25 years is a long time.  300 months.  9,125 days.  It is a true testament to anything when it is still as highly regarded now as it was a quarter of a century ago when it was first introduced. And Hip-Hop is an accelerated art form, so for music from that culture to have maintained or even gained relevancy from when Do the Right Thing dropped to today is especially astonishing.  Plus, 1988 was the biggest year Hip-Hop had seen at that point, but by the grace of beats, rhymes, and life, the momentum kept going through the end of decade. 1989 was a great time for Hip-Hop too.  And in recognition of that, AllHipHop.com put together a list of that year’s best rap albums.  These are the essentials from Sunday, January 1, 1989, to Sunday, December 31, 1989. These projects were amazing at the time of their release.  The mark that they and their creators made can even be seen in current Hip-Hop.  Here are the 10 best rap albums from 1989 and the reasons why Hip-Hop and pop culture wouldn’t be where they are now without them. 10). Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop by Boogie Down Productions: BDP’s third release found KRS-One bringing together the battle attitude of Criminal Minded with the consciousness of By All Means Necessary.  The result of that combination helped position Mr. Parker as the great teacher he is still widely regarded as.  Whether questioning Hip-Hop’s commercial aspirations (“Ghetto Music”) or educating listeners about African-American history (“You Must Learn”), KRS-One had valid points to make.  And with everyone from 50 Cent to Black Star paying respect to BDP in one way or another, it’s safe to say that KRS-One got those points across and then some. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsR9f8cIQCU&w=420&h=315] 9). The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech…Just Watch What You Say by Ice-T: This album is an excellent conceptual piece wherein Ice imagines an America where the government has control of everyone, á la George Orwell’s 1984.  Prior to this album’s release, Ice T was dealing with censorship issues.  In his 1994 book, The Ice Opinion, Ice wrote, “People had already told me what I could not say on stage in Columbus, Georgia.  You couldn’t say anything they called a ‘swear’ word.”  The rights and limits of free speech have been a constant battle and there is no end in sight.  However, this is a great advocate for the First Amendment if ever there was one. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz3kX4X9KvQ&w=420&h=315] 8). The Cactus Album by 3rd Bass: This interracial rap collective made quite an impression with their debut.  Backed by production from The Bomb Squad, Prince Paul, and Sam Sever, the album proved that successful Caucasian rappers were not a fluke.  In fact, on the album’s first song, “Sons of 3rd Bass,” MC Serch even disses The Beasties to avoid comparisons: “Swam to the lyrics ‘cuz Serch is your father / Screaming ‘Hey Ladies,’ why bother?” And while Serch would be later recognized for helping get Nas his big break, this album is memorable too because it introduced MF Doom to the world (as part of KMD) on “The Gas Face.” [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYp28tEAVvs&w=420&h=315] 7). Unfinished Business by EPMD: EPMD followed up Strictly Business with another great collection of songs. Erick Sermon sticks to his winning formula of funk-inspired production and Parrish’s flow complements its nicely. Lyrically, the content is mostly B-Boy boasting. However, the highlight of this 12-track album is the humbling “Please Listen to My Demo.” Even to this day, it’s still a song that every aspiring artist can relate to. In 2012, Erick released the Breath of Fresh Air mixtape- a piece of work that successfully brought together stars of different eras (i.e. Rick Ross, Too Short, Method Man) and showcased newer talent (i.e. Fred the Godson, Twone Gabz). [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmizLKHVvcM&w=420&h=315] 6). It’s a Big Daddy Thing by Big Daddy Kane: It’s a Big Daddy Thing finds Big Daddy Kane reaching for a wider audience.  To a lesser artist, that would be a hindrance.  However, not in Kane’s case.  While his debut mostly presented him as a just rapper, his follow-up shows him as a true Hip-Hop artist the can be everything from a social commentator to a ladies’ man.  The beats could be a bit stronger (Marley Marl is only responsible for two songs this go-round), but that’s just a minor misstep because it doesn’t stop Kane from showing why he was and still is one of the dopest emcees ever.  It’s no wonder that Jay Z had to bring Kane out at his first Barclays Center show. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf1sWjCGogw&w=420&h=315] 5). Done by the Forces of Nature by Jungle Brothers: While the impact of Straight Out the Jungle is undeniable, it doesn’t excuse the fact that the Jungle Brothers’ sophomore effort is more overlooked than it should be.  The production is better on this album and the quality of the instrumentals and the raps reflect that.  Topic wise, there’s Afrocentric themes as well as fun party music.  The balance of the two make for a well-rounded listening experience, which is exactly what a classic album should be.  Spiritually (“In Dayz “2” Come”), socially (“Acknowledge Your Own History”), and even sexually (“Belly Dancin’ Dina”), this is some of the best music that the Native Tongues ever put out.  The double disc reissue of the album does the project’s legacy justice. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRGFiANGSzM&w=420&h=315] 4). No One Can Do It Better by The D.O.C.: The album title lives up to its name.  While many of the artists The D.O.C. wrote hits for were gangsta rappers, the poetic sensibilities that he displays here not only prove that he was diverse with the pen, but that his own skills were more akin to Kane and Rakim.  The possibilities for The D.O.C. seem endless when taking those factors into consideration, but that’s what makes listening to this album bittersweet.  After the release of it, The D.O.C. was in a car accident that damaged his voice.  While being interviewed by Playboy last year, The D.O.C. said, “The whole West […]