#1 R&B charting rap album
The second rap act to appear on American Bandstand (the Sugar Hill Gang appeared first on the program in 1981)
The first rap act to chart in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 more than once
The first rap artist with a top 10 pop charting rap album
The first rap artist with RIAA-certified gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums
The first rap act to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine
The first rap act to receive a Grammy Award nomination
The first rap act to make a video appearance on MTV
The first rap act to perform at an arena
The first rap act to have sold-out concerts
Signed to an athletic product endorsement deal (Adidas)