The Best Hip Hop Songs of 1987

A look at the best hip hop songs of 1987. From N.W.A. to Public Enemy, these are the tracks that defined a genre.

Introduction

In the late 1980s, Hip Hop became a mainstream genre of music and culture. It was characterized by its own unique style of rapping, break dancing, and graffiti art. Hip Hop music was often based on African American rhythms and culture, but it also incorporated elements from other genres of music, such as rock, pop, and reggae. By the end of the 1980s, Hip Hop had emerged as one of the most popular and influential genres of music in the world.

The following is a list of the best Hip Hop songs of 1987. This list is based on my personal opinion and includes only songs that were released in 1987. I have tried to include a variety of different styles and genres within Hip Hop to create a well-rounded list. I hope you enjoy it!

1) “Adam and Eve” by Slick Rick
2) “Buffalo Gals” by Malcolm McLaren
3) “Children’s Story” by Slick Rick
4) “Criminal Minded” by Boogie Down Productions
5) “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy
6) “I Know You Got Soul” by Eric B. & Rakim
7) “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
8) “Just Dance” by Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew
9) “La Di Da Di” by Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew
10) “My Adidas” by Run DMC

“Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang

The song that started it all. “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang is often credited as being the first true hip hop song. It was released in September of 1979 and was an instant hit, reaching #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song samples Chic’s “Good Times” and features some of the most famous lyrics in hip hop history, including “I said a hip hop, the hippie, the hippie / To the hip, hip hop, and you don’t stop.”

“The Bridge is Over” by Boogie Down Productions

“The Bridge is Over” is a song by the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions, released as the lead single from their 1987 album Criminal Minded. The song is a diss track aimed at Queensbridge-based rival MC Shan and the Juice Crew, and is considered one of the most influential diss tracks in hip hop history.

“I Know You Got Soul” by Eric B. & Rakim

“I Know You Got Soul” is a single by Eric B. & Rakim, released on January 6, 1987 as the first single from their album Paid in Full. The song was written by Rakim and produced by Eric B..

The song samples James Brown’s “Funky President (People It’s Bad)” (1974), Bobby Byrd’s “Hot Pants (Bonus Beats Encore)” (1971), andRun-DMC’s “Peter Piper” (1986).

“I Know You Got Soul” was ranked number 45 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs of All Time. In 1998, the song was ranked number 176 on Pitchfork Media’s Top 200 Tracks of the 1980s. In 2006, the song was ranked number 5 on XXL’s Top 50 Hip-Hop Songs of the ’80s.

“Paid in Full” by Eric B. & Rakim

Paid in Full is the debut album of American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released on July 7, 1987, by Island-subsidiary 4th & B’way Records. The album peaked at number 54 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 18, 1987. Paid in Full is widely regarded as a classic album in the hip hop genre. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source’s 100 Best Rap Albums. In 2003, the album was ranked number 228 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

“Cold chillin'” by LL Cool J

“Cold chillin'” is a song by American rapper LL Cool J from his debut album Radio. It was produced by the hip hop group Marley Marl and released in 1987 by Def Jam Recordings. The song features LL Cool J rapping about how he is the greatest rapper alive. The song is considered to be one of the classic hip hop songs of all time and is one of LL Cool J’s most well-known songs.

“I’m Bad” by LL Cool J

LL Cool J’s “I’m Bad” was released in 1987 and is considered one of the best hip hop songs of that year. The song is about LL’s prowess as a ladies’ man and features a sample of James Brown’s “Funky Drummer.”

“Raising Hell” by Run-DMC

“Raising Hell” is the third studio album by American hip hop group Run-DMC, released on May 15, 1986 by Profile Records. The album was certified platinum on July 21, 1987 and multi-platinum on November 9, 1987 by the RIAA. Run-DMC became the first Hip Hop group to achieve this feat. It is considered one of the most influential and greatest rap albums of all time. Songs like “It’s Tricky”, “My Addidas”, and “Walk This Way” helped rap become more mainstream in the 1980s.

“My Adidas” by Run-DMC

“My Adidas” is a song by American hip hop group Run-DMC. It was released in 1986 as the second single from their third album, Raising Hell. The song was written by group members Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Joseph “Run” Simmons, and Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell, and produced by Mizell.

The song pays tribute to the footwear company Adidas, and has been credited with helping to expand the brand’s appeal to non-athletes. It peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2003, VH1 ranked “My Adidas” number 73 on its list of the 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time.

“Walk This Way” by Run-DMC

“Walk This Way” is a song by the American hip hop group Run-DMC. It was released on September 13, 1987, as the lead single from the group’s third album Raising Hell. The song was written by group members Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels, and produced by Rick Rubin.

The song samples “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith, and the hook is sung by Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1988, becoming the first rap song to top the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and helping break hip hop into mainstream music. In 2005, Rolling Stone ranked “Walk This Way” number 383 on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

“Peter Piper” by Run-DMC

“Peter Piper” is a song by the American hip hop group Run-DMC. It was released on November 11, 1987 as the lead single from the group’s third album Raising Hell. The song was produced by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons. The song peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Run-DMC’s second top-ten single on that chart.

“It’s Tricky” by Run-DMC

Released on October 13, 1987, “It’s Tricky” is a hip hop song by Run–DMC. The song was written by the group’s DJ, Jam Master Jay, and produced by Rick Rubin. It was the second single from the album Raising Hell. The song is built around a sample of “My Sharona” by The Knack.

“Mary, Mary” by Run-DMC

“Mary, Mary” is a song by American hip hop group Run-DMC. It was released on July 21, 1987, as the second single from their third album, Raising Hell. The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

“King of Rock” by Run-DMC

Run-DMC was one of the most influential groups in the history of hip hop. With their third album, Raising Hell, they took the genre to new heights with their fusion of rock and rap. The lead single, “King of Rock,” is a perfect example of this, with its hard-hitting beats and rock guitar riffs. It’s one of the most iconic songs of the ’80s, and it cemented Run-DMC’s place as one of hip hop’s most important groups.

“Can You Rock It Like This” by Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

Can You Rock It Like This is a song by Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. It was released in 1987 and peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by Jeff Townes and Will Smith, and produced by Townes.

“Brand New Funk” by Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

“Brand New Funk” was released in 1987 as the lead single from Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s album He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper. The song was a huge hit, reaching number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of the most iconic songs of the 1980s.

Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince were one of the most popular hip hop duos of the 1980s, and “Brand New Funk” is widely considered to be one of their best songs. The track features a fun, upbeat sound that perfectly encapsulates the feel-good vibes of the late 80s. If you’re looking for a classic hip hop song to add to your collection, “Brand New Funk” is a great choice.