{"id":215077,"date":"2026-05-20T15:26:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T14:26:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/recordcollectormag.com\/?p=215077"},"modified":"2026-06-11T15:38:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T14:38:07","slug":"10-of-the-best-classic-hip-hop-singles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/recordcollectormag.com\/essential-records\/10-of-the-best-classic-hip-hop-singles","title":{"rendered":"10 of the Best Classic Hip-Hop Singles"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"215077\" class=\"elementor elementor-215077\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-367111a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"367111a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4827abf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4827abf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A selection of some of the <strong data-start=\"27\" data-end=\"51\">best hip hop singles<\/strong> from the Golden Era highlights key <strong>7\u201d releases<\/strong> from the <strong>mid-1980s<\/strong> to<strong> early 1990s<\/strong> that helped define the sound and culture of rap music. Featuring landmark tracks by artists including <a href=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/recordcollectormag.com\/?s=Run+DMC\"><strong>Run DMC<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/recordcollectormag.com\/?s=Public+Enemy\"><strong>Public Enemy<\/strong><\/a>, <strong>Eric B &amp; Rakim<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/recordcollectormag.com\/?s=A+Tribe+Called+Quest\"><strong>A Tribe Called Quest<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/recordcollectormag.com\/?s=De+La+Soul\"><strong>De La Soul<\/strong><\/a>, it traces hip-hop\u2019s rise from its block party roots to global recognition.<\/p><p>Selected for <a href=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/shop.recordcollectormag.com\/back-issues\"><strong><em data-start=\"330\" data-end=\"348\">Record Collector<\/em> No.544<\/strong> <\/a>by Doug Shipto<em data-start=\"330\" data-end=\"348\">n<\/em>, this feature is part of the magazine\u2019s ongoing series exploring essential records and defining moments in music history.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9b7984 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b9b7984\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54f5460 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"54f5460\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8cfb3f8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8cfb3f8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37faf66 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"37faf66\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d405b7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d405b7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-215094\" alt=\"Cover art for Run-D.M.C.\u2019s \u201cMy Adidas,\u201d one of the best hip hop singles of the Golden Era.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1.webp 500w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1-200x200.webp 200w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1-400x400.webp 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57e8377 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"57e8377\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25f573b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"25f573b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"line-height: 1.1;\"><h4 style=\"color: #a9181d; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\">1. Run DMC<\/h4><h4 style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: margin: 0;\">My Adidas<\/h4><p style=\"margin-top: 4px; font-size: 14px;\">(London Records LON 101, 7\u201d, UK, 1986)<\/p><\/div><p>Arguably the most influential group in hip-hop history, <strong>Run DMC<\/strong> took what the likes of old school figures such as<strong> Kurtis Blow<\/strong>, <strong>DJ Kool Herc<\/strong>, <strong>Grandmaster Flash<\/strong> and <strong>Afrika Bambaataa<\/strong> had done previously in elevating the genre from street level, and turned it into a global cultural phenomenon \u2013 becoming the biggest selling hip-hop act and the first to conquer MTV. This ode to their footwear of choice (a prerequisite in early b-boy and b-girl fashion) would go on to secure the trio an endorsement with Adidas and immortalise the brand in hip-hop culture.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b2ebb6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"8b2ebb6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/6LdpVTJzigyi2vbKe8mZAr?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameBorder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ae6b50 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6ae6b50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6740667 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6740667\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e328986 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e328986\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0fe2c95 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0fe2c95\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a90762 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3a90762\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dee5377 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dee5377\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/9.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-215092\" alt=\"Cover art for De La Soul\u2019s \u201cBreakadawn,\u201d featured among the best hip hop singles of the 1990s.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/9.webp 500w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/9-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/9-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/9-200x200.webp 200w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/9-400x400.webp 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73b23c6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"73b23c6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-638d045 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"638d045\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"line-height: 1.1;\"><h4 style=\"color: #a9181d; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\">2. De La Soul<\/h4><h4 style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: margin: 0;\">Breakadawn<\/h4><p style=\"margin-top: 4px; font-size: 14px;\">(Big Life BLR 103, 7\u201d UK, 1993)<\/p><\/div><p>Vanguards of a new style of alternative hip-hop, <strong>De La Soul<\/strong> broke the mould with their innovative sampling techniques and unconventional playfulness. Having (almost literally) buried their largely misunderstood \u2018Daisy Age\u2019 persona on the cover of their second album De La Soul Is Dead, the Long Island trio have long since thrived in hip-hop\u2019s potent conscious pastures, gaining almost universal critical acclaim and cult status following the commercial high-water mark of their debut LP, <strong>3 Feet High And Rising<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0f1e15 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"a0f1e15\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/2WyLyygONxNBVtXCRLMjFY?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameBorder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e3adcb elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"9e3adcb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d6767f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3d6767f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2834664 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2834664\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18f24ec e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"18f24ec\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cccd5c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0cccd5c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c8da34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6c8da34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-215093\" alt=\"Cover art for Biz Markie\u2019s \u201cJust A Friend,\u201d a classic among the best hip hop singles.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10.webp 500w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10-200x200.webp 200w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10-400x400.webp 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cd19b5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0cd19b5\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf9713d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf9713d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"line-height: 1.1;\"><h4 style=\"color: #a9181d; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\">3. Biz Markie<\/h4><h4 style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: margin: 0;\">Just A Friend<\/h4><p style=\"margin-top: 4px; font-size: 14px;\">(Cold Chillin\u2019\/Warner Bros. W 9823, 7\u201d, UK, 1989)<\/p><\/div><p>Famed as the clown prince of hip-hop, the larger-than-life rapper, DJ, human beatbox and producer <strong>Biz Markie<\/strong> became a hip-hop celebrity as a prominent member of <strong>Marley Marl\u2019s Juice Crew<\/strong> and <strong>Cold Chillin\u2019 label roster<\/strong>, alongside the likes of <strong>Big Daddy Kane<\/strong>, <strong>Roxanne Shante<\/strong> and <strong>Masta Ace<\/strong>. Gaining global stardom with the release of this platinum-selling single, he unwittingly triggered the damaging furore surrounding sampling, losing a landmark case brought against his label by <strong>Gilbert O\u2019Sullivan<\/strong>, ruling that all samples must be cleared before being used.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3335ba5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"3335ba5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/3yNVfRQlUPViUh8O2V9SQn?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameBorder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-688479f elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"688479f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27b0dcb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"27b0dcb\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2294693 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2294693\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8071f5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c8071f5\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-064f003 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"064f003\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06e8569 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"06e8569\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/8.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-215091\" alt=\"Cover art for A Tribe Called Quest\u2019s \u201cCan I Kick It?,\u201d one of the best hip hop singles from the Golden Era.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/8.webp 500w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/8-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/8-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/8-200x200.webp 200w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/8-400x400.webp 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d73372 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6d73372\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2870ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d2870ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"line-height: 1.1;\"><h4 style=\"color: #a9181d; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\">4. A Tribe Called Quest<\/h4><h4 style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: margin: 0;\">Can I Kick It?<\/h4><p style=\"margin-top: 4px; font-size: 14px;\">(Jive ZB44181 7\u201d, UK, 1990)<\/p><\/div><p><strong>ATCQ<\/strong>\u2019s whimsical Afrocentrism, intelligent lyrics and eclectic sample base made them natural bedfellows of <strong>De La Soul<\/strong>,<strong> Jungle Brothers<\/strong>, <strong>Monie Love<\/strong> and <strong>Queen Latifah<\/strong> (among others) in the <strong>Native Tongues collective<\/strong>. Their 1990 debut album,<em><strong> People\u2019s Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm<\/strong><\/em>, became an instant classic, spawning two hits: <strong>Bonita Applebum<\/strong> and <strong>Can I Kick It?<\/strong> The latter is instantly recognisable for its use of the bassline from <strong>Lou Reed<\/strong>\u2019s <strong>Walk On The Wild Side<\/strong>; alas, to clear the sample the group had to forfeit 100 per cent of all royalties to secure Mr Reed\u2019s blessing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aec9319 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"aec9319\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/1gSDTZHemEViEBiXysrlo0?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameBorder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90e4430 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"90e4430\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5b6bac e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f5b6bac\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c76b7c7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c76b7c7\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd0fa1f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cd0fa1f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59d9fa2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"59d9fa2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-528ccf8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"528ccf8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-215090\" alt=\"Cover art for Ultramagnetic MC\u2019s \u201cGive The Drummer Some,\u201d featured in the best hip hop singles collection.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7.webp 500w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7-200x200.webp 200w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7-400x400.webp 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6608ba e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c6608ba\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc192a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cc192a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"line-height: 1.1;\"><h4 style=\"color: #a9181d; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\">5. Ultramagnetic MC\u2019s<\/h4><h4 style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: margin: 0;\">Give The Drummer Some<\/h4><p style=\"margin-top: 4px; font-size: 14px;\">(FFRR FFR 22, 7\u201d, UK, 1989)<\/p><\/div><p>Underappreciated during their prime, what they lacked in critical plaudits, <strong>Ultramagnetic MCs<\/strong> have since made up for in legendary status. Taken from the 1988 classic album, <em><strong>Critical Beatdown<\/strong><\/em>, this single was produced by the groundbreaking <strong>Paul C. (McKasty)<\/strong> \u2013 an early innovator in the use of samplers and widely credited with introducing chopped samples into hip-hop production. Those with a keen ear will recognise this as the source of <strong>The Prodigy<\/strong>\u2019s infamous<strong> Smack My Bitch Up<\/strong> lyric. However, the UK release sees the offending line swapped for something a little more FM-friendly.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76c9c6d elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"76c9c6d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/0kafh5JIluPkyHd5j8vpdV?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameBorder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-481cc61 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"481cc61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-360e489 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"360e489\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ca5a43 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7ca5a43\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91607b3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"91607b3\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81f086d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"81f086d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7cd364 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d7cd364\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-215095\" alt=\"Cover art for Beastie Boys\u2019 \u201cSure Shot,\u201d one of the best hip hop singles of the 1990s.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2.webp 500w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2-200x200.webp 200w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2-400x400.webp 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4017a5e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4017a5e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c1e283 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4c1e283\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"line-height: 1.1;\"><h4 style=\"color: #a9181d; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\">6. Beastie Boys<\/h4><h4 style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: margin: 0;\">Sure Shot<\/h4><p style=\"margin-top: 4px; font-size: 14px;\">(Capitol Records\/Grand Royal CL 726, 7\u201d, UK, burgundy viny l, 1994)<\/p><\/div><p>After recording the first rap album to top the <em>Billboard charts<\/em> (1986\u2019s Licensed To Ill), <strong>Beastie Boys<\/strong> were another important group in the crossing over of hip-hop. Having crashed into a generation\u2019s living rooms with the frat-boy lampooning <strong>Fight For Your Right<\/strong>, their upward trajectory stalled slightly before the release of their fourth album, Ill Communication \u2013 aided once again by MTV and cult director <strong>Spike Jonze<\/strong>\u2019s video for the single Sabotage.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5202497 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"5202497\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/21REQ1bCUWphT2QK3bLWYQ?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameBorder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-acb7ac9 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"acb7ac9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-732358d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"732358d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-134c3a8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"134c3a8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ef6cea e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6ef6cea\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea3b9b2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ea3b9b2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb33930 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fb33930\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-215097\" alt=\"Cover art for N.W.A.\u2019s \u201cExpress Yourself,\u201d included among the best hip hop singles of the Golden Era.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4.webp 500w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4-200x200.webp 200w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4-400x400.webp 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3865e6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d3865e6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c8e826 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8c8e826\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"line-height: 1.1;\"><h4 style=\"color: #a9181d; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\">7. N.W.A.<\/h4><h4 style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: margin: 0;\">Express Yourself<\/h4><p style=\"margin-top: 4px; font-size: 14px;\">(4th &amp; Broadway\/Ruthless\/Priority BRW 144, 7\u201d, UK, 1989)<\/p><\/div><p>Early originators of gangsta rap and forerunners of the sound that would set West Coast hip-hop apart from its East Coast counterpart,<strong> N.W.A.<\/strong> managed to terrify a large cross-section of white middle-America with explicit lyrics depicting violence and drug culture. The surrounding media frenzy earned their debut album the infamy of being one of the first to feature the Parental Advisory Label sticker.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4d8fbf elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"b4d8fbf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/52IuMfbQa9aqRPz2oYPAI8?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameBorder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-602582b elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"602582b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bceb5de e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bceb5de\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0edf90b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0edf90b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bff471b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bff471b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5ecc49 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e5ecc49\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47d0a04 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"47d0a04\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/5.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-215098\" alt=\"Cover art for Public Enemy\u2019s \u201cRebel Without A Pause,\u201d one of the best hip hop singles in rap history.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/5.webp 500w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/5-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/5-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/5-200x200.webp 200w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/5-400x400.webp 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f20632e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f20632e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39e7b11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"39e7b11\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"line-height: 1.1;\"><h4 style=\"color: #a9181d; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\">8. Public Enemy<\/h4><h4 style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: margin: 0;\">Rebel Without A Pause<\/h4><p style=\"margin-top: 4px; font-size: 14px;\">(Def Jam 6512457, 7\u201d, UK, 1987)<\/p><\/div><p>Fronted by rapper <strong>Chuck D<\/strong> and clock-toting hype man <strong>Flavor Flav<\/strong>, <strong>Public Enemy<\/strong>\u2019s inimitable hard-hitting and politically motivated style made them one of the most influential and controversial hip-hop groups of their time. Fierce social commentary (tackling subjects such as the US media, racism and police brutality) was reinforced by a constant call for action, powerful Black Power militant imagery and The Bomb Squad\u2019s high-octane productions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30596b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"30596b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/1JJ8D0KE144weLOGrjqJrb?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameBorder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22d663e elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"22d663e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c1e501 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0c1e501\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec76a1a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ec76a1a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38989c1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"38989c1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-718a325 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"718a325\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2913cfe elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2913cfe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BEST-HIP-HOP.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-215100\" alt=\"Cover art for EPMD\u2019s \u201cI\u2019m Housin\u2019,\u201d featured among the best hip hop singles of the Golden Era.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BEST-HIP-HOP.webp 500w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BEST-HIP-HOP-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BEST-HIP-HOP-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BEST-HIP-HOP-200x200.webp 200w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BEST-HIP-HOP-400x400.webp 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5afe9d3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5afe9d3\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9ce7f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d9ce7f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"line-height: 1.1;\"><h4 style=\"color: #a9181d; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\">9. EPMD<\/h4><h4 style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: margin: 0;\">I\u2019m Housin\u2019<\/h4><p style=\"margin-top: 4px; font-size: 14px;\">(Sleeping Bag Records SBUK 7, 7\u201d, UK, 1989)<\/p><\/div><p>Another important group during the rise of sampling in the fabled Golden Era, <strong>EPMD<\/strong>\u2019s impressive use of funk and rock samples put them at the forefront of the movement. All about Business, they released four albums (<em>Strictly\u2026<\/em>, <em>Unfinished\u2026<\/em>,<em> \u2026As Usual<\/em>, and<em> &#8230;Never Personal<\/em>) before an acrimonious break-up. But not before launching the careers of hip-hop luminaries such as <strong>Redman<\/strong>, <strong>Das EFX<\/strong> and<strong> K-Solo<\/strong> \u2013 all members of their infamous <strong>Hit Squad<\/strong> collective.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b749fc6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"b749fc6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/1U57oys1Q6Qgc79LTyD2dt?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameBorder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fc20e5 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"5fc20e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a3b9a4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3a3b9a4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9799872 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9799872\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-285beb9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"285beb9\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1690f4f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1690f4f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79d0dac elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"79d0dac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-215096\" alt=\"Cover art for Eric B. &amp; Rakim\u2019s \u201cFollow The Leader,\u201d a landmark among the best hip hop singles.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3.webp 500w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3-200x200.webp 200w, https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/cdn.recordcollectormag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3-400x400.webp 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68c103c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"68c103c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c761c5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c761c5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"line-height: 1.1;\"><h4 style=\"color: #a9181d; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\">10. Eric B &amp; Rakim<\/h4><h4 style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: margin: 0;\">Follow The Leader<\/h4><p style=\"margin-top: 4px; font-size: 14px;\">(MCA Records MCA 1256, 7\u201d, UK, 1988)<\/p><\/div><p>Producer\/DJ <strong>Erik B<\/strong> and <strong>MC Rakim<\/strong> are a staple of the golden era of hip-hop, blending complex and poetic lyricism with the new sample-based sound that would characterise the movement. One of the earliest outfits to sample old funk and soul records, their fondness for <a href=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/recordcollectormag.com\/?s=James+Brown\"><strong>James Brown<\/strong><\/a> productions not only facilitated a rush on his back catalogue amongst their peers, it also landed them in legal trouble with<em><strong> The Godfather Of Soul<\/strong> <\/em>himself as he sought to block the unauthorised use of his songs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15bb9b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"15bb9b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/1p80AptLonBW0VilSi6xFj?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameBorder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4251c1d elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"4251c1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b00220b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b00220b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b68f04b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b68f04b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This article appears in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/shop.recordcollectormag.com\/issue\/rc-544\"><strong><em>Record Collector<\/em> Issue No 544<\/strong><\/a>.<br \/>Each month,\u00a0<em>Record Collector<\/em>\u00a0highlights the very best albums, rare collectables and essential releases \u2014\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/shop.recordcollectormag.com\/subscribe?source=FEATURESWEBSITE&amp;utm_source=Social&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=FEATURESWEBSITE\"><strong data-start=\"235\" data-end=\"253\">subscribe here<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to never miss an issue.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"post-excerpt\">A selection of some of the best hip hop singles from the Golden Era highlights key 7\u201d releases from the mid-1980s to early 1990s that helped define the sound and culture of rap music. Featuring landmark tracks by artists including Run DMC, Public Enemy, Eric B &amp; Rakim, A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, it traces hip-hop\u2019s rise from its b\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27567,"featured_media":215103,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"apple_news_api_created_at":"2026-06-11T14:37:03Z","apple_news_api_id":"2d8079fb-4b55-4b60-85c5-156e0fbe93ca","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2026-06-11T14:38:07Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/apple.news\/ALYB5-0tVS2CFxRVuD76Tyg","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13728],"tags":[13700,585],"issue":[],"class_list":["post-215077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-essential-records","tag-hip-hop-2","tag-various-artists"],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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