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“Like all of our music, when Rakim and I first sat down to write and record Follow the Leader, we took inspiration from our Jazz icons in creating its signature sound,” said Eric B. during an exclusive conversation on the set of CBS’ hit TV show, Blue Bloods. So, when he found out Mike Smith, Jonathan Hay and Benny Reid were launching a reimagined version of the album with a strong jazz component, more than thirty years after its original release, Eric B. felt flattered. 

What he did not expect, though, was to see the new Follow the Leader hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Jazz Charts, putting an end to the 38-week reign of Michael Bublé's Love. After all, making a straight-up jazz record as popular as one of the world’s top heartthrobs is no small feat. “Hearing the music faithfully arranged and re-recorded with the stellar group of musicians Jonathan Hay and Benny Reid brought together not only stays true to our original work, but elevates and highlights the core concepts we drew from 30 years ago,” Eric B. continued. “It really completes a full circle... We imitated jazz, and now jazz is imitating us.” - Forbes