Compared to Pro Set’s Yo MTV Raps and even Premier Rap Pack, 1991 Topps Kings of Rap trading cards are overlooked. But it’s not because of star power. More likely is that it’s unknown to a lot of North American collectors because it was distributed in Europe by Topps UK.
1991 Topps Kings of Rap Checklist Details
The base set features 44 cards, covering many of the major names in rap and hip hop at the time. Ice T, De La Soul, Run DMC, Tone Loc, and Salt ‘n’ Pepa are among the major names. There’s also N.W.A. but the card only pictures Eazy-E. This is also the first trading card appearance of Will Smith who’s with Jazzy Jeff.
It’s impossible to ignore a couple of superstars who make multiple appearances on the checklist and helped define popular music in the earliest days of the 1990s, MC Hammer and R.M. Van Winkle, better known as Vanilla Ice. Both are featured on multiple cards.
The designs are basic with red borders and the Kings of Rap graffiti-style logo on the front. Card numbers and names are tucked into the bottom corner. Backs take on a handful of styles including artist bios, word searches, catchphrases and puzzle pieces that go together to form a shot of Mc Hammer and Vanilla Ice together.
There are also stickers, which are smaller measuring about 2″ by 3″. Instead of artists, these have says and graffiti-style artwork. Backs form one of two puzzles of either Mc Hammer or Vanilla Ice. A basic set has 16 stickers. However, there are five that have variation backs with different puzzle pieces.
The Legacy of 1991 Topps Kings of Rap
1991 Topps Kings of Rap is important for having some of the first trading cards of several big names. Its rarity compared to the much more readily available Yo MTV Raps and Rap Pack sets is also important. Singles are floating around but they’re often pricey if it’s one of the major artists. Boxes and packs pop up occasionally, but it could take some time. Compare that to Yo MTV Raps where even cases can be found without too much hunting. While it has some cheesy parts, taken as a whole, this is an important set of music trading cards.
1991 Topps Kings of Rap Checklist
Set size: 44 cards
Packs per box: 48
Shop for 1991 Topps Kings of Rap boxes and packs on eBay.
Base Set Checklist
44 cards.
Buy on eBay:
1 MC Hammer
2 Wee Papa Girl Rappers
3 De La Soul
4 N.W.A.
5 MC Hammer
6 Snap
7 Tone Loc
8 Kiss AMC
9 Stereo MCs
10 MC Hammer
11 Digital Under (Digital Underground)
12 Salt ‘N’ Pepa
13 Eric B & Rakeem (Rakim)
14 Jazzy Jeff & Fresh (Fresh Prince)
15 MC Hammer
16 Ruthless Rap Assasins (Ruthless Rap Assassins)
17 R.M. Van Winkle
18 Sindicate
19 De La Soul
20 Run DMC
21 Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E.
22 Neneh Cherry
23 Ruthless Rap Assasins (Ruthless Rap Assassins)
24 Dream Warriors
25 Public Enemy
26 Mantronix
27 Professor Griff
28 R.M. Van Winkle
29 MC Hammer
30 Betty Boo
31 MC Buz B (MC Buzz B)
32 R.M. Van Winkle
33 R.M. Van Winkle
34 MC Hammer
35 MC Hammer
36 Snap
37 Ice T
38 R.M. Van Winkle
39 R.M. Van Winkle & Heavy DJ (Heavy D)
40 Jazzie B
41 MC Hammer
42 R.M. Van Winkle
43 Ruthless Rap Assasins (Ruthless Rap Assassins)
44 MC Tunes
Checklist
1 card.
Stickers Checklist
16 cards.
1 per pack.
1 On The Tip!
2 Yo! In The House & Col’!
3 Just Chillin’
4 Hangin’ With My Posse!
5 Ain’t Even Proper!
6 Yo! Don’t Dis Me, Homey! – Blue Puzzle Border
6 Yo! Don’t Dis Me, Homey! – Red Puzzle Border
7 Crazy Pumped! – Blue Puzzle Border
7 Crazy Pumped! – Red Puzzle Border
8 Kickin’ It And Coolin’ It!
9 Kick The Breakin!
10 I Got You Faded Already
11 Slammin’ & Jammin’!
12 Funky, Fly & Fresh! – Blue Puzzle Border
12 Funky, Fly & Fresh! – Red Puzzle Border
13 Hittin’ Rap Crew!
14 5,000 G – Blue Puzzle Border
14 5,000 G – Red Puzzle Border
15 Stupid Def, Man! – Blue Puzzle Border
15 Stupid Def, Man! – Red Puzzle Border
16 Bust A Move!
