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 (hereafter referred to as ATCQ) second album, "The Low End Theory" (released September 24th), maintained ATCQ's unique original style showcased in their previous work while surpassing fan expectations with its superior quality, delivering another shock to the hip-hop scene. In particular, the extensive use of jazz sampling is one of the album's major characteristics, and the first track, "Excursions," which begins with a walking bassline and Q-Tip's rap, immediately ignites excitement. Furthermore, the growth of both Q-Tip and Phife as rappers is remarkable. While the music videos for the three brilliant singles, "Check The Rhime," "Jazz (We’ve Got)," and "Scenario," are exceptional, we highly recommend enjoying the entire album from beginning to end.
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 23) by Main Source, a group formed by NY native Large Professor, who learned beatmaking under the legendary producer/engineer Paul C and was involved behind the scenes on works by Eric B & Rakim, alongside Toronto natives K-Cut and Sir Scratch, is another masterpiece representative of late 1991, alongside "The Low End Theory." The tracks produced by Large Professor, meticulously crafted by combining various sampling sources, pushed hip-hop sound to the next level in a way distinct from ATCQ, while Large Professor's own rapping, skillfully interwoven with the beats, also contributes to the album's absolute value. Furthermore, it holds significant importance as the album that includes "Live At The Barbeque," Nas's first recorded track.
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 gaining momentum, centered around open mic events. Freestyle Fellowship, a key figure in that scene, released their first album, "To Whom It May Concern..." (released October 8th), independently. This raw yet incredibly intense work, with its thrilling mic relay that can be compared to a jazz session, remains highly original even today.
Freestyle Fellowship "7th Seal"
2Pac's solo debut.
As Digital Underground releases their second album, "Sons Of The P" (October 15th), with smash hits like "Kiss You Back" and "No Nose Job," their momentum continues unstoppable. Amidst this success, 2Pac finally makes his solo debut with the album "2pacalypse Now" (November 12th). Members of Digital Underground participated in the recording, giving the album a strong Digital Underground sound. However, with songs like "Brenda's Got A Baby," which carry a powerful message, 2Pac has already crafted a lyrical worldview that only he can express.
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 have been debuting one after another. WC, who broke up Low Profile (introduced in Vol. 1), is leading his own crew and releasing his debut album "Ain't A Damn Thang Changed" under the name WC And The Maad Circle (released September 17th). 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 their 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, Leaders Of The New School and then Black Sheep debuted from Native Tongues. The Leaders Of The New School's first album, *A Future Without A Past…* (released July 2nd), which featured Busta Rhymes on "Scenario" from *The Low End Theory*, proved that their daring group name was no mere pretense, with the individual MCs' personalities and rapid-fire mic relays making for a truly fresh sound. Black Sheep also showcased a strong individuality, including a sense of humor, with their first album *A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing* (released October 22nd), and their signature song "The Choice Is Yours" remains a timeless 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 would also mention The UMC's, who had a smash hit with "Blue Cheese" and released their first album *Fruits Of Nature* on October 15th, and P.M. Dawn, who, despite not receiving high praise from the hip-hop scene, recorded the mega-hit song "Set A Drift On Memory Bliss," which reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, on their first album *Of The Heart, Of The Soul And Of The Cross: The Utopian Experience*, released on August 6th.
The UMC's "Blue Cheese"
The UMC's "One To Grow On"
PM Dawn "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss"
Another new artist from NY that I’d like to introduce is Tim Dog, from the Ultramagnetic MC’s, with his first album "Penicillin On Wax" (released November 12th). His song "Fuck Compton" particularly made waves at the time, as it spoke out from the Bronx, the birthplace of hip-hop, against the West Coast gangsta rap movement. It’s an undeniable track with a playfully theatrical feel to it.
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.
