The Resume

(1985-1992)
Formed in New York
Eric B. (D.J.)
(1965- )
Birth name is Louis Eric Barrier
Rakim (Rapper)
(1968- )
Birth name is William Griffin, Jr.
Releases included 'Paid In Full (1987),' 'Follow The Leader (1988),' 'Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990),' and 'Don't Sweat The Technique (1992)'
Eric B. (D.J.) (1965- , born in Elmhurst, Queens - birth name is Louis Eric Barrier)
Rakim (Rapper) (1968- , born in Wyandanch, Long Island - birth name is William Griffin, Jr.)

Why they might be annoying:

The pair broke up over the cliche' 'creative differences.'
Eric B. started the trend of rap acts sampling the hell out of James Brown records.
Their only mainstream Top Ten single was a guest spot on the Jody Watley song 'Friends' in 1989.
The duo has been sampled by less than credible acts like Milli Vanilli and dance one hit wonder M/A/R/R/S.
Just before stepping on stage for a show, Rakim was arrested for failing to pay child support. He was cleared of the charges a few days later (2004).

Why they might not be annoying:

The duo are considered hip-hop's premier M.C./D.J. team, praised for Rakim's smooth, intricate delivery and Eric B.'s elaborate soundscapes.
Artists from Eminem to Wu Tang Clan acknowledge the partnership's advancement of rap as an art form.
The group's single, 'Paid In Full,' featuring a snippet of Ofra Haza's 'Im Nin' Alu,' solidified their reputation as one rap's most creative artists.

Credit: Black Chic

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• BC/Black Chic's Profiles [Series 01]
• Cornrows and Dreadlocks
• D.J.s
• Duos
• Entertainment Weekly's 100 Best Albums [1983-2008] (Ranked: 61)
• I Sampled James Brown's 'Funky Drummer'
• I Sampled M.I.A’s 'Paper Planes'
• Look at Me, Counting Money
• Look at Me, I Got a Microphone
• Look at Me, I'm Wearing a Beret
• Look at My Bling Bling
• My Music was Lost in the 2008 Universal Studios Fire
• My Song is Featured on DJ Hero
• New Musical Express' Top Albums [1987] (Ranked: 8)
• New Musical Express' Top Albums [1988] (Ranked: 29)
• New Musical Express' Top Tracks [1987] (Ranked: 2)
• New Musical Express' Top Tracks [1987] (Ranked: 6)
• New Musical Express' Top Tracks [1988] (Ranked: 13)
• Newspaper Journalists/Editors/Publishers
• Pitchfork Media's Top 100 Albums of the 1980's (Ranked: 52)
• Profiles 13251-13500 (Ranked: 13478)
• Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time - 1-100 [2020] (Ranked: 61)
• Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time - 201-300 [Performers] (Ranked: 227)
• Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time - 301-400 [Performers] (Ranked: 386)
• Sampled in MARRS 'Pump Up the Volume'
• Spin's 100 Greatest Albums of 1985-2005 [Performers] (Ranked: 47)
• VH-1's 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs (Ranked: 24)
• VH-1's 50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists (Ranked: 20)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 18 Votes: 11.11% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 23 Votes: 56.52% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 17 Votes: 58.82% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 14 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 10 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 55 Votes: 67.27% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 62 Votes: 69.35% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 110 Votes: 75.45% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 140 Votes: 74.29% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 125 Votes: 69.60% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 225 Votes: 63.11% Annoying