Criminal Minded

Boogie Down Productions

1987

Criminal Minded is considered to be the first Gangsta Rap Album, for its portrayal of violence that surrounded the rappers in their neighborhood of the South Bronx, N.Y.

Boogie Down Productions’ groundbreaking debut album, was, arguably, the precursor to gangsta rap due to its gritty tales of the violent side of the South Bronx.

The album also contains one of the most famous diss tracks ever, BDP’s response to MC Shan’s “The Bridge” kicked off the Bridge Wars and launched KRS One’s career. It also provides a capsule history of the early days of hip-hop.