The Best Hip-Hop Songs of the ’90s

A look at the best hip-hop songs of the ’90s, including tracks by Biggie, Tupac, and Snoop Dogg.

Introduction

Though it’s impossible to rank the best hip-hop songs of the ’90s definitively, we’ve tried our best to put together a comprehensive list of the music that defined the genre during that 10-year period. From classics like Tupac’s “California Love” and Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy” to more obscure tracks like Nas’ “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That),” these are the 100 songs that helped make the ’90s the greatest decade in hip-hop history.

The Best Hip-Hop Songs of the ’90s

The ’90s was a golden era for hip-hop. There were so many great songs that it’s hard to narrow it down to just 10. But we’ve done it. Here are the 10 best hip-hop songs of the ’90s.

“Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” by Dr. Dre

“Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” is a song by American rapper Dr. Dre, featuring fellow American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. It was released on Dre’s debut solo album, The Chronic, on December 15, 1992 as the album’s lead single. The song itself is considered by many to be one of the classic tracks of West Coast hip hop and G-funk and helped give mainstream exposure to both rappers.

“Gin and Juice” by Snoop Dogg

“Gin and Juice” is one of the most iconic hip-hop songs of the ’90s. It was released in 1993 as part of Snoop Dogg’s debut album, “Doggystyle.” The song features a laid-back, west coast vibe and Snoop’s signature flow. “Gin and Juice” remains one of Snoop’s most popular songs, and it is often cited as one of the best hip-hop songs of all time.

“Regulate” by Warren G

“Regulate” is a song performed by Warren G and Nate Dogg. The song was released in 1994 as the first single from Warren G’s debut album, Regulate… G Funk Era. It remains his biggest hit single to date, reaching number two on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. The success of the song and its accompanying album helpedbring West Coast hip hop to prominence during the mid-1990s.

“Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer

This song was released in 1990 and instantly became a smash hit. It spent 21 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number one, and was the first hip-hop song to be nominated for a Grammy.

“Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-a-Lot

“Baby Got Back” is a single by American rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot, released in May 1992 as the lead single from his album Mack Daddy. The song samples the 1986 Detroit techno classic “Technicolor” by Channel One. It also features heavy use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine. The song peaked at number one on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart for five weeks, becoming both Sir Mix-a-Lot’s signature song and one of the longest-running number-one singles in history. The recording earned him two Grammy Awards at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards in 1993: Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Song.

In 2008, VH1 ranked “Baby Got Back” number 17 on its list of the 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 147 on its list “150 Best Tracks of the Last 15 Years”.

Conclusion

To secure its place in history, hip-hop had to cross over to the pop charts. And in the ’90s, it did just that. Hip-hop became the dominant pop culture force in the world, and songs like Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice,” Dr. Dre’s “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang,” and Salt-N-Pepa’s “Whatta Man” all helped the genre achieve mainstream success.

But what about the underground? The true essence of hip-hop can be found in the songs that didn’t receive top 40 radio airplay. These are the tunes that were crafted in basements and bedrooms by MCs who were passionate about their art form and wanted to push it forward. These are the songs that inspired a generation of hip-hop fans and continue to influence artists today.

So without further ado, here are the best hip-hop songs of the ’90s.