As a teenager during the very-early nineties, my first experiences as a “DJ” was a handful of high school house parties. Two compact disc players and a massive stack of CD’s is all I needed to get the people moving! Though I was a fan of various styles of music, I always leaned heavily on my favorite genre… hip-hop. Whether it was the biggest current hit or an obscure local gem, you were always assured to get an appreciative head-nod from somebody.
So fast-forward to 2019. While more than a few of the classic jams have been forgotten, there are many that have had an impressive staying power. After a passionate discussion with some of our SE Events resident DJ’s, we’ve decided to lay out a “Top 5” list! The criteria is that they have to be songs from what is deemed “The Golden Age of Hip-Hop”, roughly mid-eighties to early nineties. These are also songs that can work for any crowd today, whether a wedding, corporate event, or birthday party. So I will save the Slick Rick, Rakim, and A Tribe Called Quest tracks for a different blog!
Here we go friends… the Top 5 Golden Age Hip-Hop tracks in no particular order…
Run DMC-Aerosmith “Walk This Way” (1986)
I think it’s appropriate to list this one first, since its impact is still felt in popular music today. The first rap-rock hit, “Walk This Way” opened the doors of rap music to rockers, and vice versa. The music video would have made an excellent addition to any eighties time capsule. And today, this song is still a crossover gem for DJ’s that serves as the perfect bridge between rock and hip-hop dance songs.
Sir Mix-A-Lot “Baby Got Back” (1992)
“Oh my God, Becky…”. Once that infectious bassline kicks in, you know it’s time to party! And the brief MTV ban of this epic video only added to the allure. This song is as much of a hit now as then, and despite its highly-suggestive lyrics, people from all walks of life love moving their backsides to it. If Becky only knew!
Salt-N-Pepa “Push It” (1987)
The first of many hits from one of the best-selling female rap groups of all time, this straight-forward jam maintains an edge without crossing any lines, which has helped provide it universal staying power. Besides the hook, it is stacked full of groove-influencing lines like “This dance ain’t for everybody, only the sexy people”. That’s right wallflower, you just got called out!
Rob Base and DJ E-Z-Rock “It Takes Two” (1988)
“Hit it!”. Truly one of the sickest and most-recognizable beats in the history of rap music, “It Takes Two” is deemed by some to be best hip-hop single of all time. Rob Base delivery is raspy but smooth, and his lyrical content keeps it clean without being weak. More importantly, it still works on any dance floor, easily transitioning to and from various styles of music.
Vanilla Ice “Ice Ice Baby” (1990)
I can’t lie… it was tough to put this song here. But love Ice or hate him, you can’t deny that this song will make most any dance floor move! Even if solely for comedic value, you will always have one of two party-goers rapping the entire jam for all to hear. “Ice Ice Baby” is fun and funny, and like a “B” horror flick, it’s so bad, it’s good! A special thank you to Queen and David Bowie.
Honorable mentions… House of Pain “Jump Around”, Digital Underground “Humpty Dance”, Young MC “Bust A Move”, Kris Kross “Jump”, Tone Loc “Wild Thing”
