247 Album Verdict
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Hip-Hop · 1980s

The Best Hip-Hop Albums of the 1980s

Our pick of the essential hip-hop records released in the 1980s, ranked.

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  1. 1
    It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us BackPublic Enemy

    It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

    Public Enemy · 1988 · Hip-Hop

    A dense, furious wall of sound from the Bomb Squad behind Chuck D's righteous fury and Flavor Flav's chaos. Politically explosive and sonically revolutionary. One of rap's most important records.

  2. 2
    3 Feet High and RisingDe La Soul

    3 Feet High and Rising

    De La Soul · 1989 · Hip-Hop

    A playful, sample-dense debut that opened hip-hop to whimsy, psychedelia and the everyday. Its 'D.A.I.S.Y. Age' optimism was a genuine left turn. Joyful and groundbreaking.

  3. 3
    Raising HellRun-DMC

    Raising Hell

    Run-DMC · 1986 · Hip-Hop

    The album that took rap to the mainstream, home to the Aerosmith team-up 'Walk This Way'. Tough and tuneful. A landmark.

  4. 4
    Licensed to IllBeastie Boys

    Licensed to Ill

    Beastie Boys · 1986 · Hip-Hop

    A rowdy, rock-sampling debut that made rap a pop force. Fun and brash. A cultural landmark.

  5. 5
    Paul's BoutiqueBeastie Boys

    Paul's Boutique

    Beastie Boys · 1989 · Hip-Hop

    A dense, sample-collage masterpiece that flopped then became revered. Dazzling and layered. A production landmark.

  6. 6
    Straight Outta ComptonN.W.A

    Straight Outta Compton

    N.W.A · 1988 · Hip-Hop

    The explosive birth of gangsta rap, furious and unflinching. Raw and influential. A genre-defining record.

  7. 7
    Paid in FullEric B. & Rakim

    Paid in Full

    Eric B. & Rakim · 1987 · Hip-Hop

    A foundational record where Rakim's intricate flow changed rap forever. Smooth and influential. A genre cornerstone.

  8. 8
    Criminal MindedBoogie Down Productions

    Criminal Minded

    Boogie Down Productions · 1987 · Hip-Hop

    A raw, foundational record of hardcore lyricism and reggae-tinged beats. Tough and influential. A genre cornerstone.

  9. 9
    Follow the LeaderEric B. & Rakim

    Follow the Leader

    Eric B. & Rakim · 1988 · Hip-Hop

    A lyrical, ambitious follow-up of Rakim's intricate flow. Sharp and influential. A high point.

  10. 10
    RadioLL Cool J

    Radio

    LL Cool J · 1985 · Hip-Hop

    A foundational, beat-driven debut of early rap swagger. Raw and influential. A genre cornerstone.

  11. 11
    Run-D.M.C.Run-DMC

    Run-D.M.C.

    Run-DMC · 1984 · Hip-Hop

    A stripped-down, hard debut that reshaped rap. Raw and influential. A genre cornerstone.

  12. 12
    Long Live the KaneBig Daddy Kane

    Long Live the Kane

    Big Daddy Kane · 1988 · Hip-Hop

    A foundational lyrical landmark of smooth, rapid rhyming. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.

  13. 13
    The Great Adventures of Slick RickSlick Rick

    The Great Adventures of Slick Rick

    Slick Rick · 1988 · Hip-Hop

    A witty, narrative landmark of effortless storytelling. Charming and influential. A genre classic.

  14. 14
    By All Means NecessaryBoogie Down Productions

    By All Means Necessary

    Boogie Down Productions · 1988 · Hip-Hop

    A politically sharpened peak of conscious rap. Bold and influential. A high point.

  15. 15
    Strictly BusinessEPMD

    Strictly Business

    EPMD · 1988 · Hip-Hop

    A funky, foundational debut of laid-back boom-bap. Smooth and influential. A genre cornerstone.