The 25 most important hip hop albums from the '90s

In the late ‘80s, Ice Cube joined hip-hop group N.W.A. alongside Eazy-E and Dr. Dre. However, he left the group after releasing its first album and debuted his solo project “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted” in 1990. With such a striking album title, Ice Cube focused on content that was seen in everyday life such as racism, poverty, police brutality and drug addiction.

Hip-hop group Public Enemy rose to fame in the ‘80s, but it’s the third album, “Fear of a Black Planet,” that helped solidify its place in the industry. The politically charged album exuded themes of systemic racism, white supremacy and empowerment. The album featured singles such as “911 is a Joke” and “Fight the Power.”

Dr. Dre first came onto the scene as a member of hip-hop collective N.W.A. However, he departed the group in the early ‘90s over financial disputes and decided to embark on a solo career. His debut album, "The Chronic," is known as one of Dre’s greatest works and features his hit single “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang.”

At the time, gangsta rap was gaining rise thanks to groups like N.W.A., but The Pharcyde wanted to stand out among the pack. The group’s debut album, “Bizarre Ride to the Pharcyde,” showcased a more playful and comedic side to hip-hop, as it used old-school samples from legends such as Quincy Jones, Roy Ayers and Marvin Gaye. The album’s hit single, “Passin’ Me By,” peaked at the top of the Hot Rap Singles chart.

Eric B and Rakim made waves in the '80s, but their final album came in 1992 with “Don’t Sweat the Technique.” The album featured singles like “Casualties of War” and “Know The Ledge.”

Hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan is known for engaging in a more hardcore sound in the industry, especially for the New York region. The group's debut album, “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)," became one of its most critically acclaimed projects with singles like “Protect Ya Neck” and “C.R.E.A.M.”

If there’s any rapper known for constantly evolving his or her sound, Snoop Dogg should be at the top of the list. Dr. Dre first took notice of Snoop when he was working on his debut album, Dre was impressed with Snoop’s sound and decided to produce the rising star’s debut, "Dοggystyle." The album featured inspiration from '70s legends such as Bootsy Collins and George Clinton, which helped Snoop establish his G-funk sound.

Q-Tip, Phife Dawg and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, also known as A Tribe Called Quest, first formed in the ‘80s. Although the trio's second album, "The Low End Theory," received praise from music critics, it was the group’s third album, "Midnight Marauders," that pushed the socially conscious sound to a new level. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts with singles like “Award Tour” and “Electric Relaxation.”

Hip-hop group Souls of Mischief was adamant about not following the rise of West Coast gangsta rap. The Oakland, California natives helped highlight the gems of indie and underground rap. Their debut album, “93 'Til Infinity,” featured a lot of funk and jazz melodies to tell their stories.

Cypress Hill is a group that was never afraid to show its appreciation for stoner culture. It was evident on the sophomore album, "Black Sunday," thanks to its hit single "Insane in the Brain." The song's heavy metal sound helped the group appeal to not only hip-hop fans, but it also crossed over to rock aficionados as well, helping the album peak at No. 1 on both the Top R&B/Hip-Hop and Billboard 200 charts. 

The debut album from New York rapper Nas is known as one of the greatest albums of all time — a project that many folks deem his best, with production from DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Q-Tip. "Illmatic" helped establish Nas as one of the industry’s most poetic MCs thanks to singles like “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” and “The World Is Yours.”

In the early ‘90s, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was a producer and A&R at Uptown Records, which was impressed with up-and-coming rapper The Notorious B.I.G. and his skills. Diddy helped sign Biggie to his first record deal, and the rapper soon released his debut album, “Ready to Die.” The album featured hit singles such as “Juicy” and “Big Poppa.”

Scarface first came on to the scene as a member of the Houston trio Geto Boys, and his popularity grew as he ventured into solo projects. A lot of his music content centered on death themes, and it was no different on his third album, "The Diary." With singles such as "I Seen a Man Die," the album became a top three hit on the Billboard 200 chart. 

Hip-hop trio Fugees consisted of Wyclef Jean, Pras and Lauryn Hill. The group released its second and final album, "The Score," in 1996, featuring singles like “Killing Me Softly” and “Ready or Not” that helped put them in a higher status commercially. The multiplatinum project went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.

Although one of the founding members of Wu-Tang Clan, like his fellow groupmates, Raekwon ventured into a solo deal. With the help of his groupmates Ghostface Killah and RZA on production, his debut album, “Only Built for Cuban Linx,” debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 charts.

Hip-hop duo Mobb Deep was known for not only representing NY rappers, but also for bringing more of a hardcore flair to its music. The duo's sophomore album, “The Infamous,” encompassed lyricism about living the New York inner city life. The album debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 thanks to singles like “Shook Ones Pt. II” and “Survival of the Fittest.”

West Coast rapper Tupac was making a name for himself as he released his fourth studio album, “All Eyez on Me,” in 1996. The project was widely recognized as the first double-length album in hip-hop history, sparking singles like “California Love," “How Do U Want It” and “I Ain’t Mad at Cha.”

Lil' Kim first came on to the scene in 1995 as a member of the collective Junior M.A.F.I.A. However, she wanted to break off into a solo career and called on The Notorious B.I.G. and Sean "Diddy" Combs to help her do it. Her solo debut, “Hard Core,” was a multiplatinum success thanks to her hit singles “Crush On You” and “Not Tonight.”

Jay-Z’s debut album, "Reasonable Doubt," is indeed his lowest charting LP; however the music’s content is what keeps the album on hip-hop all-time lists. The album helped listeners view gangsta rap with a lavish lifestyle. "Reasonable Doubt" featured artists such as Mary J. Blige, Foxy Brown and The Notorious B.I.G.

The eerie thing about The Notorious B.I.G.’s discography is each album title alluded to death. About two weeks before his sophomore album, “Life After Death,” was released, the rapper unfortunately lost his life in a drive-by shooting. The album featured hit songs such as “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money Mo Problems.”

While there were many debates between East Coast and West Coast rap, Atlanta’s own Outkast was putting a mark on the map for Southern hip-hop. Members Big Boi and Andre 3000 released their third studio album, "Aquemini," in 1998 filled with themes of love and pride for their hometown roots.

After the Fugees disbanded in 1997, Lauryn Hill decided to focus on her solo career. She released her solo debut, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” in 1998 with singles such as “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and “Ex-Factor.” She ended up winning a number of Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best New Artist. Although she released it 20 years ago, it remains her only solo project and the pinnacle of her tour shows today.

After Dr. Dre left his former label Death Row Records, he formed Aftermath Entertainment and Eminem was one of the biggest acts he signed. Eminem released his sophomore album "The Slim Shady EP" in the late ‘90s with his massive hit “My Name Is.” The project earned the MC a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and showcased his lyrical prowess on the mic.

When it comes to conscious rap, Mos Def is an MC listed high on the list. His debut album, “Black on Both Sides,” embodied production from the likes of DJ Premier, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and more. The album featured singles such as “Ms. Fat Booty” and “Umi Says.”

Long before the days as the official house band on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," The Roots were known as a superb hip-hop band that added jazz and electronic live instrumentation to back their verses. Their fourth studio album, “Things Fall Apart,” earned Grammy nominations and a win for the hit single “You Got Me” featuring Erykah Badu.