Louis Eric Barrier is a producer and DJ for the golden age hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim.

Eric B. & Rakim's album Paid in Full was named the most excellent hip-hop album of all time by MTV in 2006, and the duo was nominated in 2011 for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Eric B. & Rakim is an American hip-hop duo formed on Long Island, New York, in 1986, composed of DJ Eric B. (born Eric Barrier) and MC Rakim (born William Michael Griffin Jr.). AllMusic wrote, "during rap's so-called golden age in the late '80s, Eric B. & Rakim were almost universally recognized as the premier DJ/MC team in all of hip-hop." Tom Terrell of NPR called them "the most influential DJ/MC combo in contemporary pop music period." The editors of About.com ranked them as No. 5 on their list of the 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos of All-Time, and Rolling Stone ranked them No. 5 on their list of the 20 Greatest Duos of All Time.

Eric B. started deejaying with his younger brother and two friends at a roller rink. He cites deejays such as DJ Vernon, King Charles, and Grandmaster Flash as early influences, recalling: "I remember sneaking out to the armories at night, sneaking out to the parties at St. Gabriel School on Astoria Boulevard." By 1985, Eric B. worked as a DJ at the New York radio station WBLS; he sought to find an artist to rap over his DJing, leading him to meet Rakim. Eric B. had also considered working with Freddie Foxxx, but was only able to complete with him after forming his partnership with Rakim.

Eric B. and Rakim released their first single, "Eric B. Is President," in 1986. Eric B. included an uncredited sample of James Brown's "Funky President" on the track, which led Brown to sue the duo in one of the earliest court cases related to sampling in hip-hop. The team then released their debut album, Paid in Full, in 1987. This album was highly acclaimed immediately upon its release and has come to be regarded as one of the greatest albums in hip-hop history; Eric B. has been praised for his "martial and percussive" production and effective use of samples on the album.

After three more albums, Eric B. and Rakim's record contract with MCA ended. Concerned that Rakim might abandon him, Eric B. refused to sign the release contract, leading to a protracted legal battle between him, Rakim, and the label. This situation led the duo to split up entirely in 1992. After separating from Rakim, Eric B. released one solo album - 1995's Eric B. - but primarily worked as a producer and executive for Street Life Records, a now-defunct subsidiary of Scotti Brothers Records.

Eric B. and Rakim fell out of contact after they ceased to collaborate musically, but in 2016, they reconnected and announced their reunion. The duo has once again begun holding concerts and is working on remastering their albums, but indicated that they were planning to release something other than new music.

In addition to music, Eric B. has been involved in movie production and worked as a consultant for The Source Awards. He also owns several restaurants throughout the United States.

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