Rating:
Genre:
Rap
Release Date: 02/27/2001
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.
~Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
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