Rolling Stone has published its list of “25 Astonishing First Appearances By Famous Rappers.”
“Beyonce may have ‘woke up like this’ but her husband spent the Eighties rapping in a Hawaiian shirt,” the article says, alluding to Jay Z’s appearance in the video for “Hawaiian Sophie,” a 1989 clip from Jay Z’s mentor, Jaz. “Not every rapper can be Run-D.M.C., changing the world the first time they hit wax.”
Nonetheless, Jay Z makes Rolling Stone’s list due his appearance on High Potent’s 1986 single “H.P. Gets Busy.”
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Dr. Dre appears on the list for his appearance on World Class Wreckin’ Cru’s “Surgery.”
“He produces, he raps, he runs record labels, he makes headphones – but in 1984 Dr. Dre was known for his scratching prowess,” Rolling Stone says. “He spun at the upscale club Eve After Dark in the long-running Wreckin’ Cru. Their first single, ‘Slice,’ one of the era’s many odes to DJ excellence, focused on Dre’s future N.W.A. parter DJ Yella; but the doctor got his own spotlight on the scratch-happy ‘Surgery.’”
Nas’ appearance on Main Source’s “Live At The Barbecue” earns him a spot on Rolling Stone’s list.
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“When it dropped, says Nelson George, it ‘made him an instant Big Apple cult figure,’” Rolling Stone says. “MC Serch, who was moving from rapping into promotion, was trying to get him a record deal — and he imagines he wasn’t the only one. “
Rolling Stone’s “25 Astonishing First Appearances By Famous Rappers” is as follows:
Beastie Boys’ “Riot Fight” (1982)
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Ice-T “The Coldest Rap (Part 1” (1983)
Too $hort “Don’t Stop Rappin’” (1983)
Dr. Dre – World Class Wreckin’ Cru “Surgery” (1984)
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Public Enemy – Spectrum City “Lies” (1984)
LL Cool J’s “I Need A Beat” (1984)
Will Smith – DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble” (7-inch version) (1986)
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Jay Z – High Potent “H.P. Gets Busy” (1986)
Doom – 3rd Bass “Gas Face” (1989)
Nas – Main Source “Live At The Barbecue” (1991)
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2 Pac – Digital Underground “Same Song” (1991)
will.i.am – Eazy-E “Merry Muthaphuckkin’ Xmas” (1991)
Prodigy of Mobb Deep – Hi-Five “Too Young” (1991)
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The Notorious B.I.G. – Heavy D. & The Boyz “A Buncha Niggas” (1992)
Juicy J – “Don’t Be Scared” (appx. 1992)
OutKast – “Player’s Ball” (A LaFace Family Christmas version) (1993)
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DMX – “Born Loser” (1993)
The Roots – “Pass the Popcorn” (1993)
Lil Wayne – B.G.’z, “From tha 13th to tha 17th” (1995)
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Eminem – Soul Intent, “Fuckin’ Backstabber” (1995)
Tech N9ne – “Cloudy-Eyed Stroll” (1996)
Kanye West – Grav, “Line For Line” (1996)
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Nelly – St. Lunatics, “Gimme What U Got” (1997)
Nicki Minaj – Hood$tars, “Don’t Mess With” (2004)
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