I Miss 90s Hip-Hop Vol. 4
Late 1991 (July-December)
Hip-hop classics that continue to be born
Late 1991 was an extremely intense period within the 90s hip-hop scene. Not only did The Source magazine award five mics to three albums released within a six-month span, but a multitude of other classic works were also concentratedly born during this time.
released approximately a year and a half after their debut album *People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm*, A Tribe Called Quest's (hereinafter referred to as ATCQ) second album *The Low End Theory* (released September 24th) built upon ATCQ's unique original style showcased in their previous work while exceeding fan expectations with its remarkably high quality, delivering another shock to the hip-hop scene. In particular, the extensive use of jazz sampling is a major characteristic of this album, and the opening track "Excursions," which begins with a wood bass and Q-Tip's rap, immediately ignites excitement. Furthermore, both Q-Tip and Phife have shown significant growth as rappers. Not only are the three singles "Check The Rhime," "Jazz (We've Got)," and "Scenario" accompanied by excellent music videos, but the entire album, from beginning to end, is highly recommended for a full listening experience.
A Tribe Called Quest "Check The Rhime"
A Tribe Called Quest 'Jazz (We've Got)" & "Buggin' Out"
A Tribe Called Quest "Scenario"
The 1st album "Breaking Atoms" (released July 23rd) by Main Source, a group formed by NY native Large Professor—who learned beatmaking under legendary producer/engineer Paul C and was also involved behind the scenes on works by Eric B & Rakim—and Toronto natives K-Cut and Sir Scratch, is another seminal release from late 1991, on par with "The Low End Theory." The tracks produced by Large Professor, meticulously crafted by combining various sampling sources, pushed the boundaries of hip hop sound in a way distinct from ATCQ, and Large Professor's own rapping, which skilfully interweaves with the beats, further solidifies the album's absolute value. It's also a significant album for featuring the song "Live At The Barbeque," which was Nas's first recorded work.
Main Source "Looking At The Front Door"
Main Source 'Just Hangin' Out"
Main Source "Peace Is Not The Word To Play"
Along with the two works mentioned above, the other work recognized with five mics by *The Source* was Ice Cube's second album, *Death Certificate*, released on October 29th. Although it contains songs like "No Vaseline," which fiercely dissed his former group N.W.A., the album's main themes are racial discrimination and political messages, with some extremely radical content. "Black Korea," in particular, which is filled with hatred towards Korean Americans, is said to have had a considerable influence on the Los Angeles riots that occurred the following year. Naturally, this song received criticism, and Ice Cube later commented that he "made the wrong song" regarding it. However, in addition to broadening the scope of expression beyond gangsta rap, the album also received high praise for its elevated, more substantial sound.
Ice Cube 'Steady Mobbin'"
Ice Cube "True To The Game"
A new wave of West Coast hip-hop
In the Los Angeles hip-hop scene during this period, the arrival of Cypress Hill was particularly impactful for me personally. Their debut album, "Cypress Hill" (released August 13th), featured the perfect combination of DJ Muggs' funky track sensibility, unique to his New York origins, and the lyrical chemistry of the two MCs, B-Real with his distinctive voice and Sen Dog, who sometimes incorporated Spanish into his raps. They introduced a new style of LA hip-hop, diverging from groups like N.W.A. by showcasing gang culture, marijuana culture, and Latin culture in a distinct way.
Cypress Hill "How I Could Just Kill a Man"
Cypress Hill "Hand On the Pump"
Cypress Hill "The Phuncky Feel One"
Cypress Hill "Latin Lingo"
When categorizing West Coast hip-hop, the emergence of Del the Funky Homosapien, Ice Cube's cousin from Oakland, also portended the beginning of a new era. Del's debut album, "I Wish My Brother George Was Here," released on October 22nd, features Ice Cube as a producer, but in terms of style, including its introspective lyrical world, it is closer to ATCQ and the Native Tongues crew. Del's success with this work also led to the debut of other groups from his own crew, Hieroglyphics, such as Souls of Mischief.
Del The Funky Homosapien "Mistadobalina"
Meanwhile, in LA, an even more underground movement was emerging, centered around open mic events. Freestyle Fellowship, a key figure in that scene, independently released their first album, "To Whom It May Concern..." on October 8th. It's a raw yet incredibly passionate work, and their thrilling microphone relays, which can be compared to jazz sessions, remain highly original even today.
Freestyle Fellowship "7th Seal"
2Pac's solo debut.
Digital Underground is unstoppable, releasing their second album, "Sons Of The P" (released October 15th), and scoring smash hits like "Kiss You Back" and "No Nose Job." Amidst this momentum, 2Pac finally makes his solo debut with the album "2pacalypse Now" (released November 12th). While members of Digital Underground participated in the recording and the album has a strong Digital Underground sound, it also features highly message-driven tracks like "Brenda's Got A Baby," showcasing lyricism that only 2Pac could create.
Digital Underground "Kiss You Back"
Digital Underground "No Nose Job"
2Pac "If My Homie Calls"
2Pac "Brenda's Got A Baby"
2Pac "Trapped"
From LA, new artists are also debuting one after another. WC, who disbanded Low Profile and was introduced in Vol. 1, will release his debut album "Ain’t A Damn Thang Changed" (released September 17th) under the name WC And The Maad Circle, leading his own crew. Following DJ Quik's major debut, his associates 2nd II None (releasing "2nd II None" on October 8th), AMG (releasing "Bitch Betta Have My Money" on December 3rd), and Hi-C (releasing "Skanless" on December 10th) will release albums one after another, further solidifying the G-funk scene.
WC And The Maad Circle「Ain't A Damn Thang Changed」
2nd II None "If You Want It"
AMG "Bitch Better Have My Money"
Hi-C "Sitting In The Park"
Native Tongues' further progress
Let's bring the story back to the East Coast scene. Riding the wave of ATCQ's success, Native Tongues launched Leaders Of The New School, followed by Black Sheep. Leaders Of The New School's debut album, *A Future Without A Past…* (released July 2nd), featuring Busta Rhymes among others, showcased a fresh and bold group name that proved to be no exaggeration, with each MC's personality and speedy mic relay shining through. Black Sheep also demonstrated a strong individuality, including their sense of humor, with their debut *A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing* (released October 22nd). Their signature song, "The Choice Is Yours," remains an enduring classic.
Leaders Of The New School "Case Of The P.T.A."
Leaders of the New School "Sobb Story"
Leaders Of The New School "The International Zone Coaster"
Black Sheep「The Choice Is Yours」
Black Sheep "Flavor of the Month"
Black Sheep "Strobelite Honey"
Organized Konfusion, who debuted on Disney-owned label Hollywood Basic, gave a new school vibe in a different sense from the Native Tongues. Their first album, "Organized Konfusion" (released October 29th), is said to have deeply involved the late Paul C in its sound. The sophisticated tracks and the thrilling interplay between Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po's rapping are truly superb, making it a perfect hip-hop classic.
Organized Konfusion "Fudge Pudge"
Organized Konfusion "Who Stole My Last Piece of Chicken"
The album *Naughty By Nature*, released on September 3rd after the group changed its name from The New Style to Naughty By Nature, was also a great commercial success, with "O.P.P." becoming a major hit. While retaining a New York-esque hardness, their catchy style, which included sampling The Jackson 5's "ABC," was well-received, gaining popularity across a wide range of demographics.
Naughty by Nature "O.P.P."
Naughty By Nature "Everything's Gonna Be Alright"
Naughty by Nature "Uptown Anthem"
In terms of catchiness, we can also mention The UMC's' first album "Fruits of Nature" (released October 15), which produced the smash hit "Blue Cheese," and P.M. Dawn's first album "Of the Heart, Of the Soul And Of the Cross: The Utopian Experience" (released August 6), which includes the mega-hit "Set A Drift On Memory Bliss." Although not highly regarded in the hip-hop scene, it reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
The UMC's "Blue Cheese"
The UMC's "One To Grow On"
PM Dawn "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss"
Another new artist from NY I'd like to introduce as part of the Ultramagnetic MC's crew is Tim Dog, whose 1st album, *Penicillin On Wax*, was released on November 12th. The song "Fuck Compton," which spoke out against the LA gangsta rap movement from the Bronx, the birthplace of hip-hop, was quite a topic of discussion at the time. It's a likeable track that has a certain "kayfabe" feel to it in a good way.
Tim Dog "Fuck Compton"
Music writer. Began writing in 1996, contributing to publications such as the hip-hop magazine "blast." Moved to Los Angeles in 2003, where they covered the underground hip-hop scene, including artists like Stones Throw, while also writing about fashion, art, and other fields. Returned to Japan in 2015 and continues to work as a writer for various magazines and web media, focusing primarily on hip-hop.
