A roundup of 90s Western hip-hop: classics from the golden era
When it comes to the American hip-hop scene of the ’90s, it’s often called the Golden Era.
Among the rappers who were active back then, many are still at the forefront today, and plenty have also become renowned producers who now lead the music scene.
On top of that, there are many artists who have passed away and are now remembered as legends.
In this article, we’ll showcase a selection of iconic ’90s hip-hop tracks that they left behind.
Enjoy these timeless hip-hop classics that remain as vibrant as ever.
90s Western hip-hop roundup: Classics from the golden era (1–10)
It Was A Good DayIce Cube
When people think of hip-hop, many associate it with constant conflict or a sense of danger.
That’s not entirely wrong—especially in the ’90s, when feuds between rappers were a constant presence.
It was in that context that “It Was a Good Day” was released.
The track was crafted by Ice Cube, a rapper who is also well known as an actor.
The song carries the message that an ordinary day without conflict is, in itself, happiness.
The more you understand the social backdrop of the time, the more deeply this song will resonate.
Keep Their Heads Ringin’Dr. Dre
The track produced by Dr.
Dre, a leading figure in West Coast hip-hop, was released in March 1995 as part of the soundtrack for the film Friday.
Its lyrics, which skillfully express the energizing power of party music and the artist’s own lifestyle, are especially striking.
The hallmark G-funk sound—featuring a heavy bassline and smooth synthesizer tones—blends seamlessly with the interpolation from The Sequence’s “Funk You Up.” The song was also a commercial success, reaching No.
10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It won Best Rap Video at the MTV Video Music Awards the same year.
Still cherished as a nightlife staple, it’s a perfect pick to boost your mood or for a drive with friends.
Juice (Know The Ledge)Eric B. & Rakim
“Juice (Know The Ledge)” hits listeners with a powerful bassline.
Rakim—revered as a god of rap and a key figure from hip-hop’s golden age—released the track as part of the duo Eric B.
& Rakim.
The song was featured as the title track for the 1992 coming-of-age crime film “Juice,” which deals with issues affecting Black communities, including internalized discrimination.
It’s a track whose rapid-fire lyrics compel you to listen closely.
Still D.R.E. ft. Snoop DoggDr. Dre
An iconic track you can’t avoid when learning about US hip-hop: “Still D.
R.
E.
ft.
Snoop Dogg.” Featuring Snoop Dogg, this Dr.
Dre classic was released in 1999 and is still loved by countless heads and casual listeners alike.
For many younger folks, the performance at the 56th NFL Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2022 is probably still fresh in mind.
With its distinctly West Coast style and vibes, this song is the quintessential example of feel-good, head-nodding hip-hop.
Be sure to check it out.
California Love feat. Dr. Dre2Pac
In the 1990s, many hip-hop stars were born.
Among them, the first person who comes to mind is 2Pac.
It’s no exaggeration to say he shaped the hip-hop scene of the ’90s.
One of his signature tracks is “California Love” featuring Dr.
Dre.
It also stands out as the first song he released after being released from prison.
By the way, the movie-like music video, which was shot with a large-scale location setup, features Chris Tucker.
Ruff Ryders’ AnthemDMX
DMX, who passed away in 2021, is a legend known for tracks like “Where the Hood At.” But in the ’90s, he was just one of the up-and-coming artists.
The song that cemented his popularity was “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem.” Even among hip-hop tracks, its lyrics are quite aggressive, yet it was embraced by many and debuted at No.
1 on the music charts.
It ultimately became a huge hit, selling 5 million copies.
I hope you’ll pay attention to the steadily pulsing beat of the track as you listen.
C.R.E.A.M.Wu Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group that remains active on the front lines today.
The 1990s were also the era in which they emerged.
Speaking of their iconic tracks from the ’90s, there’s “C.
R.
E.
A.
M.” Even after the 2000s, many artists have covered this song.
When it was first released, however, its strong message wasn’t widely accepted, and sales didn’t grow much.
But word of mouth gradually spread among hip-hop fans, and today it’s a classic that everyone knows.