Showing posts with label public enemy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label public enemy. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

The Top 100 Rap/Hip-Hop Songs of All Time

Rap/Hip-Hop:

Top 100 Songs

This list was created by aggregating more than 60 best-of lists focused on rap and hip-hop songs. Also factored in were awards received by the songs and the number of weeks the songs spent at #1 on the Billboard rap chart, R&B chart, and Hot 100.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast episode The Birth of Hip-Hop: The 50th Anniversary which references songs on this list. It debuted August 11, 2023.

1. Eminem “Lose Yourself” (2002)
2. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five “The Message” (1982)
3. The Sugarhill Gang “Rapper’s Delight” (1979)
4. Dr. Dre with Snoop Doggy Dogg “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang” (1992)
5. Public Enemy “Fight the Power” (1989)
6. 50 Cent “In Da Club” (2002)
7. Coolio with L.V. “Gangsta’s Paradise” (1995)
8. The Notorious B.I.G. “Juicy” (1994)
9. Wu-Tang Clan “C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)” (1994)
10. N.W.A. “Straight Outta Compton” (1989)

11. Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force “Planet Rock” (1982)
12. Eminem with Dido “Stan” (2000)
13. Ice Cube “It Was a Good Day” (1993)
14. Puff Daddy with Faith Evans & 112 “I’ll Be Missing You” (1997)
15. Tupac Shakur (2pac) with Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman “California Love” (1996)
16. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony “Tha Crossroads” (1996)
17. Geto Boys “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” (1991)
18. OutKast “Ms. Jackson” (2000)
19. Salt-N-Pepa “Push It” (1987)
20. 2pac “Dear Mama” (1993)

21. Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott “Get Ur Freak On” (2001)
22. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” (1992)
23. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis with Wanz “Thrift Shop” (2012)
24. Mobb Deep “Shook Ones Part II” (1995)
25. Run-D.M.C. with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler & Joe Perry “Walk This Way” (1986)
26. Young M.C. “Bust a Move” (1989)
27. Lil Nas X with Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road” (2018)
28. Eminem with Rihanna “Love the Way You Lie” (2010)
29. M.C. Hammer “U Can’t Touch This” (1990)
30. N.W.A. “Fuck tha Police” (1989)

31. Nelly “Hot in Herre” (2002)
32. Jay-Z “99 Problems” (2004)
33. Kanye West with Jamie Foxx “Gold Digger” (2005)
34. Jay-Z with Alicia Keys “Empire State of Mind” (2009)
35. Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock “It Takes Two” (1988)
36. De La Soul “Me, Myself and I” (1989)
37. Jay-Z & Kanye West “Niggas in Paris” (2011)
38. Sir Mix-a-Lot “Baby Got Back” (1992)
39. Slick Rick “Children’s Story” (1989)
40. LL Cool J “Mama Said Knock You Out” (1991)

41. The Notorious B.I.G. “Hypnotize” (1997)
42. Flo Rida with T-Pain “Low” (2007)
43. Kendrick Lamar “Alright” (2015)
44. Cardi B “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” (2017)
45. Lil Wayne with Static Major “Lollipop” (2008)
46. Kanye West “Jesus Walks” (2004)
47. Kurtis Blow “The Breaks” (1980)
48. Snoop Dogg with Pharrell Williams “Drop It Like It’s Hot” (2004)
49. Naughty by Nature “O.P.P.” (1991)
50. Snoop Doggy Dogg “Gin & Juice” (1994)

51. Eric B. & Rakim “Paid in Full (Seven Minutes of Madness)” (1987)
52. Nas “NY State of Mind” (1994)
53. Kendrick Lamar “Humble” (2017)
54. Eminem “The Real Slim Shady” (2000)
55. Common “I Used to Love H.E.R.” (1994)
56. Tone Loc “Wild Thing” (1988)
57. Eminem “My Name Is” (1999)
58. Lil Wayne “A Milli” (2008)
59. Wiz Khalifa & Charlie Puth “See You Again” (2015)
60. LL Cool J “Rock the Bells” (1986)

61. OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003)
62. Marley Marl “The Symphony” (1988)
63. House of Pain “Jump Around” (1992)
64. LL Cool J “I Need Love” (1987)
65. Vanilla Ice “Ice Ice Baby” (1990)
66. Method Man & Mary J. Blige “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By” (1995)
67. Nate Dogg & Warren G “Regulate” (1994)
68. Arrested Development “Tennessee” (1992)
69. Digital Underground “The Humpty Dance” (1990)
70. Drake “Hotline Bling” (2015)

71. Run-D.M.C. “Sucker MC’s” (1984)
72. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis with Ray Dalton “Can’t Hold Us” (2011)
73. Drake “God’s Plan” (2018)
74. Roddy Ricch “The Box” (2019)
75. Cardi B with Megan Thee Stallion “WAP” (2020)
76. Tag Team “Whoomp! There It Is” (1993)
77. Boogie Down Productions “The Bridge Is Over” (1987)
78. Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel “White Lines (Don’t Do It)” (1983)
79. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince “Parents Just Don’t Understand” (1988)
80. Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott “Work It” (2002)

81. Lauryn Hill “Doo Wop (That Thing)” (1998)
82. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince “Summertime” (1991)
83. Iggy Azalea with Charli XCX “Fancy” (2014)
84. Post Malone with 21 Savage “Rockstar” (2017)
85. Doug E. Fresh with Slick Rick “La Di Da Di” (1985)
86. Nas “The World Is Yours” (1994)
87. 2pac “Keep Ya Head Up” (1993)
88. Beastie Boys “You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party” (1986)
89. Kris Kross “Jump” (1992)
90. Kanye West with Daft Punk “Stronger” (2007)

91. Audio Two “Top Billin’” (1988)
92. Blackstreet with Dr. Dre & Queen Pen “No Diggity” (1996)
93. Chamillionaire with Krayzie Bone “Ridin’” (2006)
94. T.I. “What You Know” (2006)
95. Soulja Boy Tell’em “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” (2007)
96. Cypress Hill “How I Could Just Kill a Man” (1991)
97. Jay-Z with UGK “Big Pimpin’” (2000)
98. Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” (2009)
99. Drake with Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance” (2016)
100. Nelly with Kelly Rowland “Dilemma” (2002)

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First posted 6/8/2011; last updated 8/22/2023.

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Tuesday, April 19, 2022

The Top 100 Rap Albums of All Time

Rap:

The Top 100 Albums

More than 25 lists were aggregated to determine the best rap albums of all time. All albums which made at least 2 lists and/or won at least one “album of the year” award were than ranked according to their overall points in Dave’s Music Database (which factors in all-genre best-of lists, chart figures, sales, awards, and album ratings).

Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here.

1. Public Enemy It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
2. Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
3. Lauryn Hill The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
4. Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)
5. Eminem The Eminem Show (2002)
6. Kendrick Lamar Damn. (2017)
7. OutKast OutKast Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)
8. Beastie Boys Licensed to Ill (1986)
9. N.W.A. Straight Outta Compton (1989)
10. Kanye West The College Dropout (2004)

11. Kendrick Lamar Good Kid m.A.A.d. City (2012)
12. M.C. Hammer Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em (1990)
13. Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
14. OutKast Stankonia (2000)
15. Dr. Dre The Chronic (1992)
16. Beastie Boys Paul’s Boutique (1989)
17. Jay-Z The Blueprint (2001)
18. De La Soul 3 Feet High and Rising (1989)
19. 50 Cent Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ (2003)
20. Eminem Recovery (2010)

21. Drake Views (2016)
22. Fugees The Score (1996)
23. Eminem Curtain Call: The Hits (compilation: 1999-2005, charted 2005)
24. Kanye West Late Registration (2005)
25. DJ Shadow Endtroducing… (1996)
26. Drake Take Care (2011)
27. Run-D.M.C. Raising Hell (1986)
28. Wu-Tang Clan Enter the Wu-Tang Clan (36 Chambers) (1993)
29. Public Enemy Fear of a Black Planet (1990)
30. Eric B. & Rakim Paid in Full (1987)

31. A Tribe Called Quest The Low End Theory (1991)
32. Nas Illmatic (1994)
33. Eminem/various artists 8 Mile (soundtrack, 2002)
34. Snoop Doggy Dogg Doggystyle (1993)
35. The Notorious B.I.G. Ready to Die (1994)
36. Eminem The Slim Shady LP (1999)
37. Kanye West Graduation (2007)
38. Drake Scorpion (2018)
39. Eminem Encore (2004)
40. Vanilla Ice To the Extreme (1990)

41. Kanye West Yeezus (2013)
42. Madvillain Madvillainy (2004)
43. Lil Wayne Tha Carter III (2008)
44. 50 Cent The Massacre (2005)
45. Beastie Boys Ill Communication (1994)
46. Nelly Nellyville (2002)
47. Jay-Z The Black Album (2003)
48. Nelly Country Grammar (2000)
49. Tupac Shakur (2pac) All Eyez on Me (1996)
50. Cardi B Invasion of Privacy (2018)

51. The Notorious B.I.G. Life after Death (1997)
52. Post Malone Hollywood’s Bleeding (2019)
53. Black Eyed Peas Monkey Business (2005)
54. Drake If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late (2015)
55. Run the Jewels Run the Jewels 2 (2014)
56. Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013)
57. OutKast Aquemini (1998)
58. Nicki Minaj Pink Friday (2010)
59. Post Malone Beerbongs & Bentleys (2018)
60. Jay-Z & Kanye West Watch the Throne (2011)

61. DMDB: J. Dilla Donuts (2006)
62. Run-D.M.C. Run-D.M.C. (1984)
63. Arrested Development 3 Years, 5 Months, & 2 Days in the Life of… (1992)
64. Will Smith Big Willie Style (1997)
65. Eminem Relapse (2009)
66. Tupac (2pac) Shakur Me Against the World (1995)
67. Lil Nas X Montero (2021)
68. A Tribe Called Quest People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990)
69. Beastie Boys Check Your Head (1992)
70. The Game The Documentary (2005)

71. Tyler, the Creator Call Me if You Get Lost (2021)
72. Dr. Dre 2001 (1999)
73. Beastie Boys Hello Nasty (1998)
74. Boogie Down Productions Criminal Minded (1987)
75. Pop Smoke Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon (2020)
76. Jay-Z The Blueprint 3 (2009)
77. Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012)
78. Puff Daddy & the Family No Way Out (1997)
79. Tyler, the Creator Igor (2019)
80. Chance the Rapper Coloring Book (2016)

81. Cypress Hill Cypress Hill (1991)
82. Common Be (2005)
83. T.I. Paper Trail (2008)
84. Jay-Z Reasonable Doubt (1996)
85. Jay-Z Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life (1998)
86. Nelly Suit (2004)
87. LL Cool J Radio (1985)
88. A Tribe Called Quest Midnight Marauders (1993)
89. T.I. King (2006)
90. Kanye West 808’s and Heartbreak (2008)

91. Cypress Hill Black Sunday (1993)
92. J. Cole 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014)
93. Kris Kross Totally Krossed Out (1992)
94. Ice Cube AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted (1999)
95. D12 D12 World (2004)
96. OutKast ATLiens (1996)
97. DMX It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998)
98. Tupac Shakur (as Makaveli) The Don illuminati – The 7 Day Theory (1996)
99. Wu-Tang Clan Wu-Tang Forever (1997)
100. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis The Heist (2012)

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First posted 7/17/2011; last updated 4/19/2022.

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Sunday, December 6, 2020

Spin’s 100 Greatest Albums

First posted 4/30/2010; updated 12/10/2020.

Spin:

Top 100 Albums

This is an aggregate of eight best-of lists from Spin magazine (details at bottom of page). The magazine was founded in 1985 by Bob Guccione, Jr. It stopped producing print issues in 2012, but continues to run as an online magazine. The focus is on less mainstream fare, including alternative rock, alternative country, college rock, electronica, grunge, hip-hop, new wave, punk, reggae, and world music.

Also, check out Spin’s annual picks for album of the year. You can also see other publications’ picks for best albums of all time here.

1. Public Enemy It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
2. Ramones Ramones (1976)
3. Nirvana Nevermind (1991)
4. Prince Sign ‘O’ the Times (1987)
5. OutKast Stankonia (2000)
6. N.W.A. Straight Outta Compton (1989)
7. Hüsker Dü New Day Rising (1985)
8. Nirvana In Utero (1993)
9. Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream (1993)
10. Radiohead OK Computer (1997)

11. The Smiths The Queen Is Dead (1986)
12. Velvet Underground & Nico Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
13. Joy Division Unknown Pleasures (1979)
14. Pavement Slanted and Enchanted (1992)
15. Sonic Youth Daydream Nation (1988)
16. PJ Harvey Rid of Me (1993)
17. Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction (1987)
18. De La Soul 3 Feet High and Rising (1989)
19. Radiohead Kid A (2000)
20. My Bloody Valentine Loveless (1991)

21. Black Flag Damaged (1981)
22. Minutemen Double Nickels on the Dime (1984)
23. Eric B. & Rakim Paid in Full (1987)
24. U2 Achtung Baby (1991)
25. Hole Live Through This (1994)
26. Pixies Surfer Rosa (1988)
27. Liz Phair Exile in Guyville (1993)
28. Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977)
29. Sleater-Kinney Dig Me Out (1997)
30. Fugazi 13 Songs (1990)

31. Green Day Dookie (1994)
32. Dr. Dre The Chronic (1992)
33. Lucinda Williams Lucinda Williams (1988)
34. Beastie Boys Licensed to Ill (1986)
35. R.E.M. Automatic for the People (1992)
36. Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
37. Rage Against the Machine The Battle of Los Angeles (1999)
38. Jesus and Mary Chain Psychocandy (1985)
39. A Tribe Called Quest The Low-End Theory (1991)
40. Boogie Down Productions Criminal Minded (1987)

41. Soundgarden Superunknown (1994)
42. Jeff Buckley Grace (1994)
43. The Pogues Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash (1985)
44. The Breeders Last Splash (1993)
45. Hüsker Dü Zen Arcade (1984)
46. R.E.M. Murmur (1983)
47. Wire Pink Flag (1977)
48. Run-D.M.C. Run-D.M.C. (1984)
49. Gang of Four Entertainment! (1979)
50. Buzzcocks Singles Going Steady (compilation: 1977-79, released 1979)

51. X-Ray Spex Germ-Free Adolescents (1978)
52. Beastie Boys Paul’s Boutique (1989)
53. Sinéad O’Connor The Lion and the Cobra (1987)
54. The Clash The Clash (1977)
55. The Stooges Fun House (1970)
56. Nine Inch Nails The Downward Spiral (1994)
57. Television Marquee Moon (1977)
58. Nas Illmatic (1994)
59. The Replacements Let It Be (1984)
60. The Replacements Tim (1985)

61. Beck Odelay (1996)
62. Public Image Ltd. Metal Box (aka “Second Edition”) (1979)
63. The Pixies Doolittle (1989)
64. Wu-Tang Clan Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)
65. The Feelies Crazy Rhythms (1980)
66. Meat Puppets Meat Puppets II (1984)
67. New Order Low-Life (1985)
68. Public Enemy Fear of a Black Planet (1990)
69. Guided by Voices Bee Thousand (1994)
70. Pere Ubu The Modern Dance (1978)

71. U2 The Joshua Tree (1987)
72. The Stooges The Stooges (1969)
73. The Notorious B.I.G. Ready to Die (1994)
74. The Mekons Fear and Whiskey (1985)
75. Run-D.M.C. Raising Hell (1986)
76. The Cure The Head on the Door (1985)
77. Metallica Master of Puppets (1986)
78. Elliott Smith Either/Or (1997)
79. Dinosaur Jr. You’re Living All Over Me (1987)
80. Jay-Z The Blueprint (2001)

81. Pavement Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994)
82. Arcade Fire Funeral (2004)
83. The Descendents Milo Goes to College (1982)
84. Kanye West The College Dropout (2004)
85. Devo Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo (1978)
86. Oasis Definitely Maybe (1994)
87. Flipper Album Generic (1982)
88. Björk Post (1995)
89. PJ Harvey Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea (2000)
90. Tricky Maxinquaye (1995)

91. Pulp Different Class (1995)
92. The Strokes Is This It (2001)
93. Portishead Dummy (1994)
94. The Fall This Nation’s Saving Grace (1985)
95. DJ Shadow Endtroducing… (1996)
96. Lauryn Hill The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
97. D’Angelo Voodoo (2000)
98. Belle & Sebastian If You’re Feeling Sinister (1996)
99. Beck Mellow Gold (1993)
100. Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (1995)

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Friday, October 23, 2020

VH1 Top 100 Songs

Last updated 10/23/2020.

VH1:

Top 100 Songs

The music television channel VH1 has done a variety of “100 Greatest” shows over the years. The song lists at the bottom of this page have been consolidated into an aggregate list by Dave’s Music Database.

Click here to see other lists from publications and/or organizations.

1. Salt-N-Pepa “Push It” (1987)
2. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
3. Run-D.M.C. with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler & Joe Perry “Walk This Way” (1986)
4. Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” (1983)
5. Sinéad O’Connor “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990)
6. Nirvana “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (1991)
7. Dr. Dre with Snoop Doggy Dogg “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang” (1993)
8. Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
9. Public Enemy “Fight the Power” (1989)
10. Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1988)

11. The Police “Every Breath You Take” (1983)
12. Prince Prince “When Doves Cry” (1984)
13. Michael Jackson “Beat It” (1983)
14. AC/DC “You Shook Me All Night Long” (1980)
15. Van Halen “Jump” (1984)
16. Naughty by Nature “O.P.P.” (1991)
17. Cyndi Lauper “Time after Time” (1983)
18. M.C. Hammer “U Can’t Touch This” (1990)
19. Shania Twain “You’re Still the One” (1988)
20. The Clash “London Calling” (1979)

21. Goo Goo Dolls “Iris” (1998)
22. The Rolling Stones “Start Me Up” (1981)
23. U2 “One” (1992)
24. Madonna “Vogue” (1990)
25. Aretha Franklin “Respect” (1967)
26. Madonna “Like a Virgin” (1984)
27. TLC “Waterfalls” (1994)
28. Sir Mix-A-Lot “Baby Got Back” (1992)
29. Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know” (1995)
30. R.E.M. “Losing My Religion” (1991)

31. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” (1986)
32. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five “The Message” (1982)
33. U2 “With or Without You” (1987)
34. Britney Spears “Baby One More Time” (1998)
35. The Sugarhill Gang “Rapper’s Delight” (1979)
36. The Kingsmen “Louie Louie” (1963)
37. Pearl Jam “Jeremy” (1991)
38. Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive” (1978)
39. C + C Music Factory “Gonna Make You Sweat” (1990)
40. Peter Gabriel “In Your Eyes” (1986)

41. Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock “It Takes Two” (1988)
42. No Doubt “Don’t Speak” (1996)
43. Aerosmith “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (1998)
44. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Under the Bridge” (1992)
45. Journey “Don’t Stop Believin’” (1981)
46. Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive” (1977)
47. Backstreet Boys “I Want It That Way” (1999)
48. The Go-Go’s “Our Lips Are Sealed” (1981)
49. Fugees “Killing Me Softly” (1996)
50. Janet Jackson “Nasty” (1986)

51. Bruce Springsteen “Born in the U.S.A.” (1984)
52. Queen with David Bowie “Under Pressure” (1981)
53. Elton John “Your Song” (1970)
54. Daryl Hall & John Oates “I Can’t Go for That” (No Can Do)” (1981)
55. Chubby Checker “The Twist” (1960)
56. Duran Duran “Hungry Like the Wolf” (1982)
57. Beck “Loser” (1993)
58. The Emotions “Best of My Love” (1977)
59. House of Pain “Jump Around” (1992)
60. Alicia Keys “Fallin’” (2001)

61. Digital Underground “The Humpty Dance” (1990)
62. James Brown “I Got You” (I Feel Good)” (1965)
63. Rick James “Super Freak” (1981)
64. Destiny’s Child “Say My Name” (1999)
65. Prince “Little Red Corvette” (1983)
66. Nelly “Hot in Herre” (2002)
67. REO Speedwagon “Keep on Loving You” (1980)
68. Modern English “I Melt with You” (1983)
69. Ice Cube “It Was a Good Day” (1993)
70. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts “I Love Rock and Roll” (1981)

71. Metallica “Enter Sandman” (1991)
72. Young MC “Bust a Move” (1989)
73. Eminem “My Name Is”“ (1999)
74. Chic “Good Times” (1979)
75. Al Green “Let’s Stay Together” (1971)
76. Green Day “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” (1997)
77. Soft Cell “Tainted Love” (1981)
78. Radiohead “Creep” (1993)
79. Barry White “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” (1974)
80. Led Zeppelin “Whole Lotta Love” (1969)

81. Sheryl Crow “All I Wanna Do” (1994)
82. Hanson “Mmmbop” (1997)
83. Cypress Hill “Insane in the Brain” (1993)
84. Blondie “Heart of Glass” (1979)
85. The Notorious B.I.G. with Puff Daddy & Mase “Mo Money, Mo Problems” (1997)
86. Foreigner “I Want to Know What Love Is” (1984)
87. George Michael “Faith” (1987)
88. John Cougar Mellencamp “Jack and Diane” (1982)
89. Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This” (1983)
90. Geto Boys “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” (1991)

91. Lenny Kravitz “Are You Gonna Go My Way” (1993)
92. Culture Club “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” (1982)
93. LL Cool J “Mama Said Knock You Out” (1991)
94. Tone Loc “Wild Thing” (1988)
95. Oasis “Wonderwall” (1995)
96. Poison “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” (1988)
97. Cher “Believe” (1998)
98. Marvin Gaye “Sexual Healing” (1982)
99. Bonnie Tyler “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (1983)
100. Ray Charles “What’d I Say” (1959)

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Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Rick Rubin: Top 50 Albums

First posted 3/10/2020.

Rick Rubin:

Top 50 Albums

Happy birthday to Rick Rubin! He was born Frederick Jay Rubin on 3/10/1963 in Long Beach, New York. He became a record executive with Def Jam, American Recordings, and then Columbia. “The barefoot Buddha with the woolly salt-and-pepper beard” UT was once dubbed the king of rap by the Village Voice. WP He “was among the key figures behind the commercial and artistic rise of hip-hop, lending his signature rap/metal style to many of the biggest records of the pre-gangsta era.” AMG However, he branched out to work with artists as diverse as Adele, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, the Dixie Chicks, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Rolling Stone called him “the most successful producer in any genre” UT and MTV said he is “the most important producer of the last 20 years.” WK Rubin has produced more than 100 albums with total sales of more than 100 million. WP In 2007, he was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine. WK

Esquire magazine says Rubin is “one of the few industry giants with the confidence to just let artists be themselves.” WK Rubin says his role is “‘to inspire and challenge artists to do their best work, and to do it for the sake of the work as opposed to the ends.” UT Daron Malakian of System of a Down says, “Rick’s like the song doctor. If you play something for him, it’s like going in for a checkup…the songs always feel better after his suggestions.” WP

Rubin continues, saying “Today’s surplus of lousy albums results largely from the twisted agendas of labels and managers who fixate on deadlines and marketing rather than nurturing talent…I try to…refocus everything on the art and the artist’s truth.” UT Malakian adds, “Production with Rick doesn’t mean you're going to sit in a studio. It might mean you go to a record store or to the beach. Or you go for a drive. You bond as people first.” WP

Early Years (1963-1984):

Rubin grew up in an upper-middle-class neighborhood in Long Island. He says his parents, Mickey and Linda, smothered and spoiled him and hoped he would become a doctor or lawyer. WP However, he was more interested in “aggressive sounds and outlaw music.” UT As he said, “I like things that are unique and extreme.” UT He was never into drugs, but was somewhat of an outcast in school, wearing sunglasses and black leather. WP

He had a band, the Pricks, in high school, and played guitar in an art-punk band called Hose while at New York University. WK He even played a few gigs at the legendary CBGB’s club in New York, WP but “never considered himself a musician.” UT When he enrolled at NYU, he intended to go to law school, until he was enamored by rap music, or what he considered “black punk rock.” WP He became a fixture at New York hip-hop clubs and was disappointed with most of the rap singles he purchased because he wished the records “felt and sounded like being at a club” WP instead of “disco songs with guys rapping on them.” WP As he says, “I started making records I wanted to hear. I didn’t know it was a viable job.” UT

Def Jam (1984-1988):

Rubin produced his first single, It’s Yours, in 1984 for T La Rock and Jazzy Jay. It became one of the biggest rap hits in New York and got Rubin noticed by Russell Simmons, a music promotor from Queens who also managed his brother’s group, Run-D.M.C. Simmons was shocked when he found out that “‘the blackest song he’d ever heard’ was produced by a Jewish kid from Long Island.” WP The two founded Def Jam, operating out of Rubin’s dorm room at Weinstein Hall, with his parents fronting them $5000. Def Jam made the big time when they landed a $2 million distribution deal with Columbia and broke big with LL Cool J’s 1985 album Radio. WP

The album wasn’t much more than rapping and percussive beats, showcasing Rubin’s minimalist approach which eliminated string sections, backup vocals, reverb, and other typical production elements in favor of naked vocals and instrumentation. WK Instead of a “Produced by Rick Rubin” credit in the liner notes, it read “Reduced by Rick Rubin.” WK Rubin also challenged LL Cool J, “rap’s biggest solo star,” WP “to add traditional song structure to his work, figuring that if it worked for the Beatles, it should work for everyone else.” WP Rubin’s approach had “an immediate impact, playing a key role in rap’s rise.” UT

Another trademark of Rubin’s early work became a fusion of rap and heavy rock. It was his idea for Run-D.M.C. to cover Aerosmith’s Walk This Way, a move credited with reviving Aerosmith’s career and introducing rap to mainstream audiences. WK Run- The song’s parent album, Raising Hell, along with the Beastie Boys’ “obnoxious and bratty” WP Licensed to Ill, “rap broke worldwide in 1986.” AMG The latter exploded “rap’s sonic boundaries [by] adding punk and metal to the mix,” WP a move which hooked “masses of white suburban kids” WP and gave the album the distinction of being the first rap album to top the Billboard album chart. WP

Def American (1988-1993):

Rubin’s relationship with Simmons suffered ad Def Jam flourished. In 1988, Rubin left Def Jam and moved to Los Angeles to launch Def American. He signed a number of heavy rock acts and “abrasive artists” WP like Slayer, Geto Boys, and Andrew “Dice” Clay, who recorded “shocking, controversial albums…with unflinching tracks about murder, Satanic worship, necrophilia and Nazism.” WP “I guess edgy things tend to get my attention,” Rubin said. “But it wasn’t the fact that it was offensive that made me like it…The music is what drives me.’” WP

Rubin signed a deal with Time Warner for a reported $75 to $100 million and “his label jumped out to a fast start with bestsellers from the likes of the Black Crowes and Sir Mix-a-Lot.” WP In 1991, Rubin produced Blood Sugar Sex Magik, the breakthrough album by Red Hot Chili Peppers. AMG Under the Bridge, the album’s #2 pop hit, grew out of Rubin’s discovery of a poem written by Anthony Kiedis about overcoming heroin addiction. Rubin convinced the reluctant singer to present it to the band. WP

American Recordings (1993-2006):

In 1993, Rubin dropped “Def” from the name and the label became American Recordings. Johnny Cash’s career-reviving album of the same name would signify Rubin’s greatest career achievement aside from launching rap into the mainstream. Cash had been at a creative and commercial low when Rubin met him and convinced him to overhaul unlikely rock tunes, most notably Nine Inch Nails’ Hurt, into stripped-down, emotionally-bare confessionals.

Rubin worked a similar magic for Neil Diamond, who had “created a cabaret image by drifting from his emotional core as a singer/songwriter.” UT 12 Songs “was the crooner’s best-reviewed work in decades, landing on more than a few music critics’ best-of-2005 lists.” WP It also reached #4 on the Billboard album chart, Diamond’s highest chart position in a quarter century. Diamond said, “I was one of those radio stars killed by videos. It was hard to get back on track. With Rick, I found the right path. He picked up on the vibe of acoustic guitar and understatement, something I haven’t done in years and wasn’t able to replicate until this album.” UT

During this time, Rubin lent production duties to chart-topping albums from artists as diverse as Audioslave, the Dixie Chicks, Jay-Z, System of a Down, and Justin Timberlake. He also won Producer of the Year in 2007 for work with Johnny Cash, the Dixie Chicks, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and U2. The Dixie Chicks also won the Album of the Year Grammy for their Rick Rubin-produced Taking the Long Way.

Columbia (2007-2012):

Rubin was named co-head of Columbia Records in May 2007. He produced #1 albums for Adele, Neil Diamond, Linkin Park, and Metallica. He wond the Producer of the Year Grammy again in 2009. In 2012, Adele’s 21, with several songs produced by Rubin, won the Grammy for Album of the Year.

Republic Records (2012-):

In his post-Columbia years, Rubin lent production duties to #1 albums from Eminem, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Kanye West, and the comeback of Black Sabbath.

Rick Rubin’s Top 50 Albums:

Here are the 50 albums produced by Rick Rubin. 19 of these rank in the top 1000 albums of all time according to the DMDB.

  1. Adele 21 (2011)
  2. Public Enemy It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
  3. Red Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)
  4. Beastie Boys Licensed to Ill (1986)
  5. Justin Timberlake FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)
  6. Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication (1999)
  7. Ed Sheeran X (Multiply) (2014)
  8. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Greatest Hits (1976-93, released 1993)
  9. Run-D.M.C. Raising Hell (1986)
  10. Red Hot Chili Peppers By the Way (2002)

  11. Lucinda Williams Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (1998)
  12. System of a Down Toxicity (2001)
  13. Red Hot Chili Peppers Stadium Arcadium (2006)
  14. Johnny Cash American Recordings (1994)
  15. Dixie Chicks Taking the Long Way (2006)
  16. U2 Best of 1980-1990 (compilation: 1980-2006, released 2006)
  17. Red Hot Chili Peppers Greatest Hits (1989-2003, released 2003)
  18. Slayer Reign in Blood (1986)
  19. Kanye West Yeezus (2013)
  20. Black Crowes Shake Your Money Maker (1990)

  21. Jay-Z The Black Album (2003)
  22. Johnny Cash American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002)
  23. Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013)
  24. The Mars Volta De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003)
  25. Metallica Death Magnetic (2008)
  26. Aerosmith O Yeah! The Ultimate Hits (compilation: 1973-2002, released 2002)
  27. Sheryl Crow The Globe Sessions (1998)
  28. Linkin Park Minutes to Midnight (2007)
  29. LL Cool J Radio (1985)
  30. Red Hot Chili Peppers What Hits!? (compilation: 1984-91, released 1992)

  31. Johnny Cash American III: Solitary Man (2000)
  32. Public Enemy Yo! Bum Rush the Show (1987)
  33. System of a Down Mezmerize (2005)
  34. Shakira Fijacion Oral Vol. 1 (2005)
  35. Red Hot Chili Peppers One Hot Minute (1995)
  36. Audioslave Out of Exile (2005)
  37. Audioslave Audioslave (2002)
  38. Johnny Cash Unearthed (box set: 1993-2003, released 2003)
  39. Tom Petty Wildflowers (1994)
  40. Kanye West The Life of Pablo (2016)

  41. Johnny Cash American V: A Hundred Highways (2006)
  42. The Avett Brothers I and Love and You (2009)
  43. Weezer Make Believe (2005)
  44. Johnny Cash Ameican VI: Ain’t No Grave (2010)
  45. Linkin Park A Thousand Suns (2010)
  46. Neil Diamond i>12 Songs (2005)
  47. Eminem Revival (2017)
  48. Lady Gaga Artpop (2013)
  49. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Echo (1999)
  50. Linkin Park Living Things (2012)

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Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Dave's Music Hall of Fame: Album Inductees (May 2019)

Originally posted 5/22/2019.

January 22, 2019 marked the 10-year anniversary of the DMDB blog. To honor that, Dave’s Music Database announced its own Hall of Fame. Since then, 23 songs, 9 albums, and 10 acts have been inducted. This month marks the second batch of album inductees. These 10 works have been selected because they topped DMDB genre/specialty lists for classic rock, classical, country, folk, live albums, metal, opera, punk, rap, and R&B. It should be noted that blues, cast albums, and jazz were not included in this list because the top albums of each of those genres were already inducted – Robert Johnson’s The Complete Recordings (blues), Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific (cast album), and Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue (jazz).

See the full list of album inductees here.

Johann Sebastian Bach Goldberg Variations (1741)

Inducted May 2019 as a “Top Album of Its Genre (classical).”

Scholars have debated the specifics about the origin of the work, but have generally accepted that they were commissioned by Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, JK who may have been the first to perform them. WK Many records suggest that Bach once taught Goldberg, a famed virtuoso, who would have easily been able to play the variations. They were originally written for harpsichord, but are sometimes performed on piano. WK In fact, pianist Glenn Gould gave the Goldberg Variations their greatest audience with several recordings, collectively exceeding two million in sales. His recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1983 and added to the National Recording Registry in 2003. Read more.

James Brown Live at the Apollo, Vol. 1 (1962)

Inducted May 2019 as a “Top Album of Its Genre (live).”

“There is no more exciting document of live performance in the history of R&B.” AZ Brown asked his record label to record one of his shows. When they refused, he bankrolled the project himself, TL knowing “his live performances contained electricity unable to be reproduced in the studio.” RV “By the end of these thirty-two minutes, no one will doubt that James really was the hardest working man in show business (and this without even seeing him dance!).” AMG It ended up on the Billboard charts for more than a year, peaking at #2 and becoming “a watershed album, both for James Brown and for the burgeoning soul music movement.” AMG Read more.

Johnny Cash Live at Folsom Prison (1968)

Inducted May 2019 as a “Top Album of Its Genre (country).”

In one of his two legendary live albums recorded for a prison audience, “Cash plays to the audience, selecting a set of songs that are all about prison, crime, murder, regret, loss, mother, God, and loneliness.” AMG “He never did any hard time, but Cash had a natural sympathy for men who gave in to their worst impulses.” TL “Cash stimulates the audience’s emotions, which in turn stimulates his performance, especially since he delivers the songs with the conviction of someone who has lived through it.” AMG “Few albums come as close to capturing the darkness and rage that lays deep in Cash’s music, as well as the depth of his talent.” AMG Read more.

Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde (1966)

Inducted May 2019 as a “Top Album of Its Genre (folk).”

With Blonde on Blonde, Dylan was moving toward “leaving coffee bars behind forever…to bring country into rock & roll.” BL It “is an album of enormous depth” AMG that “reaches some of Dylan’s greatest heights – which is to say, the very pinnacle of rock.” TL It “is comprised entirely of songs driven by inventive, surreal, and witty wordplay.” TL It blends “blues, country, rock, and folk into a wild, careening, and dense sound.” TL It was “the culmination of Dylan’s electric rock & roll period – he would never release a studio record that rocked this hard, or had such bizarre imagery, ever again.” AMG Read more.

Marvin Gaye What’s Going On (1971)

Inducted May 2019 as a “Top Album of Its Genre (R&B).”

Gaye’s album of social commentary on “urban decay, environmental woes, military turbulence, police brutality, unemployment, and poverty” AMG became “one of the defining albums of its time.” TL Initially Motown founder Berry Gordy balked at the idea, thinking it would be a commercial failure, but it became “the most important and passionate record to come out of soul music” AMG and “the most perfect expression of an artist’s hope, anger, and concern ever recorded.” AMG It “catapulted Marvin Gaye into superstardom.” BN and “kicked off an era of unprecedented social consciousness in R&B…[and] introduced a whole new style of making records.” TL Read more.

Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction (1987)

Inducted May 2019 as a “Top Album of Its Genre (metal).”

“Guns N’ Roses’ debut, Appetite for Destruction was a turning point for hard rock in the late ‘80s – it was a dirty, dangerous, and mean record in a time when heavy metal meant nothing but a good time.” AMG Guns N’ Roses embraced “the wasted rock star lifestyle with such earnest determination that you’d think they invented it.” GW Lead singer Axl “Rose’s misogyny, fear, and anger hard to dismiss as merely an artistic statement; this is music that sounds lived-in.” AMG As good as his “lyrics and screeching vocals are, they wouldn’t be nearly as effective without the twin-guitar interplay of Slash and Izzy Stradlin, who spit out riffs and solos better than any band since the Rolling Stones.” BL Read more.

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV (1971)

Inducted May 2019 as a “Top Album of Its Genre (classic rock).”

While “the first four Led Zeppelin albums are all air-curdling classics, monolithic slabs of sleazy sweat-riffs and heavy gravity, [this] is their most staggeringly ambitious.” DK It “not only [defined] Led Zeppelin, but the sound and style of ‘70s hard rock.” AMG It “turned them from mere superstars into giant behemoths of the rock world,” AZ1 “an important stylistic template for everything from heavy metal to grunge.” BN Read more.

Claudio Monteverdi L’Orfeo (Orpheus) (1607)

Inducted May 2019 as a “Top Album of Its Genre (opera).”

Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo is “based on the Greek legend of Orpheus, and tells the story of his descent to Hades and his fruitless attempt to bring his dead bride Eurydice back to the living world.” WK “It was written in 1607 for a court performance during the annual Carnival at Mantua.” WK ‘In his published score Monteverdi lists around 41 instruments to be deployed, with distinct groups of instruments used to depict particular scenes and characters.” WK “After the composer’s death in 1643 the opera went unperformed for many years, and was largely forgotten until a revival of interest in the late 19th century.” WK Since then, it has gained the reputation as “the earliest that is still regularly performed.” WK Read more.

Public Enemy It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)

Inducted May 2019 as a “Top Album of Its Genre (rap).”

Nation “rewrote the rules of what hip-hop could do.” STE It is “one of the greatest and most influential albums of all-time” WK in any genre. The group “set out to make…the hip hop equivalent to Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, an album noted for its strong social commentary.” WK Los Angeles Times critic Robert Hilburn said, Chuck D “isn’t afraid of being labeled an extremist, and it’s that fearless bite…helps infuse his black-consciousness raps with the anger and assault of punk pioneers like the Sex Pistols and Clash.” WK Read more.

Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977)

Inducted May 2019 as a “Top Album of Its Genre (punk).”

This “has become punk’s ground zero.” TM “One album was all they made, and probably all anyone could stand.” TL The Sex Pistols “made old-fashioned rock bad boys such as The Rolling Stones and The Who look like wimps in comparison.” RV Their “loud, snotty and angry” approach created “an us-against-them ideology that disaffected kids everywhere understood immediately.” TM “Never Mind the Bollocks perfectly articulated the frustration, rage, and dissatisfaction of the British working class with the establishment.” AMG “Everyone who heard them went out and started a punk band, and the music world’s been a better place as a result.” PK Read more.
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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2013 Inductees Announced

clockwise, from top left: Public Enemy, Albert King, Randy Newman, Rush, Heart, Donna Summer; image from Billboard

The 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees were announced on December 11, 2012 by Flea, the bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers (a 2012 inductee). The announcement was made at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theater where the induction ceremony will be held April 18. The inductees are Lou Adler, Heart, Quincy Jones, Albert King, Randy Newman, Public Enemy, Rush, and Donna Summer.

Lou Adler Induction category: Ahmet Ertegun Award for Lifetime Achievement

Adler was an American record producer (Sam Cooke, Carole King, The Mamas & the Papas), manager (Jan & Dean), director, and an owner of the famous Roxy Theater. He founded Dunhill Records in 1964 and Ode Records in 1967. He helped produce the Monterey International Pop Festival and cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Carole King’s Tapestry, which he produced, won the Grammy for Album of the Year and rates as one of the top 100 albums of all time. See DMDB music maker encyclopedia entry for more.

Heart Induction category: Performer

Heart was a rarity in the male-dominated world of classic rock in the ‘70s – a band led by women – sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. Ann said, “Some people have an idea of what the shape of rock & roll is supposed to look like. We’re not really it. Personally that’s why I think it’s taken quite a while…So this kind of acknowledgement is really sweet.” RS The band made a name for themselves with classic-rock staples like “Magic Man,” “Crazy on You,” and “Barracuda” before getting a second life in the mid-‘80s as a mainstream pop group with #1 hits “These Dreams” and “Alone.” See DMDB music maker encyclopedia entry for more.

Quincy Jones Induction category: Ahmet Ertegun Award for Lifetime Achievement

Jones started as an R&B/jazz musician and bandleader, but made his name as a producer. He ranks as one of the top 50 producers of all time. His most notable work was with Michael Jackson on Thriller, which tops the list of the best-selling albums of all time. That album, as well as Jones’ own Back on the Block, snagged Grammys for Album of the Year. See DMDB music maker encyclopedia entry for more.

Albert King Induction category: Performer

One of two posthumous inductees (the other is Donna Summer), King already ranked as one of the top 100 blues acts of all time and one of the top 100 greatest guitarists. He was previously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. His 1967 album Born Under a Bad Sign ranks as one of the top 1000 albums of all time. See DMDB music maker encyclopedia entry for more.

Randy Newman Induction category: Performer

Newman is already an inductee in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and ranks as oe of the top 100 songwriters of the rock era. Of his induction into the Rock Hall, he said, “I thought maybe I’d have to die before they let me in.” RS He also said, “They’re always a little doctinate about what’s rock & roll and what isn’t rock & roll. It’s nice they opened up a little to let me in.” RS His albums 12 Songs (1970) and Sail Away (1972) rank in the top 1000 albums of all time list. See DMDB music maker encyclopedia entry for more.

Public Enemy Induction category: Performer

They are the fourth hip-hop act to be inducted into the Hall, following Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five (2007), Run-D.M.C. (2009), and the Beastie Boys (2012). Their songs “Rebel without a Pause” and “Fight the Power” both rank in the top 100 rap songs of all time; the latter is also in the top 1000 songs of all time list. Their 1988 album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back ranks as one of the top 100 albums of all time. See DMDB music maker encyclopedia entry for more.

Rush Induction category: Performer

Fan loyalty for this classic prog-rock Canadian trio is rivaled only by KISS fans when it comes to lobbying for enshrinement into the Hall. This year, fans were allowed to vote and the results were counted as one of the six-hundred-something ballots. Rush was the overwhelming favorite. Geddy Lee, th band’s singer and bassist, expressed gratitude to the band’s hardcore fans. “It was a cause they championed. I’m very relieved for them and we share this honor with them, for sure.” RS Alex Lifeson, the band’s guitarist, said, “It’s a privilege to be able to play music…and it’s an even greater privilege to have such a fantastic audience.” BB The band’s albums 2112 (1976), Permanent Waves (1980), and Moving Pictures all rank in the top 1000 albums of all time list. Among their best-known songs are “Closer to the Heart,” “The Trees,” “Freewill,” “Limelight,” and “Tom Sawyer,” a song ranked as one of the top 100 classic rock songs of all time. See DMDB music maker encyclopedia entry for more.

Donna Summer Induction category: Performer

Sometimes known as the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer was hugely successful in the ‘70s and early ‘80s. Her songs “Last Dance” and “Hot Stuff” rank in the DMDB’s top 1000 songs of all time. When she died last May, the DMDB blog featured a tribute to her in which her top 20 songs were ranked (“Last Dance for Donna Summer, the Queen of Disco: May 17, 2012”). See DMDB music maker encyclopedia entry for more.

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