As the early hip hop beats emanated from the streets of New York, three
middle-class punk kids traded their guitars for turntables to become the first
white rap stars. Signing to newly-formed Def Jam Records, their brash energy,
DIY spirit and genuine love of hip hop blazed a boisterous trail of teenage
rebellion on tours with Madonna, Run DMC and LL Cool J, as debut album Licensed
To Ill (1986) shot straight to Number 1 in the US. Its fusion of booming beats,
thrashing metal guitars and brattish cheek spread rap to the suburbs, before
hits like (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (...