Hip Hop: This Is Where The Magic Began

It’s 3pm on a cool December afternoon in Miami Beach, Florida; 1982. Body Mechanic is blasting through the boombox speakers, while B-Boys do what B-Boys do; B-Boy (aka Breakdance). The cardboard we spun on was fresh and crisp; remains of an early Christmas gift. It was one of our prized possessions, although storing it next to the outdoor washing machine behind our apartment block wouldn’t preserve it for long. Nevertheless, it was the best we had considering the circumstances. No polka dot shirts, leather jackets, Doc Marten boots, and definitely no Dookie Chains. We didn’t have much of an identity either, not even a proper name for our “crew.” I think we were too naive to care about names, status, fashion, etcetera. We were just a group of young boys (I was 11), who enjoyed the heck out of this new music we were hearing. And more often than not, it was Body Mechanic kicking things off.

Surf to any Youtube video of an early 80s Hip Hop song and read the comments. What you’ll find is a long list of nostalgic remarks from music fans of that era (as I admittedly am), singing the praises of old school Hip Hop, and its superiority over today’s music. “This is real Hip Hop,” and “Rappers today can’t touch this,” are but a few of the remarks I saw while exploring the history of the music I loved, and still love to this day. I am a bit more reserved when it comes to calling it the “best” Hip Hop has ever had to offer. But let’s face it, I could probably pull up some early 90s Hip Hop videos and find similar comments about that era. And we can probably spend all day comparing today’s rappers to those of the early 80s and still not come to a consensus (I definitely have my opinion). We can also argue about how much credit DJs and musicians of the 70s and 80s should have gotten for Hip Hop’s eventual success. But we’re not going to do that.

Below, you’ll see a list of my top 5 Hip Hop choices for every year from 1980 to 1985. My choices are totally subjective, and like the talking points above, could probably stir up an emotionally charged debate, the likes of which are out of the scope of this post. So before we get to my list, I’d like to get ahead of the raging debates by highlighting some of the reasons Hip Hop was indeed “better” than it is today. And I want to do it as objectively as possible. In a way that highlights points so thoroughly researched, they’ve been universally accepted as truth. Although, as you’ll read below, even the well agreed upon facts can be disputed.

First and foremost, for the purposes of this specific blog, I am referring to Hip Hop in a much larger context than audible beats, rhymes, and scratches. I am not here to solely discuss another style of music; another genre. That’s too simple, and in my opinion disrespectful. If not disrespectful, then ignorant at the very least. Those beats, rhymes, and scratches were but the raw materials needed to transform the musical landscape (which they did). But when I refer to Hip Hop here, I am referring to an entire movement. A very specific and unique movement occurring in one tiny part of the planet, orchestrated by one, tiny subsection (arguably two) of the human population, throughout the first 10 years of its now 50 year history.

Why was Hip Hop better in the 70s and early 80s?

Because it didn’t exist until then (not in its current form anyways). Because someone had to set the foundation. Someone had to step up and make it happen. Someone had to have the vision. DJ Kool Herc is credited with revolutionizing the art of the DJ, creating a way to extend the instrumental parts of songs so that people could dance to the beats, without vocals getting in the way. Kool Herc is widely considered to be the founding father of Hip Hop music. Again, without the pioneers of any social or religious movement, mechanical or technical innovation, or fill in the blank construct, we simply wouldn’t be where we are today. That is especially true of the musical innovators of that time. Those whose shoulders we stand on deserve the credit. We get what’s left over.

By Herc’s side, as part of an MC crew called The Herculoids, was Coke La Rock, considered the first ever Hip Hop rapper. Sure, there were documented spoken word pieces being recorded before Kool Herc and Coke La Rock came along. Check out the Last Poets for a taste of New York’s 1970 reality from a black man’s perspective. This was raw, unadulterated reality, and poetic perfection. Yet as powerful as every Last Poet’s rhymes were, it was Coke La Rock’s lighthearted rhyming that garnered the power to change the entire South Bronx landscape. Gangs violence dissipated (albeit temporarily), giving way to rap and dance battles. Some gang members themselves (See Afrika Bambaataa), put their guns down and picked up records instead. Today, it is hard to imagine what these guys did for society as a whole with the power of music (and some otherworldly creativity). Even the ones who lived through it and participated in cultivating and refining it, had no clue the power of the journey they were embarking on.

It started with Kool Herc and Coke La Rock, but it didn’t end there. Grand Wizzard Theodore did more than just extend the “breakbeat.” A disciple of Grandmaster Flash, he took it one step further by discovering, and eventually bringing to the world, what is today known as “Scratching.” This technique quickly became the cornerstone of our modern DJ. Scratching became a required skill for any DJ hoping to make a dent in the industry at the time. Grandmaster D.ST. and Herbie Hancock brought this message to the world in 1983, and it remains popular to this day. Check out the 2022 Technics DMC World Scratch Championship Final here.

Speaking of Grandmaster Flash, there is plenty of controversy to be had regarding the “truth,” as he sees it. Thankfully, this is not the forum for that argument, and I will definitely avoid going down that rabbit hole. But… If you want to know more about Grandmaster Flash and his thoughts regarding the origins of the DJ, and his role in Hip Hop’s history, click here.

Protests aside, most of us can agree that Hip Hop was born at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, in the Bronx, New York. Check it out on Google Maps. It is listed as a Historical Landmark, as well it should be. It’s only fitting that such a monumental movement, as much cultural as it was musical, started in this unassuming, and quite dangerous, corner of our universe. And at a time when the people orchestrating the movement had to struggle for the slightest measure of happiness available in the South Bronx.

Hip Hop was far “better” than it is today because it meant more, and accomplished more than today’s music could ever hope to achieve. In less than a decade, Hip Hop revolutionized music, culture, fashion, politics, and the entire entertainment industry. Imagine living through that. Imagine how exciting it was to experience something so fresh and new, even those who resisted couldn’t ignore it. And this includes the overwhelmingly “white” movie, fashion and even music industries. Hip Hop was in your face, and undeniable. If you ask me, this entire movement is one of the great wonders of the world (8th?), and I am so thankful it reached my little corner of Miami Beach less than 7 years after it began. Long live Hip Hop.

Alright then, let’s get to it.

Jump To

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

Honorable Mentions

Final Thoughts

1980

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• 1. Hard Times – Kurtis Blow
  • Kurtis Blow kicks it off with Hard Times, rapping about financial issues and remaining committed to staying the course and somehow making ends meet. It’s a great illustration of the struggles faced by even the best rappers of the time. Run DMC remade the song, making this perhaps the first rap song to be covered by another artist. But as it stands, I couldn’t think of an artist or a song more befitting the first spot on my first list.
• 2. The Breaks – Kurtis Blow
  • I didn’t want to credit two songs by the same artist in the same year, but this track simply couldn’t be left out. Kurtis Blow’s The Breaks happens to be the first certified Gold rap song, selling over 500,000 copies. Some might argue That’s The Joint is more societally significant considering Sha-Rock’s influence, but reaching certified Gold says something about this song’s significance in Hip Hop’s history and its influence on society at large. Having signed a major record deal the year before, Kurtis Blow’s mass appeal was a big deal for him, and for Hip Hop in 1980.
• 3. That’s The Joint – Funky 4 + 1
  • Where do I begin? This song is as close to a Hip Hop production masterpiece as you could have gotten at the time. This isn’t your early Hip Hop – throw a random, looped-sampled-beat down and record me rapping over it – type of song. This was produced and recorded to perfection with influences from artists like Clifton Chase and Doug Wimbish. Oh, and let’s not forget our +1, Sha-Rock, a female rapper that definitely held her own. This song is a musical masterpiece (vocal and instrumental alike). I struggled between this and Kurtis Blow’s The Breaks, but number 3 isn’t bad considering the competition.
• 4. Adventures of Super Rhyme – Jimmy Spicer
  • The Adventures of Super Rhyme has to be one of the best storytelling raps of the time, if not ever. Jimmy Spicer gets busy straight away, and keeps it going for nearly 15 minutes. You might need some patience to get through the entire song, but trust me, this isn’t just a lyrical masterpiece, it’s entertaining as well; spaceships, genies, dracula, cookie monster and more. I’m not sure a ridiculously long lyrical performance would fly with our attention-lacking youth today, but this was 1980, so what’s not to like.
• 5. Move to the Groove – Disco Four
  • Move to the Groove is a true disco rap song. These guys called themselves the Disco Four, but they were often 6; 5 rappers and a DJ. And in this song, all 6 flow to a lively disco beat, while giving the musicians some love along the way. A classic party rap song, Move to the Groove nicely rounds out my top 5 for 1980.

1981

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• 1. The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel – Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
  • Some are going to argue this is really just a mixtape on wax. Maybe. Some might also argue that this song doesn’t make any serious societal statements. Admittedly, I am biased when it comes to turntablism and its place in Hip Hop’s history. But in my opinion, this record isn’t just the best of 1981, it’s as much a part of Hip Hop as the beats and rhymes that preceded it. The Furious Five were already established performers and well known in New York by 1981, so the fact that they put the spotlight on a DJ, while featuring music from multiple artists is fantastic.
• 2. Rapture – Blondie
  • This might be another controversial pick, but I feel Rapture belongs here. It’s definitely not my favorite pure “Hip Hop” song, but there were several factors that placed it here. Number one was Fab 5 Freddy’s influence; not only was he a great artist (probably ahead of his time in his endeavors), but he was the bridge between the highbrow art world, and the low-down rap scene, bringing them together for this song. The fact that Fab 5 Freddy was mentioned in the song, and featured in the video painting graffiti on the walls was also a contributor to my decision. I remember being in awe when I saw it. It was a statement. It put the word out – these were artists – true artists. Grandmaster Flash was also referenced, and although he did not show up for the shoot, Jean-Michel Basquait (an accomplished artist in his own right) took his place behind the turntables. And how about the choreographer, The Man from Mars, William Barnes? How about that? In terms of spreading the word to the mainstream, this is the first rap / Hip Hop video to be featured on MTV. Another important factor on my decision. If it were only Debbie Harry and an all-white band doing their best version of a Hip Hop song on MTV without paying respect to the people who influenced it, I wouldn’t have put it in the top 5 at all. But this has culture and Hip Hop written all over it. It belongs here.
• 3. It’s Rockin’ Time – Kool Kyle
  • The start of the song screams disco, but this track progresses into typical early 80’s rap. What makes it special is Kool Kyle’s smooth delivery. Despite spending time and performing with the best DJs and rappers of the day, and having signed a major record deal as well, Kool Kyle (The Starchild) remained relatively unknown outside his circle of influence. Technically, he’s the first rapper to star in a major motion picture. Unfortunately, because of technicalities, that movie wasn’t released until much later. That’s a shame because he deserved as much airplay as some of his contemporaries back then. For an in-depth interview about his story, from Kool Kyle himself, click here. Once you get to know Kool Kyle as the artist he was, you’ll understand why It’s Rockin’ Time is my 3rd best Hip Hop song of 1981.
• 4. Spanglish – Spanish Fly & The Terrible Two
  • This is the first Spanish rap (that I know of), so it makes the list, but I have to admit, I wouldn’t have chosen it otherwise. In fact, when I first heard this song many many years ago, I completely dismissed it. This track is your typical disco party rap of the time, with an added Spanish twist, albeit a slight Spanish twist. Because of its cultural influence, Spanglish hits number 4 on my list of top 5, 1981 rap songs.
• 5. 8th Wonder – Sugarhill Gang
  • Originally released in 1980, it was later included in the 1981 album titled “8th Wonder.” This is classic, first-class rap music, with an emphasis on music, recorded back when rap groups used live bands. There were so many moving parts to this Hip Hop game back then, but it’s hard to imagine (having learned the path these guys had to take), that every single artist listed above had such a hard time breaking into the mainstream, if they broke through at all. Which is why it’s always nice to see today’s rappers showing old school artists some love. Speaking of love, this is where Busta Rhymes found the inspiration for “Whoo-Hah! Got You All in Check.” If aliens asked me for an example of 1981 rap, I’d drop this track first… and last… and somewhere in between. Let your worries take a chill-pill.

1982

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• 1. The Message – Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
  • What can I say about this song that hasn’t already been mentioned? When it comes to social consciousness, and societal impact, nothing I’ve listed thus far compares. This is what finally brought the rapper’s message about life in the ghetto to the forefront. This is what changed it all; the song that gave all the other artists with similar interests and circumstances permission to tell their stories in their own unique ways. In stark contrast to most rap of the day, Melle Mel wasted none of his lyrics on meaningless, party style rhymes. This song was in your face, and unapologetically real. The perfect song for the number one spot on my list for 1982. Link here to an article about the song posted on the government’s Library of Congress website. It’s a quick and interesting read on the topic.
• 2. Planet Rock – Afrika Bambaataa
  • Okay, a quick disclaimer before I go on to describe why this song is number two on my list. I’ve been a fan of Hip Hop since Rapper’s Delight… I didn’t quite understand the significance of the Hip Hop movement, but I loved this new approach to music vocals, and the rhythm was unique enough for me to differentiate it from Boogie Wonderland, Ring My Bell, and the rest of the late, great disco songs of the day. Having said all that, Planet Rock is where my obsession with Hip Hop music began. The beat design is what I came to love so very much. I can still remember my father complaining about me banging that same Hip Hop beat on every surface I could find. Still makes me laugh today. 
  • I left this song off the Hip Hop list until the very last moment because I felt this song would fit better in a category referred to as Electro Funk. A genre strongly influenced by the work of German Pop group Kraftwerk many years earlier. Just listen to Kraftwerk’s 1977 masterpiece, Trans-Euro Express, to hear for yourself the influence it had on Planet Rock’s design. Also, the fact that Planet Rock was considered the most influential “Black Pop” record of the year by The New York Times made me hesitate to put it on this list. Even the song’s producer, Rick Rubin, didn’t consider this a “rap song” at the time.
  • Nevertheless, with a little more research, I came to realize Planet Rock had a significant influence on rappers I consider legends today. If it was significant enough to influence Run DMC, 2 Live Crew, Newcleus and others, then it certainly fits on my list of top Hip Hop songs of 1982. And by the way, this would fit on my list of top 5 songs of 1982 regardless of genre. It is a timeless classic.
• 3. The Bottom Line – South Bronx
  • Back to the disco vibes for this song, but what makes The Bottom Line significant in my opinion is their attention to, and mention of, the troubles in society at the time. The song’s hook, repeated often, “The bottom line… Is the dollar sign,” clearly tells us what life was like at the time. From cheating politicians, to taxes used to subsidize cigarette prices, poverty, starvation and more, this song broaches the subject of injustice in a much lighter, less dramatic way than The Message does. But it’s a great track nonetheless, with a rich disco tone taking the lead.
• 4. It’s Magic – Fearless Four
  • The Fearless Four are best known for their 1982 song, Rockin’ It, but It’s Magic hits you with slick lyrical flows that overpower the beat and make this, albeit not socially significant, a great addition to the top five rap songs of 1982. Listening to the Fearless Four’s lyrical flow and vocal delivery reminds me of the great rappers that arrived years later. Do yourself a favor and listen to this before checking out early Run DMC and LL Cool J songs. Hopefully you’ll see the connection I see.
• 5. Tough – Kurtis Blow
  • Kurtis Blow was an obvious early rap music pioneer. Here he is again, bringing up many of the ways life is tough. When I say many, I mean many. The song’s rhyme scheme is based heavily on repeated calls to life’s stressors. I wouldn’t consider this the strongest of his songs, vocally or musically. Nevertheless, this song delivers a message and makes a statement in ways only 1980s Kurtis Blow can.

1983

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• 1. It’s Like That – Run DMC
  • I still get excited when I hear the start of this song. A simple kick drum complimented by intermittent stabs for emphasis. This was the start of Hip Hop’s minimalist movement. Hard beats, hard rhymes, and a hard message. Run DMC’s It’s Like That sits firmly atop my list of 1983 Hip Hop songs.
• 2. White Lines (Don’t Do It) – Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel
  • White Lines is often credited with being one of the first socially conscious songs. There were others before it (The Message, etcetera), but this track deserves its plaudits. More successful in the UK, than in the United States, White Lines sold more records than many number one songs that year. But it didn’t just succeed at selling records. White Lines succeeded at pointing out societal injustices. The discriminatory treatment of minorities when handing down punishment for drug sale and use for example. A line in the song indirectly referencing John Delorean perfectly illustrated their point. All of this, while delivering a satisfyingly smooth musical experience, albeit, at the expense of other bands, from which they sampled music (See Liquid Liquid). An added note; although some international record labels incorrectly credited Grandmaster Flash, he actually had nothing to do with the track. The song was written by Grandmaster Melle Mel and Sylvia Robinson, Sugarhill’s Owner.
• 3. Money (Dollar Bill Y’all) – Jimmy Spicer
  • In classic Jimmy Spicer style, we get 7 solid minutes of ways your life depends on “Cash Money Money.” The music is subtle in comparison to earlier rap offerings from Spicer, but this minimalist style was the trend, and his rhyme skills were strong enough to carry any song lacking instrumental influence. Can you argue with a rapper who tells you, “It takes money, to pay your doctor’s bill, and a psychiatrist when you’re acting ill”? Having said that, you may need some of the same patience you needed to get through The Adventures of Super Rhyme back in 1980. It’s no short endeavor.
• 4. Electric Kingdom – Twilight 22
  • The story of the mastermind behind this song, Gordon Bahary, is rather interesting. Almost as interesting as the song itself. I rather prefer Twilight 22’s second track, Siberian Nights, but Electric Kingdom was by far their most popular. An Electro Funk track, Electric Kingdom hit all the street-centric societal talking points of the time. It received high praise when it was released and is now considered a rap classic. Alongside Bahary, who himself was an established musician, having worked with the likes of Stevie Wonder and others, was Joseph Saulter, a singer, Broadway actor, video game designer, and more. There is so much to love about Electric Kingdom and Twilight 22. It not only tells a story, it carries its own story into the realm of Hip Hop and its history.
• 5. Problems of the World – Fearless Four
  • Beats programmed into a drum machine, a video, lyrics referencing computers taking over, and rhymes that flow in ways that were ahead of their time. This track is special in so many ways. And oh, by the way, in terms of social consciousness, takes off where Melle Mel left off on The Message, and does it quite competently. Those not familiar with the Fearless Four are missing out on a significant part of rap music’s history. And Problems Of The World is a great illustration of what they brought to the Hip Hop genre.

1984

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• 1. Rock Box – Run DMC
  • I didn’t want to follow everyone else’s lead, but there was simply no way to ignore this song’s brilliance. Guitar riffs, hard hitting, no nonsense, non-disco beats, and lyrics that are undeniably first class. Run DMC isn’t concerned with making a socially conscious statement on this track. What they are concerned with though, is telling the world where Hip Hop is going; wherever they want it to go. Like it or not, Run DMC set the standard here.
• 2. I Need A Beat – LL Cool J
  • Rick Rubin may never have discovered this track if it weren’t for Ad-Rock (of the Beastie Boys) and his incessant desire to listen to new music. It was Ad-Rock who ultimately brought this track to Rubin’s attention. This song is interesting, in that it doesn’t contain a bassline, or any additional musical elements, other than a drum-machine-beat, and scratching. And the fact that LL Cool J proudly declares as much makes it all the better. As for the track itself, it feels a bit cleaner than Rock Box, albeit not as impactful. But there is no denying the lyrical genius behind this perfectly blended routine. And that’s part of what makes this song one of the best of 1984. The second verse tells you everything you need to know about the song itself…
    • Lacking a melody, but still complete
    • Providing musical energy for the street
    • Lyrics are smooth for maximum effect
    • Drum track patterns are pre-set
    • Tom-toms, snare, hats, bass, and cymbal
    • Like that of a cat, on the mic I’m nimble
    • Basic patterns, groups and chains
    • Sequence frequent, seek and gain
      • Genius.com
  • In the next verse, LL tells everyone how he’s “Improving the condition of the rap industry.” That’s exactly what I Need A Beat was doing at the time. And for Def Jam Records, especially after kicking things off with T-La Rock’s It’s Yours, this was exactly what was needed.
• 3. It’s Yours – T-La Rock
  • LL Cool J was my hero in my early teens. My father wasn’t around, and my mother certainly didn’t speak the language I understood at the time. But T-La Rock was on another level. He may not have given me the snappy one liners LL constantly spit at the world, but there is no doubt, T-La Rock was lyrically ahead of all his constituents at the time. From the start of this track, he lets you know how special he is, while reminding us on occasion of the heavy bass drum complimenting Jazzy Jay’s scratching. “T-L-A-R-O-C-K, usually the reason for a very nice day.” A masterpiece for sure.
• 4. Roxanne Roxanne – UTFO
  • The instigator of the first rap beef, and the inspiration for several “answer records,” Roxanne Roxanne was a well known track to non-Hip Hop fans as well as the die hard followers (like me). This was one of the first records I owned, and for some strange reason, one of my favorites despite not thinking much of it lyrically (at least not in comparison to the first three on this year’s list). Something about the track was hypnotic though, even before the answer records began crossing Hip Hop lines with profanity, threats, and the like. Smooth lyrical deliveries over hard minimalist beats, capped off by the now infamous chorus sung by the underrated, and often underestimated singing group, Full Force, made this track hard to ignore.
• 5. What Is A DJ If He Can’t Scratch – The Egyptian Lover
  • The Egyptian Lover is probably better known for his electro-centric style hit, Egypt Egypt, but What Is A DJ If He Can’t Scratch is a track that needs to be here. It calls out to me as the more thought-out and provacative track of the two. While other DJs were touting their skills and telling everyone how good they were, The Egyptian Lover invited everyone to join him in asking the question, “What is a DJ if he can’t scratch,” before declaring that he “can do it all, baby just like that.” This was classic Hip Hop, and the way he delivered his message was classic Egyptian Lover. The second West Coast track to make this report, behind Electric Kingdom, What Is A DJ If He Can’t Scratch rounds out the top 5 for 1984.

1985

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• 1. PSK What Does It Mean – Schoolly D
  • The third and final non-New York Hip Hop track to make the report, PSK tops my list for 1985. Considered the first gangster rap, the lyrics paint one of the rawest pictures of life in the streets of Philadelphia at the time, and influenced west coast rappers like Ice-T to write similar music. Did this Philadelphia Gangsta-Rap song really mark the start of gangster-centric music on the west coast? I don’t know, but the evidence is compelling enough. Oh, and by the way, west coast rappers weren’t the only fans of this track. The 909 beats have been sampled by many artists, covering many different genres, from rap, to drum and bass, rock, R&B and more. The power with which this song delivers its message is enough to put it atop my list regardless of genre. I bought this record in 1985, and remember listening to that 909 beat repeatedly for hours.
• 2. Rock The Bells – LL Cool J
  • Although I prefer the original 7 minute version, the more influential track is the 4 minute radio edit. This version actually doesn’t have any bells, but it certainly makes up for it. The 808 drum hits hard and deep just as the lyrics do. Straight away, LL lets the world know he’s coming for the title of Hip Hop’s best. Once the track starts it keeps the pressure on, pushing the lyrical envelope in ways other others in the game simply couldn’t ignore. Think of all the great rappers during the first half of the 80’s, listen to this track and ask yourself if anyone had done it this way before LL.
• 3. La Di Da Di – Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh
  • Back in the early eighties, Doug E Fresh dubbed himself the “Original Human Beat Box.” That’s questionable, unlike La-Di-Da-Di, which is undeniably one of the greatest Hip Hop tracks of all time. There are no musical arrangements here. No elaborate band setups, no DJs, not even a drum machine. Well, no electronic drum machine. Doug E Fresh is flawless on this track, keeping the beat flowing with the precision of a… well,.. drum machine. Add to that Slick Rick’s, “Slick” lyrics, which take you through a typical Slick Rick day, and you get a track beloved by musicians the world over. Widely considered the most sampled record ever, La-Di-Da-Di is a timeless classic.
• 4. The Fat Boys Are Back – Fat Boys
  • Doug E Fresh might have called himself the original human beat box, but before him, Darren “Buff Love” Robinson, and the Fat Boys were making music successfully. So successfully in fact, their first album, Fat Boys, was certified Gold. Their second album, released in 1985, and aptly titled The Fat Boys Are Back, also went gold. Today, the Fat Boys get little of the credit they deserve for the influence they had on Hip Hop’s evolution.
• 5. Leader Of The Pack – UTFO
  • UTFO was hitting their peak at this point, establishing themselves as more than just diss-record specialists. Hanging Out, Beats and Rhymes, and to a lesser degree, Bite It, were all smooth and creatively lyrical tracks on their debut album, which I purchased the moment it was released. Interestingly, Bite It was the song on the album I played the most. There was something delightful about the biting sound that appealed to a 14 year old me. Nevertheless, Leader Of The Pack takes the 5 spot here, not only highlighting extremely talented lyricists, but putting the DJ on a pedestal and calling him, “The Leader Of The Pack.”

Honorable Mentions

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1980

• Death Rap – Margo’s Kool Out Crew
• Rap, Bounce, Rockskate – Trickeration
• Sugarhill Groove – The Sugarhill Gang

1981

• Double Dutch Bus – Frankie Smith
• Its Gettin Hot – Kurtis Blow
• Put the Boogie in your Body – The Treacherous Three
• Rappin Aint No Thing – Boogie Boys
• Rock the Message Rap – Stevie G

1982

• The Bubble Bunch – Jimmy Spicer
• The Grand Mixer Cuts It Up – Grandmixer DST & The Infinite Rappers
• Pump Me up – Trouble Funk
• Rockin’ It – Fearless Four

1983

You’ll notice I have more songs listed under 1983 than all others. 1984 is considered Hip Hop’s breakout year, but 1983 is particularly special to me. Hip Hop’s musical evolution was so vast and unique at the time, it was hard to ignore. Some are traditional Hip Hop songs, while others also fit into pop, electro, and dance music genres.

• Cheap Thrills – Planet Patrol
• Crazy Cuts – Grandmaster DST
• I.O.U. – Freeez
• Looking For The Perfect Beat – Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sounic Force
• Magics Wand – Whodini
• Pack Jam – Jonzun Crew
• Play At Your Own Risk – Planet Patrol
• Pop Goes My Love – Freeez
• Problems of the World – Fearless Four
• Rockit – Herbie Hancock
• Space Cowboy – Jonzun Crew
• Whip It – Treacherous Three

1984

• And My Beat Goes Boom – Egyptian Lover
• Beat Street – Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five
• Boogie Down Bronx – Man Parrish
• Can You Feel It – Fat Boys
• Freaks Come Out at Night – Whodini
• Human Beat Box – Fat Boys
• Itchin’ For A Scratch – Force M.D.’s
• Jam On It – Newcleus

1985

• All You Can Eat – Fat Boys
• Bad Boys – Bad Boys Featuring K-Love
• Can You Rock It Like This – Run DMC
• Fly Girl – Boogie Boys
• Fresh Is The Word – Mantronix
• King Kut – Word Of Mouth
• Needle to the Groove – Mantronix
• Rock Hard – Beastie Boys
• The Roof is On Fire – Rockmaster Scott & The Dynamic Three

Final Thoughts

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I’m not a music historian, far from it. As recently as 2021, I worked as an analyst / surveillance / intelligence officer for a large law enforcement agency. I’m not an expert on music history, theory, or the impact that music has had on society.

What I am though, is a music lover (of Old School Hip Hop in particular). And as such, I’ve invested enormous amounts of energy toward the rediscovery of Hip Hop’s once seemingly magic allure. The vinyl depicted in the photos above are but a tiny portion of my personal record collection. A collection that repeatedly reminds me of Hip Hop’s rich history. Of a time when the exploration of music was truly an adventure. When music seemed to weave its tangled web into the very core of my existence; our existence. As cryptic, or arcane as that may sound, the idea of music’s influence on the human condition is nothing new.

Music has been part of human existence as far back as historical records can take us. Music is baked into our souls, our minds and our hearts. Music moves the young, old, healthy, sick, blind, and even the deaf. Something about a purposely arranged set of sounds is significant, not only in a tonal sense, but in some sort of spiritually deep rooted way. For more on why music is, and has always been critical to society’s success, click here for information from Psychology Today, here for information from Icon Collective, here for information from ACCSC, and finally, here for information from The Conversation.

Let me know what you think below.