The Best Hip Hop Songs of 1996

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 20 years since 1996, but time flies when you’re having fun. 1996 was a fantastic year for hip hop, and many of the songs that came out during that time have stood the test of time. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the best hip hop songs of 1996.

“All Eyez on Me” – 2Pac

All Eyez on Me is the fourth studio album by American rapper 2Pac and the last to be released during his lifetime. It was released on February 13, 1996, by Death Row Records and Interscope Records. The album features the singles “California Love”, “How Do U Want It”, and “I Ain’t Mad at Cha”. Its double album format is considered among the best-selling rap albums. All Eyez on Me was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America on July 23, 2014, eighteen years after its release, with shipments exceeding five million copies in the United States.

“The Score” – Fugees

Released in 1996, “The Score” is the second and final studio album by the Fugees. The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over six million copies in the United States. “The Score” features a mix of hip hop, R&B, and reggae, and includes the singles “Killing Me Softly”, “No Woman, No Cry”, and “Ready or Not”.

“Been Around the World” – Puff Daddy & The Family

“Been Around the World” is a song by American hip hop recording artist Puff Daddy. It was released on September 17, 1996 as the fourth and final single from his debut album No Way Out (1997). The song features American R&B singers The Notorious B.I.G. and Mase, each of whom rap a verse. The song’s chorus samples Lisa Stansfield’s 1990 hit “All Around the World”, which in turn samples David Bowie’s 1977 song “China Girl”.

“No Diggity” – Blackstreet

“No Diggity” is a song by American R&B group Blackstreet featuring Dr. Dre, released on November 12, 1996 as the lead single from their self-titled second studio album. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks, making it Blackstreet’s only number-one single on that chart. It was also the first Hot 100 number-one single by a group with rap vocals in almost three years, since Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This” in April 1990, and the last until Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson” in October 2001. The song was themselves nominated for two Grammy Awards including Record of the Year and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

“Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” – Puff Daddy & The Family

“Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” is a song by American rapper Puff Daddy. It was released on January 17, 1996 as the first single from his debut album, No Way Out (1997). The song features vocals from rapper Mase and singer Loon. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks, becoming Puff Daddy’s first number-one single as a lead artist. The song also peaked at number one in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

“It’s All About the Benjamins” – Puff Daddy & The Family

“It’s All About the Benjamins” is a song by American hip hop recording artist Puff Daddy. It was released on November 26, 1996 as the fourth single from his debut studio album No Way Out (1997). The song features rap verses from Lil’ Kim and The Lox with a hook sung by Puff Daddy. The single reached number one in New Zealand and peaked at number 28 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“I’ll Be Missing You” – Puff Daddy & The Family

“I’ll Be Missing You” is a song recorded by American rapper Puff Daddy and R&B group Faith Evans, featuring R&B group 112, in memory of fellow Bad Boy Records artist Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, who was murdered on March 9, 1997. The track was released as the first single from Puff Daddy and the Family’s album No Way Out (1997) on May 27, 1997.

The single spent 11 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of only two rap songs – the other being Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” – to spend more than 10 weeks atop the chart, and remains one of only six rap songs to spend more than a year on the Hot 100. The song won Evans and Wallace a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1998.

“Gin and Juice” – Snoop Doggy Dogg

“Gin and Juice” is a song by American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg, released as the second single from hisdebut album Doggystyle. The single became a huge hit, reaching the top ten of several Billboard charts. The song reflects on Snoop’s early life in Long Beach, California, and includes references to several real-life experiences. Many of the song’s lyrics are written in a boastful, party-oriented style, and its chorus contains references to substance abuse.

“Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” – Dr. Dre

“Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” is the second single from American rapper Dr. Dre’s solo debut album, The Chronic. It features fellow American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. The song is credited as helping to expand West Coast rap’s popularity beyond the regions of California and New York. In 2015, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

“In Da Club” – 50 Cent

“In Da Club” is a song by American rapper 50 Cent from his debut studio album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2003). The song was written by 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Mike Elizondo, and Levi Segarra and produced by Dr. Dre with co-production credit from Elizondo. “In Da Club” is considered one of 50 Cent’s best songs and was ranked number one on VH1’s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs in 2014. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and has been certified six times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The Best Hip Hop Songs of 1996

Introduction