HHC Top 100 rap singles 20-11

#20, 17 & 14 - Eric B & Rakim

Onwards and upwards: (Please use the zshare links, not the fileden ones because of this.)

20. Eric B & Rakim – Paid in Full (zshare) – 1987 – Paid in Full (buy album here)
The first rhyme I ever learned – I didn’t have to try. The words of Rakim’s rap seem to naturally flow; it’s almost as if all these words exist just to be in this exact order. This is probably one of my favourite rhymes ever along with the part of Rappers Delight that begins “Well I was coming home late one dark afternoon”.

19. LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out (zshare) - 1990 – Mama Said Knock You Out (buy album here)
“Don’t call it a comeback! I’ve been here for years.” LL used to rhyme hard, now he rhymes for the girls in the clubs – Shame. (Generalisation I know)

18. Slick Rick – Children’s Story (zshare) – 1988 – The Great Adventures of Slick Rick (buy album here)
The be-patched one does what he does best with this track, he tells a story in his lazy London/New York accent. This track, which bore some resemblance to a later misdemeanour and arrest (he shot his cousin), was self produced.

17. Eric B & Rakim – Eric B is President (zshare) – 1986 – Paid in Full

16. A Tribe Called Quest – Can I kick it? (zshare) – 1990 – People’s Instinctive Travels… (buy album here)
I’ve recently been thinking of making a range of products with rap lyrics on them. The inspiration for this was ATCQ, can you imagine a doormat that quotes “Wipe your feet really good on the rhythm rug”? It would be my pride and joy.

15. Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel – Whitelines (Don’t do it) (zshare) – 1983
1983! Mental. I can’t believe that this is that old. So many people review old albums and the same old quote comes out: ‘it hasn’t aged’. Often writing that is a blatant lie; I read a recent review of ‘It takes a nation…’ which included those overused words, that album has aged! However, I feel it is justifiable to say that ‘Whitelines’ hasn’t aged, it’s still relevant and it’s still unequalled sonically.

14. Eric B & Rakim – Follow the Leader (zshare) – 1988 – Follow the Leader (buy album here)
The fattest bassline to ever grace a classic hip hop track? You decide. On its own it would be menacing but coupled with the jaunty brass stabs it makes perfect music to saunter down the street to. Be careful what your face looks though; those lyrics will provoke a scowl that frighten the average old lady.

13. Wu-Tang Clan – Protect Ya Kneck (zshare) – 1994 – Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (buy album here)
I love that guy who rings up the radio station, he has the coolest ever way of saying ‘because’. This is another Wu track that displays how their unique lyrical stylings fit the gritty beat in a way that other MC’s could only dream of.

12. Boogie Down Productions – South Bronx (zshare) – 1986 – Criminal Minded (buy album here)
Fresh for 86, suckers. For ’07? Not so fresh but good nonetheless.

11. O.C. – Time’s up (zshare) – 1994 – Word…Life (buy album here)
This was one that I hadn’t ever heard until I decided to compile this top 100. I can’t be bothered to go and check but I’m pretty sure this is the hypnotic, heavy beat they use in the battles in 8 Mile.

HHC Top 100 rap singles 60-51

#53&55 - De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising

I know you’re all salivating at the mouth (and all manner of other body parts) for this next selection of rap tunes, well here it is in all its uncut glory: numbers 60 – 51.

60. Rammellzee vs. K-Rob – Beat Bop – 1983
Thanks to Aaron @ Canned Thinking for this one - the last track I needed. I can’t believe I haven’t heard it before because it is amazing! (Only available on fileden!)

59. Marley Marl – Marley Marl Scratch ft. MC Shan (zshare) – 1985
A classic DJ/MC set up, yes, it did used to be that way around. DJ’s were more important back then.

58. JVC Force - Strong Island (zshare) – 1988 *fixed link*
An instantly recognisable intro heralds ‘Justified by Virtue of Creativity For All Reasons Concerning Entertainment’s biggest hit. Pick up any Hip Hop compilation and chances are this is on there - good work boys.

57. LL Cool J - I’m Bad (zshare) – 1987 – ‘Bigger and Deffer’ (buy here)

56. Gang Starr – DWYCK ft. Nice & Smooth (zshare) – 1992 – ‘Hard to earn’ (buy here)

55. De La Soul – Buddy (zshare) – 1990 - ‘Three Feet High and Rising’ (buy here)
Big fat posse cut here – Jungle Bro’s, ATCQ & De La (that’s 6 MCs), if positive Hip Hop from the 90’s is your thing (and it should be) then this is essential.

54. Gang Starr – You know my Steez (zshare) – 1997 – ‘The Moment of Truth’ (buy here)

53. De La Soul – Eye Know (zshare) – 1989 – ‘Three Feet High and Rising’ (buy here)
How big was ‘Three Feet…’? It must have been huge at the time, I really wish I hadn’t been 5 at the time but at least time goes forwards and not backwards; now we can all still enjoy these tracks that still sound fresh.

52. Jurassic 5 – Concrete Schoolyard (zshare) – 1997 – ‘Jurassic 5 LP’ (buy here)
One of my favourite tunes of all time, from the “We were just sitting out on the step you know” to the “I represent the real from the beginning to the end of it” it’s just a straight up classic. Seeing them doing this live was a dream come true.

51. Craig Mack – Flava In Your Ear (zshare) – 1994 – ‘Project: Funk the World’ (buy here)
If you can understand what Craigy boy is saying here then you must be a skilled multi-linguist. It doesn’t matter though ‘cause the beat is cool enough and his cadence matches it well.

Half way house homeslice! I’m audi.

p.s. As a big fan of Harry Potter I urge you to watch the new film, read the new book and go here to find out all about Wizard Rock. There are some great tracks there and 'Where's your hood at?' is an amazing title for a song by a Dementor!

HHC Top 100 rap singles 70-61 *updated*

#69. Kurtis Blow - The Breaks

Only the zshare links work on this post now, I know it takes a few more clicks but for free classic rap it's worth it isn't it?

The first three instalments have made a minor ripple in the blogging pond and I’m feeling quite pleased to know that people are appreciating this…but come on party people, drop a comment; it’s not hard to do – if someone gives you something you say thank you, right? Correct etiquette. Miniature rant over…let’s get on with it.

70. Jeru the Damaja – Come Clean (zshare)– 1994 – ‘The Sun Rises in the East’ (Buy here)
Another nod inducing mid 90’s affair here but with a peculiar spacious percussive beat. Contains slightly curious lyrics: “I blow up spots like the World Trade Centre”. Can anyone explain that to me please? I may just be being really ignorant.

69. Kurtis Blow – The Breaks (zshare) – 1979 – ‘The Breaks’ (Buy the 'Best of' here)
Classic Hip Hop party track with all the essential crowd involving elements such as saying ho and waving hands. Kurtis outlines a few cringe inducing situations and exitedly informs us that those are ‘The Breaks’, knowledge is born.

68. Man Parrish - Hip Hop Be Bop (zshare) – 1982 – ‘Hip Hop Be Bop (Don’t Stop)’ (Buy here)
This IS electro. A rambling but steadily changing collection of synthy basses and blips accompanied by the obligatory cowbells and claps make this somewhat akin to a delicious 3 course meal.

67. T La Rock – Breaking Bells (zshare)– 1986
Samples James Brown and contains rhymes about being superior; yup, it’s Hip Hop alright.

66. Nas – Represent (zshare) - 1994 – ‘Illmatic’ (Buy here)
Hands up who loves mid 90’s Hippedy Hop…mine were up but are down again so I can continue typing. I’m getting tired of writing about nodding my head, and those who have read all of this series will be tired of reading about it but I’m not tired of actually nodding my head. Everyone knows this is classic fare from a certified classic album so if you don’t have it, buy it! (And get me a copy too, track 1 is scratched on mine!)

65. Dr Dre – Still DRE (zshare) – 2000 – ‘2001’ (Buy here)
2000 seemed the perfect year for Dre to change the game again, it must of seemed that way to him too ‘cause that’s exactly what he did. Remember any other Hip Hop that came out that year? Or did it fall under the shadow of the good doctor?

64. LL Cool J – Going back to Cali (zshare)– 1988 – ‘Walking with a Panther’ (Buy here)

63. Audio Two – Top Billin’ (zshare)– 1988 – 'What More Can I Say' (Buy here)
Out of all the Hip Hop tracks I’ve ever heard I think this must be the most sampled/bitten/quoted by other rappers. Classic snippets include: “Down the road, to the bank”, “[insert name] is Chillin’…”, “Stop schemin’ and lookin’ hard”, “That’s how it is, you can ask…”, “What more can I say” etcetera. Even if you’ve never heard this song it will sound familiar to you if you’ve listened to a handful of rap albums.

62. Beastie Boys – Hold it now, Hit it (zshare)– 1986 – 'Licensed to Ill' (Buy here)
Have an Old Skool party with this track, in fact, have an Old Skool party with the whole album. And click on the Beastie Boys tag for my other posts on them!

61. Mobb Deep – Shook Ones pt. II (zshare)– 1995 – 'The Infamous' (Buy here)
The street anthem that everyone and their goldfish know thanks to Eminem and 8 Mile.

New readers: You may have guessed that there are a few more instalments before this, check them out here, here and here – or click on the HHC Top 100 rap singles label to see them all in sequence. See you next time when we reach the half way point.

HHC Top 100 rap singles 90-81

#82. Biz Markie - Nobody Beats the Biz

This next 10 was the part of the chart where the greatest deficiency in my collection occurred. Most of these tunes have no memories for me other than ones that are a matter of hours or days old. On the whole I’m pretty glad I got these tracks because there are some beauties here.

90. Mantronix - Bassline.mp3 - 1986 - Buy album here

89. BDP - My Philosophy.mp3 - 1988 - Buy album here
“I think very deeply”

88. Blak Twang – Red Letter Day – 1998
UK Hip Hop of a very heavy and solid album which has blazed the trail for UK Hip Hop.

87. A Tribe Called Quest - Description Of A Fool.mp3 - 1991 - Buy album here

86. EPMD - Headbanger.mp3 - 1989 - Buy album here
Does what it says on the tin, this is a certified banger fo sho.

85. LL Cool J - Rock the Bells.mp3 - 1985 - Buy album here
I have a soft spot for the (Def Jam) Hip Hop of the early/mid eighties, being a Beastie Boys fan I have no choice. Basically Rick Rubin created a new sound with his rock guitars and simple bombastic drum patterns; it made LL, Run DMC and Beastie Boys famous and even Jay-Z revisited the style with ’99 Problems’. This sound is coming back with all this trendy electro shenanigans so although this is dated, it’s relevant.

84. KRS-One Sound Of Da Police.mp3 - 1993 - Buy album here
Bit of a moshing track here, even if you quite like the police you’ll be screwing up your face into a menacing kinda grimace and nodding your head as KRS goes off on one as per usual. Overseer, overseer, overseer, officer OFFICER!

83. Hijack - Style Warriors Revenge.mp3 -
Whoop! It’s the Brits! It’s kinda weird listening to this 17 years on, UK Hip Hop has changed so much, it has it’s own identity now. This could easily be American, these boys would get ripped for their USA accents nowadays yet tis considered a classic, and rightly so.

82. Biz Markie - Nobody beats the Biz.mp3 - 1988 - Buy the 'Best of...' here

Everyone loves Biz Markie, he’s a bit like a big bear, a party starting bear nonetheless and that’s why we love him. Download this, record it onto a C90 and dance around in your house in a sort of ‘walking down the street’ way.

81. Brand Nubian - Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down.mp3 - 1992 - Buy album here
Starts of like a Hip Hop Rocky theme tune, a guitar loop drops in and then a big fat heavy beat comes in that nearly ruined my already not very good car speakers. Check the lyrics for some very un-PC gay bashing that constantly got them into trouble

Don't forget to check back to the top rap singles 100-91 if this is your first time here.

These singles are all featured on incredible albums that really should be in your collection, most of them can be found for bargain prices at places like amazon, slowly but surely you could build up an amazing selection of classic rap albums.