The Music Tip

15 Best Hip-Hop Quotes Prior to 1990

Apparently, choosing the best or one’s personal favorite hip-hop or rap quotes of all time is a touchy subject with self-proclaimed “real” hip-hop heads. If you haven’t read my first list of ten great music quotes, click here to check it out.

I promised I would create a second list and dig a bit deeper into the beginning of hip-hop’s roots to discover some more meaningful quotes for the self-proclaimed “real” hip-hop heads. Unfortunately, I cannot please everyone and accommodate to each individual’s opinion, but I can try .

Here are some excellent quotes taken from hip-hop’s past. Majority of these quotes don’t even need to be explained, so I’ll just quote them and move on! Hate ‘em, love ‘em, or quit bitchin’ and provide your own favorite music quotes in the comments section!

P.S.  – These quotes are not in order of best or worst, as this is not possible, so deal with it!

DJ Kool Herc

“Rock on, my mellow!”
“B-boys, b-girls, are you ready?”
“This is the joint!”
“To the beat, y’all!”
“You don’t stop!”
DJ Kool Herc (1970s)

“It’s been a long time; I shouldn’t have left you without a strong rhyme to step to.”
Eric B. & Rakim – I Know You Got Soul (1987)

“It’s like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder, how I keep from going under.”
Grandmaster Flash – The Message (1982)

Afrika Bambaataa

“How you act, walk, look and talk is all part of Hip Hop culture. And the music is colorless. Hip Hop music is made from Black, brown, yellow, red and white.”
Afrika Bambaataa – Random Quote

“Hip Hop is the dominant youth culture in the world right now.”
Kurtis Blow – Random Quote

“Unemployment at a record high
People coming, people going, people born to die
Don’t ask me, because I don’t know why
But it’s like that, and that’s the way it is”
Run DMC – It’s Like That (1983)

“Discos don’t open till after dark, and it ain’t till twelve till the party really starts”
Whodini – Freaks Come Out at Night (1984)

“Rock so hard it’ll knock you out”
Beastie Boys – Rock Hard (1985)

Eric B. and Rakim

“La Di Da Di, we likes to party. We don’t cause trouble, we don’t bother nobody!”
Doug E. Fresh & MC Ricky D – La Di Da Di (1985)

“Ricky Ricky Ricky, can’t you see? Somehow your words just hypnotize me.”
MC Ricky D (Slick Rick) – La Di Da Di (1985)

“I’m the King of Rock, there is none higher. Sucker MC’s should call me sire. To burn my kingdom, you must use fire. I won’t stop rocking ’til I retire!”
Run DMC – King of Rock (1985)

“I’m the leader of the show, keepin’ you on the go, but I know I can’t live without my radio.”
LL Cool J – I Can’t Live Without My Radio (1985)

“Fuck tha police, comin’ straight from the underground!”
NWA – Ice Cube – 1988

DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith

“Parents just don’t understand.”
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Parents Just Don’t Understand (1988)

“Its important you remember though: What you reap, is what you sew. Talkin’ all that jazz!”
Stetsasonic – Talkin’ All That Jazz (1988)