After N.W.A. busted onto the scene with viscous rhymes and attitude, the 90s would eventually come to be known as the legendary venue for the most dynamic, artistic and raw age of the genre's lifetime. There have been artists and groups like Tupac, Biggie Smalls, A Tribe Called Quest, Mobb Deep, Nas; the list goes on and on. The blend of styles, genres, community fellowship and aesthetics transformed the musical form into a cultural medley. Deeply rooted in the east and west coasts, namely New York and California, the natural polar competition that arose brought out the best of artists and birthed an era of awe that to this day is greatly appreciated and commemorated by not only the fanatic listeners, but also by current rap artists and musicians in general. An attempt to dissect the famed decade, in order to dub the best dozen of what it contributed, is a task requiring research, deep listening, artistic evaluation and a true love for the expressive form known as hip hop.

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10. N.W.A. 'Straight Outta Compton'

When this song comes on the radio, you pause, take a look at all of your friends, who are also silent, take in the familiar beat and then spit the lyrics as if you wrote it. N.W.A. played a huge part in introducing "gangster rap" onto the scene. They also gave listeners insight as to what it was like living in dangerous cities riddled with oppressive police and gang violence.


Video from Youtube, ThaRuthlessVillian

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9. Snoop Dogg 'Who Am I(What's My Name)'

When Snoop Dogg came onto the scene after signing with Death Row Records, hopheads were hypnotized by his smooth and relaxed delivery that was effortlessly blended with funky Cali-concocted beats. Doggystyle, the album this song is on, reached the top spot on Billboard 200 in 1993.


Video from westcoastlord

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8. Xzibit 'Paparazzi'

Yes, Xzibit isn't typically one of the most discussed names when it comes to hip hop. When I first listened to his At the Speed of Life album, I was shocked. It's good; real and raw. Do not ever consider Xzibit as just the host of that 'Pimp My Ride' show. Listen for yourself.

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7. A Tribe Called Quest 'Scenario'

A Tribe Called Quest is a rap group from Queens, N.Y that dominated the funk rap scene. Riddled with groovy beats and chill rhymes, this group is considered part of classic hip hop by listeners today. This song is impossible to ignore if you know the words. The simple, yet catchy rhymes that Tribe delivered created tunes that you'd always feel the urge to freestyle to your friend at the most random of times. 'Scenario' was also included on TIME's All-TIME 100 Songs.


Video from MyMusicPower

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6. Nas 'Represent'

What can one say about Nasir Jones? He is still a great influence in hip hop today. It all started back in 1994, with his release of Illmatic. Illmatic was Nas' first album that launched him into the rap game with a head start. Many consider the classic to be the most influential rap album ever. Some consider it to be the best thing in hip hop, period. It is pure, untainted, uncut, real rap. Listening to Nas rap is like watching a magic show; You know there's no true sorcery going on but you still watch awed, wondering how it's possible.


Video from myclef9

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5. Wu-Tang Clan 'Protect Ya Neck'

If you've been adequately informed, you know Wu-Tang Clan is nothing to (mess) with. The nine-man crew took the east coast rap scene by storm with their 1993 release, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Even that many rooms aren't enough to store the style and flow of the posse. Flowing together seamlessly, they delivered hit after hit including this still popular 'Protect Ya Neck'. Wu-Tang is currently working on a new album, titled A Better Tomorrow.


Video from WuTangClanVEVO

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4. Mobb Deep 'Shook Ones Pt. II'

The thug duo from Queens, N.Y, consisting of rappers Prodigy and Havoc, shook up the east coast rap scene when they introduced raw insight of their ruthless lives of gangs, drugs and the struggle in the streets of their city. This song is from their second and most praised album, The Infamous. The beat is perfect: it audibly portrays the atmosphere of the gritty streets the duo and their crew ran wild in. Of course, the punchy, hard lyrics are what fans of the Mobb fell in love with. Mobb Deep's music rose up to challenge the groovy jazz funk rap, the kind Tribe Called Quest produced, that the east coast harbored for years and introduced a new thug, hardcore genre of hip hop.


Video from Schmoovnyz

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3. Tupac 'Holla At Me'

Tupac Amaru Shakur. We all know the name. Generations to come will continue to commemorate the work of this artist and humanitarian. Plenty of other songs by the lyrical master can take this spot; 'Ambitionz As a Rider', 'No More Pain', 'Shorty Wanna Be A Thug', 'CHANGES', 'Only God Can Judge Me', 'All Eyez On Me' and I could go on. Tupac's delivery always came at his listeners like a drill sergeant preaching his passion. Sadly, he was shot and killed in Las Vegas in 1996. The loss was so devastating that some couldn't cope. A conspiracy theory took root, detailing how the rapper faked his death and took a permanent vacation to Cuba or Jamaica. These conspiracies are fueled by a botched autopsy and coronary and also the posthumously released albums that sounded too relevant to have been recorded prior.


Video from -Sur_Side-

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2. Nas 'N.Y. State of Mind'

This is THE song. This song is hip hop. It contains a plethora of visualized tales told through a slue of rhymes that roll so smoothly off the tongue that any listener would swear that Nas never took a breath. This song is also off the hip hop bible, Illmatic. 'N.Y. State of Mind' was ranked on Rolling Stone's 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time.

As Complex Music reports, Nas wrote the whole thing in the studio as DJ Premier threw the beat together. Nas entered the booth like a king taking his throne. DJ Premier signaled to Nas 'three, two, one' and the lyrical miracle commenced. About four and a half minutes later, as the gates of hip hop heaven slowly drifted closed, Nas looked to the DJ and asked, "How was that? Did that sound alright?" It was recorded in one take.


Video from a1a3r199

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1. The Notorious B.I.G. 'Suicidal Thoughts'

'Suicidal Thoughts' is from Biggie's debut, trailblazing album, Ready To Die, released on Sept. 13, 1994. It reached No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart. This record is a work of art. It is a story book. From the title, to the progression of funky rhymes to serious tales of the dark reality of life's stresses, to the final chapter where it all ends, with Big's "suicidal thoughts".

The song plays out like a scene from an independent film. You first hear the sound of someone dialing a phone before it begins ringing. Biggie is calling one of his close friends. The eerie beat slowly floods in. The phone is answered with the recipient flustered. It is clear something is not right. It seems something bad is about to happen. The friend asks what is wrong, and Biggie confesses his towering demons. His friend continues to try and calm him down but is met with failure until there is no longer anything he can do. Whether it be your first listen or your hundredth, the last thirty or forty seconds will always leave you chilled and dumbfounded. This is the best song of hip hop, ever.


Video from jugg07

Biggie Smalls, or Christopher Wallace, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997. Sixteen days later, his second album, oddly titled Life After Death, was released and reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2000, it became one of the few hip-hop albums to be certified Diamond.