Defsounds

Hip Hop legend and G.O.A.T. contender Rakim is gearing up for the release of his long anticipated third solo album, The Seventh Seal.

Rakim who signed with Aftermath Records in 2001 and later parted ways with the label, never got a chance to release the LP which he says is fueled by consciousness and spirituality.

"The seals are from the Bible- Revelations and the coming of the Apocalypse. But Islam, Judaism, Christianity: all have a version of the same events.  The Lion of Judah breaks the seven seals one by one, each imparting knowledge and inflicting catastrophe, ending with seven trumpets announcing the end of Times.

After the Apocalypse, God rises from the ashes to recreate the Kingdom, taking only the greatest elements from the past with them," Rakim tells Billboard.

"When you look at Hip-Hop, I want to do that: to spit fire and take our best from the ashes to build our kingdom; to recognize all the regional styles, conscious lyrics, the tracks, underground, mainstream, the way we treat each other.

Lose the garbage and rebuild our scene. I've always tried to insert consciousness and spirituality in my records, interpreting the writings of all cultures and religions and how they apply to life in modern times."

Rakim also added that none of the material in the new LP is from his days with Dr. Dre. Though he refused to name any names, Rakim says fans will recognize many of the featured guests and producers.

According to Billboard, the album, which is slated to hit stores this fall, is being released on Rakim's Ra Records label in a joint venture with Tuscan Villa Entertainment and distributed by Universal.