Paid in Full

Paid in Full turns its title into a picture. Eric B. and Rakim stand side by side, weighed down with heavy gold chains, wearing custom Gucci-patterned outfits made by Dapper Dan, the Harlem tailor famous for his unlicensed takes on luxury fashion.

The photograph was taken by Ron Contarsy, with art direction by Ruth Kaplan, for 4th & B'way, the Island Records label that released the album on 7 July 1987.

The picture fixed a style that came to define late-1980s rap: tailored luxury, heavy gold and total composure. It suits Rakim's calm, unhurried delivery, and the Dapper Dan outfits on the sleeve are still pointed to as an early meeting point of hip-hop and high fashion.