What do I absolutely have to include on a 1990s hip-hop CD?

June 8, 2009 11:06 AM

MusicFilter: Making a CD of awesomely catchy 90s-00s hip-hop/rap music.

I'm driving with friends from Idaho to Wisconsin and needless to say, we're going to need hundreds of CDs to keep things interesting. I want to make a CD of ridiculous and well-known music from the late 80s to early 00s with songs that make people say "WHATTTT I HAVEN'T HEARD THIS SONG IN FOREVER! TURN IT UP!"
What do you suggest?

posted by allymusiqua to grab bag (41 answers total)

We recently heard Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison a couple weeks ago and it was a HUGELY funny. But that might just be us?
posted by heavenstobetsy at 11:16 AM on June 8, 2009

MC Breed - Ain't No Future In Your Frontin
posted by mattbucher at 11:18 AM on June 8, 2009

now that we found love - heavy d and the boys
hypnotize - BIG
poison - bel biv devoe
humpty dance - humpty hump and the digital underground
this is how we do it - montell jordan
pussy control - prince
motown philly - boyz 2 men
no loot - tony toni tone
lets talk about sex - salt n peppa

and a million others i cant think of.... enjoy the drive.
posted by chasles at 11:21 AM on June 8, 2009

Sorry, here is a link.
posted by heavenstobetsy at 11:22 AM on June 8, 2009

The Pharcyde, "Oh Shit."
posted by adipocere at 11:22 AM on June 8, 2009

Ridiculous and well-known, eh?

Skee Lo - I Wish
Coolio - Fantastic Voyage
Paperboy - The Ditty
TLC - Ain't Too Proud To Beg
Naughty By Nature - O.P.P.
3rd Bass - Pop Goes the Weasel

Those all spring to mind instantly. I'm sure there are scores of others.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:26 AM on June 8, 2009

A vote for "I Got A Man" by Positive K
"Bust a Move" by Young MC
If you can stand it, maybe a little Kriss Kross? Depends on your tolerance level.
"Fight the Power" by Public Enemy as well as "Can't Do Nuttin' For You Man"
posted by Atom12 at 11:28 AM on June 8, 2009

Del tha Funkee Homosapien "Mr. Dobalina"
posted by Atom12 at 11:28 AM on June 8, 2009

ooooh so many good ones,

also MC 9000 foot jesus - if i only had a brain
posted by chasles at 11:33 AM on June 8, 2009

And how could I forget "Whoomp! There It Is"
"Tootsie Roll"
"The Power" by Snap
Snoop's "Gin & Juice" (the country version by the Gourds is well worth seeking out too)
Hammer's "Can't Touch This"

This is bringing back painful memories of Chess King. I've gotta stop now.
posted by Atom12 at 11:34 AM on June 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

Atom12 has the right idea

Don't forget Kidd and Play, anything will do.
Anything by L.L. Cool J is a good call
Digital Underground's "Sex Packets" is a classic

i need to think of some more - My wife has a playlist of about 120 songs that meet this criteria, and it's AWESOME.
posted by MysticMCJ at 11:37 AM on June 8, 2009

The track list to Rhino Records' Millenium Hip-Hop Party is a good place to start:

1. White Lines (Don't Don't Do It) - Grandmaster Flash, Grandmaster Melle Mel,
2. Walk This Way - Run-D.M.C.,
3. Funky Cold Medina - Tone-Loc,
4. Humpty Dance - Digital Underground
5. Bust a Move - Young MC
6. It Takes Two - Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
7. U Can't Touch This - MC Hammer
8. Parents Just Don't Understand - DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
9. Around the Way Girl - LL Cool J
10. Set Adrift on Memory Bliss - P.M. Dawn
11. Tennessee - Arrested Development
12. Now That We Found Love - Heavy D & the Boyz
13. Good Vibrations - Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
14. Baby Got Back - Sir Mix-A-Lot
15. Jump Around - House of Pain
16. Hip Hop Hooray - Naughty by Nature
17. Who Am I (What's My Name)? - Snoop Dogg
18. Nuthin' But a "G" Thang - Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg,

Looks like they made a follow-up too:

1. Wild Thing - Tone-Loc
2. You Be Illin' - Run-D.M.C.
3. Mentirosa - Mellow Man Ace
4. Me, Myself and I - De La Soul
5. Message - Duke Bootee, Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel & the Furious 5
6. Pray - MC Hammer
7. Ditty - Paperboy
8. O.P.P. - Naughty by Nature
9. Joy and Pain - Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, E-Z Rock
10. Scenario - A Tribe Called Quest
11. Method Man - Wu-Tang Clan
12. Gangsta's Paradise - Coolio, L.V.
13. Juicy - The Notorious B.I.G.
14. Back to the Hotel - N2Deep
15. (I Know I Got) Skillz - Shaquille O'Neal
16. People Everyday [Metamorphosis Mix] - Arrested Development
17. Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
18. Informer - Snow
posted by Who_Am_I at 11:37 AM on June 8, 2009

Black Sheep, "The Choice Is Yours"
Nice & Smooth, "Funky For You"
Eric B. & Rakim, "Juice (Know The Ledge)"
CPO, "Ballad Of A Menace"
BDP, "You Must Learn"
Marley Marl, "The Symphony"
Big Daddy Kane, "Raw" (or "Ain't No Half Steppin")
Brand Nubian, "Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down"
D-Nice, "99 to Life"
Redman, "Blow Your Mind" (or "Time for Some Akshun")
EPMD, "So What You Sayin" (or "Strictly Business", or "Crossover")
Ice-T "You Played Yourself" (or "New Jack Hustler")
etc..
posted by brandman at 11:37 AM on June 8, 2009 [2 favorites]

'Time for Some Akshun' is okay (and it was used in one of my favorite Simpsons episodes), but the definitive Redman song is 'How to Roll a Blunt.'
posted by box at 11:42 AM on June 8, 2009

Kwame - "The Man We All Know and Love"
Black Sheep - "Flavor of the Month" and "The Choice is Yours"
posted by candyland at 11:44 AM on June 8, 2009

Coolio - Fantastic Voyage

Although this is arguably his best song, for a cheesy mix of popular 90s hip hop songs I would probably go with Gangsta's Paradise. I think there was some sort of law back in 1995 where MTV and every radio station had to play that video/song once every ten minutes until we all wished Coolio would die in a fiery plane crash.
posted by burnmp3s at 11:45 AM on June 8, 2009

Outkast - "Hey Ya"
posted by Night_owl at 11:49 AM on June 8, 2009

Yeah, burnmp3s, I just thought Fantastic Voyage was a peppier, more fun road-trip song.

And now that I've discussed the relative merits of Coolio tracks, I'm going to go soak my head in a barrel of bleach.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:51 AM on June 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

No one's going to say it, so I will. Vanilla Ice=Hilarious. Salt 'n' Peppa's Express Yourself is also imminently singable.
posted by B-squared at 12:02 PM on June 8, 2009

De La Soul: Three ft High and Rising 1989

De La Soul: De La Soul is Dead 1991
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 12:03 PM on June 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

"Rebirth of Slick" by Digable Planets
posted by scarykarrey at 12:19 PM on June 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

Nice & Smooth - "Sometimes I Rhyme Slow"
posted by mad bomber what bombs at midnight at 12:27 PM on June 8, 2009

Monster Booty has a few must-plays. My favorite is Mad Cobra - Flex. Smoove.

Also, my Salt-n-Pepa choice is Shoop.
posted by Metroid Baby at 12:43 PM on June 8, 2009

Can't stop myself.

If you're going to go with Ice T I'd opt for "Colors" or "New Jack Hustler."
LL Cool J: "Mama Said Knock You Out" and "Goin' Back to Cali"
Ice Cube: "Today Was a Good Day" (is that the right title?)
Warren G "Regulate"
Dr. Dre "Nothing But a G Thing"
"Mind Playing Tricks on Me" Geto Boys
"Act a Fool" King T
"Bitch Betta Have My Money" AMG
"Left My Wallet in El Segundo" Tribe Called Quest
posted by Atom12 at 1:07 PM on June 8, 2009

Technically it was '89, but you still have to put My Hooptie (Sir Mixalot) on there.

Das Efx - They want EFX
Also, Cypress Hill - How I Could Just Kill a Man & Hand on the Pump.
LA LA LA LA, LA-LA-LA-LAAAAAAA!

Ah, good times.
posted by furious at 1:41 PM on June 8, 2009

Souls of Mischief - 93 Til Infinity
Luniz - I Got 5 On It
Poor Righteous Teachers - Rock Dis Funky Joint
Lady of Rage - Afro Puffs
Mobb Deep - Shook Ones part II
posted by furious at 1:50 PM on June 8, 2009

Special Ed, "I'm The Magnificent" (or "The Mission")
Paris, "Scarface Groove"
Da Lench Mob, "Guerrillas In The Mist"
Too Short, "The Ghetto"
Kool G Rap, "Streets of New York"
DJ Quik, "Born & Raised In Compton"
MC Eiht, "Straight Up Menace"
K Solo, "The Fugitive" (or "Spellbound")
posted by brandman at 2:17 PM on June 8, 2009

Jurassic 5 - Concrete Schoolyard
posted by jonnyploy at 2:45 PM on June 8, 2009

If you're open to remixes, check RMXXOLOGY - some really great revisions to the past.

And you may want to extend your CDs with b-side material. Check the related albums, and you can fill the hours with great music.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:03 PM on June 8, 2009

No Biz Markie yet? OP is looking for ridiculous and no Biz? Go with Biz Markie's "The Vapors" or "Just a Friend" if you're looking for the top 40 stuff.

Here are other well-known, fun tracks from the early era that are missing from the list so far:

Run DMC - It's Tricky
Public Enemy - 911 is a Joke
NWA - Fuck Tha Police (yeah, bad language, but everyone knows it)
D.O.C. - It's Funky Enough
EPMD - Strictly Business (you know this song enough if you think you don't)
Beastie Boys - Hey Ladies (or anything from Licensed to Ill, if you're feeling really immature)
Slick Rick - Children's Story

More to come...
posted by hiteleven at 6:56 PM on June 8, 2009

More golden age hip-hop coming your way...

Eric B. & Rakim - Microphone Fiend
Eazy E - Eazy-er Said Than Done (radio single, so content is toned down...more or less)
Kool G Rap and D.J. Polo - Road to the Riches (a touch more obscure, but a killer track)

That's it for non-pop hip hop that I can think of at the moment. If you want the top-40 dance stuff, make sure you get (as already noted by previous posters) It Takes Two, U Can't Touch This, and O.P.P. If nostalgia really trumps quality, make sure to nab some C & C Music Factory. Also Snap!'s Mary Had A Little Boy had its day in the sun back then.
posted by hiteleven at 7:03 PM on June 8, 2009

Nas - Life's a Bitch
Jungle Brothers - What "U" Waitin' 4?
Guru - No Time to Play
Gang Starr - Just To Get A Rep
Tha Alkaholiks - Make Room
Fu-Schnickens - La Schmoove
Gravediggaz
UMC's - One to Grow On
Common Sense - I Used to Love H.E.R.
Lords of the Underground - Funky Child
The Fugees - Fu-Gee-La
Dream Warriors - My Definition Of A Boombastic Jazz Style
posted by hydrophonic at 10:18 PM on June 8, 2009

Souls of Mischief - Let 'Em Know
Del Tha Funky Homosapien - Catch A Bad One
OutKast - Player's ball
OutKast - Crumblin' erb
posted by lmm at 10:34 PM on June 8, 2009

You've got the Beastie Boys covered, right?
Soul II Soul - 'Back To Life'
Lucas - 'Lucas With The Lid Off'
Definitely A Tribe Called Quest - 'Scenario'
Technotronic - 'Pump Up The Jams'
The Fugees?
posted by Mael Oui at 11:56 PM on June 8, 2009

Notorious B.I.G. - Notorious Thugs
Outkast - Rosa Parks / Bombs Over Baghdad
Nas - Hate Me Now
Too Short - Cocktales / Gettin' It
BlackStreet - No Diggity
Ginuwine - Pony
Lil' Troy - Wanna Be A Baller
Atmosphere - Always Coning Back Home To You
2Pac - California Love
Salt'n Pepa - Pust It
posted by clearly at 6:15 AM on June 9, 2009

I made 2 similar CDs recently, one working backwards in time by year & one going forwards. MeMail me if you want copies and/or tracklists.
posted by knile at 1:04 PM on June 9, 2009

You might check out the year-by-year hip-hop history mixes that The Rub djs have been doing, too, for some good ideas.
posted by box at 1:11 PM on June 9, 2009

Also:
Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz - Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)
A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It?
Nas - Oochie Wally
Wyclef - Gone Til November
Pras, ODB, Mya etc - Ghetto Superstar

On preview, seconding box's suggestion of The Rub. You can even just download a full year and groove with that for hours, obviating your need for a mix! I'm fond of 1995.
posted by knile at 1:14 PM on June 9, 2009

gotta throw in there Low Profile "Pay ya dues"..
Rob Base.. It takes 2
LL "I'm bad"
De LA - Potholes in my lawn.. plug tunin'
JJ Fad.. Supersonic
X-Clan .. the whole album!!
Poor righteous teachers "rock dis funky jooint"

so many more.. the 80/90's was the funnest time to be a kid.. ;)
posted by 0217174 at 4:26 PM on June 9, 2009

Adina Howard - Freak Like Me
Ol' Dirty Bastard - Got Your Money
Juvenile - Back That Thang Up
Cypress Hill - Insane in the Membrane

If you're not dead-set on making your own mix CDs, you could have fun with Girl Talk's albums. I'm only familiar with Night Ripper and Feed the Animals. They're great for "Is that...? AWESOME!" moments.

I'm not sure that all of the ones people have suggested count as "well-known". allymusiqua, can you weigh in with some best answers/guidance?
posted by knile at 7:22 AM on June 10, 2009

Afrika Bambaataa & Soul Sonic - Planet Rock

Curtis Blow - The Breaks

KMD Popcorn

DJ Chuck Chillout & Kool Chip - I'm Large

Slick Rick - Children's Story

Eric B. & Rakim - Microphone Fiend

Mr T. - Treat Your Mama Right

Fat Boys - Wipeout

MC Shy-D - Shake It

Ultramagnetic MC's - Poppa Large
posted by cinemafiend at 8:03 AM on June 25, 2009