Berkeley Place

THE TOP RAP ALBUMS OF EVERY YEAR … SINCE THE DAWN OF RAP: 1987

July 13, 2026 | ekko | No Comments |

In 1987, we get a diversity of style from political rage (Public Enemy, e.g.) to the roots of West Coast gangsta rap (Ice-T), through romance rap (“I Need Love”), playful rap for the younger audiences (Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince), and the emergence of what would become some of the most influential artists of the genre (Eric B and Rakim).

Still, I could only find 6 albums worthy of a “Best of the Year” entry.

6. MC Shan Down by Law. Produced by Marley Marl and containing the song, “The Bridge,” which led KRS-One to write the diss track “The Bridge is Over”. Other key songs include Down By Law and Kill That Noise.

5. Bigger and Deffer by LL Cool J. Key tracks: I’m Bad and I Need Love (one of rap’s earliest romantic ballads).

4. Yo! Bum Rush the Show by Public Enemy. This is probably the worst of P.E.’s first six albums, and yet it’s still amazing. They hadn’t quite perfected their unique sound yet, but you can hear its roots in cuts like Too Much Posse and You’re Gonna Get Yours. People are STILL copying what Public Enemy did here.

3. Rhyme Pays by Ice-T. Everyone says NWA created Gangsta rap. But Ice-T scooped them. Best cuts: 6 ’N the Morning, Squeeze the Trigger. NWA’s indie EP also came out this year, and it wasn’t as good as this Ice-T album.

2. Criminal Minded by Boogie Down Productions. BDP’s second album tackled a wide variety of relevant topics: Drug abuse, AIDS, black-on-black violence, and the U.S. Government’s complicity in all of it. And it even had a dis track. When you think of BDP, this album probably has the song you’re remembering: 9mm Goes Bang, Bridge is Over, and South Bronx are just a few examples of the greatness of this record.

1. Paid in Full by Eric B and Rakim. This isn’t just the best album of this year, it’s one of the best albums of all time. Key tracks: All of side one, and much of side two. I mean, the whole thing is phenomenal.