J5 5.12 RAP YEARbook '90 - '99
As rap spread across the country in the 1990's, it incorporated local slang and culture into it's sound, style, voice, etc. This helped breathe new life into the music, just as it was beginning to phase out a little in the late 80's. Yeah, it was the Golden Age, but the NYC boom bap needed a little inspiration and it got it from the West, Midwest, and South.
The Rap Yearbook written by Shea Serrano attempts to point out the most important hip hop song of each year. This podcast tracks each of those songs, as well as the rebuttal provided in the book. Additionally, DJ J5 adds in his personal choice for song of the year as well as independent releases that are strong considerations. Enjoy the tour!
J5 5.12 PLAYLIST:
1990
Bonita Applebum - Tribe Called Quest
Around the Way Girl - LL Cool J
Can I Kick It? - A Tribe Called Quest
Humpty Dance - Digital Underground
1991
Minds Playin' Tricks On Me - Geto Boys
Check the Rhime - A Tribe Called Quest
Cypress Hill - How I Could Just Kill A Man
1992
Nuthin' But A G Thang - Dr. Dre
So Whatcha' Want - Beastie Boys
The Choice is Yours - Black Sheep
Mic Checka - Das EFX
Sound of the Police - KRS-ONE
They Reminisce Over You - Pete Rock & CL Smooth
1993
C.R.E.A.M. - Wu-Tang Clan
Passing Me By - Pharcyde
'93 'Til Infinity - Souls of Mischief
Swan Lake - Blackalicious
Buck 'em Down remix - Black Moon
1994
Juicy - Notorious BIG
Thuggish Ruggish Bone - Bone Thugs N Harmony
Outkast - Player's Ball
I Used to Love H.E.R. - Common
Nappy Heads remix - Fugees
Fat Cats, Bigga Fish - The Coup
Building Steam With a Grain of Salt - DJ Shadow
1995
Dear Mama - Tupac
Shook Ones Pt. II - Mobb Deep
Shook Ones Pt. I - Mobb Deep
Runnin' - Pharcyde
Cell Therapy - Goodie Mob
Inner City Boundaries - Freestyle Fellowship
1996
CA Love - Tupac with Dr. Dre
Tha Crossroads - Bone Thugs N Harmony
Tried by 12 - East Flatbush Project
Danger - Blahzay Blahzay
Woo-Hah! - Busta Rhymes
1997
Can't Nobody Hold Me Down - Puff Daddy with Mase
The Rain - Missy Elliot
Mo Money, Mo Problems - Notorious BIG
8 Steps to Perfect - Company Flow
The Look of Love - Jay-Dee
1998
Ruff Ryder's Anthem - DMX
Ha - Juvenile
Doo Wop - Lauryn Hill
Definition - Black Star
1999
My Name is - Eminem
Who Dat - JT Money
Whenimondamic - Lootpack
Who Do You Think I Am? - MF DOOM
Doomsday instrumental - MF DOOM
