'88 may well be the most influential year in the genres history, with a plethora of classic releases that would go onto shape and define the different sub-genres within Rap.
Take a good look at these covers and just consider the legacy of some of the following albums, all droppin in '88
Crazy, and that is by no means an exhaustive list.
I mean PE and Chuck's political hard-hitting, booming delivery.
NWA dropping THE Westcoast gangsta rap album that had your ears sizzling and launched the legendary careers of Ice Cube, Dre and Eazy.
Strictly Business, EPMDs east coast banger with such blatant ill sampology that it brought sample clearance to the industry.
Follow the Leader cemented Rakim god-like legend status.
BDP - Blastmaster KRS starting to get spiritual after Scott La Rock's death and taking his first steps down the path of becoming the Teacher.
Kool G Rap and DJ Polo - man, G Rap pioneered the East Coast Crime Rap and layed the foundations for Nas, Biggie, Wu Tang and Jay Z.
Big Daddy Kane the smooth rap, ladies man with the tongue twisting rhyme schemes. legend.
Tougher Than Leather - talked about this incredible album here. My all time favourite Run DMC album. the defining Rock/Rap album to me.
Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff - Don't front, if you were listening to rap back then you were digging these guys. In DJ circles, DJ Jazzy Jeff is regarded as one of the alltime greats, and while the Fresh Prince may not have been the most technical rapper ever, his records first displayed his charisma and sense of humour that see him become a huge sitcom and movie star.
MC Lyte - the best female mc of the era. easily.
Jungle Brothers - seminal album from the Native Tongues members - think about this - that crew also brought us De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest. the start of the afrocentric vein of hiphop
Slick Rick - who would have ever thought a Kangol wearing, eye patch having, pommy accented mc could be regarded as the pioneer of storytelling raps. MC Ricky D was the king of it.
Life is... Too Short - King of the underground. 'nuff said.
Ultramags - criminally slept on classic album, with gritty beats and a grade raps. introduced the world to the phenomona known as Kool Keith
King Tee - another man who's legacy is slept on, King T was the west coast underground legend who mentored Tha Alkaholiks, Xzibit and Dr Dre. Pretty fucking decent legacy right there.
Salt n Pepa - These girls did it like no one else and really were one of the few female acts to achieve similar popularity to the men, in a lot of cases they had a lot more longevity and success than many of their counterparts.
In putting this together, I was recalling a 1988 mix cd my homie Chris Bass made for me. It led me on a little search, where I found CLASSIC Roadium mixtapes made by Dr Dre back in late 80's at WFMU's blog.
These great mixes will transport me straight back to my bedroom as a youngster.
You can download - U Got Ganked here: Side A & Side B
Grab the rest from WFMU's blog and thanks to those guys for uploading some classic pieces of hiphop.
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