The rap scene today isn't close to what it was in the '80s. When you look back at rap pioneers like The Sugar Hill Gang, Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash they were true indie MCs toiling away in a little known underground movement. There were no diamond rings and expensive cars in the early part of the '80s since rap wasn't mainstream enough to garner the millions today's rappers earn in a week. When rap exploded with the help of the Run DMC/ Aerosmith collaboration on "Walk This Way", the music industry began to accept rap as a credible commercial genre of its own... and the rest is history.
The rap stars of the '80s laid the foundation for what we hear today. Most acts had a lifespan of two or three years while a select few have survived throughout the decades, with some still making music today. As the rap scene continues to evolve, here's a look at our "Top 16 Rappers of the '80s".
Big Time Honorable Mentions:
You can't make a list of '80s rappers without giving props to...
Kool Moe Dee
De La Soul
Digital Underground
Biz Markie
Schooly D
DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
16. Whodini
In any city back in 1984 on any ghetto blaster (later to somehow mysteriously be renamed to Boom Box), Whodini dominated the streets and the underground clubs with tracks from their unforgettable "Escape" album. Out of the eight songs on "Escape", four tracks became some of the biggest rap songs of the entire decade - "Five Minutes of Funk", "Freaks Come Out at Night", "Big Mouth", and "Friends" - which still sound awesome today. Although Whodini didn't break ground or go on to find huge success in the late '80s, there's a reason why they were finally given respect at the 2007 Vh1 Hip Hop Honors.
15. Big Daddy Kane
Like a lot of influential rappers in the '80s, Big Daddy Kane hit it big for a short period of time but left a lasting impact on the rap scene, which influenced many rappers of the '90s. Kane released "Long Live the Kane" in 1988 with the single "Ain't No Half Steppin'" but found even bigger success in 1989 when he released "It's a Big Daddy Thing", which spawned the hits "Smooth Operator" and "I Get the Job Done". As the '80s crested into the '90s, Big Daddy Kane continued to release albums, but fell victim to a changing era of music with the emergence of Grunge and such new rappers as Snoop and Tupac. Still, Big Daddy Kane continues to write and produce with some of today's top artists.
14. Eric B. and Rakim
When you think of Eric B. and Rakim, it doesn't seem like they were only together for six years. While other rappers rhymed about dancing and having fun, Eric B. and Rakim were changing the style of rap with their experimental use of language and freeform technique. After breaking out on the still underground rap scene with the song "Over Like a Fat Rat", the duo released "Paid in Full" in 1987, which is still considered to be one of the best rap albums of the '80s despite no breakout singles. On their way up the rap ranks, Eric B. and Rakim released "Follow the Leader" in 1988 and solidified themselves as one of the best, most innovative rap acts of the '80s. In 1989, the duo closed out the decade when they added support rap to former Shalamar vixen Jody Watley's Top 10 hit "Friends". In 1992, Eric B. and Rakim broke up after a legal battle and the rap scene has never been the same without them.
13. KRS-One - Boogie Down Productions
In 1987 Boogie Down Productions, with KRS-One, bust onto the rap scene almost out of nowhere and commanded their place among the rapping elite. The sound and style of BDP wasn't like most rappers who were getting airplay since their lyrical content was more political with roots in the hard life on the streets, delving into such themes as gun violence and prostitution. Like Public Enemy, BDP brought a socio-political consciousness to rap that often cause friction with their rapping peers, which sparked the now famous rivalry known as The Bridge Wars with MC Shan and legendary hip-hop producer Marly Marl. With the release of their debut album "Criminal Minded", BDP paved the way for a new generation of streetwise rappers who went on to create the Gangsta sound. Before the '80s came to a close, Boogie Down Productions released two more albums - "By All Means Necessary" and "Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip-Hop" - which ushered in a new generation of sampling, political content, and a place in the rap scene to reflect on the struggles of real life with a hope for the future.
12. Slick Rick
British born rapper Slick Rick (formerly of Doug E. Fresh's Get Fresh Crew) released only one album in the '80s but made huge waves on the rap scene. "The Great Adventures of Slick Rick", produced by Rick Rubin and Jam Master Jay among others, broke the Top 50 on Billboard and hit #1 on the rap/R&B charts with memorable songs like "Children's Story", "Teenage Love", and "Hey Young World". Although Slick Rick found success, he was also dogged by controversy for the approach to songs like "Treat Her Like a Prostitute" and "Lick the Balls" plus "Indian Girl" and his sometimes bizarre blend of humor and sensitive subject matter, which often served as real life reflection for his talents to tell a story. In the '90s, Slick Rick was sent to prison on attempted murder and weapons charges and released in 1998. In that period, Rick released two more albums and a third in 1999 before being pardoned for his prior conviction.
11. Doug E. Fresh
Doug E. Fresh's imprint on the '80s rap scene wasn't quite as mainstream as later rappers, but he was definitely a pioneer. After all, he was, and still is, the original "Human Beatbox" and the one who all subsequent wannabes followed, whether they knew it or not. After giving mainstream audiences a taste of his talents in the now legendary (and still awesome) rap movie Beat Street, Doug E. Fresh hit it big on the rap scene with "The Show", which used the theme to the old Inspector Gadget TV series as it main through-line, and the B-side "La Di Da Di", which also features Slick Rick. Working with his own group, The Get Fresh Crew (including Slick Rick, aka: Ricky D), Doug E. Fresh paved the road for today's freestyle beatboxers and was a key player in the first wave of '80s rappers. Fresh also went on to appear on the Ghostbusters II soundtrack and later worked with In Living Color at the end of the decade.
10. Kurtis Blow:
As far as rap pioneers, Kurtis Blow is the guy who started it all in the '80s. Blow was the first rapper signed to a major label with the help of Russell Simmons and released the hit "The Breaks", which caught the attention of mainstream media. Considered to be the best rapper of the day when he burst onto the scene in 1980, Kurtis Blow went on to find success with the singles "If I Ruled the World" and "Basketball" while also appearing in the groundbreaking rap movie Krush Groove with Run DMC and other influential '80s rappers. Although Blow kick-started the popularity of rap with mainstream music lovers, he was dwarfed by his own success when other rap artists quickly followed in his footsteps thanks to the open door he created for rappers.
9. Beastie Boys
Despite having the biggest selling rap album of the '80s with their 1986 release "Licensed to Ill", the Beastie Boys were more of a mainstream novelty until 1989 when they released "Paul's Boutique". In 1986, barely anyone in the industry or the rap circles were ready to give four white rappers any type of street-cred. In reality, it was "Paul's Boutique" that propelled them into the next decade. The Beastie Boys didn't become THE "Beastie Boys" and get the street-cred they deserved until the '90s. When you think of the Beastie Boys in the '80s, "Fight For Your Right" tops the list but "Paul's Boutique" came so late in the '80s that the Beastie Boys weren't influential and widely accepted until "Paul's Boutique" and their later albums "Check You Head", "Ill Communication", and "Hello Nasty". The Beasties are on this list because of "Paul's Boutique" and not so much for "Licensed to Ill".
8. The Sugar Hill Gang
Although the Sugar Hill Gang kicked open the doors for future rap artists in 1979 with their "still being played today" hit "Rapper's Delight", the trio of Wonder Mike, Big Bank Hank, and Master Gee became early rap legends in the early to mid '80s. While songs like "8th Wonder", "Apache, and "Livin' in the Fast Lane" didn't perform as well as "Rapper's Delight", they were instrumental in shaping the '80s rap scene that was starting to spread to the four corners of the U.S. At the close of the '70s, within the Disco era, "Rapper's Delight' was such a big dance club hit that it became the most significant turning point in introducing rap to the mainstream population in the '80s. Disco died and the '80s rap scene took its place thanks to "Rapper's Delight". Ask anyone in the rap game how much of an impact The Sugar Hill Gang had on him or her in the '80s and they'll tell you a ton. Kid Rock's "Bawitdaba"... it's a Sugar Hill Gang, "8th Wonder" riff.
7. LL Cool J
Back in 1985 when the then unknown LL Cool J burst out of nowhere with his debut album "Radio", no one could have predicted how his career would evolve from music into movies, TV, and fashion. The LL you see today wasn't the LL of the '80s since his sound had more of a hungier, "something to prove" edge to it. When he said, "I'm bad..." like he did on his second album "Bigger and Deffer", he really was. Although LL's music has always appealed to the ladies, he had a much grittier image with such songs as "I'm Bad" on the heels of "I Can't Live Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" from "Radio". By the time he released his third album in 1989, "Walking Like a Panther", LL Cool J was one of the biggest rappers on the scene, especially after releasing "Going Back to Cali", which is still considered to be one of the best raps songs of all time. In a lot of ways, the '80s set the stage for arguably the best album of his career, "Mama Said Knock You Out".
6. EPMD
The amazing thing about EPMD is that 20 years after the release of their first single "Strictly Business", Erick Sermon and PMD could re-release it right now and it could go straight to the top of the Rap/R&B charts. It's the only song on this entire list that doesn't sound dated when you listen to it again. Known in their early years for masterfully using samples to create their sound, as in "I Shot the Sheriff" on "Strictly Business", EPMD was one of the best underground rap duos of the decade with such hits as "You Gots to Chill", "Strictly Business", "So Wat Ya Sayin", and "The Payback". Both of EPMD's '80s albums, "Strictly Business" and "Unfinished Business", shot to #1 on the Rap/R&B charts and all of their subsequent albums clocked in higher and higher on the mainstream charts. If some of the other '80s rappers didn't leave such an impact on the rap scene, we'd easily vote EPMD as #1.
5. Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa has never gotten the wide mainstream respect he deserves. Who knows if he even wants it? He was so influential to the early hip-hop scene on a global cultural level that a lot of rap fans probably don't even know he was instrumental in introducing rap to the world. Bambaataa was responsible for creating The Zulu Nation of MCs, which raised awareness on blacks in Africa while later creating The Soul Sonic Force. Bambaataa's early groups were filled with a variety of innovative sounds and styles that were far ahead of the '80s rap era. While early NYC rappers were trying to find their sound, Bambaataa was experimenting with the electric European sounds of Kraftwerk to create Electro Funk and later worked with ex-Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten and "Godfather of Soul" James Brown. Afrika Bambaataa was the first rapper to tour Europe and later appeared at the acclaimed Sun City festival in South Africa. Bambaataa hit it big in the '80s with the pioneering "Planet Rock" with The Soul Sonic Force but he also released the influential "Afrika Bambaataa and the Family" in 1988 that further solidified his legacy as one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time.
4. N.W.A.
Straight out of Compton, a bunch crazy mofos took the rap industry by storm in 1987 and changed the entire scene almost overnight. Go back through every one of the artists on this list, from 5 to 15, and you'll see just how much different N.W.A. was in sound, style, and attitude. BDP are the only ones who come remotely close. The day that Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Easy E, MC Ren and DJ Yella burst onto the scene was the day that people realized that rap wasn't all fun and dance. Instead, it was real... brutally real! The founding fathers of Gangsta rap, N.W.A. released their first two albums in the '80s - "N.W.A. and the Posse" and "Straight Outta Compton" - but it was the latter release and the song and video for "Staright Outta Compton" that shook the rap world to its core. Songs like "Fuck tha Police" and "Gangsta Gangsta" scared the mainstream music establishment so bad that some versions of the album were censored since rap audiences were so used to hearing the safe and fun lyrics that didn't delve into the harsh reality of street life. The N.W.A. of the '80s changed rap forever and today's rap scene is largely shaped by their legacy.
3. Public Enemy
No other rap act in history has had more cultural and socio-political impact on the music world than Public Enemy, even today. With their explosive, no fear style and sound, Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, and Terminator X became the Black Panthers of rap given their commitment to defending and raising awareness on the rights and advancement of African Americans. With the release of their debut album in 1987, "Yo! Bum Rush the Show", Public Enemy let the world know how they felt about the state of society and the plight of the black man while challenging the establishment to do something about it. PE's second album in 1989, "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back", was a revolutionary masterpiece that summed up exactly what the rappers were all about as it challenged the politics of the day, the racial undercurrent within America, the public rage toward the government, and offered a prophetic glimpse into the future of a possible Armageddon if we don't change our ways. PE managed to not only command the respect of everyone, but they also earned it with three of the best albums in the history of music.
2. Run DMC
The funny thing about Run DMC is that a lot of people credit their collaboration with Aerosmith on "Walk This Way" as pioneering the rock infused rap sound. It wasn't "Walk This Way" at all; it was "Rock Box" from their self-titled debut album in 1984. As well, Run DMC wasn't an overnight mainstream success until 1986 when they released their worldwide breakout album "Raising Hell". Much like the founding forefathers of '80s rap, Run DMC was a hit on the underground rap scene, gaining momentum with each album release - from "Run DMC" in 1984 and "King of Rock" in 1985 to "Raising Hell" in 1986 and "Tougher Than Leather" in 1988. At a time when rap was on the verge of becoming a credible genre of its own, the decision to pair Run DMC with Aerosmith for "Walk This Way: was pure genius since it introduced rap to the four corners of the globe. When you listen to "Raising Hell", there's not one bad track on the album, which spawned unforgettable songs as "My Adidas", "You be Illin", "Peter Piper" and "It's Tricky". Add in all of their hits from the '80s - "It's Like That", "Rock Box", "King of Rock", "Run's House" and "Mary Mary" - and Run DMC was arguably and critically the most successful rap trio of the decade.
1. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Simply put, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (namely Melle Mel) were way ahead of their time. While Public Enemy took message rap to new heights and NWA kicked down the doors on the hardships of street life, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five pioneered both. And they were the first to feature scratching on an album, too. Melle Mel, Scorpio, Kid Creole, Raheim, and Cowboy reinvented the sound and flamboyant style of George Clinton and the R&B innovations of James Brown to create the foundations of the rap scene and industry. When the group released their debut album, "The Message", in 1982, with no mainstream airplay at all, songs like "It's Nasty", "Scorpio", and the groundbreaking hit "The Message" found their way into ghetto blasters all over North America.
"The Message" is considered by many to be the greatest rap song of all time for its accurate telling of street life in NYC in the early '80s. Although PE's Chuck-D is widely regarded as the top socio-political rapper in the business, he's only surpassed by Melle Mel who is one of the best songwriters and lyricists in the history of music. In 1984 he appeared in the movie Beat Street, spitting such prophetic lyrics as... "Lost in space, and what is it worth, huh? The president just forgot about Earth. Spending multi billions, and maybe even trillions. The cost of weapons ran into zillions. There's gold in the street, and diamonds under feet. And the children in Africa don't even eat." Sound familiar? Source>>>