10.  Raw Like Sushi by Neneh Cherry.  Maybe more dance/pop than rap, but those lines often blur in modern hip hop–this album was ahead of its time.  Key tracks: Buffalo Stance, Manchild, Kisses on the Wind.

9. Done by the Forces of Nature by Jungle Brothers.  Key tracks: What U Waitin’ 4, title track, Doin’ Our Own Dang.

8. Walking With a Panther by LL Cool J.  LL still has swagger and power, even three albums in.

7. No One Can Do It Better by The D.O.C.  NWA’s mentor’s solo project.  It was followed by surgery on his vocal cords that essentially ended his career.  Key tracks: It’s Funky Enough, Lend Me an Ear, The Grand Finale.

6. The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech… Just Watch What You Say! by Ice-T.  Not just a great rap album, also an early example of “rock rap” on the song “The Girl Tried to Kill Me.”  Key tracks: Title track, Lethal Weapon, You Played Yourself.

5. Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop by Boogie Down Productions.  It wasn’t until I started making these lists for each year that I realized what a fantastic run KRS-One had on his early albums.  Just one great one after another.  Key songs; Bo! Bo! Bo! (my second favorite BDP song of all time, The Style You Haven’t Done Yet, Why Is That?

4. The Cactus Album by 3d Bass.  Two albums by white guys?!  Yes.  MC Serch was the real deal.  Key tracks: Product of My Environment, Steppin’ to the AM, Brooklyn Queens.

3. Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A. It was so hard to decide whether to make this #2 or #3.  I’ve listened to both albums so many times.  But in the end, as much fun as it is to hear this record, it doesn’t have the range or depth of my #1 pick.  So it loses the race…But just barely.  In terms of influence and reach, though, it’s definitely #1.  Key tracks: Fuck the Police, title track, 8-Ball, Gangsta Gangsta.

2. Three Feet High and Rising by De La Soul.  Is this rap’s first concept album?  Maybe.  Notwithstanding the Jungle Brothers’ debut album in ’88, Three Feet High was radically unlike anything we’d heard before.  Hippie rap, unbridled joy, and unmatched skills.  Pure excellence.  Key tracks: The Magic Number, Buddy, Say No Go, My Myself and I…So many.

1. Paul’s Boutique by The Beastie Boys.  I know, I know, it’s sacrilege to rank this above De La Soul’s debut.  But this is my list, and I have to be honest: I listen to this one a lot more often.  Key tracks: Side two.  It’s deservedly compared to side two of Abbey Road.

Honorable Mentions:

• Stone Cold Rhymin’ by Young MC
• Unfinished Business by EPMD
• As Nasty As They Want to Be by 2 Live Crew.  Maybe the dirtiest album in history, or at least to date.

WORST RAP ALBUM OF 1989: Standing in the Spotlight by Dee Dee King (aka Dee Dee Ramone).  Yes, this was a rap album.  Or at least was intended to be.

10.  Raw Like Sushi by Neneh Cherry.  Maybe more dance/pop than rap, but those lines often blur in modern hip hop–this album was ahead of its time.  Key tracks: Buffalo Stance, Manchild, Kisses on the Wind. 9. Done by the …