With 1988, for the first time, I had to actually cut some albums to keep the list down to ten. That’s a good sign of how the genre is evolving to have more variety of voices and just generally better quality overall.
Here’s my top 10. Remember: This is just the 10 I like the most–not necessarily the most important or critically acclaimed albums of the year.
10. Eazy Duz It by Eazy-E. Key tracks: Boyz-N-the-Hood, We Want Eazy, title track.
9. Critical Beatdown by Ultramagnetic MCs. This one doesn’t hold up as well when you listen to it today, but man did I love it way back when. No single song jumps out–just the whole thing, end to end, was so different from everything else that came out in ’88.
8. Strictly Business by EPMD. Key tracks: I’m Housin’, You Gots to Chill, You’re a Customer.
7. Straight Out the Jungle by The Jungle Brothers. Actually the first Native Tongue album–I think a lot of people forget that. Best songs: I’ll House You, Jimbrowski, title track.
6. Unity by Shinehead. I was pretty clear about this list: It’s MY list. And I love this album. It’s reggae, sure, but Shinehead raps on songs like the title track (which brilliantly rips off The Beatles) and the anti-drug dancehall hit “Gimme No Crack.” Throughout, the vibe here is much more hip hop than reggae. So it’s on my list. Deal with it.
5
. The Great Adventures of Slick Rick by Slick Rick. The first UK rap album to break big in the states. Is it dated and sexist? Yeah, a bit. Is it still funny and brilliant? Mostly, yeah. Key tracks: Treat Her Like a Prostitute, Children’s Story, Hey Young World.
4. By All Means Necessary by BDP. This is, in my opinion, KRS-One’s best album. Key tracks: My Philosophy, Stop the Violence, Illegal Business, I’m Still #1.
3. Follow the Leader by Eric B and Rakim. Key tracks: title track, Microphone Fiend, The R.
2. Power by Ice-T. I’m a huge fan of Ice-T’s work in the ’80s and ’90s. Best cuts: Girls LGBNAF, I’m Your Pusher, Soul on Ice, High Rollers.
1. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy. This may be one of the greatest (and most important) records ever made. From the opening urgency of “Countdown to Armageddon” through to the closer “Party for Your Right to Fight” (taking a swipe at the Beastie Boys), ITANOMTHUB was undeniably different and powerful. Personally, it’s important to me because it was the first song my son fell in love with. Literally, from his highchair, he could spit the first few bars of “Don’t Believe the Hype.” Key tracks: Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos, Bring the Noise, Don’t Believe the Hype, Rebel Without a Pause.
Honorable Mentions:
- Tougher than Leather by Run-DMC
- In Full Gear by Stetsasonic
- He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper by Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
- Life Is…Too Short by Too $hort
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