1988 Revisited

Get out Da Bomb Box and put on yo BK's... This is classic Hip Hop at its best. For a newer generation of hip-hop fans, it may be hard to comprehend how intoxicating the era from the mid 1980's through mid 1990's really was. Even though hip-hop had been on wax for at least a decade... it was only during that "golden era" period that rap music really began to crossover to the mainstream. Thanks to artists like Boogie Down Productions, LL Cool J, N.W.A., Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince, Public Enemy, EPMD and mad others.... the door to a wide range of hip-hop styles from pop friendly to rough'n'rugged hardcore rap was busted wide open. In fact lables like Cold Chillin' and Def Jam had as much or more success than the majors in these days, because they often seemed "out of touch" with what listeners really wanted to hear. Here's a few gems from one of Hip Hops greatest years ever...1988.

Audio Two - What More Can I Say? These two Brooklyn cats, Milk (a.k.a. Milk Dee, or the Milkman) and Giz are both MC Lyte's brothers & were one of the dopest duo's of their days. "Stop scheming, and looking hard...I got a great big bodyguard. Top Billin is one of the most sampled songs in hip hop today. "I Don't Care", "Hickeys Around My Neck"....hey "What More Can I Say"! DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - He's the D.J., I'm the Rapper Password: boxden Who doesn't remember this double album....My father used to have all these on wax...and as a kid i took his Fresh Prince album to practice my scratching skillz on....on a 1975 turntable & needle...He was pissed. "Brand New Funk" is most def my favorite Fresh Prince jam of all time...but the MTV crossover hits "Parents Just Don't Understand" & "Nightmare On My Street" helped put The Prince & Hip Hop on the map. Doug E. Fresh - The World's Greatest Entertainer A Straight crowd mover then, and if you have any love for true hiphop game, is still gettin it started today, crazy fresh style, somethin know one had ever heard when he came out and was automatically loved. D.E.F. = Doug E. Fresh. Jungle Brothers - Straight Out the Jungle Straight out the Jungle was the very first album from the Native Tongues posse. Now this album is for REAL hip hop headz, older catz who really know hip hop. This is classic material for 30 somehting New Yorkers, it was when New York was at an all time creative high in Hip Hop cop it for a history lesson THE JB"S THE JB"S. MC Lyte - Lyte as a Rock Lyte is (IMO) the greatest female MC of our time. I love her voice its just so well suited for rap. And she hits alot of issues really well.."Kickin' 4 Brooklyn", "10% Dis", & "Paper Thin" are all still relivant in hip hop today... This album had crazy production from Alliance, Audio Two, King Of Chill,& Prince Paul.
Alliance - We Could Get Used To This DJ Skill, K-Swift, & King Of Chill all had a hand on the production. Check out the tracks Bustin' Loose, Fish Heads, Pure Skill, & Just Another Message. Biz Markie - Goin Off "The party rippin, never trippin, king of crowd pleasin...I can turn it out without a doubt in any season" The Biz's first album is one that can be listened to over and over thousands of times..."Pickin Boogers," "Vapors," "Make the Music With Your Mouth Biz," "Just a Friend," and "Biz in Harmony." he is a rap renaissance man so remember, "Nobody Beats the Biz."

*Just click on the album titles to download*