"Paid in Full" is a 1987 song by American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim. Written and produced by group members Eric Barrier and Rakim Allah, the song was released as the fifth single from the duo's debut studio album Paid in Full.
"Paid in Full" became one of the group's most successful singles, owing heavily to a popular remix of the song by English dance music duo Coldcut.
Background
In 1985, Eric B. launched a search for a rapper to complement his turntable work at the WBLS radio station in New York City. Rakim responded to his search, and the two later began to record tracks together in the home studio of one of Rakim's close friends, Marley Marl.
After Def Jam Recordings founder Russell Simmons heard the duo's debut single "Eric B. Is President", he signed them to Island Records and began recording their debut studio album in early 1987, alternating between Marley Marl's home studio and Manhattan's Power Play Studios. The resulting album, Paid in Full, was released in July 1987.
English dance music duo Coldcut were commissioned to produce a remix of the song to be included on the "Paid in Full" single, with the result being given the subtitle "Seven Minutes of Madness".
When "Paid in Full" was eventually released as the album's fifth and final single, it became a hit in American clubs. It experienced much more commercial success overseas, however, thanks largely to the Coldcut remix. "Seven Minutes of Madness" became one of the first commercially successful remixes, becoming a top fifteen hit in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Coldcut were paid 700 pounds for their remix work. Despite its success, Eric B. dismissed the remix as "girly disco music"; Rakim, however, called it the best remix he had ever heard.
Along with the track, "Move the Crowd", "Paid in Full" peaked at #3 on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart.