The 90s were without a doubt, the golden age of rap. Her natural hair and minimal makeup was a signature look that cannot be forgotten.

Ah, yes. Wyclef Jean - The CarnivalExpect the masterpiece this album suggests and you'll be disappointed. Jay-Z - Reasonable DoubtSprinkles of slick one-liners here, bits of braggadocio here, Reasonable Doubt established Jigga as a charismatic rapper. De La Soul - De La Soul Is DeadOn their second go-round, De La Soul traded self-conscious for self-deprecation. 7. Cut a jersey into a deep V, paint two subtle paw prints on your cleavage and rock out like it’s the ‘90s. XXL Staff.

Published: May 28, 2019.

7. Nas - IllmaticIllmatic, the much ballyhooed hip-hop bible, lives up to every inch of the hype it's been associated with over the years. Not to mention a production technique that's still being emulated today.

and 2Pac carved their legacies, never know what Ghostface Killah’s actual face looked like, O.J. That was all you needed. OutKast - SouthernplayalisticadillacmuzikOn their first LP, Big Boi and Dre redefined most people's perception of Southern Rap by drenching their witty rhymes in funk-soul instrumentation.

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4. 14 Hip-Hop Lyrics Only ’90s Babies Will Understand. Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Mecca & the Soul BrotherBefore The Chronic and Ready to Die, Pete Rock and CL Smooth signaled a pivotal point in hip-hop with their mix of smooth, horn-heavy beats and sophisticated rhymes. 5. Black Star - Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black StarWith a mic in one hand and The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey in the other, Mos and Kweli excelled with their consciousness revivalism form of hip-hop. 6. Lauryn Hill - Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. 8. HYPEBAE® is a registered trademark of 101 Media Lab Ltd, in the U.S. and Hong Kong. DMX - It's Dark & Hell Is HotDMX's recent run-ins with the law make it easy to take for granted his contributions to hip-hop.

5. 5. UGK - Too Hard to SwallowThanks to Pimp C's deft production and Bun B's technically sound MCing, UGK helped put Southern-fried rap on the hip-hop map. By using LiveAbout, you accept our. ), Nostalgia for the 1990s frequently seeps into the rhymes of MCs who've lived them, but some of the references are liable to fly over the heads of anyone under the age of 20. As we race toward another fresh decade—the 2020s are just around the corner—kids who grew up in the 1990s hold a soft spot in their hearts for all the trappings of the years they came of age, many of which are now extinct.

Read on for some last-minute costume ideas. 1. - Efil4zaggin'Despite Ice Cube's exit, N.W.A. Ice Cube - Death CertificateOn this groundbreaking album, Cube pulled out his laundry list of socio-political issues, tackling everyone from LAPD to white supremacists. - Life After DeathWest-coast hounds say it's 2Pac's All Eyez on Me, College kids say it's OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, hip-hop purists argue that it's Wu-Tang Forever, but the age-old question, "What's the best double album in hip-hop?" This powerful and inspirational collection of rap quotes will inspire you to hustle hard and get your grind on. 7. Straight out of South Central LA, Yo-Yo’s sophisticated style can be replicated with blonde individual braids, gold dolphin earrings and a bright-colored lipstick. 8. E-V-E y’all! Indeed, it was a remarkable improvement on the lackluster Blunted on Reality. Fat Joe - RepresentWhile he wasn't exactly the 2nd coming of Kane, Joe showed flashes of brilliance on his debut album, including the energetic "Watch the Sound" and the brawny "Flow Joe.". 8. In 1998, Lauryn Hill became the first female rapper to have a #1 Billboard single with “Doo-Wop (That Thing).” Her talents are mysterious and her fashion is timeless.

is never complete without mentioning Life After Death. 3... Life and Times of S. CarterJigga's ambivalent half-thug, half-gentleman personality is largely at play on this chart-topping opus, which offered hits like "It's Hot" and "Big Pimpin.". But rather than whine all day about rap's ailments, they offered innovative rhymes and great production as the cure. This purple sequin cat suit with a jeweled, shell pasty is guaranteed to drop jaws.

Puff Daddy - No Way OutPropelled by the sensational Biggie tribute "I'll Be Missing You," No Way Out quickly became a commercial success, shifting over 500,000 units in its first week of release. 5. Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn HillOn Miseducation, Lauryn offered the best fusion of rap and R&B hip-hop's ever known. 9. In retrospect, his vivid personal lyricism stands as remarkably precocious. Gang Starr - Moment of TruthFresh off a 4-year hiatus, Gang Starr fans were delighted to see the legendary duo deliver another epic album. 8. Missy Elliott - Supa Dupa FlyRather than follow a path already paved by other femcees, Missy carved out her own niche with this genre-bending masterpiece. Busta Rhymes - The ComingFollowing the Leaders of the New School's breakup, Busta Rhymes reintroduced himself to the world with the mass of restless rap anthems on The Coming. Grammy Awards Best Rap Album Winners (by Year). Dr. Dre - The ChronicDre's combination of funky basslines and heavy synths revolutionized rap and made The Chronic a household name in hip-hop. She also holds her own on the production end, with little help from Timbaland. and Cypress Hill, Freestyle Fellowship countered with lyrical virtuosity. Big Pun - Capital PunishmentPun dazzled with his larger-than-life debut, which boasts hits like "Still Not a Player" and "You Ain't a Killer.". Black Moon - Enta Da StageUnlike most hip-hop albums of its era, Enta Da Stage eschewed confrontational raps and opted for brooding, electrifying brand of hip-hop. KRS-One - KRS-OneUsing mere words as weapons, KRS-One's selft-titled album not only dare you to think, it also dared you to blink. The female MC that sold poetic rhymes of empowerment and equality for all women.

Tap into your inner tomboy with a baggy sweat suit, the Concord Jordan 11s and some twists. —Luke Fox, Decode 14 Lyrics Only '90s Babies Will Understand, YNW Melly Gets Stripper Party Outside Jail, Rappers Claiming They're Better Than Another Artist, The Notorious B.I.G.

Redman - Whut? The 25 Biggest Hip-Hop Collaborations Of All Time ... 'Nuthin' But A G Thang' is one of the best Hip-Hop collabs ever.

Dogg Pound - Dogg FoodAfter the respective successes of The Chronic and Doggystyle, DPG followed with a casserole of gutter raps, synthetic rhythms, and g-funk basslines. Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban LinxNas is not the first artist to drop the N-word from his album title. These were the lyrics to MC Lyte’s Grammy-nominated song, “Ruffneck.” Let’s give a toast to the first female rapper nominated for Best Rap single with a three-finger ring, custom gold earrings, and a ’90s press and curl. But Cube didn't reserve the scathing indictment for non-Blacks only; he also held L.A. gangs responsible for the proliferation of crack cocaine in black neighborhoods. Missy Elliot 3. OutKast - AqueminiAquemini showed just how much Boi and Dre loved reinventing their sound. 5. 2. and 2Pac carved their legacies, and for a minute we believed we’d never know what Ghostface Killah’s actual face looked like. Redman - Muddy WatersBy the time Redman's 3rd album rolled around, he'd already sealed his reputation as one of the brightest MCs of the 90s. From Salt N Pepa’s “Push It” to Da Brat’s “Funkdafied,” these rappers asserted their sexuality, while showcasing confidence, consciousness and an unmatched lyrical flow. EPMD's third entry was anything but. From the days of “U.N.I.T.Y.” to Set it Off, Queen’s style proves to be transformative and versatile. Bring these looks to life with a basic tank, hat and subtle jewelry or a vintage rainbow inspired suit from the set of the “Fly Girl” video shoot. Eminem - The Slim Shady LPA white MC from Detroit?

Much of its success can be attributed to: RZA's unparalleled beatsmithing, the lyrical triumvirate of GZA, Ghostface, and Raekwon, the eccentricity of ODB, as well as the charisma of Deck and Meth.

NME’s bringing you a killer playlist of the 20 finest hip-hop tracks of the 1990s. LiveAbout uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. The task before Eminem seemed illogical at first, but he turned trials into Grammy trophies within a year. Let these legendary hip-hop superstars of yesterday and today drop jewels in the form of rap lyrics that will stay with you for years to come. LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You OutAfter dropping two mediocre albums back-to-back, Cool J decided to heed his grandmother's instruction to knock his critics straight to the curb. Like Lyte before her, Lauryn excelled without drawing unnecessary attention to her sexual ambiance.

B-Real is one of the most recognizable voices in west coast hip-hop and DJ Muggs is arguably the greatest producer on the planet. 4. Sure, it was the time where The Notorious B.I.G. Mobb Deep - The InfamousA pinnacle of East Coast crime rap, this album features deep-in-the-crates beats courtesy of Havoc and unsettling lyrics from a young Prodigy. Gang Starr - Hard to EarnHard to Earn was a clean break from Gang Starr's previous albums: it was harsher, it was more claustrophobic, and it hinted at the duo's frustration with the rap scene. It embodied snapshots of his character: the celebratory ("No More Pain"), the sentimental ("Life Goes On"), the occasional wordsmith ("Got My Mind Up), and the vitriolic ("Can't C Me").