Raising Hell made history as the first hip hop album to go platinum (and then multi-platinum) and marked a pretty significant turning point in pop culture where rap broke into the commercial mainstream. The album was released in 1986 and blended hard-hitting beats with rock guitars, most famously with their crossover hit “Walk This Way” that paired them with legendary rock band Aerosmith. Along with selling big it signaled the start of what’s now called the golden age of hip hop, when the genre became more creative, influential, and commercially viable. This is the album that opened the door for hip hop to hit the mainstream, and while it may not be beloved as their self-titled debut, it probably is more widely known.
Standout Songs: “Walk This Way”, “It’s Tricky”, “My Adidas”
