but elevates and highlights the core concepts we drew from 30 years ago,” Eric B. continued. “It really completes a full circle... We imitated jazz, and now jazz is imitating us.” Rakim was quoted in HipHopDX as saying: "The trajectory of this project is the ultimate blessing. It’s tapping into a divine consciousness and showing how the universe continues to spin full circle. Eric and I were always heavy in our influence from the jazz genre. Then three decades in, we are influencing a jazz album, then that album is coming back around to influence Hip Hop production greats like Whoo Kid and hopefully a lot more. We used to dig through the crates at record stores to pull vinyl instrumentals and sample them for our tracks and now Follow The Leader is on vinyl for another generation to expand on with next level music. It’s breaking new barriers, which is the core of Hip Hop culture." Track listing All songs were written and produced by Eric B. & Rakim (Eric Barrier, William Griffin). Personnel Credits for Follow the Leader adapted from Allmusic. Patrick Adams – engineer Carlton Batts – engineer Eric B. & Rakim – vocals, producer Eric B. – performer Stevie Blass Griffin – composer, performer Rakim – arranger, producer Charts Certifications References Bibliography Cobb, William Jelani (2006). To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic. New York University Press. . External links Follow the Leader at Discogs 1988 albums Eric B. & Rakim albums Uni Records albums Albums produced by Eric B.