Top 10 Decade Defining Rap Songs of the 1980s

bosses it was the decade of new school

bosses it was the decade of new school hip-hop and the start of the genres

hip-hop and the start of the genres

hip-hop and the start of the genres Golden Age welcome to watchmojo.com and

Golden Age welcome to watchmojo.com and

Golden Age welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for

today we’re counting down our picks for

today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten rap songs of the 1980s this

the top ten rap songs of the 1980s this

the top ten rap songs of the 1980s this is part of a series of videos from the

is part of a series of videos from the

is part of a series of videos from the birth of rap music – mm they are walls

birth of rap music – mm they are walls

birth of rap music – mm they are walls giggling about the games I play with

giggling about the games I play with

giggling about the games I play with learning Lots anonymously and amazed for

learning Lots anonymously and amazed for

learning Lots anonymously and amazed for this list we’re choosing what we feel

this list we’re choosing what we feel

this list we’re choosing what we feel are the most iconic rap songs of the

are the most iconic rap songs of the

are the most iconic rap songs of the decade

decade

decade another rappers can’t stand but give us

another rappers can’t stand but give us

another rappers can’t stand but give us respect based on a mix of their

respect based on a mix of their

respect based on a mix of their popularity commercial success production

popularity commercial success production

popularity commercial success production and lyrical quality and cultural impact

number 10 me myself and I delassalle a

number 10 me myself and I delassalle a group known equally Fritz flow and wit

group known equally Fritz flow and wit

group known equally Fritz flow and wit when it comes to the hard issues della

when it comes to the hard issues della

when it comes to the hard issues della soul’s skill is exemplified in this song

as an anthem to their uniqueness me

as an anthem to their uniqueness me myself and I was the group’s only chart

myself and I was the group’s only chart

myself and I was the group’s only chart topper on the US R&B charts but

topper on the US R&B charts but

topper on the US R&B charts but deservedly so

deservedly so

deservedly so I think they diss my person by stating

I think they diss my person by stating

I think they diss my person by stating I’m darkly PAC I know this so up point

I’m darkly PAC I know this so up point

I’m darkly PAC I know this so up point at borrowing it’s funky beat from songs

at borrowing it’s funky beat from songs

at borrowing it’s funky beat from songs by the likes of the Ohio Players and

by the likes of the Ohio Players and

by the likes of the Ohio Players and Dougie fresh among others the three feet

Dougie fresh among others the three feet

Dougie fresh among others the three feet and rising single is an essential

and rising single is an essential

and rising single is an essential example of the Golden Age of hip hop if

example of the Golden Age of hip hop if

example of the Golden Age of hip hop if I do I’ll calmly punch them in the

I do I’ll calmly punch them in the

I do I’ll calmly punch them in the fourth day of July as they try to mess

fourth day of July as they try to mess

fourth day of July as they try to mess with third-degree that’s me myself and

with third-degree that’s me myself and

with third-degree that’s me myself and not

number nine push it

number nine push it salt and pepper with its recognizable

salt and pepper with its recognizable

salt and pepper with its recognizable beat and heavy breathing in the

beat and heavy breathing in the

beat and heavy breathing in the background this song exemplifies

background this song exemplifies

background this song exemplifies everything the ladies of salt and pepper

everything the ladies of salt and pepper

everything the ladies of salt and pepper stood for it’s fun

stood for it’s fun

stood for it’s fun in-your-face and informative as they rap

in-your-face and informative as they rap

in-your-face and informative as they rap about sex

about sex

about sex they also make the statement that their

they also make the statement that their

they also make the statement that their staples of the rap game and their own

staples of the rap game and their own

staples of the rap game and their own bosses push it top the Billboard Hot 100

bosses push it top the Billboard Hot 100

bosses push it top the Billboard Hot 100 was nominated for a Grammy and went

was nominated for a Grammy and went

was nominated for a Grammy and went platinum

the latter making them the first female

the latter making them the first female rappers to achieve the honor

number eight planet rock Afrika

number eight planet rock Afrika Bambaataa

Bambaataa

Bambaataa and the soul sonic force rap meets the

and the soul sonic force rap meets the

and the soul sonic force rap meets the future is the perfect way to describe

future is the perfect way to describe

future is the perfect way to describe this song Afrika Bambaataa is widely

this song Afrika Bambaataa is widely

this song Afrika Bambaataa is widely responsible for shaping the rap game and

responsible for shaping the rap game and

responsible for shaping the rap game and flipping it on its head by adding

flipping it on its head by adding

flipping it on its head by adding electro to his music so you really got

electro to his music so you really got

electro to his music so you really got soul this tune helped prove that the

soul this tune helped prove that the

soul this tune helped prove that the exploration of other genres is key and

exploration of other genres is key and

exploration of other genres is key and crafting a unique sound as demonstrated

crafting a unique sound as demonstrated

crafting a unique sound as demonstrated by Planet Rock’s use of Kraftwerk and

by Planet Rock’s use of Kraftwerk and

by Planet Rock’s use of Kraftwerk and yellow magic samples and it’s heavy

yellow magic samples and it’s heavy

yellow magic samples and it’s heavy synthesizer beat it was also a crossover

synthesizer beat it was also a crossover

synthesizer beat it was also a crossover hit earning spots on the Hot 100 as well

hit earning spots on the Hot 100 as well

hit earning spots on the Hot 100 as well as the American soul and dance charts

number seven I’m bad LL Cool J take a

number seven I’m bad LL Cool J take a muscle-bound man put his face in the

muscle-bound man put his face in the

muscle-bound man put his face in the same known for his smooth lyrics and

same known for his smooth lyrics and

same known for his smooth lyrics and cool cat persona make you say go Latifah

cool cat persona make you say go Latifah

cool cat persona make you say go Latifah watch LL often raps of his rep see I

watch LL often raps of his rep see I

watch LL often raps of his rep see I can’t live without my radio for more

can’t live without my radio for more

can’t live without my radio for more examples

I know but it’s this bigger and Deffer

I know but it’s this bigger and Deffer hit that proves ll isn’t someone to mess

hit that proves ll isn’t someone to mess

hit that proves ll isn’t someone to mess with while bragging about his ability to

with while bragging about his ability to

with while bragging about his ability to rule the rap game and his sexual prowess

rule the rap game and his sexual prowess

rule the rap game and his sexual prowess the rapper confirms that he’s both an OG

the rapper confirms that he’s both an OG

the rapper confirms that he’s both an OG and a Casanova

o-tama kid Oreo z2j cookie hums

o-tama kid Oreo z2j cookie hums I’m bad was also his first charting

I’m bad was also his first charting

I’m bad was also his first charting entry on the Hot 100 and a top-ten smash

entry on the Hot 100 and a top-ten smash

entry on the Hot 100 and a top-ten smash on various other charts you try to brag

on various other charts you try to brag

on various other charts you try to brag hitch a ride from a good fish

number six no sleep till Brooklyn

number six no sleep till Brooklyn Beastie Boys her boys knew how to make a

Beastie Boys her boys knew how to make a

Beastie Boys her boys knew how to make a statement and songs like fight for your

statement and songs like fight for your

statement and songs like fight for your right to party are proof of that but

right to party are proof of that but

right to party are proof of that but it’s this single from Licensed to Ill

it’s this single from Licensed to Ill

it’s this single from Licensed to Ill that’s got to be their anthem

adding a distinctive grittier hip-hop

adding a distinctive grittier hip-hop sound to a CDC’s TNT no sleep till

sound to a CDC’s TNT no sleep till

sound to a CDC’s TNT no sleep till Brooklyn also features lyrics that are a

Brooklyn also features lyrics that are a

Brooklyn also features lyrics that are a little bit all over the place while

little bit all over the place while

little bit all over the place while paying homage to New York and its

paying homage to New York and its

paying homage to New York and its boroughs and let’s not forget they’ve

boroughs and let’s not forget they’ve

boroughs and let’s not forget they’ve got Slayers Kerry King on guitar

the song has since become a pop culture

the song has since become a pop culture mainstay and has been covered by

mainstay and has been covered by

mainstay and has been covered by multiple artists

number five fight the power

number five fight the power Public Enemy this is perhaps one of the

Public Enemy this is perhaps one of the

Public Enemy this is perhaps one of the most important songs of all time due to

most important songs of all time due to

most important songs of all time due to its social message written for Spike

its social message written for Spike

its social message written for Spike Lee’s film do the right thing it’s a

Lee’s film do the right thing it’s a

Lee’s film do the right thing it’s a critique on the abuse of power

despite its heavy tone fight the powers

despite its heavy tone fight the powers beat chant along chorus and use of

beat chant along chorus and use of

beat chant along chorus and use of samples make it a catchy in addition to

samples make it a catchy in addition to

samples make it a catchy in addition to critical acclaim the Public Enemy track

critical acclaim the Public Enemy track

critical acclaim the Public Enemy track also topped the Hot Rap singles chart

also topped the Hot Rap singles chart

also topped the Hot Rap singles chart and helped shape music history this my

and helped shape music history this my

and helped shape music history this my recital I think it’s very bite number

recital I think it’s very bite number

recital I think it’s very bite number four it’s tricky

four it’s tricky

four it’s tricky Run DMC we go to rock around that’s

Run DMC we go to rock around that’s

Run DMC we go to rock around that’s right on time is tricky with so many

right on time is tricky with so many

right on time is tricky with so many goodies like King of Rock The Rock boy

goodies like King of Rock The Rock boy

goodies like King of Rock The Rock boy don’t correct oh let the on top and Rob

don’t correct oh let the on top and Rob

don’t correct oh let the on top and Rob connect Rock box my adidas

you might say it’s tricky to choose just

you might say it’s tricky to choose just one Run DMC song for this list this

one Run DMC song for this list this

one Run DMC song for this list this little girly boy hair was kinda curly

little girly boy hair was kinda curly

little girly boy hair was kinda curly with to our house and Busta

with to our house and Busta

with to our house and Busta but it’s this raising hell tune that

but it’s this raising hell tune that

but it’s this raising hell tune that stands out the most to us as the group’s

stands out the most to us as the group’s

stands out the most to us as the group’s trademark fun and carefree tune it’s

trademark fun and carefree tune it’s

trademark fun and carefree tune it’s also got a course that hypes things up

also got a course that hypes things up

also got a course that hypes things up to another level meanwhile their way

to another level meanwhile their way

to another level meanwhile their way with words and rhyming poke fun at the

with words and rhyming poke fun at the

with words and rhyming poke fun at the more serious rap songs of the time

more serious rap songs of the time

more serious rap songs of the time injecting some levity into the genre we

injecting some levity into the genre we

injecting some levity into the genre we dare you to try not to sing along every

dare you to try not to sing along every

dare you to try not to sing along every time it plays number three Straight

time it plays number three Straight

time it plays number three Straight Outta Compton NWA the world didn’t know

Outta Compton NWA the world didn’t know

Outta Compton NWA the world didn’t know what hit them

what hit them

what hit them when NWA unleashed their debut record

these guys were angry loud and had

these guys were angry loud and had something to say as the lead single and

something to say as the lead single and

something to say as the lead single and title track from their first album

title track from their first album

title track from their first album Straight Outta Compton made it clear the

Straight Outta Compton made it clear the

Straight Outta Compton made it clear the members of NWA

members of NWA

members of NWA weren’t messing around well the police

weren’t messing around well the police

weren’t messing around well the police was equally raw and significant like red

was equally raw and significant like red

was equally raw and significant like red don’t give a – say nothing was quite as

don’t give a – say nothing was quite as

don’t give a – say nothing was quite as forceful or powerful as this gangster

forceful or powerful as this gangster

forceful or powerful as this gangster rap number easy as his name and the boys

rap number easy as his name and the boys

rap number easy as his name and the boys coming

number two paid in full

number two paid in full Eric B & Rakim pump up the volume pump

Eric B & Rakim pump up the volume pump

Eric B & Rakim pump up the volume pump up the volume as exhibited in songs like

up the volume as exhibited in songs like

up the volume as exhibited in songs like microphone fiend the mic is a drain no

microphone fiend the mic is a drain no

microphone fiend the mic is a drain no volcanoes erupted in Bob’s overflowing

volcanoes erupted in Bob’s overflowing

volcanoes erupted in Bob’s overflowing gradually throwing this duo is comprised

gradually throwing this duo is comprised

gradually throwing this duo is comprised of two of the best rappers and lyricists

of two of the best rappers and lyricists

of two of the best rappers and lyricists in the game thinking of a master plan

in the game thinking of a master plan

in the game thinking of a master plan this ain’t nothing but sweat inside my

this ain’t nothing but sweat inside my

this ain’t nothing but sweat inside my hand so I dig it to my pocket all my

hand so I dig it to my pocket all my

hand so I dig it to my pocket all my money’s spent so I should default but

money’s spent so I should default but

money’s spent so I should default but still coming up with less so ever it’s

still coming up with less so ever it’s

still coming up with less so ever it’s paid in full that’s the best calling

paid in full that’s the best calling

paid in full that’s the best calling card for Eric B & Rakim fans I need

card for Eric B & Rakim fans I need

card for Eric B & Rakim fans I need money I used to be a stick-up kid so I

money I used to be a stick-up kid so I

money I used to be a stick-up kid so I think of all the baby of things I did

think of all the baby of things I did

think of all the baby of things I did it’s complex the wordplay is on point

it’s complex the wordplay is on point

it’s complex the wordplay is on point and its content is relatable on top of

and its content is relatable on top of

and its content is relatable on top of all that it has a stance amol beat a pen

all that it has a stance amol beat a pen

all that it has a stance amol beat a pen and a paper a stereo a tape for me and

and a paper a stereo a tape for me and

and a paper a stereo a tape for me and Eric being a nice big plate of fit which

Eric being a nice big plate of fit which

Eric being a nice big plate of fit which is my favorite dish but without the

is my favorite dish but without the

is my favorite dish but without the money is still a whisk then there’s the

money is still a whisk then there’s the

money is still a whisk then there’s the cold cut remix known as 7 minutes of

cold cut remix known as 7 minutes of

cold cut remix known as 7 minutes of madness which propelled the twosome to

madness which propelled the twosome to

madness which propelled the twosome to chart success in Germany the Netherlands

chart success in Germany the Netherlands

chart success in Germany the Netherlands and the UK pump up the volume pump up

and the UK pump up the volume pump up

and the UK pump up the volume pump up the volume

the volume

the volume wait a minute you better talk to my

wait a minute you better talk to my

wait a minute you better talk to my mother

before we unveil our number one pick

before we unveil our number one pick here are a few honorable mentions I’m

here are a few honorable mentions I’m

here are a few honorable mentions I’m the kingpin wins the wax pins crack a

the kingpin wins the wax pins crack a

the kingpin wins the wax pins crack a smack I’m taking it to a show end you

smack I’m taking it to a show end you

smack I’m taking it to a show end you don’t need it let’s throw that stuff

don’t need it let’s throw that stuff

don’t need it let’s throw that stuff away you want to get high let the rest

away you want to get high let the rest

away you want to get high let the rest your myself down with another man we go

your myself down with another man we go

your myself down with another man we go that’s the rate that’s the place to

that’s the rate that’s the place to

that’s the rate that’s the place to Repsol rid of the to Japan that’s the

Repsol rid of the to Japan that’s the

Repsol rid of the to Japan that’s the race and no matter what we ought to do

I’m basing a PC good damn I’m internet

I’m basing a PC good damn I’m internet you know I don’t know so I can make said

you know I don’t know so I can make said

you know I don’t know so I can make said she wanted dance cuz he likes to prove

she wanted dance cuz he likes to prove

she wanted dance cuz he likes to prove to come on fatso and just bust a move

may cause concern it why don’t you

may cause concern it why don’t you listen and learn love that once was

listen and learn love that once was

listen and learn love that once was strong but you can’t even let’s turn the

strong but you can’t even let’s turn the

strong but you can’t even let’s turn the matter the self-destruction is served on

matter the self-destruction is served on

matter the self-destruction is served on a fighter wake in a day not feeling to

a fighter wake in a day not feeling to

a fighter wake in a day not feeling to anticipate they got ladies only fell for

anticipate they got ladies only fell for

anticipate they got ladies only fell for the number one the message Grandmaster

the number one the message Grandmaster

the number one the message Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five broken glass

Flash and the Furious Five broken glass

Flash and the Furious Five broken glass everywhere people pissing on the stage

everywhere people pissing on the stage

everywhere people pissing on the stage you know they just don’t care I can’t

you know they just don’t care I can’t

you know they just don’t care I can’t take the smell can’t take the noise got

take the smell can’t take the noise got

take the smell can’t take the noise got no money to move on I guess I got no

no money to move on I guess I got no

no money to move on I guess I got no choice

choice

choice this groundbreaking song opened doors

this groundbreaking song opened doors

this groundbreaking song opened doors for the hip-hop genre by using music as

for the hip-hop genre by using music as

for the hip-hop genre by using music as a way for the underrepresented to get

a way for the underrepresented to get

a way for the underrepresented to get their stories out there it’s strong

their stories out there it’s strong

their stories out there it’s strong social message showed the world what it

social message showed the world what it

social message showed the world what it was really like living in the ghetto a

was really like living in the ghetto a

was really like living in the ghetto a hard place with little opportunity and

hard place with little opportunity and

hard place with little opportunity and inspired countless musical acts

inspired countless musical acts

inspired countless musical acts thereafter to get to the city and got

thereafter to get to the city and got

thereafter to get to the city and got social so did it to have to get a

social so did it to have to get a

social so did it to have to get a picture couldn’t make it on their own

picture couldn’t make it on their own

picture couldn’t make it on their own push me cause I’m close to the edge I’m

push me cause I’m close to the edge I’m

push me cause I’m close to the edge I’m tryin not to lose my head in addition to

tryin not to lose my head in addition to

tryin not to lose my head in addition to placing more importance on the rappers

placing more importance on the rappers

placing more importance on the rappers as opposed to the DJ it’s like a jungle

as opposed to the DJ it’s like a jungle

as opposed to the DJ it’s like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep

sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep

sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep them going end up

them going end up

them going end up the Grandmaster Flash and the Furious

the Grandmaster Flash and the Furious

the Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five tune is also considered one of

Five tune is also considered one of

Five tune is also considered one of hip-hop’s finest tracks ever thought I

hip-hop’s finest tracks ever thought I

hip-hop’s finest tracks ever thought I can’t work through the barcode is crazy

can’t work through the barcode is crazy

can’t work through the barcode is crazy after talk keep my hat on my gun cuz

after talk keep my hat on my gun cuz

after talk keep my hat on my gun cuz they got me on the run

they got me on the run

they got me on the run I feel like an outlaw brought my last

I feel like an outlaw brought my last

I feel like an outlaw brought my last pass y’all hear them say you want some

pass y’all hear them say you want some

pass y’all hear them say you want some more livin on a seesaw put me car Oh

more livin on a seesaw put me car Oh

more livin on a seesaw put me car Oh close to so do you agree with our list

close to so do you agree with our list

close to so do you agree with our list what’s your top rap song of the 1980s

what’s your top rap song of the 1980s

what’s your top rap song of the 1980s hey say what it’s like a jungle

hey say what it’s like a jungle

hey say what it’s like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I kill

sometimes it makes me wonder how I kill

sometimes it makes me wonder how I kill them going under for more can’t miss top

them going under for more can’t miss top

them going under for more can’t miss top 10s published every day be sure to

10s published every day be sure to

10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com you don’t

subscribe to watchmojo.com you don’t

subscribe to watchmojo.com you don’t stop the rocket to the fan man like I

stop the rocket to the fan man like I

stop the rocket to the fan man like I say oh just the bigger to the rhythm

say oh just the bigger to the rhythm

say oh just the bigger to the rhythm others