We talk a lot on here about the "good ol days" of music. But really what were the good old days of hip hop? If you had to break it down to a 4 year period, what years would it be? For me it's 87-91. This is when hip hop took full flight and although it started crossing over, it still maintained it's "roots" The line between hip hop and R&B started to blur a little but it was more a result of hip hop adopting the higher production values of R&B. Hip Hop producers actually had some sort of budget to work with for the first time. Of course, this was all made possible by the success of Run-DMC, Whodini, The Fat Boys, LL and Beasties crossing over and selling records to white kids. But the hip hop that was created during this time was some of the most enjoyable music ever created. Before then hip hop was not welcome in the clubs (outside of a few records like rappers delight and the breaks) Hip hop seemed colorful, innovative and revolutionary. Remember when not ever rapper was mad? Remember when you could make party music and not be called a sell-out? Remember when the term "keepin it real" didn't mean you had to be a thug? Heavy D, De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, Monie Love (It's a Shame), Digital Underground, Sir Mix Alot all were considered REAL hip hop but were acts that could smile and have a good time. Even PE had flav to counter act Chuck. When I think hip hop I always think back to this time and smile. Damn shame that there are millions of so-call hip hop fans out there that don't even remember when this shit was not only creative but fun.
[This message was edited Wed Apr 30 15:24:39 PDT 2003 by intha916]

The years I treasure the most of hip hop was 84-88. I was hooked on RUN-DMC, Whodini, and the Fat Boys. I attended the Fresh Fest in 85. Hip Hop music was fun in the eighties.

We can talk about the "good days" of hip hop all day,but they are not coming back. It's time to find the good in todays hip hop and it is there,it's just more work to find it.

I would say the years 1986 to 1989.Alot of good hip-hop came out during those four years,such as Run DMC,Whodini,Salt N'Pepa,Slick Rick,etc.

Wow,I really miss those days

84 thru 92 for me!!! Not to be bias cuz I live out west but Ice T/Ice Cube/ and Nwa etc. had a large hip hop influence in my life!!! Cube flew out to NY to record a lot of AmeriKKKas Most Wanted with PE and you can hear their vibe and sound on that album!!! And Death Certificate is IMO one of the top 10 hip hop albums ever!!!

84-93 for me.there was some tight stuff from 78-83 but the zenith for me is between 84-93.

pejman said:

Extend the net by a year and catch "The Predator" and "The Chronic" too.

JohnnyTheFox said:

oh yeah

Very good points, but as a subsequent thread will show, I believe that 1994 was the best year in hip-hop. That being said, in '87-'91, look at what was produced:

Criminal Minded -- BDP Yo! Bumrush the Show -- PE
Bad -- LL Cool J Boyz In The Hood -- Eazy-E It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back -- PE By All Means Necessary -- BDP 3 Feet High and Rising -- De La Soul
Straight Outta Compton -- Ice Cube People's Instinctive -- ATCQ Done by the Forces of Nature -- Jungle Brothers
The Cactus Album -- 3d Bass Fight the Power -- PE
Fear of a Black Planet -- PE Amerikkka's Most Wanted -- Ice Cube The Devil Made Me Do It -- Paris Long Live The Kane -- Big Daddy Kane Cypress Hill -- Cypress Hill The Low End Theory -- De La Soul De La Soul Is Dead -- De La Soul Mr. Hood -- KMD To The East, Blackwards -- X-Clan

and so many more . . . I'd be hard-pressed to disagree.