Various Artists - Top Shelf 1988 - Vinyl LP - RSD 2024

Featuring music from Hip-Hop legends including Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, Craig G, MC Lyte, Special Ed, Doug E. Fresh, Jungle Brothers, Grand Puba, Masta Ace, Dres (of Black Sheep), Smooth B (of Nice & Smooth), Grandmaster Caz & Melle Mel and Chubb Rock, Top Shelf 1988 is a love letter to classic hip-hop. Purportedly, during the early rise of Hip-Hop, Top Shelf’s Lower East Side studio became a safe-haven for artists to create magic without pressure from the industry. Unfortunately, things came to a screeching halt after a riot took place in August 1988 outside of Tompkins Square Park. After the melee, producers returned to find they had been looted of everything - including their treasured masters. Years went by until they were found and “Top Shelf 1988” was fully released.