Don't Sweat the Technique is the fourth and final studio album by American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released on June 23, 1992, by MCA Records. It was recorded and produced by Eric B. & Rakim at The Hit Factory in New York City. The album builds on the sounds of 1990's Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em, with Rakim sounding more aggressive on Eric B.'s jazzy, soulful production. The album debuted at number 22 on the Billboard 200 chart the week of July 11, 1992. It also charted at number nine on the Top R&B Albums chart. The title track was a minor radio hit. "Casualties of War" was also released as a single and contains some of Rakim's most political lyrics. The single "What's on Your Mind" originally appeared on the soundtrack to the 1991 film House Party 2, while "Know the Ledge" first appeared in the film Juice under the title "Juice (Know the Ledge)". Content The album features more of Rakim's socially conscious lyrics. "Casualties of War" relates to the Gulf War in which the United States-led military coalition invaded former ally Iraq following its war with Kuwait. It mentions the concept of post-traumatic stress disorder, and relates to Rakim's Muslim faith. The track "What's Going On" relates to the crack epidemic that plagued New York in the late-1980s and early-1990s, poverty, black-on-black crime, police brutality, and abortion. The tenth track, "Know the Ledge" (which originally appeared on the soundtrack to the 1992 film Juice), showcases Rakim's storytelling as he shares a first-person narrative of a neighborhood thug and drug dealer who is forced to come to grips with his violent and reckless lifestyle. Singles Four singles were released from the album. The first single "What's on Your Mind" (which initially appeared on the soundtrack to the 1991 film House Party 2) reached numbers 34 and 20 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, respectively. The second single, "Know the Ledge" (which appeared in the 1992 film Juice), reached number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100. The third single, "Don't Sweat the Technique", peaked at number 14 and number 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, respectively, while the fourth and final single, "Casualties of War", peaked at numbers 23 and 11 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, respectively. Critical reception Don't Sweat