Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Los Angeles Times
Pitchfork	8.5/10
Rolling Stone
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Spin Alternative Record Guide	9/10
The Village Voice	A−

Follow the Leader is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim. It was released on July 26, 1988, by Uni Records as the follow-up to the duo's 1987 debut album Paid in Full. Follow the Leader was recorded at Power Play Studios in New York City, and produced, arranged, and composed by the duo, with additional contributions from Rakim's brother Stevie Blass Griffin.

While its singles attained moderate success, the album performed better on music charts than Eric B. & Rakim's debut album and reached number 22 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Albums chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, having shipped 500,000 copies in the United States.

Following the breakthrough success of their debut album Paid in Full (1987), Eric B. & Rakim left 4th & B'way Records and signed with Uni Records, a subsidiary label of major label MCA Records. They recorded Follow the Leader at Power Play Studios in New York City. The duo produced, composed, and arranged the album with additional contributions from Rakim's brother Stevie Blass Griffin, who contributed with various instruments. Eric B. & Rakim worked with audio engineers Carlton Batts and Patrick Adams on the album. In a similar manner to their first album, a "ghost producer" was brought in for two songs. In a 2007 interview with Unkut.com, The 45 King said he produced both "Microphone Fiend" and "The R". "Microphone Fiend" was originally made for Fab 5 Freddy, until 45 King gave it over to Eric B., the group's "DJ".

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