The Best Hip Hop Music of 1990
In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at the best hip hop music of 1990. We’ll be discussing the biggest hits of the year, as well as some of the standout tracks from lesser known artists.
The Best Hip Hop Albums of 1990
1990 was a great year for hip hop music. Many of the genre’s classic albums were released in 1990, including De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising, Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet, A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory, and Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique. Let’s take a look at some of the other great hip hop albums that were released in 1990.
Public Enemy – Fear of a Black Planet
Fear of a Black Planet is the third studio album by American hip hop group Public Enemy, released on April 10, 1990 by Def Jam Recordings and Columbia Records. It was the first album in history to receive the newly created Parental Advisory label due to its graphic content. Featuring extensive social commentary on racism in America, Fear of a Black Planet helped make hip hop more politically charged and socially aware, while still maintaining its hardcore edge. The record featured classic tracks such as “Welcome to the Terrordome”, “911 Is a Joke”, “Burn Hollywood Burn”, and the anthemic title track, which protested racial discrimination in the entertainment industry. Fear of a Black Planet was declared one of The Source’s 100 Best Rap Albums and ranked #48 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In 1998, it was selected as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
A Tribe Called Quest – People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest’s debut album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, is one of the most perfect albums in hip hop history. It’s a beautiful mosaic of jazz, soul, and funk that effortlessly weaves together samples and live instrumentation. Q-Tip’s exquisite production is complimented by the group’s impeccable rhyming skills, making for an album that is as timeless as it is essential.
De La Soul – De La Soul is Dead
De La Soul’s second album is a answer to their debut 3 Feet High and Rising. It was recorded during the group’s heady days as the next big thing in rap, when they couldn’t so much as step out of their mother’s basement without being swamped by teenage girls. The pressure got to them, and they responded with an album that was equally brilliant and contradictory, an ingenious combination of high-mindedness and low-brow potty humor. The first half of the record is cerebral and sophisticated, filled with Afrocentricity (the jazzy “A Rollerskating Jam Named ‘Saturdays'”) and social commentary (“Keepin’ the Faith”). The second half is all humor, from the flatulence jokes of “Pass the Plugs” to the patter of “Brain Washed Follower.” It’s an extraordinary achievement, one that cements De La Soul’s place in rap history.
The Best Hip Hop Songs of 1990
Hip hop music has changed a lot since it first emerged in the late 1970s. In the 1990s, hip hop became a more mainstream genre with artists such as Tupac and Snoop Dogg becoming household names. If you’re a fan of hip hop, then you’ll want to check out the best hip hop songs of 1990.
“Fight the Power” – Public Enemy
“Fight the Power” is a song by American hip hop group Public Enemy, released as a single in June 1989 on Motown Records. The song was written and produced by group members Chuck D and Hank Shocklee, with help from Brian Hardgroove. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential songs in hip hop history.
The song’s revolutionary message, delivered by Chuck D’s rap lyrics and Flav’s vocals, decried police brutality against minorities and advocated African Americans to “fight the power”. The song samples dozens of Cancel Cultural icons including James Brown, John Lennon and Bob Marley. Public Enemy used these samples to create an intense and powerful sound which blasted through the airwaves and captivated listeners worldwide.
“Fight the Power” was released to critical acclaim, with many critics hailing it as a masterpiece of politically charged hip hop music. It peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1998, the song was selected by The National Recording Registry as “historically and aesthetically significant”.
“Can I Kick It?” – A Tribe Called Quest
On their debut album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, A Tribe Called Quest set the blueprint for the hip-hop of the ’90s with “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo,” “Pubic Enemy” and this, their breakout single. The jazzy track, built around a loop from Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side,” introduced mainstream audiences to rap music’s Afrocentric leanings (the video even features a quick lesson on the Nubian pyramids) and became an instant college radio favorite.
“Me, Myself and I” – De La Soul
“Me, Myself and I” is the lead single from De La Soul’s debut album 3 Feet High and Rising. The song was released in November 1989 and peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in March 1990, making it the group’s only top 40 single. It was also a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number six on the UK Singles Chart. The song samples “I’d Rather Be with You” by George Clinton and “Synthetic Substitution” by Melvin Bliss.
The Legacy of 1990 Hip Hop
1990 was a watershed year for Hip Hop. It was the year that saw the release of some of the genre’s most seminal albums, including Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet, A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory, and De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising. These albums would go on to define the sound of Hip Hop for years to come.
The Golden Age of Hip Hop
By the early 1990s, the Golden Age of Hip Hop was in full effect. The genre had exploded in popularity and was now being consumed by mainstream America. Hip hop artists were becoming household names and rap music was dominating the pop charts. It was a thrilling time for fans of the genre, as they watched their favorite music evolve and grow before their very eyes.
However, it wasn’t all good news for hip hop in 1990. The East Coast/West Coast rivalry was beginning to heat up, which would eventually lead to the tragic deaths of two of the genre’s biggest stars: Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. These events would cast a long shadow over hip hop for years to come, but they couldn’t extinguish the fire that had been lit in the hearts of fans around the world.
Despite these tragedies, 1990 was still a very good year for hip hop music. Some of the genre’s most timeless classics were released during this period, and they continue to be cherished by fans to this day. If you’re looking for a dose of nostalgia or just want to hear some great rap music, then check out our list of the best hip hop songs of 1990!
The Influence of 1990 Hip Hop
While the 1980s saw hip hop become a commercialised force to be reckoned with, it was in the 1990s when the genre really started to find its voice. Political and social unrest was rampant in many US inner cities, and hip hop – with its unapologetic and often violent lyrics – became the perfect outlet for those who felt marginalised by society. It wasn’t just the US that felt the power of hip hop in the 1990s, though – countries all over the world were beginning to produce their own versions of this new style of music.
In terms of commercial success, it was Dr Dre’s 1992 album The Chronic that really put gangsta rap on the map. A seminal work in the genre, The Chronic featured some of the most controversial lyrics ever recorded, and explored themes such as drug dealing, violence and sex in a way that had never been heard before. The album was widely condemned by critics, but it was also a huge hit with fans, selling over three million copies in the US alone.
While gangsta rap may have been one of the most popular sub-genres of hip hop in the early 1990s, it wasn’t the only type of music being made. Artists like A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul were creating what came to be known as ‘alternative hip hop’, which had a more positive message and explored different topics such as Afrocentricity and spirituality. Alternative hip hop would go on to have a big impact on mainstream music in the years to come.
The 1990s also saw the rise of East Coast hip hop, which was defined by its aggressive lyrics and tough beats. The most famous East Coast rapper was probably Tupac Shakur, who released his debut album 2Pacalypse Now in 1991. A controversial figure due to his criminal past and often violent lyrics, Shakur nonetheless became one of the biggest selling artists of all time before his untimely death in 1996.
Other notable rappers who emerged in the 1990s include Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Nas and Eminem. While each artist has their own unique style, they all helped to cement hip hop’s place as one of the most popular genres of music in the world.
