Unapologetically powerful and supremely skilled, Rage proved that a woman’s place was right in the thick of the rap game. Her debut single “Afro Puffs” stamped her mark on the decade, with her ferocious delivery and intricate wordplay standing toe-to-toe with her male counterparts. From Virginia to the West Coast, Rage cut her teeth with the Death Row Records crew.
Representing for the ladies in the testosterone-heavy landscape of ’90s hip-hop, The Lady of Rage came through with bars that were as fierce as they were unforgettable. From West Coast legends like Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg to New York lyricists Nas and Biggie and Down South icons OutKast and Juvenile, here are the top 50 best ’90s rappers. Their larger-than-life personalities, coupled with their extraordinary output, inspired not just their peers, but the generations of rappers who followed. The decade also witnessed the rise and tragic fall of two of rap’s most iconic figures: The Notorious B.I.G. Scarface and Ice Cube, meanwhile, delivered street-wise tales from the South and West respectively, their deep, insightful lyrics creating a bridge between the struggles of the inner-city streets and the mainstream audience.Īt the same time, Nas burst onto the scene with a level of lyricism that was wise beyond his years, painting cinematic portraits of Queensbridge life with his debut, Illmatic. Redman, with his off-kilter humor and intricate lyricism, kept the East Coast’s raw, gritty sound alive and well. The ’90s also gave us Snoop Dogg, the crown prince of G-funk, whose laid-back flow and gangsta tales became the West Coast’s trademark. Then there was Andre 3000, whose eccentric lyricism and forward-thinking creativity with OutKast put the South on the map, crafting timeless albums that were as surreal as they were brilliant. Or Jay-Z, a Brooklyn hustler-turned-MC whose complex wordplay and intricate storytelling paved the way for a dynasty. From the West Coast’s G-funk to the East Coast’s boom-bap, and the South’s distinctive Dirty South sound, the ’90s was an epoch of regional sounds, diverse styles, and lyrical dynamism.Ĭonsider, for example, the way Lauryn Hill blended rap, R&B, and neo-soul, her lyrics imbued with heartfelt emotionality and poignant social commentary. While comparisons with Kanye West are justified in parts, it’s mainly because Desire is the first hip-hop record in recent years that can actually stand up to The College Dropout, in other words it is a near-masterpiece.The 1990s, often hailed as the golden era of hip-hop, saw an explosion of rapping and production talent that revolutionized the culture. The album ends with the eerie ''Trilogy'', which highlights Pharoahe Monch's strength in story-telling and the cinematic angle of the whole album. He hits gentler notes with slow-tempo tracks ''Bar Trap'', ''Hold On'' featuring Erykah Badu (the only big name guest on this album) and ''So Good''. If this fun number gets people to pick up this album then good, but there are better tracks. The mood changes with the single ‘'Body Baby’', the most radio-friendly track (which comes complete with an Outkast-style video with Pharoahe dressed like Elvis). The claustrophobic '’When the Gun Draws’' tackles gun crime, once again backing up claims that Monch can be one of hip-hop's most provocative and outspoken lyricists. The title track highlights Pharoahe’s soulful vibe, '’Push’' has a gospel slant, '’Welcome to the Terrordome’’ is Public Enemy-influenced and '’Let's Go'’ has a big sound matched with old skool scratching. There’s so much to this album in terms of influences. Most of the first half of the album has a big and boombastic sound. Label issues are partly to blame for the wait (he’s no longer with Rawkus) but you can't help but think that Pharoahe Monch is a perfectionist and wanted to come back with an album that was a statement (including the cover which shows his face covered in bandages like a mummy).ĭesire is not one for background listening - you get drawn in from the start. The New Yorker is regarded as one of hip-hop's most powerful and technically skilled MCs and this album has definitely been long-awaited. He had released three critically-acclaimed albums before then as part of the Organized Konfusion but Desire is only his second solo album. It's been 8 years since Pharoahe Monch's first album, Internal Affairs, which included the massive single ‘'Simon Says’'.
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