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The 100 Best Rap Singles of 1990

The 100 best rap singles of 1990 found the hip-hop nation reckoning with an audience that may have not fully appreciated Black culture.

Most stories on 1990 treat it as a series of triumphs: Ice Cube’s first solo classic, Public Enemy’s landmark third album, A Tribe Called Quest’s memorable debut. (Rebecca Bodenheimer’s story on Oakland’s 1990 hip-hop and R&B scene in The Ringer is worth a read.) Indeed, it was a year when the hip-hop nation established itself as a rising artistic and commercial power. But that same success forced many of its practitioners to reckon with the costs of reaching an audience that didn’t appreciate the nuances and innovations of Black music culture.

We all know the tale of Vanilla Ice: Even now, he remains the personification of unalloyed wackness. But his ascent to the top of the Billboard charts was buoyed by a stream of pop-rap pablum. It wasn’t necessarily the worst, like Candyman, that was the problem; it’s that it seemed to define rap’s mainstream profile. Some pop-rap hits from that era like Mellow Man Ace’s sly, witty “Mentirosa” were unfairly maligned as novelties. But it’s easy to sympathize with hardcore rap fans who grew sick of MC Hammer and sundry hip-house and New Jack lightweights hogging radio spins and MTV airplay. Years later, Nas complained that rappers couldn’t put out albums without adding a hip-house cut for UK club DJs to remix.

Meanwhile, gatekeeper critics grew increasingly disturbed with misogynist lyrics in hardcore rap. They chafed at how NWA and former member turned “Benedict Arnold” Ice Cube seemingly treated women as potential sexual conquests and “bitches.” Geto Boys’ self-titled third album, a re-release of 1989’s Grip It! On That Other Level was already generating heat in the press, even though it wouldn’t become a national controversy (and a fetish object for ghetto safari jerks) until the following year. Public Enemy elicited awe for their undisputed musical excellence and criticism for their odd embrace of bizarre conspiracy themes. Meanwhile, X-Clan and Paris made enemies by deploying Black nationalist code phrases like “cave boy” and “devil.”

Then there were emerging scenes in the South and elsewhere angling for a seat at the table. The 2 Live Crew are now respected (albeit grudgingly) for their pioneering bass tracks, but at the time they were dismissed as smutty idiots that accidentally found redemption as free-speech warriors. It’s also worth remembering that, after an indie-label buying spree a few years back, major label corporations controlled most hip-hop output of note, leaving unsigned acts — especially those outside of New York and L.A. — to struggle on the margins. This would begin to change in 1991-1992 as musicians launched underground imprints to avoid being compromised by A&R executives “looking for a suit-and-tie rap that’s cleaner than a bar of soap.”

With so many crosscurrents circulating in the genre, hip-hop as an art form was due for an evolution. Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” was just a tipping point.

When compiling this survey, the first source I turned to was Ego Trip’s Book of Rap Lists. It certainly helped figure out which tracks to include — and which to omit.

1990 was long before the World Wide Web. Same-day release dates were often buried in music-industry journals, radio reports, and other print matter that’s difficult to find now. Publishing and copyright dates don’t necessarily indicate year of release; a 12-inch single copyrighted in 1989 may have actually hit the market in January 1990. And Wikipedia’s user-generated hodgepodge of carefully documented facts, estimates based on incomplete data and pure wishful misinformation makes it an unreliable source. (I conducted research using Discogs as well.)

I dated most of the singles based on when they entered Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart, which launched in March 1989. But it’s not a fool-proof method. Several of the 40 12-inches listed on Ego Trip’s Greatest Hip-Hop Singles of 1989 didn’t debut on the chart until the following year, like 3rd Bass’ “The Gas Face” (first chart entry on January 13), De La Soul’s “Buddy” (January 6), and Divine Styler featuring the Scheme Team’s “Ain’t Sayin’ Nothin’” (February 3). In the end, I deferred to the OGs on the reasoning that they knew when songs actually made an impact. After all, they documented the scene well before I did.

Other cases called for a personal decision. Queen Latifah’s “Ladies First” was released on December 16, 1989; it entered the chart the following month. (Inexplicably, the Ego Trip crew didn’t include this classic on their Greatest Hip-Hop Singles lists.) I remember distinctly when “Ladies First” exploded in popularity in the spring of 1990. I used the Billboard date.

This is an era that predates streaming, when every song will blast onto the U.S. charts the week an album is released. Back then, record labels carefully staggered single drops to extend an album’s life cycle. Def Jam, for example, spent over a year issuing seven radio hits from LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out.

I also want to give props to Hip-Hop Golden Age’s Top 40 Hip Hop Songs 1990 list. However, I opted against compiling great tracks from albums based on when the latter hit the streets. I want to reflect when these songs captured an audience.

But this list isn’t meant to supersede any other. At 100 singles, I simply hope to tell a deeper story. (I also included Ice Cube’s “Jackin’ for Beats,” which got a video treatment but was never released as a single.) I feature overlooked releases like Mac Dre’s first EP, Young Black Brotha; and Dan the Automator’s second EP, King of the Beats. I tried to avoid lesser singles by famed Golden Age heroes in order to expand the roster of names: sorry, no Boogie Down Productions’ “Ya Know the Rules.” With luck, these entries comprise a narrative of a genre in flux at the dawn of what is arguably its most important decade.

Finally, Critical Minded readers know that I don’t use rankings in lists. From my perspective, ranked lists should be made by committee, not one person’s opinion — though I acknowledge that the latter is probably more fun. I hope this technique allows you to focus on all the pieces of the puzzle.

The 100 Best Rap Singles of 1990 (in alphabetical order; click on links for more on each entry)

  • Brand Nubian – Wake Up (Sunshine Extended Mix) (Elektra)
  • BWP – Two Minute Brother (No Face)
  • Chubb Rock – Treat ‘Em Right (Select Records)
  • The Click – Let’s Side (Sick Wid’ It Records)
  • Compton’s Most Wanted – I’m Wit Dat / I Give Up Nuthin’ / Whose Is It? (Give It Up Pt. 2) (Orpheus Records)
  • Compton’s Most Wanted – One Time Gaffled ‘Em Up (Orpheus Records)
  • C.P.O. – This Beat Is Funky (Capitol Records)
  • D-Nice – Call Me D-Nice (Jive)
  • The D.O.C. – The Formula (Ruthless Records)
  • Digital Underground – The Humpty Dance (Tommy Boy)
  • Double XX Posse – Executive Class / On a Mission (Mel-o Records)
  • Dream Warriors – My Definition of a Bombastic Jazz Style (4th & Broadway)
  • EPMD – Gold Digger (Def Jam Recordings)
  • Eric B. & Rakim – Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em (MCA Records)
  • Father MC – Treat Them Like They Want to Be Treated (Uptown Records)
  • Father MC – I’ll Do 4 U (Uptown Records)
  • Freshco & Miz – We Don’t Play (Tommy Boy)
  • Gang Starr – Jazz Thing (Columbia)
  • Gang Starr – Just to Get a Rep / Who’s Gonna Take the Weight (Chrysalis)
  • Gangsta Pat – I’m Tha Gangsta / Shootin’ on Narcs (On Top Records)
  • Geto Boys – Do It Like a G.O. / F#@* ‘Em (Def American Recordings)
  • Gregory “D” & D.J. Mannie Fresh – Clap to This (Yo! Records)
  • Groove B Chill – Hip Hop Music (A&M Records)
  • Ice Cube – Amerikkka’s Most Wanted (Priority Records)
  • Ice Cube – Endangered Species (Tales from the Darkside) (Remix) / Dead Homiez (Priority Records)
  • Ice Cube – Who’s the Mack (Priority Records)
  • Intelligent Hoodlum – Arrest the President (A&M Records)
  • Isis – Rebel Soul (4th & Broadway)
  • The Jaz – The Originators (EMI)
  • Jungle Brothers – Doin’ Our Own Dang (Do It to the JB’s Mix) (Warner Bros. Records)
  • Jungle Brothers – What “U” Waitin’ 4 (Warner Bros. Records)
  • K-Solo – Spellbound (Atlantic)
  • K-Solo – Your Mom’s in My Business (Atlantic)
  • Kid ’n Play – Funhouse (Select Records)
  • Kid Frost – La Raza (Virgin)
  • Kilo – America Has a Problem Cocaine (Arvis / L.G.P. Records)
  • King Sun – Be Black (Profile Records)
  • King Tee – Ruff Rhyme (Back Again) / Played Like a Piano (Capitol Records)
  • Kings of Swing – Nod Your Head to This / Go Cocoa! (Bumrush! / Virgin)
  • KMD – Peachfuzz / Gasface Refill (Elektra)
  • Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Streets of New York (Cold Chillin’)
  • Kool Moe Dee – God Made Me Funke (Jive)
  • Kwamé & A New Beginning – Ownlee Eue (Atlantic)
  • L.L. Cool J – The Boomin’ System (Def Jam Recordings)
  • L.L. Cool J – Jingling Baby (Remixed and Still Jingling) (Def Jam Recordings)
  • LL Cool J – To Da Break of Dawn (Motown)
  • Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth – Strictly for the Ladies / Back to Back Rhyming (Wild Pitch Records)
  • Luke featuring The 2 Live Crew – Banned in the U.S.A. (Luke Records)
  • Mac Dre – Young Black Brotha (Strictly Business Records)
  • Main Source – Looking at the Front Door (Wild Pitch Records)
  • Master Ace – Me and the Biz (Cold Chillin’)
  • Master Ace – Music Man (Cold Chillin’)
  • MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This (Capitol Records)
  • MC Lyte – Cappucino (D.J. DOC Remix) (First Priority Music)
  • M.C. Mitchski – Go with the Flow… (Def City Records)
  • M.C. Pooh – Life of a Criminal (In-A-Minute Recordings)
  • M.C. Trouble featuring The Good Girls – (I Wanna) Make You Mine (Motown)
  • Mellow Man Ace – Mentirosa (Capitol Records)
  • Michie Mee – Jamaican Funk (First Priority Music)
  • Monie Love – Monie in the Middle (Warner Bros. Records)
  • N-Tyce – Black to the Point (Wild Pitch Records)
  • N.W.A – 100 Miles and Runnin’ (Ruthless Records)
  • Nice & Smooth – Funky for You (12-inch Version) (Fresh Records)
  • Nikki D – Lettin’ Off Steam (Def Jam Recordings)
  • O.G. Style – Catch ‘Em Slipping (Nation Records)
  • Paris – Break the Grip of Shame (Scarface / Tommy Boy)
  • Penthouse Players Clique – They Don’t Know / Droppen Bombs (Alias Records)
  • Phase N’ Rhythm – Swollen Pockets (Tommy Boy)
  • Poison Clan (The Baby 2 Live Crew) – Dance All Nite / Poison Freestyle (Effect Records)
  • Poor Righteous Teachers – Rock Dis Funky Joint (Profile Records)
  • Power Jam featuring Chill Rob G – The Power (Wild Pitch Records)
  • Professor Griff and the Last Asiatic Disciples – Pawns in the Game (Skyywalker Records)
  • Public Enemy – 911 Is a Joke (Def Jam Recordings)
  • Public Enemy – Brothers Gonna Work It Out (Def Jam Recordings)
  • Public Enemy – Can’t Do Nuttin’ For Ya, Man / Burn Hollywood Burn (Def Jam Recordings)
  • Queen Latifah – Come Into My House (Tommy Boy)
  • Shazzy – Giggahoe (Radio Vocal Mix) (Elektra)
  • Son of Bazerk featuring No Self Control and the Band – Change the Style (Sound of Urban Listeners / MCA)
  • Special Ed – The Mission (Profile Records)
  • Stetsasonic – Speaking of a Girl Named Suzy (Radio Edit) (Tommy Boy)

Originally published on criticalminded.com. This post has been updated.

Chuck D photo by Paul Natkin/Wireimage.
LL Cool J photo by Chris Carroll/Corbis Entertainment/Getty.
Ice Cube photo by Kevin Cummins/Getty.
Queen Latifah album photo by Bart Everly.

Read More: The Best Rap Singles: Former Entries

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