Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 100 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of films and musical genres. Click “Next Soundtrack” below to explore each soundtrack in the list or for easier navigation, view the full introduction & soundtrack index here.
Krush Groove
Warner Bros. (1985)
Selected by Terry Nelson
Listening to this album again was like opening up a time capsule and hearing old school rap at its peak. At the time, no one knew where the genre was going to go, but if you were to make a musical timeline, then this would be one of the time periods you’d highlight. Although the production seems a bit dated with its heavy use of synthesizers, there is no denying that Krush Groove captured a unique moment in music history that foreshadowed hip-hop’s path.
Hip-hop and rap had not fully crossed over yet, but this soundtrack definitely spoke to the fans of the growing genre. There was never a question that LL Cool J was going to blow up. It was a question of how soon. ”I Can't Live Without My Radio" is one of the featured songs along with The Beastie Boys’ “She's On It.” The career paths of these two artists, as we’re well aware now, took turns that even they could not have ever envisioned back in 1985.
It wasn’t strictly a rap soundtrack, however. Cuts by Chaka Khan, Debbie Harry and The Force MD’s made their way onto the LP. Even The Fat Boys got in on the action with their track “All You Can Eat.” The strange omission from the soundtrack was Sheila E’s "A Love Bizarre.” ”Holly Rock" was on the LP instead. Could the Purple One be the reason why it was excluded?
The sum of Krush Groove’s tracks are definitely greater than its individual parts, but it does have an important place in rap history. If you’re interested in hip-hop’s strange and curious path to the mainstream, start here.
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