20 iconic 80s hip-hop songs we still listen to

It was back in 1988 when hip-hop duo Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock released their breakthrough single “It Takes Two.” While the lyrics are centered around Base highlighting just how much of a beast he is with a microphone, what has always made the song stand out is its energetic production. It’s no wonder the song has been named by several publications as one of the best hip-hop songs of all time. 

In 1988, LL Cool J released his third album Walking with a Panther, led by the hit single “Going Back to Cali.” On the track, LL describes the nuances of taking a trip to California, including the nice weather and meeting women. As he says on the first verse, “Going back to Cali, stylin', profilin' / Growlin', and smilin,' while in the sun / The top is down, on the black Corvette / And it's fly, 'cause it's sittin' on Daytons.” 

Girl group Salt-n-Pepa made history with their debut 1986 album, Hot, Cool & Vicious. Thanks to their hit single “Push It,” the group became the first rap female act to reach gold and platinum status, paving the way for other female rappers to follow. Not only was “Push It” nominated for a Grammy Award, but it became a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Kurtis Blow is undoubtedly one of the pioneers of hip-hop, not only was he the first rapper to sign with a major label, but also the first rapper with a gold-selling single. That successful song was his hit single “The Breaks.” On the track, Blow describes different and unfortunate situations that people may go through in life. As he says on the first verse, “If your woman steps out with another man / (That's the breaks, that's the breaks!) / And she runs off with him to Japan / (That's the breaks, that's the breaks!) / And the IRS says they want to chat / (That's the breaks, that's the breaks!).”

In 1989, hip-hop group Public Enemy released their hit single “Fight The Power,” a track that was also used as a theme song in the Spike Lee-directed film Do The Right Thing. On the track, the group highlights topics such as freedom of speech, civil rights, and racism. “Fight The Power” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart. 

One of the most classic tracks in hip-hop history is “Children’s Story” by Slick Rick.” At the beginning of the track, Rick is being asked by kids to read them a bedtime story, he then uses the track to tell the story of children attempting to rob people. “Children’s Story” peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart. 

Young MC came onto the scene in 1989 with his debut album Stone Cold Rhymin,’ which featured his hit single “Bust a Move.” On the track, Young MC describes a young man who attracts women, but he’s having a hard time making the right move with all the attraction. 

Queen Latifah teamed up with fellow female MC Monie Love on their 1989 track “Ladies First.” On the feminist anthem, Latifah and Love describe what women deal with, but also praise them for being superhuman. 

Hip-hop group N.W.A. came onto the scene in the late ‘80s with their debut album Straight Outta Compton. On the eponymous opening track, N.W.A. used the song to let listeners know where they’re from and how people shouldn’t cross them. “Straight Outta Compton” reached the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1989, Biz Markie released his hit single “Just a Friend.” On the track, he describes meeting a girl he’s interested in that he’d like to see take the relationship further. However, the girl isn’t ready to commit yet, although she claims she doesn’t have a man, but Markie eventually finds out that simply isn't true. Towards the end of the song, Markie realizes the girl lied about having a man, leaving him heartbroken. 

In 1988, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince released their sophomore album He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper. In the second single, “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” the duo highlights their frustrations with their parents and their lack of understanding of what it’s like being a teenager. The song became a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance. 

Run-DMC truly changed hip-hop when they teamed up with Aerosmith to cover the rock band’s song “Walk This Way.” The song helped showcase how hip-hop and rock can co-exist and truly make something magical. “Walk This Way” peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1988, MC Lyte came onto the scene with her debut album Lyte as a Rock. On the eponymous single, Lyte uses the popular phrase to not only describe who she is as a person, but also as an MC. As she says on the first verse, “Must I say it again? I said it before / Move out the way when I'm coming through the door / Me, heavy? As Lyte as a Rock / Guys watch, even some of the girls clock.”

Doug E. Fresh’s 1985 track “La-Di-Da-Di” became a classic song in hip-hop. With Fresh’s signature beatboxing skills and storytelling from The Get Fresh Crew, the song ended up being sampled by several artists such as Mary J. Blige and N.W.A. 

In 1989, hip-hop trio De La Soul released their debut album 3 Feet High and Rising, which featured the hit song “Me Myself and I.” Using a sample of Funkadelic’s “Not Just (Knee Deep),” De La Soul uses the track to describe how they can rely on themselves and the pride they have in simply being themselves. 

Roxanne Shante was only 14-years-old when she released her diss track “Roxanne’s Revenge.” She created the track as a response to UTFO’s hit song “Roxanne Roxanne.” It’s noted as the first female diss track in hip-hop and it became Shante’s signature record. On the track, Shante describes how she met a guy at a party and explains how she doesn’t give him the time of day, but he gets mad about that. 

Hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim came onto the scene in 1987 with their debut album Paid in Full. The title track was released as the album’s fifth single, a track that describes one’s motivation of getting more money in their pockets. 

In 1987, Eazy-E released his solo debut single “Boyz-n-the-Hood.” Produced by Dr. Dre and written by Ice Cube, Eazy uses the track to describe a typical day like riding around in a fly ride, meeting up with friends, and bailing people out for committing crimes. 

In 1984, hip-hop group Whodini released their hit single “Friends.” On the track, the group describes what friendship means to them and how people should be friends before they become lovers. “Friends” became a top five hit on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart.

There’s no doubt about it that Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five are some of the early pioneers of hip-hop. On their 1982 track “The Message,” the group describes how they try to persevere in their city while also making sure that no one pushes them to the brink of insanity.