1. Method Man – Wu Tang Clan – From the Wu Tang Clan emerged Method Man. He was the obvious leading persona of the group, with a deadly flow and charisma to match. This song is ALL him, and instantly established him as the go-to guy for the Wu, as he started making guest appearances on everybody’s songs and remixes in the mid-90s. . . like Lil Wayne today.
WARNING: The beginning of this track starts with a grotesque game they play, called “Torture.” Don’t listen to it around kids or parents. LOL!
2. Electric Relaxation – A Tribe Called Quest – Definitely in my Top 5 favorite hip hop songs of all time. It is a breath of fresh air, amidst all of the gangsta talk of this period in time. Phife and Q-Tip just rhyme and dote over some cute honeys. It is simple and catchy. One of 2 hip hop songs to which I know all of the lyrics. LOL!
3. The World Is Yours – Nas – My favorite solo rapper! This song is off of his first album, Illmatic, which is considered by many to be THE best hip hop album of all time. This song is an inspiration. One of my motivators, when I was in college.
4. Juicy –Notorious B.I.G. – 1994 was a major year for hip-hop! First Nas, then Biggie comes onto the scene and drops his debut album—another classic (Ready to Die). “Juicy” was his first single. It was an instant smash hit. The song is a danceable autobiography of Biggie’s rags-to-riches come-up. A fitting celebration! Unfortunately, Biggie later grew in fame because of his beef with 2Pac, which resulted in the death of both artists.
5. Mass Appeal – Gang Starr –Wow! Little did I know that in the middle of this project, another hip-hop legend would pass on from this Earth. Guru, the voice of Gang Starr, passed on April 19, 2010, from a battle with a cancer. He is undoubtedly a legend, being credited with starting the hip-hop/jazz fusion movement that began in the early 90s. He was a wise and talented soul whose contributions are endless. His former DJ, Premier, and him did not end on the best terms, but in their hayday, they were unstoppable. Premier is still considered to be the hottest hip-hop beat-maker/producer ever. His beats are steeped in the essence of real hip-hop. This song is 1 of my favorites from the Gang Starr repertoire. The beat is the best. R.I.P. GURU!
6. Fat Cats, Bigga Fish – The Coup – Though this song is not considered a classic by the mainstream, I think it is pure genius. The Coup is an outspoken West Coast group whose lyrics often reflect the common people versus the government. This song is an extensive story, full of details, wit, and profundity. The story follows a young, common street hustler who makes a couple quick hustles on the street, including charming a fast-food cashier into some free food. While enjoying his food, his cousin emerges from a building, dressed as in a tux. His cousin informs him that he is working as a waiter at a party taking place inside the building, full of very rich, important people. The young hustler gets the idea to trade clothes with the cousin, to get inside disguised as a waiter so he can pickpocket some of these rich people. Well, he gets inside and starts to listen to the conversations between these powerful politicians and businessmen, and their intentions to knock down projects, and gentrify, etc. The realization comes to the hustler that he is actually the one that has been getting hustled all along. It’s a really cool song. Not a lot of people probably even think about this song anymore, but it definitely left an impression on me.
7. Bring the Pain – Method Man – Wasn’t long after the Wu Tang album dropped that Method Man dropped the first of the Wu solo projects. Though I am a fan of this album, Tical, many thought it was considerably lackluster. No one can deny that this song is great! The best Method Man song of all time, and his first single.
8. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik – Outkast – This is the group that put Atlanta on the hip-hop map! These 2 guys are definitely legends nowadays. This song was their 2nd single from their first album. Besides having a great title, the song is very catchy with its sing-songy hook that could very well get stuck in your head for a full day.
9. Git Up, Git Out – Outkast – From the same album came this little gem—a wake-up call to the people, as it were.
10. Regulate – Warren G. & Nate Dogg – From the West Coast came Dr. Dre’s little step-brother, Warren, who followed in Dre’s footsteps with the beat-making and rhyming combination under his belt. As what was becoming characteristic of the West Coast style, Warren’s rhyming took on a very mellow tone, even while rhyming about the most criminal activities. This song pairs Warren with the Death Row vocalist, Nate Dogg, who brought “gangsta” to R&B. This song was a major hit for both involved. It is from the “Above the Rim” soundtrack, a film which featured 2Pac.
11. So Whatcha Gone Do Now? – Public Enemy – My favorites re-emerged in 1994 with one of their final “good” albums, Muse Sick N Hour Mess Age. This song held the rap community accountable for the direction that it had chosen. In a market beginning to be saturated by fake gangsters and thugs who rapped, Chuck D had to pull off the belt and deliver some punishment.
12. MVP – Big L – Unfortunately, Big L passed before ever achieving his full potential. He was shot in 1999, before the release of his 2nd album. However, he is one of the most skilled –and scariest—lyricists that has ever existed. There was a darkness to his existence and it came out in many of his songs. This song is probably one of his safer tracks. It was his first single, and an introduction to the world. In his early years in the rap game, he often appeared with Jay-Z at his side. His skill often left Jay-Z in his shadow.
13. MCs Act Like They Don’t Know – KRS-One – The legend that Paige loves to hate. LOL! KRS is the self-appointed teacher and torch-bearer of hip-hop. A profound mind and lyricist himself, he has been churning out mind-blowers since the late 80s, when he was with the rap group, Boogie Down Productions. He is also a skilled battle MC who has ended several careers and had some legendary battles. This song was one of this singles from his first solo album. It’s a classic hit which stays true to the boastful roots of hip-hop.
14. Ice Cream – Raekwon – Ah, another solo album from a Wu-Tang heavy-hitter! This time Raekwon delivers an undisputed CLASSIC! “Only Built for Cuban Linx” once again let the world know that the Wu Tang Clan was nothing to @#$# with! This time the members took on Italian mafia aliases, and set a trend among all of their peers. This song was pure bliss! A celebration of beautiful women with a hot beat that made the club turnover on its side whenever it was played. People were CRAZY for this song. Still one of the best hip hop dance tracks to date, in my opinion. This song also introduced a new member of the Wu, Cappadonna, who rips this track, but soon after lost steam.
15. The Nod Factor – Skillz – I HAD to show love to the kid who put VA on the map! Originally called “Mad Skillz,” Skillz lives up to his name to the fullest. He is a super-lyricist who has also made his money from ghost-writing for many of hip-hop’s heavy-hitters. This song was his first studio single. As with his entire album, it is full of witty punchlines—it’s what he’s really good at. I was at school in Richmond when this album dropped, so I’d often see Skillz. Richmond is his home town. The city was ablaze during 1995! We were so proud of him and his accomplishments. He still manages to maintain a moderate level of fame in hip-hop with his annual “Rap Up,” where he recaps the year in hilarious rhymes. Plus, he has put out a couple mixtapes and another studio album. Much love to Skillz!
16. Uknowhowedu – Bahamadia – In a male dominated musical genre, came this Philly female with the sultry smooth flow. Her lyrics are tops as well as her flow. She is a heavyhitter who has never quite reached her full glory. Very underrated! This song may be considered to slow for the modern day rap listener, but it was a club banger back in 1995.
17. 4th Chamber – GZA/Genius – Yet ANOTHER solo project from a member of Wu-Tang! The GZA (pronounced “Jizza) did not come with the charisma of fellow Wu members, Method Man or Ghostface, but his lyrics are dense and intelligent. Mind candy. This particular song is a collaboration with fellow Wu members, from GZA’s debut album, “Liquid Swordz,” yet another undisputed CLASSIC!
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