William Michael Griffin Jr., born January 28, 1968, records as Rakim. Raised in Wyandanch on Long Island and a nephew of the R&B singer Ruth Brown, he wrote his first rhyme at seven and played quarterback in high school before a friend introduced him to DJ Eric B. As Eric B. & Rakim the two released Paid in Full, Follow the Leader, Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em and Don't Sweat the Technique between 1987 and 1992. He joined the Nation of Gods and Earths and took the name Rakim Allah, which is the source of his God MC nickname. He is credited with inventing modern rap flow, replacing simple end rhymes and shouted delivery with internal and multisyllabic rhyme and a conversational cadence. His solo albums include The 18th Letter, The Seventh Seal and The Re-Up.