Recording

The original title for the album was Oh, My God, with the original release date set for 2002, but Rakim left Dr. Dre's Aftermath record label and the project was shelved. The official reason for Rakim's departure was creative differences with Dre.^[16][17]

After leaving the label, Rakim began recording new songs for the album and Dr. Dre allowed him to keep the songs that he originally produced.^[18] In 2007, Rakim decided to record completely new songs for the album. In an interview with Billboard on July 13, 2009, when asked whether the album contains material from the unreleased Aftermath project, he stated "No, that's locked down in the lab for now. This is me live from New York City, everything brand new."^[19]

Concept

In an interview with Billboard in 2007, when asked about story behind the title, Rakim said,

The number 7 has a lot of significance. The seventh letter of the alphabet is G—that stands for God. There are seven continents, seven seas. The Seventh Seal deals with that and also some revelations in the Bible. Some call it the end of the world, but for me it's the end of the old and the beginning of the new. By me naming my album that, I'm using it metaphorically in hip hop. I'm hoping to kill the old state of hip hop and start with the new.^[20]

In an interview in early 2009, when asked about the new generation of hip hop fans, Rakim said,

I don't accept that the new generation is looking for anything different than what we've always been looking for. Depending on the moment, they want bangers that make them crack their neck, they want tracks that put them in a zone where they can sit back and chill. The ladies want something that makes them feel sexy and loved. And everyone wants something that makes them think a little bit-at least sometimes. Every generation wants that real hip-hop. And I've always been able to bring that.^[21]

In another interview with Billboard in 2009, he stated,

The seals are from the Bible—Revelations and the coming of the Apocalypse. But Islam, Judaism, Christianity—all have a version of the same events. The Lion of Judah breaks the seven seals one by one, each imparting knowledge and inflicting catastrophe, ending with seven trumpets announcing the end of Times. After the Apocalypse, God rises from the ashes to recreate the Kingdom, taking only the greatest elements from the past with them. When you look at Hip-Hop, I want to do that: to spit fire and take our best from the ashes to build our kingdom; to recognize all the regional styles, conscious lyrics, the tracks, underground, mainstream, the way we treat each other. Lose the garbage and rebuild our scene. I've always tried to insert consciousness and spirituality in my records, interpreting the writings of all cultures and religions and how they apply to life in modern times.^[19]

In another interview with Billboard in November 2009, Rakim said,

"The majority of this album has that melodic New York sound- I just tried to make it a good, all-around New York album," he says. "That's why I did songs like 'Euphoria,' with [New York rappers] Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes and Styles P-wanted to make sure our presence was felt."^[22]

Production and guests

Rakim confirmed that The Seventh Seal would have 14 tracks, with the main guests being Maino, I.Q., and his own daughter Destiny Griffin. Several songs on the album were produced by longtime Rakim collaborator Nick Wiz and featured beats from Nottz, Needlz, SR. Shakur Jake One, and from Italian rapper/producer Bassi Maestro.^[13]