Eric B. & Rakim - I Know You Got Soul (The Double Trouble Remix)

Year Released: 1987
Genre: Hip-Hop / Golden-Age Rap / Funk-Influenced

Description:

“I Know You Got Soul” by Eric B. & Rakim is a landmark hip-hop single released in 1987 on 4th & B’way / Island Records, issued as a 7″ vinyl in several territories alongside 12″ and promo versions. Drawn from their debut album Paid in Full, the track exemplifies the duo’s innovative production and Rakim’s sophisticated lyrical flow, both of which helped define the sound of the Golden Age of Hip-Hop.

Produced by Eric B., the song famously samples Bobby Byrd’s 1971 funk classic “I Know You Got Soul”, originally produced by James Brown. The looping breakbeat, organ stabs, and vocal snippets from Byrd’s track form the backbone of Eric B.’s minimalist yet hard-hitting beat, while Rakim delivers precise, rhythmic verses that elevated rap lyricism to new heights. His calm intensity and complex internal rhymes marked a turning point in MC technique — moving away from the party-rhymes of early rap toward poetic self-assurance and sophistication.

The 7″ single typically features the radio edit of “I Know You Got Soul” on the A-side and an instrumental or remix version on the B-side. Upon release, the track became a major hit in both clubs and on urban radio, reinforcing the duo’s reputation as innovators who merged funk’s groove with hip-hop’s attitude.

Musically, “I Know You Got Soul” sits at the crossroads of James Brown’s rhythmic legacy and 1980s sample-based production. Its stripped-down beat, punchy vocal cuts, and subtle scratching established the sonic blueprint for countless producers. The song’s success also helped spark renewed interest in James Brown’s back catalogue, cementing the direct lineage between funk and hip-hop.

Over the years, the track itself has been sampled and referenced by numerous artists, including M/A/R/R/S (“Pump Up the Volume,” 1987), Public Enemy, and LL Cool J, underscoring its cultural reach and foundational place in hip-hop’s evolution.

“I Know You Got Soul” remains one of the most influential rap singles of all time — a timeless fusion of classic funk sampling and lyrical mastery that continues to echo through modern hip-hop production.