Rakim Net Worth: Did His 15-Year Hiatus Hurt or Help His Earnings?

William Michael Griffin Jr., professionally known as Rakim or “The God MC,” is an American rapper best known as half of the duo Eric B. & Rakim. The duo released four critically acclaimed albums between 1987 and 1992, including Pain In Full (1987), Follow the Leader (1988), Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em (1990), and Don’t Sweat the Technique (1992).

After disbanding in 1992 following the release of their fourth album, Rakim continued to produce solo albums like The 18th Letter (1997) and The Master (1999).

The 18th Letter peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified Gold in the United States, becoming one of his best-performing solo albums to date. The Master wasn’t quite as popular, but it was still well-received, peaking at No. 7 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 72 on the US Billboard 200.

After a 15-year hiatus, Rakim released the 2024 album G.O.D.’s Network: REB7RTH, which features collaborations with iconic artists such as DMX, Snoop Dogg, Nipsey Hussle, and Prodigy. More recently, Rakim dropped The Re-Up featuring Lazarus on August 29, 2025, which has garnered positive reviews so far.

With Rakim once again working on new music, fans new and old have wondered how his career and long-term hiatus affected his net worth. Here’s everything we know about Rakim’s net worth, including his various income sources.

What Is Rakim’s Net Worth? 

As of 2025, Rakim’s net worth is believed to be approximately $2 million. Much of his net worth comes from his career in the music industry, which began in 1985. He began working with DJ Eric B in 1986 and released his debut album alongside Eric B. in 1987.

 

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Music Career 

According to Best Selling Albums, Rakim has sold over 2 million albums in the United States. His most popular album, Paid In Full, accounted for half of these sales.

Since Rakim peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the actual sales figure is potentially higher due to independent sales, imports, and other distribution methods common during that era. Eric B. & Rakim’s collected album sales have likely generated tens of millions in revenue over time.

Royalties and Music Streams 

Rakim has generated a respectable income from royalties and music streams.

Rakim’s YouTube channel has over 170,000 subscribers and has amassed over 68 million views. His most popular videos include “Art of Rap Freestyle,” with 400,000 views, “Be Ill” with 1.6 million views, and “When I B On Tha Mic” with 37 million views.

YouTube pays its artists between $0.003 and $0.005 per view, meaning that Rakim has earned approximately $204,000 to $340,000 in ad revenue.

On Spotify, Rakim has amassed 436 million streams. Among his most-listened tracks are “Guess Who’s Back,” with 65 million streams, “Guilty All the Same,” with 74 million streams, and “When I B On Tha Mic,” with 110.4 million streams.

Rakim’s 2025 album, The Re-Up, still hasn’t hit YouTube or Spotify, so we’ll have to wait and see how it performs on streaming platforms. Reception has been mostly positive so far.

Real Estate and Car Collection 

Rakim owns a Colonial-style estate in Connecticut. The exact square footage isn’t disclosed, but it’s believed to feature 9-foot ceilings, a sizable granite gas fireplace, and a pool with built-in lighting.

Information about the estate’s price isn’t publicly available, either, but the pictures suggest that it’s in the hundreds of thousands if not millions.

Besides real estate, Rakim owns a car collection that includes a collectible Mercedes-Benz W201, retailing at $300,000.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why did Eric B. & Rakim break up? 

Eric B. & Rakim (R)

Image source: Google

The music duo Eric B. & Rakim disbanded in 1992 due to a business disagreement. According to reports, Eric B. and Rakim discussed the possibility of going solo when their contract with MCA Records expired.

When the time came, Eric B. refused to sign the release contract, fearing that Rakim would leave him behind. Rakim saw this as a betrayal since he had supported Eric B.’s solo release. The legal battle lasted over five years and ultimately ended their collaboration.

Do Eric B. and Rakim still talk? 

Yes, Eric B. and Rakim never had a personal falling out. Their split was mainly due to business complications and miscommunications. The duo have reunited several times in recent years, even going on reunion tours in 2017. They also toured together in 2025, making appearances at major festivals like Rock The Bells in Newark, New Jersey.

Does Rakim accept personal bookings?

Yes, Rakim does accept personal bookings. According to Celebrity Talent International, Rakim’s booking cost between $15,000 and $35,000 per appearance.

Conclusion