No Skips: 3 Perfect Rap Albums From the Golden Age of the 1990s

Let’s take a vote. For everyone who believes that the 1990s were the best years for rap music, raise your hand. Okay, that’s one… two… three… all of you! Great, we’re in agreement. Yes, the end of the 20th century provided some top-shelf rap albums, artists, and hit tracks. It was a great time to be a fan of rap music. Ah, memories.

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Here, we wanted to check out three records from that time period that represented the cream of the crop, the top of the top, the best of the best. Indeed, these are three albums that don’t encourage you to push that fast-forward button. These are three perfect rap albums from the 1990s golden age of the genre.

‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’ by Outkast (1994)

For a long time, many rap fans thought that only New Yorkers could participate in the genre. Then those from California made a name for themselves. But still, southern rappers? No chance! Well, that was until Atlanta, Georgia’s Outkast hit the scene. The duo of Andre 3000 and Big Boi released their debut LP, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, in 1994 and never looked back. That LP included the vibey title track, the enlivening “Hootie Hoo” and banger “Player’s Ball”. But to name single songs is not the point. The record flows like a well-planned meal.

‘Stakes Is High’ by De La Soul (1994)

The New York-born rap group De La Soul was on something different. At a time when violence was creeping into the music, for better and for worse, De La Soul seemed to hold on to the original feeling the genre engendered. A sense of positivity in the face of a hard life in a hard world. For that reason, the group remains a fan favorite for young and old. They fill your spirit, and their 1994 LP, Stakes Is High, is a prime example of that. It’s like a fountain of warm water that gives you new life.

‘Reasonable Doubt’ by Jay-Z (1996)

To many, Jay-Z is the greatest rapper who ever lived. Whether you break his lyrics down that way or not, the billionaire from the projects has certainly been successful. And it all started with his debut LP, Reasonable Doubt, which he released in the 1990s. There are many standout singles on the LP, including the opener, “Can’t Knock The Hustle” and the playful “22 Two’s” but beyond the tracks, it’s just remarkable to be able to go back and see where it all started for one of the most successful entertainers in the history of mankind.

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