1980s
New wave, post-punk, metal, hip-hop's birth, house and techno — the decade got loud and electric. 1980s vinyl at Wax Trax.
1980s Vinyl Records
The '80s plugged everything in. New wave and synth-pop ruled the radio; post-punk got angular and arty; metal split into a dozen ferocious subgenres; hip-hop was born and changed music forever; and house and techno quietly invented the future on the dancefloors of Chicago and Detroit. It's a decade of bold sounds and bolder sleeves — and the 12-inch single, that era's secret weapon, is a whole dig of its own.
What You'll Find Here
1980s new wave and synth-pop, post-punk, metal, early hip-hop, house and techno, and pop — on LP, 7-inch, and a serious stack of 12-inch singles (the '80s remix format). Whether you want the radio hits or the underground that was quietly rewriting everything, it's all here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why so many 12-inch singles from the '80s?
Because the 12-inch was the era's club and remix format — extended mixes, dance edits, and a huge amount of early house, techno, and hip-hop only ever appeared on it. The 12-inch bins are essential '80s digging.
Where did hip-hop and house start?
Both in the '80s — hip-hop in New York, house in Chicago, techno in Detroit. The genre sections go deeper, but the decade is where it all begins.
Is '80s vinyl collectible?
Increasingly — post-punk, early hip-hop, and original house/techno 12-inches especially. Originals and reissues both, noted on each listing.