Source: press handout / Live Nation
All year long artists and fans alike have been celebrating #HipHop50. In many people’s eyes, August 11, 1973, is hip-hop’s birthday. On that day, DJ Kool Herc threw a block party at 1520 Sedgewick Avenue in the Bronx. Since that time, hip-hop has become one of, if not the most popular genre of music and a force in popular culture. Whether it’s the music itself, the fashion, or even the lingo, there isn’t a music genre more influential than hip-hop. Due to its larger-than-life stars and their exceptional talents, hip-hop has morphed into the preeminent voice of youth over its 50-year history. Every year since its inception, hip-hop has released countless classic albums. 30 years ago wasn’t any different. In fact, many consider 1993 one of the best years in hip-hop history.\
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In the early nineties, although still in its premature stages, hip-hop was well on its way to becoming the global phenomenon it is today. The decade before seeing the likes of Public Enemy, Run-DMC, N.W.A., Salt-N-Pepa, MC Lyte, LL Cool J, and many more stepped into the spotlight. The following decade continued the dominance of the one that preceded it. Some might even say that it overlapped it and took hip-hop to new heights never reached before. How can anyone disagree? The 90s literally ushered in hip-hop’s biggest and greatest stars ever (Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z).
1993 in specifically is a year that will always stand out. The West Coast had a lot to say, holding the top three-selling hip-hop albums of the year. Snoop Dogg released his debut album Doggystyle, Cypress Hill released their second album Black Sunday and Ice Cube released his fourth studio album Lethal Injection. Those albums were just the tip of the iceberg. Fans were also blessed with releases from the aforementioned Tupac Shakur (Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z…) and LL Cool J (14 Shots to the Dome). Queen Latifah (Black Reign), the Wu-Tang Clan (Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)), and Mobb Deep (Juvenile Hell) also dropped. Considering how many classic albums were released that year, it’s without saying that there were countless hit singles that spawned from them. We put together a gallery of classics that are now 30 years old, check it out below! Let us know your favorites and if we missed any!
The Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
1. Souls of Mischief – 93 ‘Til Infinity
Source:Souls of MischiefThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
2. Naughty By Nature – Hip Hop Hooray
Source:Tommy BoyThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
3. Ice Cube – It Was A Good Day
Source:Ice Cube / CubevisionThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
4. Black Moon – Who Got Da Props
Source:NervousRecordsNYCThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
5. Cypress Hill – Insane In The Brain
Source:Cypress HillThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
6. Tag Team – Whoomp!
Source:suhoruchThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
7. Dr. Dre – Nuthin’ but a G Thang
Source:Dr. DreThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
8. Salt-N-Pepa – Shoop
Source:Salt-N-PepaThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
9. Arrested Development – Mr. Rendal
Source:boynamedfutureThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
10. Wu-Tang Clan – Protect Ya Neck
Source:Wu-Tang ClanThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
11. Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.
Source:Wu-Tang ClanThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
12. Onyx – Slam
Source:OnyxThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
13. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Boom! Shake The Room
Source:DJJazzyJeffVEVOThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
14. Paperboy – Ditty
Source:Paperboy - TopicThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
15. Positive K – I Got A Man
Source:PositiveKVEVOThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
16. Disable Planets – Return of Slick (Cool Like Dat)
Source:DigablePlanetsVEVOThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
17. Kris Kross – Alright
Source:KrisKrossVEVOThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
18. Big Daddy Kane & Spinderella – Very Special
Source:ToyDestroyaThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
19. MC Lyte – Ruffneck
Source:UPROXX VideoThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
20. 2Pac – I Get Around
Source:2PacThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
21. Snow – Informer
Source:RHINOThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
22. A Tribe Called Quest – Electric Relaxation
Source:A Tribe Called QuestThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
23. Snoop Dogg – Gin and Juice
Source:Omar CaprioThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
24. Queen Latifah – U.N.I.T.Y.
Source:QueenLatifahVEVOThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
25. Too Short – I’m A Player
Source:Too ShortThe Year Was 1993: These Hip-Hop Classics Are 30 Years Old was originally published on globalgrind.com
