Short answers, pulled from the story.
Eric B. & Rakim formed in 1986 on Long Island, New York. The duo consisted of DJ Eric B., who was born and raised in East Elmhurst, Queens, and rapper Rakim, who grew up in Wyandanch, Long Island.
Paid in Full was their debut album, released in 1987 on 4th & B'way Records. It climbed into the Top Ten on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, was certified platinum by the RIAA in 1995, and has sold over a million copies. MTV named it the greatest album in hip hop history.
The duo dissolved following legal disputes that arose when their MCA contract was expiring during the recording of Don't Sweat the Technique in 1992. Eric B. refused to sign the label's release contract out of concern that Rakim would pursue a solo career without him, leading to litigation that ended the partnership. Eric B. later said the underlying financial conflict involved label ownership of the masters, not disputes between the two musicians themselves.
Rakim pioneered the use of internal rhymes and multisyllabic rhyme schemes at a time when most rappers relied on simple end-rhyme patterns. Unlike contemporaries such as LL Cool J, KRS-One, and Run-D.M.C., who delivered their vocals with high energy, Rakim employed a relaxed, stoic delivery influenced by his background as a saxophone player and his admiration for John Coltrane. The New York Times compared his free-rhythm style to Thelonious Monk.
Eric B. & Rakim were the first rap act to sign a million-dollar record deal. Following the platinum success of Paid in Full, they entered into a three-album agreement with MCA Records.
Eric B. announced the reunion on the 20th of October 2016 via Twitter, twenty-three years after the duo split. Their first reunion concert was held at the Apollo Theater in New York City on the 7th of July 2017, and they announced a seventeen-date American tour in 2018.