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25 Classic '90s Rap Songs That Highlight Hip-Hop's Golden Years

Aug 13 2023 - 6:00am

The '90s were hip-hop's golden age. The era gave rise to some of the most prolific MCs there have ever been, and their legacy lives on today in the incredible music they shared with us all. There are, of course, the two titans of the genre, Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G., who we tragically lost before the decade was over, plus other hip-hop giants who made a major mark in the decade, including the late DMX, Method Man, Wu-Tang Clan [1], and Snoop Dogg, who all released some of the most iconic rap songs of all time. And of course, quite a few iconic Queen Latifah [2], and Lauryn Hill as a member of the Fugees.

The hip-hop of the '90s was inventive and thrilling, and it started to truly take over the rest of the world, influencing music, fashion, movies, television, and culture forever.

Ahead, we rounded up some of our favorite '90s hip-hop songs, from ones that we've always kept in our rotation to nostalgic hits that take us right back to the genre's golden years.

"Regulate" by Warren G feat. Nate Dogg

"I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy feat. Faith Evans and 112

"I Wish" by Skee-Lo

"All I Need" by Method Man and Mary J. Blige

"It Was a Good Day" by Ice Cube

"Shoop" by Salt-N-Pepa

"Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G.

"Gin & Juice" by Snoop Dogg

"Dear Mama" by Tupac

"C.R.E.A.M." by Wu-Tang Clan

"Ready or Not" by Fugees

"Player's Ball" by OutKast

"Back That Azz Up" by Juvenile

"Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J

"Jump" by Kris Kross

"Doo-Wop (That Thing)" by Lauryn Hill

"U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer

"Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" by Busta Rhymes

"The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" by Missy Elliott

"Whatta Man" by Salt-N-Pepa feat. En Vogue

"N.Y. State of Mind" by Nas

"Juicy" by The Notorious B.I.G.

"Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

"Ruff Ryders' Anthem" by DMX

"U.N.I.T.Y." by Queen Latifah


Source URL
https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/best-90s-rap-songs-46783690