Recommended hip-hop/rap

A roundup of 90s Western hip-hop: classics from the golden era

Active club DJKento
Active as a club DJ. Centered on dance music, they mix a wide range of genres including US hip-hop and J-rap, captivating audiences with their unique musical style.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

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 (21–30)

This Is How We Do ItMontell Jordan

Montell Jordan – This Is How We Do It (Official Music Video)

This Is How We Do ItMontell Jordan

With a groove that makes your body move before you know it and an irresistibly sunny vibe, this is a song that perfectly colors the summers of the ’90s.

American artist Montell Jordan’s debut single, released in February 1995, captures the sense of freedom of hitting the town on the weekend and the shine of those unassuming moments with friends, conveyed through straightforward lyrics and a soulful voice.

Its bold sampling of Slick Rick’s memorable lines feels like a symbol of the blissful meeting of hip-hop and R&B.

Taken from the album “This Is How We Do It,” the track spent seven consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for a Grammy.

It’s the perfect soundtrack for summer beaches and drives.

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Jump AroundHouse Of Pain

House of Pain – Jump Around (Official Music Video)

Jump AroundHouse Of Pain

House of Pain, the hip-hop trio active from 1991 to 1995.

Their active period was relatively short, and naturally, they didn’t release many songs.

Even so, they still enjoy enduring popularity, largely thanks to the excellence of their track “Jump Around.” Its addictive chorus, with its repeated words, sticks in your head after just one listen.

Beyond that, almost every line of the lyrics hits with the impact of what you could call a punchline.

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Mama Said Knock You OutLL Cool J

LL COOL J – Mama Said Knock You Out (Official Music Video)

Mama Said Knock You OutLL Cool J

LL Cool J, a rapper who has also achieved remarkable success as an actor.

When it comes to his signature tracks, “Mama Said Knock You Out” is the first that comes to mind.

The year it was released, 1991, was a time when the genre of gangsta rap emerged and began gaining popularity.

This song delivers a scathing diss to that scene.

Another essential element when discussing this track is its incredibly cool music video.

It’s said to pay homage to a famous boxing movie, and the result is just plain cool.

First, see it for yourself!

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Can’t Truss ItPublic Enemy

Public Enemy – Can’t Truss It

Can't Truss ItPublic Enemy

Public Enemy is a hip-hop group known for tackling social issues.

One of their works that addresses racism is “Can’t Truss It.” Its shocking lyrics delivered over an addictive track have captivated many music fans.

The music video also centers on the theme of racism, combining a humorous yet dark atmosphere.

Watching the MV alongside the song will help you understand the lyrics on a deeper level.

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N.Y. State of MindNas

Nas – N.Y. State of Mind (Official Audio)

N.Y. State of MindNas

Nas’s signature track “N.

Y.

State of Mind” opens with a heavy, languid beat.

It’s one of the songs on his debut album Illmatic, widely hailed as a classic.

In hip-hop, producers build tracks using sampling—quoting parts of existing songs and combining them.

You can sample from anything, but at the time, it became popular to sample jazz records.

For example, this track uses jazz pieces like Joe Chambers’s “Mind Rain” and Donald Byrd’s “Flight Time.” The seemingly unlikely pairing of jazz and rap gave birth to a new culture.

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RegulateWarren G

Warren G – Regulate (Official Music Video) ft. Nate Dogg

RegulateWarren G

When it comes to West Coast hip-hop, a name that almost always comes up is Warren G.

He is one of the legendary rappers who, along with Dr.

Dre and Snoop Dogg, pioneered the hip-hop subgenre known as G-funk.

Warren G’s signature track “Regulate” is an essential classic in hip-hop.

Unlike rap that conveys anger with sheer intensity, this song stands out for its cool delivery and smooth, easy listening vibe.

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SabotageBeastie Boys

Beastie Boys – Sabotage (Official Music Video)

SabotageBeastie Boys

The Beastie Boys, whose roots were in an American hardcore punk band, consisted of three members: Mike D, MCA, and King Ad-Rock.

They later made a full transition to hip-hop, greatly influencing street culture from the 1990s onward.

Sabotage, included on the album Ill Communication, was their hit single from 1994.

It’s a high-energy track that perfectly fuses a powerful bass riff with hip-hop cool, and its cop-show-style comedic music video directed by Spike Jonze also became a hot topic.

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