanna thank God
And I wanna thank everybody for helping me out with this
Couldn't do it without you
Chapter 1, January 28, 1968
Born into this world as William Griffin The Great
Chapter 1, Wyandanch Long Island
Scientific rhymin' invented a new sound when he met with
Eric Barrier from East Sandhurst
The melody they created was the first
Burst on the scene, 1986 with Clap To This
'87 dropped a classic disc
The facts is the tracklist was like four
The vocals, the beats according to Marly Marl
Recorded in my hometown Queensbridge
That's why it's so relative
This biography was unauthorized
I spit it how it was given to author Nas
William changed his name at sixteen to Rakim Allah
'Cause Clarence 13X had New York on lock
Gods on every block, jams in every park
I remember hearin' Curtis Blow saying
"It can't get better than this"
'Til Run DMC blew my brains to bits
From leather coats to shell toes to the Stan Smiths
To Dapper Dan kicks
First million dollar deal ever in rap, 18th Letter did that
From 4th & Broadway to Uni to MCA
We followed the leader to Harlem's Apollo Theatre
Supreme rapped and the 50 that don't rap
Forte Green, Queens, Strong Island Wolfpack
Paid In Full posse, hot they was on and Ra had his firstborn
With the next line I'ma be easy, his wisdom's name is Fifi
EPMD put a record out, was dope
Tension spread, and I quote
"Smack me and I smack you back"
Sounded like the answer to the I Ain't No Joke track
For a second it ain't look good
Little tension buzzin' from Wyandanch to Brentwood
Misunderstood, all forgot by sixteen when I met Freddy Foxx
Totin' burners, the whole coast's most concern was
How was Rakim's flow, made Christians convert with Islamic ways
'Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em' was the third LP
A sophisticated mean one, before similar voices were King Son
A few others, but sooner or later, the game was Ra's kingdom
At sixteen, son was watchin' him, mesmerized
Respect, not jockin' him, was so amazin', besides
He came on the stage with lasers in his eyes walk with me now
"Unauthorized biography of Rakim
Epilogue, mother was a jazz singer
Nephew to R and B legend Ruth Brown
Discography, Paid In Full, Follow The Leader
Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em, Don't Sweat, The Technique
That's the end of the group
Went off to solo. Dropped the R
Then the 18th Letter, and I think, somethin' The Master
Was signed to Aftermath, scheduled to release an album
Oh My God with Dr. Dre
The album was dismantled because of creative differences
The end to the new beginning, yeah, next book, KRS1, Peace"
U.B.R. (Unauthorized Biography of Rakim)
Nas's 'U.B.R.' stands as a pivotal track on the 2004 album *Street's Disciple*, serving as a direct homage to the pioneering MC Rakim. Released during a period where Nas was revisiting his early influences, the song captures the rhythmic precision and lyrical density characteristic of the golden age of East Coast hip-hop. By channeling Rakim's signature flow and the raw energy of their shared formative years in the Bronx, Nas pays tribute to the artist who fundamentally altered the landscape of hip-hop. The recording reflects Nas's commitment to authenticity and his deep respect for the pioneers who laid the groundwork for the complex, narrative-driven storytelling that defines his own discography. This track remains a significant example of an artist honoring his roots while maintaining his unique voice.