80's and 90's Hip Hop and Rap

[johnsonad]

A BBC article about the best Hip Hop songs got me listening to a few groups I hadn't heard in years.  I know some of the greats but am always finding new groups I didn't pay attention to back then.  My favorites back in the day included; A Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, De La Soul, Outcast, Goodie Mob, GZA, Black Moon, Dr. Dre, etc.

What are some of your favorite groups and albums?  I'm always looking to explore new (old) music.

[Deke609]

There's a new young dude from England that blew me away: Ocean Wisdom.  Check out his first single "Walkin'" from "Splittin' the Racket".  His second album is pretty good too. 

For something old and bit obscure (and weird, but cool), there's Dr. Octogon's 1996 album, Dr. Octogonecologist - leaving the lyrics aside (you;ll know what I mean if you listen to it), I think the composition style was way ahead of his time.

Edit: I missed the fact that you asked only about 80's and 90's. In addition to the great suggestions by other posters below, I'll add the Beastie Boys'  Paul's Boutique from 1989.  I've relistened to it recently and it really holds up well with time -- a masterpiece of sampling.  And for straight-ahead lyrical rapping, Mos Def's 1999 Black on Both Sides - "Mathematics" is a stand-out lyrical social consciousness assault.

cheers, Derek

[Paul Birkeland]

Hmm, 90's hip-hop...

Blackalicious - Nia
DJ Shadow - Endtroducing
Cassius - 1999

I still enjoy listening to Dr. Dre - 2001 whenever the mother-in-law is in the car. 

[Larpy]

Another vote for Blackalicious.  Blazing Arrow is fabulous.

[oguinn]

Common, Nas (Illmatic for sure), Camp Lo

[Colonl_Charisma]

Here are three of my favorite rap albums from the 90's:

1) 2Pac - "Me Against The World"
2) Big L - "Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous"
3) Jay-Z - "Reasonable Doubt"

[sl-15]

Eric B. & Rakim pretty much every album is great
Derek B - Bullet from a Gun
Sir-Mix-A-Lot
Public Enemy
Whodini
Arrested Development
and more recent J. Dilla

[johnsonad]

Derek:
Ocean Wisdom - Wakin', that's a great track.
Dr. Octagon- Outstanding sampling and smooth tracks. 

PB:
Blackalicious - Nia, love it, thanks.
DJ Shadow - Endtroducing , another great recommendation.

Larry:
Blackalicious - Blazing Arrow, agreed, great album.

oguinn:
Common. Thanks, I hadn't listened to much of his work until now.
Nas - Illimatic, thanks.
Camp Lo - Uptown Saturday Night, man this is good, thanks.

Colonl_Charisma:
big l - lifestylez of the poor and dangerous, first time hearing this, thanks.

sl-15:
Eric B. & Rakim, these guys are so good, thanks.
Whodini, so much synth, this really takes me back, thanks.

Thanks guys for the education, I bought many of those album.