When it comes to Hip-Hop, it doesn’t really get more legendary than Eric B. & Rakim.
The iconic rap duo decided to celebrate the news of both an upcoming one-off anniversary concert and a special edition vinyl boxset, in collaboration with our friends over at Urban Legends, by taking over popular NYC soft-serve parlor Mikey Likes It Ice Cream for a night.
We were on the scene for the East Village hang-out, where fans and media came in droves to meet the guys and try out their new flavor, available at the shop for one month only.
Image: Ismael Rashad
Image: Ismael Rashad
Image: Fernandra Fowler
Image: Fernandra Fowler
In terms of the boxset, reissued copies of the entire Eric B. & Rakim catalogue will be released on a ten-disc vinyl/CD set for the first time, appropriately-titled The Complete Collection 1987-1992. How it all relates to ice cream, well, who doesn’t like ice cream?! Then again, Mikey’s is known in the community for switching up his flavors to usually reflect important figures in Hip-Hop culture. For example, in celebration of Hip-Hop Soul princess Aaliyah’s birthday back in January, the flavor of the month was titled “Resolution,” named after the late singer’s popular first single off her final album. Similarly for the guys, their flavor is called “FOLLOW THE LEADER,” a fresh blueberry ice cream with golden and chocolate sandwich cookie pieces and a sea salt caramel swirl, named after the duo’s 1988 sophomore album.
So, how do you survive in the game for over two decades and still stay relevant enough to do cool collabs like this? Here’s what Eric B. had to say to The Source about that:
“Do what you feel. We would do stuff like this for free. [Working with Rakim again] felt right and it still feels good 31 years later. We stood the test of time.”
— Eric B.
Rakim kept it pretty brief as well, following up his partner in rhyme by simply stating, “[It’s about] staying true to the craft and ourselves. Staying true to Hip-Hop allows us to do things like this [ice cream collaboration and vinyl release]. It’s a blessing.”
Take a look at more pics from the event last night at Mikey Likes It, and check for Eric B & Rakim’s The Complete Collection boxset right now for $179.98 in the Urban Legends web store.
Image: Ismael Rashad
Image: Fernandra Fowler
Image: Fernandra Fowler
Image: Ismael Rashad
Image: Rashaad Denzel
Mikey Likes It Ice Cream
199 Avenue A
New York, NY 10009
