Classic Hip Hop Albums of the 1980sLike this list

10 items

• It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

  Public Enemy (Musical group)

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  Public Enemy‘s It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back is one of the best albums ever made, in any genre. The best and one of the most important Hip Hop albums ever. Enough said.

• 3 Feet High and Rising

  De La Soul (Musical group)

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  Innovative and hugely influential – this cooperation between De La Soul and producer Prince Paul is truly a landmark album in Hip Hop (and music in general). This album introduced the skit to Hip Hop albums; and although skits more often…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Great Adventures of Slick Rick

  Slick Rick

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  It doesn’t get much better than this. A flawless album from start to finish, filled with dope tracks. Slick Rick‘s superior storytelling abilities, combined with his humor and typical rap style, make this album an unforgettable classic.

• Straight Outta Compton

  N.W.A. (Musical group)

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  This album was a game-changer; for better or for worse. One of the first real ‘gangsta rap’ albums, and one of the most successful, going multi-platinum without any radio play. It influenced and changed the direction of Hip Hop, producing…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Raising Hell

  Run-D.M.C. (Musical group)

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  One of the first mega-sellers in Hip Hop and the album that would cement the status of Run DMC as the most important Hip Hop act of the time. A brilliant album, with perfect interplay between Jam Master Jay – one of the first great…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Paul's Boutique

  Beastie Boys

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  Was there ever an album, in any genre, that used sampling more brilliantly and creatively than Paul’s Boutique? This album truly is sampling heaven. Paul’s Boutique was completely different from Beastie Boys‘ much easier accessible and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Yo! Bum Rush the Show

  Public Enemy (Musical group)

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  The classic debut of one of Hip Hop’s greatest and most important groups of all time. This album truly was a game-changer, production- and content-wise. Rough, hard-hitting beats and turntablism, complemented by Chuck D’s booming voice and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Licensed to Ill

  Beastie Boys

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  A timeless classic. Licensed To Ill offers pure energy and great fun. The Beastie Boys were the first white act in Hip Hop to make it big, and maintain credibility and respect in the Hip Hop world throughout their career. This album is…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper

  D.J. Jazzy Jeff

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  He’s The DJ I’m The Rapper was the duo’s second album and the first double album in Hip Hop. It was a huge success, reaching triple platinum status. It established pioneering DJ Jazzy Jeff as one of the all-time great DJs in Hip Hop and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• King of Rock

  Run-D.M.C. (Musical group)

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  Run DMC’s second album established them as Hip Hop’s top act of the time and was the stepping stone to one of Hip Hop’s biggest albums ever: Raising Hell.