The Music Canon · No. 13 of 250Methodology

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)

0.5651Canon Score · ranked #13 all time

Aggregated from 8 of 9 authoritative lists, weighted by authority and adjusted for each list's scope and age. How scoring works →

About the album

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back is the second studio album by American hip hop group Public Enemy, released on June 28, 1988, by Def Jam Recordings and Columbia Records. It was recorded from 1987 to 1988 in sessions at Chung King Studios, Greene St. Recording, and Sabella Studios in New York.

Why it ranks #13

Every list on which It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back appears, with its position as published.

ListAuthorityPosition
Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums (2020)Major international poll#15 / 500
NME 500 Greatest Albums (2013)Critics' canon#17 / 500
VH1 100 Greatest Albums (2001)Critics' canon#20 / 100
Apple Music 100 Best Albums (2024)Critics' canon#34 / 100
Rolling Stone 500 (2003 edition)Editorial list#48 / 500
1001 Albums You Must Hear (union)Critics' canonSelected
TIME All-TIME 100 Albums (2006)Editorial listSelected
Pazz & Jop critics' poll #1 albumsAwardWinner