DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – And in This Corner... (3rd LP)
October 31st, 1989
Jive / RCA Records

vs.


Roxanne Shante – Bad Sister (1st LP)
October 31st, 1989
Cold Chillin' / Warner Bros. Records


And in This Corner....
Bad Sister.

[Notes: First known instance of multiple albums dropping the same day in back to back weeks.]


Craig G – The Kingpin (1st LP)
October 24th, 1989
Atlantic Records

vs.


Divine Styler – Word Power (1st LP)
October 23rd, 1989
Epic Records


The Kingpin.
Word Power.

[Notes: Michel'le self titled debut was also released October 23rd, 1989, on Ruthless Records.]


Biz Markie – The Biz Never Sleeps (2nd LP)
October 10th, 1989
Cold Chillin' / Warner Bros. Records

vs.


Ice-T – The Iceberg / Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say! (3rd LP)
October 10th, 1989
Sire / Warner Bros. Records


The Biz Never Sleeps.
The Iceberg / Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say!.

[Notes: First known instance of one label releasing two hip hop albums on the same day.]


The D.O.C. – No One Can Do It Better (1st LP)
August 1st, 1989
Ruthless Records

vs.


EPMD – Unfinished Business (2nd LP)
August 1st, 1989
Fresh Records



No One Can Do It Better.
Unfinished Business.


Nice & Smooth – Nice & Smooth (1st LP)
May 16th, 1989
Fresh / Sleep Bag Records

 vs.


Special Ed – Youngest in Charge (1st LP)
May 16th, 1989
Profile Records


Nice & Smooth.
Youngest in Charge.


Eazy-E – Eazy-Duz-It (1st LP)
September 13th, 1988
Priority / Ruthless Records

vs.


Ice-T – Power (2nd LP)
September 13th, 1988
Sire / Warner Bros. Records

vs.


MC Lyte – Lyte as a Rock (1st LP)
September 13th, 1988
Atlantic Records / First Priority Music

vs.


Steady B – Let the Hustlers Play (3rd LP)
September 13th, 1988
Jive / RCA Records


Eazy-Duz-It.
Let the Hustlers Play.
Lyte as a Rock.
Power.

[Notes: First known instance of more than two hip hop albums being released on the same day.  Also features the first match-up on the West Coast, as well as the inaugural battle of solo artists, including the first to return, Steady B.]


Eric B. & Rakim – Follow the Leader (2nd LP)
July 26th, 1988
Uni Records

vs.

Salt-n-Pepa – A Salt with a Deadly Pepa (2nd LP)
July 26th, 1988
Next Plateau Records


Follow the Leader.
A Salt with a Deadly Pepa.

[Notes: Almost exactly two years after the first known instance of two hip hop albums being released on the same day. Also features the first “battle” of the sexes, groups, and sophomore LPs.]


Steady B – Bring the Beat Back (1st LP)
July 25th, 1986
Jive Records

vs.


2 Live Crew – The 2 Live Crew is What We Are (1st LP)
July 25th, 1986
Luke Skyywalker Records


Bring the Beat Back.
The 2 Live Crew is What We Are.

[Notes: First known instance of two hip hop albums being released on the same day.]
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