With classic albums from the Beastie Boys, Big Daddy Kane, De La Soul and others, 1989 was one of the most important years of hip-hop’s golden era.

Beastie Boys, Paul’s Boutique

Biz Markie, The Biz Never Sleeps

Boogie Down Productions, Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop

The D.O.C., No One Can Do It Better

De La Soul, 3 Feet High And Rising

EPMD, Unfinished Business

Gang Starr, No More Mr. Nice Guy

Ghetto Boys, Grip It! On That Other Level

Heavy D. & The Boyz, Big Tyme

Ice-T, The Iceberg/Freedom Of Speech… Just Watch What You Say!

Jungle Brothers, Done By The Forces Of Nature

Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo, Road To The Riches

Kwame, The Boy Genius

Atlantic Records

L.L. Cool J, Walking With A Panther

MC Lyte, Eyes On This

Nice & Smooth, Nice & Smooth

Queen Latifah, All Hail The Queen

Special Ed, Youngest In Charge

Three Times Dope, Original Stylin’

Young MC, Stone Cold Rhymin’

3rd Bass, The Cactus Album

BONUS: Public Enemy, “Fight The Power”

Subsequently included on Public Enemy’s Fear Or A Black Planet in 1990, “Fight The Power” was first featured on the soundtrack for Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing in 1989.