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 (31–40)

I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get ByMethod Man

Method Man – All I Need (Razor Sharp Remix) ft. Mary J. Blige

I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get ByMethod Man

The Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man and hip-hop songstress Mary J.

Blige achieved a dream collaboration with “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By.” The track’s source material is “You’re All I Need to Get By,” performed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

The song climbed high on numerous charts, and Method Man and Mary J.

Blige went on to win a Grammy Award.

Even now, when people think of hip-hop love songs, this track is so popular that it’s one of the first that comes to mind.

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SouthernplayalisticadillacmuzikOutKast

Outkast – Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (Clean Version – Official HD Video)

SouthernplayalisticadillacmuzikOutKast

Outkast is a hip-hop duo often hailed as pioneers of Southern hip hop.

Formed in Georgia in 1992 by rappers André 3000 and Big Boi, the unit carved out a unique place for themselves with catchy melodies and lyrics that, unusually for hip hop, carry positive messages.

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is a track of the same name released from their debut album.

It’s a highly influential song that took on the challenge of incorporating live instrumentation into hip hop, which had previously been predominantly sample-based.

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced a slew of classic tracks that colored the hip-hop scene of the ’90s.

From the legendary rappers whose names are still revered today to artists who now lead the music scene as acclaimed producers, a wide range of talent thrived in ’90s hip-hop.

If you find a favorite among the songs featured in this article, be sure to check out more tracks by that artist!