Most generations are defined by the music they loved in high school, or by the tracks they soaked in as young adults. There is about a 10 year span before popular culture music tastes turn over into something new, or throwback into something vintage. What's your favorite music decade?

Here are 5 All-Stars of Hip Hop who made names for themselves in the early years of the genre. All of the original 12 inch cover sleeves are on an easel in my "music vault."

Let's continue with this photo I took of Biz Markie (1964-2021), in late August, 2012, at The Showboat Hotel (then a casino) in Atlantic City, NJ. He was spinning jams at a Legends of Hip Hop after-party.

Marcel Hall, his birth name, was from Harlem, New York. He's in the movie The Meteor Man. Here's his number one R&B chart song from December, 1989.

Big Daddy Kane, born Antonio Hardy, in Brooklyn, New York had 7 R&B titles on the R&B charts between 1989 - 1993. "Smooth Operator," at #11, just missed the top 10. You may also be a fan of "All of Me" featuring Barry White, and "Very Special" supported by Spinderella, Laree Williams and  Karen Anderson.

Ice-T was in the house of music charts as a soloist by the end of the 1980s. Some may know him only from the movie New Jack City, or from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on television.

In 1988, his "I'm Your Pusher" used a sample of Curtis Mayfield's original song to peak during a 7 week chart run at #13.

Eazy-E (1964–1995), born Eric Wright in Compton, California passed away as a young man due to AIDS. He found success with the group N.W.A. and with The West Coast Rap All-Stars.

He had 3 songs in the R&B charts between 1993 - 1995.

1. "Real Muthaphuckkin G's" with Gansta Dresta and BG. Knoc Out
2. "Foe That Love Of $" along with Bone Thugs N Harmony
3. "Just Tah Let U Know"

These three titles charted at number 31, 33, and 30.

Slick "Ricky Walters" Rick was born in South Wimbledon, London, England in 1965. He had 5 R&B chart titles between 1989 - 1997. "If I'm Not Your Lover" (Al B. Sure! featuring Slick Rick) was his biggest hit at #2 for one week. 

We salute these pioneers! Don't miss my 2023 review of Ode To Hip Hop 50 Albums That Define 50 Years of Trailblazing Music.

Book Fair Activities

If you are in the Philadelphia, PA area, check out the Indie Author Book Fair in West Philadelphia on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The location is near the Philadelphia Zoo, Mann Center, Fairmount Park, The Please Touch Museum, and Boathouse Row. Look for me and catch me there with other authors and community folks!

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