120) Raising Hell

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Man, did this record start something. Working for the first time with producer Rick Rubin, the pioneering trio (rappers Run and DMC and DJ Jam Master Jay) took hip-hop into the upper reaches of the pop charts, introducing mainstream America to a new urban thunder: rap rock. The track that blew the nation's mind was a rhythmic reduction of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way," with contributions from that band's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. Just as superbad: "It's Tricky," which quotes the guitar riff from the Knack's "My Sharona," and "Hit It Run," in which Run and DMC deflate their signature braggadocio with Bronx cheers.

Total album sales: 3 million

Peak chart position: 3

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