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15 of the Greatest Hip Hop/R&B Songs From the '90s: From Tupac to Jay-Z

EnglishArtsteacher

15 Hip Hop/R&B Songs from the 1990's.
Hip Hop, and R&B in the 1990's was the "boom" of rap music, which eventually lead to is peak in the 2000's. While I'm not as much of a fan of 90's rap as I am 00's rap, I still enjoyed 90's hip hop much more than I do in this current decade. So, as I did before, I compiled 15 hip hop songs which were known, but not completely overplayed. Let's see if I can trigger your memory!


1. "Turtle Power" by Partners in Kryme (Released in 1990)



This rap duo were "one-hit wonders", but their one hit was a beat we could all relate to: TURTLE POWER! Who didn't like the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" as a kid?


2. "Hail Mary" by Tupac Shakur, featuring Eminem, and 50 Cent (Released in 1996)



This song was one of the many Tupac Shakur songs released after his death. It consisted of three of the most influential rappers as well.


3. "Ten Crack Commandments" by The Notorious B.I.G.(Released in 1997)



While I don't condone the lyrics of this song-At all-This is still one of the most powerful rap songs from the 90's I can think of, and one of Biggie's most underrated songs.


4. "Hard Knock Life" by Jay-Z (Released in 1998)



Sampling songs from others isn't new these days, but back in the 1990's, Jay-Z was a true "daredevil" to sample a song from the classical musical Annie.


5. "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio featuring L.V. (Released in 1994)




This is another "One-hit wonder" song, and Weird Al even made a parody of it. What isn't there to like?


6. "Guilty Conscience" by Eminem featuring Dr. Dre (Released in 1999)



This song explores the battle between "Good", and "Evil." The lyrics are disturbing to some extent-But that's Eminem for ya!


7. "Momma Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J (Released in 1991)



From 1990-2009, 1991 has to be THE worst year for hip-hop music. Absolutely terrible. But, momma told me I gotsta knock you out.......


8. "Ghetto Red Hot" by Super Cat (Released in 1992)



This catchy beat was later sampled as the "Red Mountain" theme in the video game Sonic Adventure.


9. "Shame on a Nigga" by Wu-Tang Clan (Released in 1993)



The Wu-Tang Clan collaborated with System of a Down in the 00's to make "Shame on a Nigga", which was a bizarre remix of this song.


10. "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" by Ol' Dirty Bastard (Released in 1995)



1995 was another dead year for hip hop music. Ol' Dirty Bastard was a 90's saga which died off as soon as the 00's hit too.


11. "Jump On it" by Sir Mix-A-Lot (Released in 1996)



THIS is the Sir Mix-A-Lot song everyone should be talking about. And now, we dance to it every wedding reception we go to.


12. Who I am (What's My Name) by Snoop Doggy Dogg (Released in 1994)



Whether he goes by Snoop Doggy Dogg, Snoop Dogg, or Snoop Lion, he will always have a place in our musical hearts.


13. "Waterfalls" by TLC



The movie We're the Millers inspired me to post this song. If you haven't seen the movie, you won't get it.


14. "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans, and 112 (Released in 1997)



This isn't just another version of "Watching You" by The Police. This song goes much deeper than that(And much more ethical as well).


15. "U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer (Released in 1990)



I fibbed a little bit: I posted a song which is very well known. But this was the start of 90's rap, and the true BOOM. Who doesn't love this song?

15 of the Greatest Hip Hop/R&B Songs From the '90s: From Tupac to Jay-Z
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