Best of the 80's: Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C.

Quite possibly the most important rap album of all time, I'm a bit surprised to see this sitting at number 86 on the Best of the 80's list.  I figured this would at least be in the top 50, and thought it would probably be in the top 20. 

This album is important in the world of rap for many reasons.  One of course is the smash hit they had with "Walk This Way" and the fact that it brought rap into the mainstream.  Another is the complexity of the production.  This album went much further than any other rap to date at layering sounds and mixing in samples from all over the musical spectrum.  So not only did this album sell 3 million copies it also set a new standard for rap production. 

Sad for Run-D.M.C. it would also mark the end of their three album run which had them sitting at the top of the rap world.  They would never be bigger than they were with this album, and would fade away as this album created an explosion of talent and producers. 

It's a fun album still and sounds unique now with such a simple sound.  A fun listen in the summer while washing the car.

Following the Rhapsody rating method I give it 2 out of 5 stars for Not Bad.