With so much music able to be consumed, it’s hard to know what to listen to at times when you hop onto Spotify. Their algorithm-based playlists sit high up on the home page of the app which are based on your data of what you search for and listen to… The length of songs you like… the genres… the sub-genres… the vibes… the waves… they study your data and then feed you music that people like you listen to. Sometimes the algorithm does well… I mean… It’s data science right? But a lot of times I have songs they’re suggesting and I’m like, nah…. not feeling it… so here’s what I wanted to do for you today… I wanted to just give you a playlist of 10 songs that you should listen to right now. Maybe you know them… Maybe you don’t… But they deserve your attention… And I know Spotify and Apple aren’t feeding you these songs…. Aight… Let’s kick it off with this…
The Click “The S*** That Will F*** with your Brain”
This song has always treated me right. Shout out to The Click… The E-40 and B-Legit combo on the verses play off each other so well and then 40 Water on that chorus is great. That first E-40 verse is crazy with his cadences and overall style… There will never be another E-40. This came out in 1992… E-40 and B-Legit at their finest in my eyes…
Ras Kass “Understandable Smooth”
“Understandable Smooth” was an unreleased song as I believe they didn’t get the sample cleared? Ras Kass had a serious buzz around him for a minute and there was no denying his talent on the mic. But on this track, it made me think he had what it took to be one of the best of the game… This song gave me a whole other vibe. The beat… The passion in Ras Kass’ delivery… This to my ears was perfection… But it never came out… But it sure did buzz in the underground scene… Do people still bump it now? I really hope so… They should…
Dr. Dre “Puffin’ on Blunts and Drankin’ Tanqueray” featuring The Lady of Rage and Tha Dogg Pound
Gotta be a top 5 rap song title right? And that Kurupt verse is really top notch… This was Dr. Dre giving all of the younger and newer cats time to shine and it’s crazy to see how polished The Lady of Rage, Daz, and Kurupt were… Listening to The Chronic and all of the singles dropping with extra tracks and remixes showed you that Dre had beats for days and a roster of emcees ready to murder every track… Don’t sleep on this track any longer… Watch the video…
Nas “Stay Chiseled”
I don’t know when this track was created but do know that this has to be up there with the best songs Nas has ever made… Large Professor on the beat and him and Nasty Nas were a crazy duo… Nas is top 3 easy right? You know he’s still good today right? If you missed this one, you’ll thank me later… Nas with a track that will make you stop what you’re doing and listen.
Heltah Skeltah x OGC aka Fab 5 “Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka”
If you are a fan of posse tracks where each emcee brings heat this is for you… The Boot Camp Clik was too nasty… There roster was long and when you got Black Moon and Smif-N-Wessun on the squad, groups like Heltah Skeltah and OGC aka Originoo Gunn Clappaz had to be hungry… creative… dope… original… each emcee checks these boxes over this production….. You’re not losing with this track if you love great emceeing.
Master P “Playas From Da South” feat. Silkk the Shocker and UGK
Master P, Silkk the Shocker, and UGK back in 1995?? Master P was such a G at getting different rappers together for all of these albums and compilations he was dropping. This track was off the Down South Hustlers, Bouncin’ and Swangin’ album and it didn’t miss… Neither did that album cover which still holds up… Master P, Pimp C, UGK, Silkk the Shocker… Over a crazy beat… That’s all you need to know…
Spice 1 “Face of a Desperate Man”
Spice 1 is one of my favorite rappers of all time. He always showed such amazing range on his tracks and could tell stories, rap different than everybody, kill choruses, and just be able to ride a wave to get listeners to press rewind… This track is one of my favorites from Spice 1. I always loved this beat and Spice 1 slows the flow perfectly and the chorus added in makes this song a great listen in my headphones. Or watching the video too… This track is dope.
Cellski “It’s On”
The whole world should know Cellski… He has one of the best voices and flows you’ve likely never heard. Cellski came up in San Francisco aka The Bay Area back in the mid-90s. He was always just different to me… He comes on a track and you’re like, wow… this kid can spit and the flow is effortless… I need to write a whole article on Cellski at some point but for now let’s press play on his track “It’s On” off of his 1995 album, Mr. Predictor.
2Pac “Neva Had a Friend Like Me”
This song right here??? This is right up there on my list of favorite songs from 2Pac. I still feel like a lot of Pac songs don’t even know this track? So this is me just pushing this track back out into the world. Share it with a homie… Bump it… Vintage Pac.
Jeru the Damaja “God of Rhyming”
Have you heard this? I hadn’t… But it was so dope I just had to include it because new Jeru the Damaja recorded back in the 90s that you didn’t know about? That’s what we’re all here for right? I bet you haven’t heard this song… You need to though…
Royal Flush “Worldwide”
I can’t even tell you how many times I listened to this cassette back in the 90s. That beat just did something for me and Royal Flush painted a picture of NYC at the time. This is the definition of a gem… You know this track? It was played all the time back at underground hip hop shows in the late 90s right alongside East Flatbush Projects “Tried by 12” which should probably on this list as well. Go bump this one right now tho….
Souls of Mischief “Cab Fare”
This might be the best 90s hip hop song ever made that you’ve never heard. And if you do know “Cab Fare” from Souls of Mischief, chances are we would probably be main homies if we ever met each other. I feel this vibe could have been a sub-genre in hip hop during the Mid90s that just would have worked… So smooth… Shout out Hieroglyphics… I see they just dropped a new project… Gotta peep! For the meantime, go bump “Cab Fare” right now.
There are so many good songs that should be played on repeat… Do it enough and these algorithms will see a little wave and start pushing these songs more… who am I kidding… we can’t start an algo wave but we can share good hip hop from the 90s with each other right? Whether it be gangsta rap, boom bap hip hop, or whatever type of hip-hop you listen to, I hope I’m able to share a new track or two you didn’t know about. Share tracks with me too… There’s so much dope ish out there that still needs to be discovered.