The Best Hip Hop Music from the 80s
The Best Hip Hop Music from the 80s – A blog dedicated to the best hip hop music from the 1980s.
Best Hip Hop Songs from the 80s
Some of the best Hip Hop songs from the 80s include “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang, “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy, and “N.W.A. Express” by N.W.A. These songs are considered classics in the Hip Hop genre and are still popular today.
“Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang
“Rapper’s Delight” is a hip hop song released in 1979 by The Sugarhill Gang. The song is credited with being the first hip hop single to gain widespread popularity in the mainstream, and it is often considered one of the most influential songs in the genre. “Rapper’s Delight” was ranked #251 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
“The Breaks” by Kurtis Blow
“The Breaks” is a song by Kurtis Blow from his self-titled debut album. It was released in 1980 as the B-side to “Hard Times”. The song was ranked #10 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs of All Time list. The song is credited as being the first rap song to gain widespread popularity and is often cited as one of the most influential hip hop songs of all time.
“Fresh” by Kool & The Gang
“Fresh” is a song by Kool & The Gang, released as a single in 1984. The song was originally released on the album Emergency, and became one of the band’s biggest hits, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was notable for its use of synthesizers and drum machines, which were becoming increasingly popular in hip hop music at the time.
“Rock the Bells” by LL Cool J
“Rock the Bells” is one of the most well-known and iconic hip hop songs of the 80s. It was released in 1985 as the lead single from LL Cool J’s debut album, Radio. The song is considered to be a classic of the genre and is frequently cited as one of the greatest hip hop songs of all time. It features a distinctive horn sample from the 1968 track ” More Peas” by Fred Wesley and The JBs.
“Fight the Power” by Public Enemy
“Fight the Power” is a song by American hip hop group Public Enemy, released as a single in June 1989 on Motown Records. The song was written and produced by group members Chuck D and Hank Shocklee, with help from associate member Keith Leblanc. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential songs in hip hop history. The song’s message resonated with African Americans and other people of color who were facing oppression at the time, and it has been used in protests and political campaigns around the world.
Best Hip Hop Albums from the 80s
The 1980s was a great decade for Hip Hop music. This was the decade when Hip Hop music first became popular. There were many great Hip Hop albums released in the 1980s. Here are some of the best Hip Hop albums from the 1980s.
“Rapture” by Anita Baker
Anita Baker’s “Rapture” is often cited as one of the best hip hop albums of the 80s. Released in 1986, the album features a mix of R&B, soul, and pop music. Baker’s clear, powerful voice is showcased throughout the album, and her songwriting ability is on display in tracks like “Sweet Love” and “Giving You the Best That I Got.” “Rapture” peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart and won two Grammy Awards, cementing its place as one of the decade’s best hip hop albums.
“License to Ill” by Beastie Boys
“License to Ill” is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Beastie Boys, released on November 15, 1986 by Def Jam and Columbia Records. The album features fast-paced raps and samples from various other artists including Led Zeppelin, Slayer, and The Beatles. It peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, making it the first rap album to do so. “License to Ill” was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2015 for shipping more than five million copies in the United States.
“Straight Outta Compton” by N.W.A.
“Straight Outta Compton” by N.W.A. is one of the best hip hop albums from the 80s. The album was released in 1988 and is considered one of the most influential albums in hip hop history. It features classic tracks such as “Fuck the Police” and “Gangsta Gangsta”.
“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, by4th & B’way Records. The album peaked at number forty-eight on the Billboard 200 chart and is recognized as a classic within the hip hop community. Paid in Full was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 10, 1987, and platinum on April 25, 1989. Paid in Full is widely regarded as both one of the best hip hop albums of all time as well as one of the most influential hip hop albums of all time.
“It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” by Public Enemy
Public Enemy’s second album, “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” is often cited as one of the most influential and game-changing hip hop albums of all time. Released in 1988, the album features some of the most groundbreaking and innovative production techniques ever used in hip hop music, as well as complex, politically charged lyrics delivered with unmatched intensity by Chuck D. Although it was a commercial success, reaching #1 on the Billboard R&B charts and #42 on the Billboard 200, its true impact was felt in the years to come as it helped to shape the sound and style of 1990s hip hop.
