Years after the release of 's eponymous 1984 debut, the group generally was acknowledged to be 's -- a sentiment that makes a lot of sense, even if isn't quite the equivalent of a . were of because they signaled a cultural and musical change for the music, ushering it into its accepted form; neither group originated the music, but they gave it the shape known today. But, no matter how true and useful the comparison is, it is also a little misleading, because it implies that also were a melodic, accessible group, bringing in elements from all different strands of popular music. No, 's expanded their music by making it tough and spare, primarily by adapting the sound and attitude of to . Prior to this, felt like a block party -- the beats were funky and elastic, all about the groove. hit hard. The production is tough and minimal, built on relentless drum machines and 's furious scratching, mixing in a guitar riff or a keyboard hit on occasion. It is brutal urban music, and and 's forceful, muscular rhymes match the music. Where other MCs sounded cheerful, prowl and taunt the listener, sounding as if they were a street gang. And while much of the record is devoted to braggadocio, boasting, and block parties, also addressed grittier realities of urban life, giving this record both context and thematic weight. All of this -- the music, the attitude, the words, the themes -- marked a turning point for , and it's impossible to calculate 's influence on all that came afterward. Years later, some of the production may sound a bit of its time, but the music itself does not because music this powerful and original always retains its impact and force as music. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine