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![]() He found that boost in OutKast, who helped turn “Street Talkin’” into a street-ready anthem that instantly introduced OutKast’s young audience to the legendary smooth-talking rhymes of Slick Rick.Ĭlick to load video 98: Heltah Skeltah – Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka (1995) 99: Slick Rick – Street Talkin’ (1999)īy 1999, Slick Rick was 15 years into his lauded career, looking for a final boost for his final LP, The Art of Storytelling. Easily one of the best hip hop songs of the 90s. The song utilizes an excellent sample from Judy Clay and William Bell’s 1968 hit “Private Number,” with a guitar line that effortlessly highlights Rappin’ 4-Tay’s silk voice, equal parts mysterious and confident. “Playaz Club” emerged as a g-funk classic, the sort of song that was an immediate appeal but also appeared on compilations collecting West Coast classics long past its release date in the 90s. The WhoRidas proved that, well, shot callin’ and big ballin’ wasn’t only for the disciples of Dre’s teachings. On the West Coast, they became massive after the release of “Shot Callin’ & Big Ballin’,” which was a far cry from the g-funk dominated radio that had come in the wake of Dr. ![]() The WhoRidas were Oakland staples, but they found a home on the prosperous LA label, Delicious Vinyl. 101: The WhoRidas – Shot Callin’ & Big Ballin’ (1997) “Tap The Bottle” is a boisterous drinking anthem, buoyed by a chanted chorus and an infectious organ sample proof that all kids should be allowed to have this much fun. It was an obvious – though plenty powerful – statement on the way Black kids were treated in the United States, and the way mainstream society viewed rappers. Young Black Teenagers released an album in 1993 called Dead Enz Kidz Doin’ Lifetime Bidz. ![]() GloRilla, Fridayy, Pi’erre Bourne, And More Top XXL Freshman Listġ02: Young Black Teenagers – Tap The Bottle (1993).Stormzy Recruits Fredo For New Song ‘Toxic Trait’.Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah, And More Among 2023 Kennedy Center Honorees.Now, journey with us as we revisit the best songs from our favorite decade. We compiled them into one mega list, ranked them all and created the list below.Īnd we’ve even created a playlist, check it out here. To compile this list, each panelist nominated their 30 favorite songs from the years 1990-1999. She does big tings outchea.Īnd of course, the slayer of sloppy stans and the reviewer your favorite artist hates, yours truly, Edward T. God-is Rivera, global director of culture & community for Twitter, yes, THE Twitter. ![]() Troy Smith, entertainment reporter for and host of CLE Rocks podcast Veteran reporter and 90s hip-hop expert Maisy Draper Make sure you check out his youtube channel, it’s dope. Hip-hop reviewer Luke James, the only reviewer you should trust besides me. Once again, I’m joined by fellow music stans from the Soul In Stereo Cypher on Facebook, where we debate these topics 24 hours a day. But these are the songs that meant the most to me and our panelists. Clearly, we could have made a list of 500 sounds and still left out some incredible music. Today we’re going to embark on the impossible task of ranking the 100 best songs of that decade. Sure, that era didn’t have the financial or mainstream success that rap enjoys today, but make no mistake – today’s hitmakers are standing on the foundation laid in that special decade. The array of sounds, legends being made seemingly on a monthly basis, regions rising up to tell the stories of their communities, dynamic producers pushing the boundaries of sound – it was a magical time. Just take a stroll through hip-hop Twitter – you’ll get 5,000 different voices with 10,000 different opinions.įor my money, though, the 1990s were the most transformative years in hip-hop history.
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