A flawless compilation, Def Jam 1985-2001: History of Hip Hop, Vol. 1 showcases just how powerful the New York-based record label was during the '80s and '90s. In fact, no label came close to challenging Def Jam's status as the premier rap label -- not Death Row, not Jive, not Sugar Hill, not Cold Chillin'; no label even came close. The early mid- to late-'80s hits that catapulted the label to recognition during the Russell Simmons/Rick Ruben era are here: LL Cool J's "I Can't Live Without My Radio," Beastie Boys' "Fight for Your Right," and Slick Rick's "Children's Story." So are plenty of the early-'90s hits that solidified Def Jam's status during a time when it finally had to fend off competitors and a fledging West Coast scene: Public Enemy's "Fight the Power," EPMD's "Crossover," and Onyx's "Slam." And there are also a handful of the late-'90s hits that redefined Def Jam's image once the label shed many of its veteran artists: Jay-Z's "Can I Get A...," DMX's "Party (Up in Here)," and Method Man's "I'll Be There/You're All I Need." While the Def Jam Music Group -- Ten Year Anniversary box set is undeniably more thorough and informative, this convenient single-disc compilation features nothing but the big hits and also features the late-'90s artists that aren't found on that pricey box set.
Condition:NEW. Punched upc.
TRACK LISTINGS
1 I Can't Live Without My Radio 5:27
2 Fight for Your Right / Beastie Boys 3:26
3 The Rain 5:06
4 Children's Story 3:59
5 Fight the Power 4:37
6 Pop Goes the Weasel / 3rd Bass 3:53
7 Crossover 3:48
8 Sometimes I Rhyme Slow, Sometimes I Rhyme Quick 2:50
9 Slam / Onyx 3:37
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11 Regulate / Warren G 4:09
12 I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By 5:07
13 Get Me Home / Blackstreet 3:48
14 Da Rockwilder / Method Man 2:18
15 Can I Get A... / Amil 5:11
16 Holla Holla 4:24
17 Party Up (Up in Here) / DMX 4:36
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