Summary
They say this was the golden age of the Hip Hop Genre. Did I live through it as a participant and listener no. But as I've gone back and listened to these old albums over the past years I've come to grow and love this time period of rap as if I did. I would definitely agree this was the golden age. During the 90s so much changed in rap. Rappers started to utilize actual choruses in songs more which made for better overall song making in my opinion. Beats changed. Unlike some I don't point that out to shit on 80s production because I like some of the 80s production. To this day if you ask me their are rap albums from the 80s that can stand toe to toe with any hip hop album from the 90s or 2000s production wise such as Eric B & Rakim's Paid in Full or Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to hold us back. But overall one can't deny that overall production in hip hop did improve during the 90s which played a big part in hip hop music crossing over into mainstream music where more white people could enjoy it and where hip hop singles could do better on the charts. The 90s were also a time where we 1st started to see real hip hop beefs. Their were rap battles in the 80s and stuff but major hip hop beefs as we know them today started in the 90s for the most part. And say what you want but hip hop beefs, if nothing else, are always entertaining. I mean c'mon you know black people love to see conflict and fights. Also during the 90s was the rise of true lyricist as opposed to most of the 80s rappers. Aside from the elite guys like Rakim, Kool G, and Kane for the most part most of the rappers during the 80s used simpler lyrics and rhyme schemes. What was also great about 90s rap to me was that none of the rappers who were at the top seemed to really lack talent at least not to the degree that we started to see in the 2000s when guys like Yung Joc, Soulja Boy, and so many others could actually go platinum just because they could make catchy songs or dances. Just about all of the faces of rap during the 90s, all the guys known and that were selling records made quality music. It was truly the best of times in the genre's history.
Top 10 Rapers/Rap groups of the 90s
This is not a traditional top rappers list like you might see us doing a twitter. How I did this list was I pretty much just took into account everything the artist or group did from 1900-1999 and tried to find the 10 who did the most. Factors included were rap ability of course, but also things like impact, popularity, influence, and the overall quality of the albums they dropped during this time period. So don't look at this list as say whoever is at number 9 is better than who is at number 10 it's more of a power ranking of how I think the 90s went if that makes any sense.
10. Snoop Dogg
Not really a big fan of snoop at all. The only album he made in the 90s I rock with is his debut but that was a HUGE deal. His debut when it dropped did 1st week numbers that wouldn't be seen again till the year 2000 by a white rapper that had the backing of both black and white America. Not only were the sales great the album was it self. And though his other efforts during the 90s were bad he has to get credit for making one of the all time great rap albums ever. Also I had to factor in his involvement on the Chronic album. Even tho it's technically Dr. Dre's album Snoop was huge factor in that album as well a lot like how Ghostface Killah was on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. He's was one of the most popular faces in the game during that time and still is. He wasn't the greatest rapper but Snoop Dogg status as a legend is undeniable and it's in most part because of his run during the 90s.
Best Songs in the 90s: Everything on Doggystyle and only Doggystyle.
Ranking His Albums in the 90s: 1. DoggyStyle. 2-4. Doesn't even matter they all sucked
9. Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is one of the best rap groups of all time. They emerged in the mid 90s in large part because of their grimy style and lyrics as they were one of the premiere rappers in the genre of gangsta rap. Mobb Deep had a gift as story tellers and could bring street tales of violence and crime that were as vivid as a movie. Their sophomore effort The Infamous is one of the greatest rap albums of all time as it featured a great combination of verbal imagery and superb instrumentals that really made a impact. They never made another album that was quite in that class but their other 2 albums that followed the Infamous in the 90s were really good.
Best Tracks in the 90s: Shock Ones PT. II, Quiet Storm, Give Up The Goods, Temperature's Rising, Trife Life, Drop A Gem On Em, Up North Trip, Survival of the Fittest, Right Back At You, Where Ya Heart At
Ranking Their Albums in the 90s: 1. The Infamous 2. Hell On Earth 3. Murda Muzik
8. Ice Cube
Ice Cube is one of the most controversial and disrespectful rappers of all time. The thing I instantly noticed most about him and respected most when I went back and started listening to him was his bluntness and just blatant honesty. The man wasn't afraid to speak what was on his mind. You take his uncensored outspoken personality and combine it with his great story telling ability and you have the making of a legend which is what he ultimately became. His career started as strong as or maybe stronger than any other rapper besides maybe Rakim that I can think of. He had 3 straight great albums, dare I say 3 straight classics even. The 1st 2 definitely were undeniable classics. His debut album was called Amerikkka's Most wanted and as you can see from the 3 ks in the title it was a controversial album as Cube spewed his beliefs about this nation and their crimes at the time against society and more importantly black people. He followed up his fantastic debut with what was an even better album in my opinion in Death Certificate where he raps about everything from wanting to kill uncle sam to informing fathers that their young daughters are hoes. He also single handedly defeated the N.W.A. in my opinion. Cube was one of the pioneers of gangsta rap and one of the best to ever do it as well.
Best Tracks of the 90s: It Was a Good Day, No Vaseline, My Summer Vacation, Horny Lil Devil, True to the Game, Givin' Up the Nappy Dugout, The Nigga Ya Love to Hate, You Can't Fade Me, Who's The Mac, The Wrong Nigga Ta Fuck Wit
Ranking His Albums in the 90s: 1. Death Certificate 2. Amerikkka's Most Wanted 3. The Predator 4. Lethal Injection 5. War & Peace Vol. 1
7. Jay-Z
Jay-Z's impact in the 90s wasn't nearly what it was in the following decade but still in my opinion he was one of the more impactful and skilled rappers during this time period. He made what I believe to be his best overall album in 1996 Reasonable Doubt which was his debut. He followed that up with a very solid sophomore effort in Vol. 1 which I thought was a really good album. Then in 98 he dropped what would become one of the most popular albums of the decade and in hip hop history with his Vol. 2 album. I personally feel Vol. 2 is the most overrated album in rap history. Was it a bad album? No of course not, that's not what I mean when I say that. But I feel it had way too many forgettable tracks for album held in such high esteem. Never the less it's impact on the hip hop culture and the way it sent hip hop into a new direction can't be ignored and Jay must get credit for that. After Vol. 2 was Vol 3 which wasn't as good as Vol. 1 to me but definitely better than Vol. 2. By this point he had established himself as one of the best rappers in the game and with a lot of the other rappers you'll see on this list either dead, or on the decline Jay went into the next decade as one of the best in the game carrying the torch for hip hop into the next decade if you will.
Ranking In His Albums in the 90s: 1. Reasonable Doubt 2. In My Lifetime Vol. 1 3. Vol. 3...Life and Times of S. Carter 4. Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life
6. Outkast
In the 90s the East Coast essentially ran Hip Hop and the West Coast was a close 2nd. But the South wasn't really in the picture. They had Scarface who had respect but from a impact point of view he wasn't really that big. Then Outkast came along and put Southern Hip Hop on the map. I almost wish these niggas had been from somewhere else because the majority of rappers and rap groups that have followed from this region have sucked. The South ultimately ends up being one of the main reasons hip hop dies but that's a discussion for next decade. Too say Outkast was different would be an understatement. These niggas were down right weird and I and a lot of other people love that about them. They go from one album title being about southern pimps to the next being about aliens n shit. Not to mention all the weird song and album titles we've seen from them over the years. However behind the lyrical brilliance of Andre 3 Stacks and the mic presence and personality of Big Boi Outkast became one of the greatest duo's and rap groups in hip hop history.
Best Tracks of the 90s: Hootie Hoo, Jazzy Belle, ATLiens, Elevators, Chonkyfire, Da Art Of Story Tellin (PT. 2), Spottieottiedopaliscious, 13th Floor Growing Old, Ms. Jackson, Git Up Get Out
Ranking Their Albums in the 90s: 1. Aquemini 2. ATLiens 3. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik 4. Stankonia
5. A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest is one of the greatest rap groups of all time. They came onto the scene in 1990 with their critically acclaimed debut People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm. With it they ushered in a new era of rap. For the 1st time Hip Hop was really implementing Jazz in their beats. And those Jazz beats were perfect for Q-Tips smooth flow which has to be one of the best ever. I mean I just like to listen to Tribe sometimes just to hear that nigga rap. They followed up their classic debut with 2 more classic albums. Their first 3 albums in my opinion are all top 30 rap albums of all time.
Ranking Their Albums in the 90s: 1. Midnight Marauders 2. People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm 3. The Low End Theory 4. Beats, Rhymes and Life 5. The Love Movement
4. Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G. is one of the most popular and impactful rappers ever. His legacy still lives on today through his music. As we all know his life was ended well before his time and thus he was only able to drop 2 albums. But those 2 albums are 2 classic albums. Biggie to a degree is overrated in my opinion in large part because of his death but he was definitely a talented rapper. Great story teller, solid lyrically, and one of the greatest delivery's you'll hear Biggie was the full package.
Best Tracks in the 90s: Everyday Struggle, Sky's The Limit, Juicy, Who Shot Ya, Me & My Bitch, Niggas Bleed, You're Nobody (Till Somebody Kills You), My Downfall, Somebody's Gotta Die, One More Chance (remix)
Ranking His Albums in the 90s: 1. Ready to Die 2. Life After Death
3. 2 Pac
Lots can be said and has been said about 2 Pac. "He's a nose ring wearing faggot" "He's not really a west coast rapper" "His West Coast rap persona is fake and forced" "He's the most overrated rapper ever" and lots of other stuff. Now is most of that true... I mean who am I to say I'm just here to look back and reflect on the 90s. I was a child then so I don't know but maybe having a nose ring was masculine back then. Maybe Pac's thug persona was really him and not a gimmick used to sell records. Maybe if you ran up on him he really would beat your ass. I don't know man none of that is for me to say I'm just here to talk about the music. Musically Pac went from making back to back albums that didn't matter to 3 straight classics in a row. How he did this who knows but he did. As overrated as All Eyez on me is it was a pretty good album with mad bangers on both disk. And his best 2 albums Me Against the World and the 7 Day Theory speak for themselves. I'm not here to say where Pac ranks all time, All I know is he was one of the best and most influential rappers in the 90s and that he loved Hennessy and had lots of enemies.
Best Tracks in the 90s: Changes, Brenda's Got a Baby, Hail Mary, To Live & Die in LA, White Man'z World, Dear Mama, Old School, So Many Tears, Lord Knows, Toss It Up
Ranking His Albums in the 90s: 1. Me Against The World 2. The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory 3. All Eyez On Me 4. 2pacalypse Now 5. Strickly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.S.
2. Nas
Nas made what is arguably the greatest rap album of all time in Illmatic and then followed it up with another classic album that is another all time great album in It Was Written. Nas established himself in the 90s as the most skilled rapper ever. When I think about every major rap category the only one he's not in my personal top 5 in is flow/delivery. And he's still good at it just not top 5. But lyrics, Story telling, Songs, catalog, content, word play he's elite in all that stuff. He's considered by many to be the best lyricist ever and I would agree with that. No one individual rapper was better overall in the 90s than Nas. And had it not been for the damn internet leaking his I Am double disk album we would have never even gotten I am and Nastradamus as separate albums and Nas woulda been a perfect 3/3 in the 90s with 3 undeniable classics.
Best Tracks of the 90s: Memory Lane, The World Is Yours, Black Girl Lost, Undying Love, I Gave You Power, Watch Dem Niggas, One Love, N.Y. State of Mind, It Ain't Hard to Tell, Take It In Blood
Ranking His Albums in the 90s: 1. Illmatic 2. It Was Written 3. I Am 4. Nastradamus
1. Wu-Tang Clan
I just wanna give a disclaimer that I'm a huge Wu-Tang flan and that might have played just a small role in this breakdown of them. With that said it was a no brainer who to put number 1 on this list. These niggas transcend the genre of rap. Their bigger than hip hop. You got Rock music, R&B music, Hip Hop music, Pop music, Wu-Tang. Get what I'm saying dunny? When you combine all their group and solo material together which is what I did it's not even close their number 1. They got a top 5 all time rapper, top 5 all time producer, perhaps the greatest group debut ever. They influenced the game in like every way. Clothing lines Wu-Tang did it first with Wu Wear. Video Games? Wu-Tang did it 1st with the video game "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style". RZA has probably influenced the style of every producer in the game today that's any good in some way. So as far as influence and impact go nobody scores higher from the 90s than them. Catalog wise when you combine their solo and group stuff their 1st there as well. And as far as ability yea they had some niggas in the group not that good but with Ghost, Rae, Meth, GZA, and Deck their was plenty of rap talent in the group to make up for it. All in all the Wu-Tang Clan might have been the best thing to ever happen to rap especially in the 90s.
Best Tracks in the 90s: C.R.E.A.M., Protect Ya Neck, Triump, Clan In The Front, Motherless Child, Rainy Days, Ice Cream, Wu-Gambinos, Duel of the Iron Mic, Method Man
Ranking Their Albums of the 90s: 1. Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers 2. Liquid Swords 3. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 4. Ironman 5. Wu-Tang Forever
Top 25 Albums of the 90s
1. Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 chambers - Wu-Tang Clan
2. Illmatic - Nas
3. The Infamous - Mobb Deep
4. Paid In Full - Rakim
5. 4,5,6 - Kool G. Rap
6. It Was Written - Nas
7. Liquid Swords - GZA
8. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx - Raekwon
9. Death Certificate - Ice Cube
10. Midnight Marauders - A Tribe Called Quest
11. Ironman - Ghostface Killah
12. Aquemini - Outkast
13. People's Instinctive Travels And
The Paths Of Rhythm- A Tribe Called Quest
14. Reasonable Doubt - Jay-Z
15. The Low End Theory - A Tribe Called Quest
16. DoggyStyle - Snoop Dogg
17. Resurrection - Common
18. Me Against The World - 2pac
19. Niggaz4Life - NWA
20. Pieces of A Man - AZ
21.
22. Ready to Die - Notorious B.I.G.
23. Wu-Tang Forever - Wu-Tang Clan
24. The Chronic - Dr. Dre
25. It’s Dark & Hell is Hot - DMX
Top 25 Songs of the Decade
1. Shook One’s Part II – Mobb Deep
2. D’Evils – Jay-Z
3. Rock Bottom – Eminem
4. Victory – Puff Daddy
5. Ready or Not – The Fugees
6. I Used To Love H.E.R. - Common
7. Blowing Up In The World – Kool G. Rap
8. Black Girl Lost - Nas
9. They Reminisce Over You – Pete Rock & CL Smooth
10. C.R.E.A.M - Wu-Tang Clan
11. Stan - Eminem
12. Sky’s The Limit – Notorious B.I.G.
13. I Can Feel It - DMX
14. Still Dre - Dr. Dre
15. Dear Mama – 2pac
16. Protect Ya Neck – Wu-Tang Clan
17. Regulators – Warren G
18. Memory Lane - Nas
19. Lil Ghetto Boy – Dr. Dre
20. Motherless Child – Ghostface Killah
21. Everyday Struggle – Notorious B.I.G.
22. Gin & Juice – Snoop Dogg
23. Scenario – A Tribe Called Quest
24. Last Dayz - AZ
25. Rainy Days - Raekwon
Classics in the 90s
Disclaimer:
This section of the blog is not opinion at least not the opinion of mine. I don't even like all the albums that will appear on this list but from what I've read, heard, etc these are the albums that are most critically acclaimed and or deemed to be classics based on supposed "hip hop experts"
1990
- People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm- A Tribe Called Quest
- AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted - Ice Cube
- Let The Rhythm Hit Em - Eric B. and Rakim
- Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J
- Fear of a Black Planet - Public Enemy
- Edutainment - Boogie Down Productions
- Step In The Arena - Gang Starr
- Wanted Dead or Alive - Kool G Rap and DJ Polo
- One For ALL - Brand Nubian
- Business As Usual - EPMD
- Take a Look Around - Masta Ace
1991
- Death Certificate - Ice Cube
- The Low End Theory - A Tribe Called Quest
- Niggaz4Life - NWA
- Breaking Atoms - Main Source
- De La Soul is Dead - De La Soul
- Cypress Hill - Cypress Hill
1992
- The Chronic - Dr. Dre
- Daily Operation - Gang Starr
- In God We Trust - Brand Nubian
- Mecca and the Soul Brother - Pete Rock and CL Smooth
- Whut? Thee Album - Redman
- Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde - The Pharcyde
1993
- Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers: Wu-Tang Clan
- Midnight Marauders - A Tribe Called Quest
- Doggystyle - Snoop Dogg
- Runaway Slave - Showbiz and AG
- Return of the Boom Bap - KRS-One
- Buhloone Mindstate - De La Soul
1994
- Illmatic - Nas
- Ready to Die - Notorious B.I.G.
- Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik - Outkast
- Resurrection - Common
- The Diary - Scarface
- The Main Ingredient - Pete Rock & CL Smooth
- Tical - Method Man
- Only Built 4 Cuban Linx - Raekwon
- The Infamous - Mobb Deep
- Me Against The World - 2pac
- Liquid Swords - GZA
- E1999 Eternal - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
- KRS-One - KRS-One
- Soul Food - Goodie Mob
- Do You Want More? - The Roots
- Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous - Big L
- Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version - ODB
1996
- Reasonable Doubt - Jay-Z
- It Was Written - Nas
- All Eyez On Me - 2pac
- ATLiens - Outkast
- Ironman - Ghostface Killah
- The Score - The Fugees
- Ridin Dirty - UGK
- The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory - 2pac
- Hell on Earth - Mobb Deep
- Illadelph Halflife - The Roots
- Firing Squad - M.O.P
1997
- Life After Death - Notorious B.I.G.
- No Way Out - Puff Daddy
- Wu-Tang Forever - Wu-Tang Clan
- The War Report - Capone-N-Norega
- The 18th letter - Rakim
1998
- Aquemini - Outkast
- Capital Punishment - Big Pun
- Its Dark And Hell is Hot - DMX
- Black Star - Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star
- Moment of Truth - Gang Starr
- 400 Degrees - Juvenile
- Volume 2... Hard Knock Life - Jay-Z
- Flesh of my Flesh, Blood of my Blood - DMX
1999
- The Slim Shady LP - Eminem
- 2001 - Dr. Dre
- Black on Both Sides - Mos Def
- Blackout - Method Man & Redman
- Operation Doomsday - MF Doom
- Things Fall Apart - The Roots
- Internal Affairs - Pharoahe Monch
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