In the first decade of recorded rap, the music and approach to production changed every three years almost like clock work. From 1979-1982 the music was provided by live bands attempting to re create the popular break beats that street DJ's were manipulating in parks and parties. From 1983-1986 the drum machine was the dominant instrument in the production of rap records. The Roland TR 808, the Oberhiem DMX and the Linn drum were heard on most of the records released during this period. The drum machine gave way to the digital sampler around 1986, birthing the golden era.

The first few years of recorded rap produced quite a few major hits; "Rappers Delight", "The Breaks" , "Planet Rock" and "The Message" amongst them. These recordings would serve as a template for a successful rap record that would receive prime time radio airplay, international charting and opportunities for arena tours, opening for the biggest R&B and Rock acts of the time. The drum machine era had its share of hit recordings, most notably Run-D.M.C's first two albums, as well as recordings by "Fresh Fest" affiliated acts such as The Fat Boys, WHODINI, U.T.F.O. and Newcleus. Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew's "The Show/Ladi Dadi" was a huge hit in this era, as well as L.L. COOL J's "Radio" which straddled the drum machine and golden eras.

Rap's golden era, which most historians agree occurred from 1986 through the early 1990's marked the period when rap's mainstream appeal hit an all time high, due in large part to MTV beaming the latest rap videos into the living rooms of mainstream America with Yo! MTV Rap's, as well as rap music receiving major placement in motion pictures, television commercials and other facets of popular culture.

Sandwiched between the first rap recordings and the golden era, the drum machine era is referred to by many rap fans as "the lost era", despite some of the previously mentioned successes of the time. The period of drum machine production benefited from the opportunity to improve upon the limitations of the live band era, while serving as a template in many ways for the sample heavy golden era that followed. There was a large number of underground recordings that didn't do as well as some of the bigger, more widely distributed and better promoted records, but they certainly influenced them and were just as good and in some cases better than their better financed counterparts. History hasn't been as kind to many of these mid 1980's songs as it has been to some of the other early eras of rap. Here are 20 forgotten songs from Hip Hop's drum machine era.

20. World Class - World Class Wreckin' Cru (1985)

Three years before Yella & Dr. Dre dropped Straight Outta Compton and changed the trajectory of rap music forever as NWA, they were one half of the World Class Wreckin Cru. "World Class" was one of their slower songs, as much of their music was directly inspired by songs like "Planet Rock" and "Numbers". "They call him Yella he is the best/he rock the house on the DMX", the intro proclaims, announcing the skill set of the now legendary D.J. and producer early.

19. Hollis Crew - Run-D.M.C (1984)

The Kings from Queens were on fire in 1984 when "Hollis Crew" from their self titled debut album dropped. A literal sequel to their breakout hit "Sucker Mc's (Krush Groove 1)" ;"Hollis Crew (Krush Groove 2)" picked up where its predecessor left off with the same attitude and big beats courtesy of super producer Larry Smith. The discography of Run-D.M.C. is huge with so many accolades and hit songs that joints like "Hollis Crew" are sometimes forgotten due to the bigger hits. "Sucker Mc's who did not learn, if you don't this time we shall return."

18. Zodiac - The Boogie Boys (1984)

Before their break out smash hit "A Fly Girl", The Boogie Boys were breaking down every sign of the Zodiac on their Capitol Records debut. The Boogie Boys would become known for their signature larger than life big beats blended with just enough instrumentation to put them a few steps ahead of their contemporaries in the game. This was mandatory boombox music. The Boogie Boys were no strangers to the industry coming up under legendary promoters Mike & Dave who also managed the Crash Crew, Rob Base and Biz Markie.

17. The Beat Of The Street - Choice MC's Feat. Fresh Gordon (1985)

Representing Brooklyn The Choice Mc's hit hard with their Tommy Boy Records debut "The Beat of The Street" which was the A side to "Gordy's Groove", both of which received heavy primetime radio play and rocked the streets, house parties and portable radios. Fresh Gordon was one of Brooklyn's early bedroom producers, incorporating computers into his production more than a decade before most other Hip Hop producers.

16. Gotta Rock - The Treacherous 3 (1985)

Widely regarded as one of their best records, "Gotta Rock" by the Treacherous 3 was one of the last records released on the legendary Sugar Hill label before it closed its doors in 1985. According to Treacherous 3 frontman Kool Moe Dee: "It was the last days of the label. The band had left, and I was there just playing around on the drum machine. That record was so stripped down because there were literally no musicians left to play music". Sonically "Gotta Rock" was a combination of "We Will Rock You" by Queen and "Rocket In the Pocket" by Cerrone, while it was lyrically a literal bridge between an older style of emceeing and a more abstract style that was around the corner.

15. Cosmic Blast - Captain Rock (1984)

Captain Rock, previously Harlem World Crew's DJ Ronnie Green released quite a few bangers on the Aleem brothers NIA Records. Working closely with his old crew that consisted of Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, Captain Rock released a hybrid of electro/rap records building a respectable name for himself. In 1984 he slowed the tempo down a bit and dropped "Cosmic Blast"; a record that is reminiscent of a sonic carnival; full of his best rhyming, superior scratching by DJ Darryll D and some of the best beatboxing committed to record. In 2000 Captain Rock told The Foundation: "I wrote "Cosmic Blast" in front of my projects in 15 minutes."

14. School Beats - The Disco 4 (1983)

Produced by the legendary producer and multi instrumentalist Pumpkin, "School Beats" stresses the importance of education . These kinds of records with a positive message can come off as corny, but "School Beats" is one of The Disco 4's most celebrated songs, and one of Pumpkin's best beats. "Im talkin' to you people who go to school/tryin' to learn the golden rule/about science mathematics and history/or workin' towards your G.E.D."

13. Johnny The Fox - Tricky Tee (1985)

Tricky Tee has a history that started well before his breakout song "Johnny The Fox". Tee's history goes back to the late 1970's carrying crates for The Brothers Disco and later becoming a part of D.J. Love Squigg and The Devastating 4 MC's. His 1985 release on Sleeping Bag/Fresh Records continued that tradition of big beats with great detail to drum programming, courtesy of legendary producer Kurtis Mantronik. Tee's clever wordplay, EZ Earl's scratching and Mantronik's beat programming make this one a classic.

12. 2 Live (Beat Box) - 2 Live Crew (1984)

Long before they were as nasty as they wanna be, the Fresh Kid Ice, Amazing Vee and Mr Mixx were producing and releasing records with dope 808 beats and incredible scratching courtesy of Treach DJ Mr. Mixx. Released on Fresh Beat Records "2 Live", later known as "Beat Box" predates the groups affiliation with Luke Skywalker Records,and raunchy lyrics. This was the groups debut record and it showcased some of their best work individually and as a collective.

11. Here Comes That Beat - Pumpkin & The Profile All-Stars (1984)

"Here Comes That Beat" paid homage to legendary super producer Pumpkin. Credited to Pumpkin And The Profile All-Stars, "Here Comes That Beat" showcased some of Profile Records best artists at the time. Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde with D.J. Scratch On Galaxy, The Fresh 3 MC's, The Disco 4 and singer Fly Ty-Rone delivered what is credited as rap's first posse cut with each MC rhyming over Pumpkin's superior drum programming and Galaxy's signature scratch. "The All-Stars need no music!"

10. A.M./P.M. - Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde (1984)

A.M./P.M. is widely considered Jeckyll & Hyde's best work. Produced by Kurtis Blow - rap's first M.C. turned producer along with radio legend Mr. Magic, "A.M./P.M." contains big beats programmed to perfection and storytelling/braggadocious rhymes. Mr. Hydes legendary "shark rhyme" was a highlight of "A.M./P.M." which shared space with the socially conscious "Fast Life" on the single. "Come on homeboys you can all get some while I bust this break on my Linn drum."

9. It's Life - Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic 3 (1983)

Before Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic 3 declared that the roof was on fire and opened the request lines, they warned us about the perils of urban life on "It's Like (You Gotta Think Twice)". Over an 808 beat with a keyboard interpolation of Bob James' "Nautilus" bassline, (perhaps the first rap group to use it on a record) the group talks about neighborhood crime and poverty and how to navigate the treacherous streets of Reagan's 1983 urban America.

8. Do Or Die Bed Sty - Divine Sounds (1984)

Brooklyn's Divine Sounds hit big with "What People Do For Money", and their follow up "Changes/Do or Die Bed Sty" was well received also. "Changes" continued the social commentary that began with "What People Do For Money," but "Do Or Die Bed Sty" provided Brooklyn with one of its first in a long line of anthems. Shelton D, Disco Ritchie and D.J. Mike Music repped their Bedford- Stuyvesant hood to the fullest over a hand clap heavy infectious big beat. This song may have also marked the first time that a group's D.J. rapped on a record. R.I.P. D.J. Mike Music.

7. What Are We Gonna Do? - The Ultimate 3 MC's (1984)

The Ultimate 3 MC's combined humor, straight rhyming skills and social commentary on 1984's "What Are We Gonna Do?" Produced by Arthur Baker, the song has an electro feel, with a slower tempo and a sound bed that consists of electrifying synth work on top of superior 808 drum machine programming. "What we gonna do about the ugly girls, we should put 'em all on one side of the world."

6. King Kut - Word Of Mouth Feat. D.J. Cheese (1985)

New Jersey's Word of Mouth featuring the incredible D.J. Cheese hit the scene with a bang delivering their debut single "King Kut", an ode to their D.J. Produced by Duke Bootee (writer of The Message by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5), and released on his Beauty & The Beat Records, "King Kut" hit with some of the biggest beats to date. After some back and forth questioning Duke Bootee aka Ed Fletcher finally revealed that he used the DMX drum machine on the record, but he credits lots of reverb and equalization for the big beat sound. "I stripped those Beauty & The Beat records all the way down. I wanted them to sound like the kids did 'em at home" Fletcher said. Peep "King Kut" and see why D.J. Cheese is a DMC award winning D.J.

5. Breakdown - T La Rock (1985)

A pioneer of the "big word" style of rhyming along with his brother Special K from The Treacherous 3, T La Rock is credited with creating a style that changed the art with 1984's groundbreaking underground hit "It's Yours". A year later he released a maxi single called "He's Incredible" which contained a song called "Breakdown" which consists of only a drum machine, scratching by D.J. Louie Lou and dope lyricism. "Jump up and grab a girl lets break the ice/cooperate or I'll be forced to switch the dice/'cus I'm slick like oil/flex like coil /won't rust or wrinkle like aluminum foil." Early dopeness.

4. Renegades Of Funk - Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force (1983)

Continuing the sonic assault that started with "Planet Rock" and "Looking For The Perfect Beat"; Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force delivered "Renegades Of Funk" to an unsuspecting audience in 1983. Slower than their previous singles "Renegades" saw the group comparing themselves to great renegades in history like Chief Sitting Bull, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. As usual Arthur Baker and John Robie deliver a sound bed that kills their competitors. The combination of the Emulator 2, Roland TR 808 and Oberhiem DMX created a wall of sound that still rattles speakers.

3. It's Your Rock - Fantasy Three (1983)

In 1983 The Fantasy Three dropped a sonic bomb on Hip Hop, with the Master O.C. engineered and Pumpkin produced "Its Your Rock". Pumpkin played all instruments on the song, and Silver Fox of the Fantasy 3 says that there is actually no drum machine on the song. Pumpkin is actually playing real drums. One of the few records in the genre to receive as much respect for its instrumental version as its vocal; "It's Your Rock" is a master class on fly rhyming and harmonizing. Silver Fox, Charlie Rock and Larry D created a masterpiece that is highly revered today and considered a collectors item if you have an original pressing

2. F-4000 - The Fearless Four (1983)

Straight from the Fearless safe of sure shots is the futuristic "F-4000" from the Fearless Four's "Problems Of The World" maxi single. Rap and electro records had used vocoder (robotic voices) on the hooks of songs, but never had anyone rhymed an entire song in vocoder. The songs author and group frontman The Microphone Wizard D.L.B. wanted to create a futuristic song (and video that never came to fruition), that takes place in the year 4000 hence the vocoder vocals. The Davy DMX and Pumpkin produced song is still a standout from that era. Peep the similarities in the hand clap pattern of F-4000, Do Or Die Bed Sty and A.M/P.M. Again, this is food for your boom box.

1. Fresh - Fresh 3 MC's (1983)

Bronx representers Mr. Bee, Born Unique and Jay Kool delivered one of the year's best joints with 1983's "Fresh". The synthesizer heavy track that Jay Kool originally made at home on a pair of Mattel Synsonic drums was unique at the time, with a drum pattern that set it apart from other tracks of the era. The songs infectious harmonizing hook and examples of freshness made the song one of Profile Records fan favorites. For their verses each M.C. talked about an element that made them Fresh. "I admit there's a place for money and girls/but you need fresh gear to live in this world." Indeed.