#5 Tommy Boy Records

More than any other hip-hop record label on this countdown, Tommy Boy Records is noteworthy not for impressive stats or significant accomplishments of individual artists, but for the overall breadth and impact of its entire catalog. For more than 20 years, the label released hip-hop records that touched all aspects of the genre. At the outset the label, which was founded in 1981 by Tom Silverman, started with records that drove B-Boy culture like Afrika Bambaataa’s seminal Planet Rock. Over time Tommy Boy achieved incredible mainstream success with artists like Naughty by Nature, House of Pain and Coolio, all without sacrificing credibility. Their artists spanned from East (De La Soul) to West (Digital Underground) and everywhere in between. For Tommy Boy, the music is the strongest advocate for its place in hip-hop history. Here’s a playlist of music from its artists: Afrika Bambaataa, Stetsasonic, Queen Latifah, De La Soul, Digital Underground, House of Pain, Naughty by Nature and Coolio.

Previously: #20 Rakwus Records, #19 Loud Records, #18 Select Records and #17 Fresh Records, #16 Rap-A-Lot Records, #15 Ruffhouse Records, #14 Uptown Records, #13 Cold Chillin’ Records, #12 No Limit Records, #11 Jive Records, #10 Aftermath Entertainment, #9 Roc-A-Fella Records, #8 Cash Money Records, #7 Ruthless Records, #6 Profile Records