The rapper revealed the extent of Rakim’s influence on his career recently.

Sermon revealed that it was Eric B. and Rakim’s 80s records which drew him to Hip-Hop in the first place. He explained that his own music and career had been largely shaped by the pair.

"Rakim is the reason why I rap," Sermon said, talking of the effect that Eric and Ra had on him. "The reason why I rap is because of that man. Rakim. Of course I rhymed growing up but I knew I could do it when I heard Eric B. for President. That's when I knew that I could do that."

Sermon’s comments come at a time when Eric B. and Rakim’s seminal album, Paid In Full, is getting a re-release for its 25th anniversary. Rakim announced the re-release for the 1987 drop last weekend.

Rakim talked to AllHipHop.com about the decision to re-release, and promised that some new material would be included.

"We got the 25th anniversary of the Paid In Full album we about to release as well," he said. "It's going to be a couple of new treats on that."

- By Fiona Guest