1993

One of the biggest shifts I noticed in 1993 was the evolution of hardcore and gangsta rap. N.W.A. and Ice T had already laid the groundwork, but this was the year when artists took it to a whole new level.

When Doggystyle dropped, Snoop Doggy Dogg solidified West Coast G funk as the dominant sound, blending smooth, laid back production with raw street narratives. Meanwhile, over on the East Coast, Wu Tang Clan’s Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) completely changed the game its raw, grimy beats and aggressive, multi-MC style made it unlike anything I had ever heard. And then there was Enta Da Stage by Black Moon, which helped shape the darker, more atmospheric sound that would come to define New York’s underground scene.

Favourite tracks from Album

Who Got The Props?
Ack Like U Want It
Buck Em Down
Shit Iz Real
How Many MC's

Black Moon

Enta Da Stage

Enta da Stage is pure, unfiltered Brooklyn. Every time I listen to this album, I feel like I’m walking through Bushwick, Crown Heights, or Brownsville, experiencing the raw energy of the streets firsthand.

Buckshot’s lyrics paint vivid pictures of the struggles and realities of life in these neighborhoods, while 5ft brings an undeniable authenticity to the mix.

What really makes this album special to me, though, is the production. The Beatminerz crafted some of the grimiest, most textured beats I’ve ever heard its dark, bass heavy, and atmospheric in a way that perfectly complements the raw lyricism. It’s not just an album it’s an experience, a portal into a side of Brooklyn that wasn’t always in the spotlight.

This isn’t just another East Coast boom bap record it’s a defining moment for underground hip hop. The chemistry between Buckshot, 5ft, and The Beatminerz is undeniable, making Enta da Stage an absolute classic that still resonates with me every time I press play.

Wu Tang Clan

Enter The Wu Tang 36 Chambers

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is the album that redefined hardcore hip hop and put New York back on top in the '90s. This album represents something that is raw, unpolished, and completely unique. The gritty, stripped down production by RZA created an atmosphere unlike anything else at the time, and the chemistry between the nine members was electric.

What really makes this album special to me is how influential it became. The rugged beats and free associative, often humorous lyrics set a new standard for hip-hop, inspiring legends like Nas, Biggie, Mobb Deep, and Jay Z.

This album didn’t just mark the beginning of the Wu-Tang Clan it was a turning point for East Coast hip-hop, paving the way for a whole new era. Even decades later, 36 Chambers still feels as raw and powerful as ever.

Favourite tracks from Album

Shame On A Nigga
Da Mystery Of Chessboxin
Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin To Fuck Wit
Method Man
Protect Ya Neck

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Favourite tracks from Album

Stir It Up
Award Tour
Midnight
We Can Get Down
The Chase Pt.ll

A Tribe Called Quest

Midnight Maruders

A Tribe Called Quest’s 1993 album Midnight Marauders is the perfect blend of smooth jazz infused production and razor sharp lyricism. From the moment I pressed play, I was pulled into its warm, laid back vibe, yet beneath that mellow exterior lies some of the sharpest rhymes and social commentary hip hop has ever seen.

Q Tip and Phife Dawg’s chemistry is undeniable they trade verses effortlessly, with Phife’s witty, punchy delivery balancing Q Tip’s smooth, philosophical flow.

And then there’s the production Ali Shaheed Muhammad’s work behind the boards is masterful, layering jazz samples and deep basslines to create a timeless sound that still holds up today.

What I love most about Midnight Marauders is how it feels both accessible and deeply intelligent. It’s an album that you can vibe to casually, but if you listen closely, you’ll catch all the intricate wordplay and thoughtful themes woven throughout.

2Pac

Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Zs

Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z… was the album where I really saw 2Pac evolve not just as an emcee, but as a poet and a voice for the people.

This album still carries the socially conscious energy of his debut, but you can hear him embracing more of the gangsta rap elements that would later define All Eyez on Me.

Lyrically, he was sharper, hungrier, and more unapologetic, and the production reflected that, with harder beats that matched his intensity. You can hear the evolution of an artist who was on the brink of something even bigger.

Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z… isn’t just an important part of 2Pac’s discography it’s a crucial moment in hip hop history, setting the stage for the legend he would become.

Favourite tracks from Album

Holla If You Hear Me
Last Words (Featuring Ice Cube & Ice T)
Peep Game (Featuring Deadly Threat)
The Streetz R Deathrow
I Get Around (Featuring Digital Underground)

Favourite tracks from Album

Bullies Of Da Block
Shammys
Inner City Boundaries
Hot Potato
Park Bench People

Freestyle Fellowship

Innercity Griots

I gotta say, Innercity Griots by Freestyle Fellowship is one of those albums that blew my mind the first time I heard it.

The production is off the chain. It mixes live jazz vibes, crazy drum patterns, and this raw energy that makes it feel alive. It’s not your typical boom bap or G Funk beat from the early 90s. The jazz samples and live instruments give it this unpredictable vibe, like you never know what’s goanna happen next. It’s way different from the clean, poppy rap beats we hear all the time now. Then there’s how they flow. The flows are insane.

They’re not just rapping they’re playing with words, flipping rhythms, and turning their verses into something almost like jazz, What’s really cool is you can even hear that rapid, melodic flow that Bone Thugs-N-Harmony would get famous for a few years later. It’s like Freestyle Fellowship set the foundation for that style way before it went mainstream. It’s like they were ahead of the game, showing how you could blend melody and rapid-fire delivery way before it became mainstream.

This one of the most unique rap albums I’ve heard, I hear pieces of it in Kendrick Lamar, in the experimental stuff Tyler The Creator does, and even in some SoundCloud rappers who play with melody and flow.

Innercity Griots was like a secret blueprint for how to rap in a different, creative way. For me, this album shows that rap can go anywhere. It doesn’t have to follow any set rules. It’s inspiring because even though it’s old school, it still feels fresh and new.

Ultramagnetic MCs

The Four Horsemen

With The Four Horsemen, Kool Keith and Ced Gee keep bringing that wild, off the wall style, like they’re in a league of their ownth

The beats are on this album are darker, more intense. There’s this menacing vibe in the productiongritty drum patterns, dirtier samples, and a real sense of rawness. It’s like the group wanted to show they could hang with the emerging hardcore styles of the early 90s think Onyx, Naughty By Nature, that kind of aggressive East Coast sound. Even though it’s not exactly the same, there’s definitely more of that street level feel here.

Lyrically, the wordplay is just as out there and creative as ever, but they’re rapping like they’ve got something to prove there’s a sharper edge to it. Kool Keith’s delivery is even more unpredictable, Ced Gee’s punchlines hit harder, and overall it’s just way more confrontational than playful.

Favourite tracks from Album

Two Brothers With Checks
Raise It Up
Bring It Down To Earth
Don't Be Scared
Time To Catch A Body

Favourite tracks from Album

Outta Here
Mortal Combat
Sound Of Da Police
P Is Still Free
Higher Level

KRS ONE

Return OF The Boom Bap

KRS One’s 1993 debut solo album, Return of the Boom Bap, is pure, uncut hip hop at its finest.

I had listen to Boogie Down Productions first four albums, So I was eager to see how KRS would carry the torch on his own, and he did not disappoint.

This album is raw, aggressive, and loaded with the kind of socially charged lyricism that made KRS One a legend. Return of the Boom Bap is more than just a solo debut; it’s a statement.

KRS One reminded the world that real hip hop is about lyricism, message, and raw beats. This album is a must listen for anyone who loves golden era hip hop or just wants to hear an MC at the top of his game.

Snoop Doggy Dogg

Doggystyle

Doggystyle was anything but a rookie effort. Despite the playful references and laid back demeanor, this album proved that Snoop was in full control of his craft.

From the moment I first heard it, I could tell he had a natural gift, not just for rapping but for storytelling, structure, and flow. For someone so young and new to the game, his talent felt almost effortless, like he was born to do this.

What made Doggystyle stand out wasn’t just Snoop’s smooth, melodic delivery or his mastery of onomatopoeia and rhyme it was his ability to craft a persona. He wasn’t just another gangsta rapper he was the cool, charismatic outlaw, the smooth talking player who could go from romantic bubble baths to high-stakes street tales without missing a beat.

While others focused on aggressive energy, Snoop brought a film noir vibe to hip hop, giving it a cinematic feel that was both vivid and uniquely his own.

This album wasn’t about trying to impress the old guard or fit into any box it was about setting a new standard. And with Doggystyle, Snoop did just that, proving he was more than just a promising newcomer. He was a star.

Favourite tracks from Album

Lodi Lodi (Featuring Nancy Flechter)
Murder Was The Case
Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None) (Featuring Nate Dogg, Warren G & Kurupt)
Pump Pump (Featuring Lil Malik aka Lil Hershey Loc)
Gz's Up Hoes Down

Favourite tracks from Album

Coming Agg
The Wall
You Don't Hear Me Doe
Still That Aggin
Mr. Scarface: Part III The Final Chapter

Scarface

The World Is Yours

Scarface’s The World Is Yours is an album that solidified his place as one of hip hop’s greatest storytellers.

From start to finish, this album showcases his ability to paint vivid pictures of street life, personal struggles, and the emotional weight of his experiences.

While his debut, Mr. Scarface Is Back, was raw and unfiltered, The World Is Yours feels more refined both lyrically and sonically without losing any of the grit that makes Scarface one of the most compelling voices in rap

Scarface at this moment in his career, proved that he wasn’t just another gangsta rapper he was a poet of the streets with wisdom beyond his years. If you’re a fan of deep, thought provoking rap with undeniable authenticity, this album is a must listen.

Ice T

Home Invasion

Home Invasion is one of Ice T’s most powerful and unapologetic albums, and for me, it stands as a testament to his fearless approach to hip hop.

Released in 1993, this album came at a time when Ice T was already under heavy fire from the media and politicians due to the Body Count controversy. Instead of backing down, he doubled down, delivering an album that’s raw, politically charged, and socially conscious.

What I love about Home Invasion is how Ice-T refuses to sugarcoat anything. He tackles racism, media hypocrisy, street violence, and government oppression with the kind of blunt honesty that made him one of the most respected voices in rap.

Favourite tracks from Album

Its On
Ice M.F.T
G Style
Race War
99 Problems (Featuring Brother Marquis)

Favourite tracks from Album

Take It To Ya Face
The Hood Comes First
It's On
Hot Potato (Featuring Freddie Foxx)
Sleepin On Jersey

Naughty By Nature

19 Naughty lll

19 Naughty III is a prime example of how Naughty by Nature perfected the balance between commercial appeal and street credibility.

Released in 1993, this album proved that Treach, Vin Rock, and Kay Gee weren’t just riding the success of O.P.P. they were here to stay. What makes this album stand out for me is how it seamlessly blends hardcore East Coast lyricism with party anthems, giving it a vibe that’s both raw and fun.

What I love most about 19 Naughty III is that it represents an era when hip hop could be both fun and lyrical, both mainstream and underground. It’s an album that still sounds fresh today, proving that Naughty by Nature’s impact on the game wasn’t just a moment it was a movement.

Onyx

BacDaFucUp

Even though Onyx’s Bacdafucup dropped way back in 1993, it still sounds as raw, aggressive, and chaotic as ever.

From the moment "Throw Ya Gunz" blasts through the speakers, you can feel the energy it’s loud, it’s grimy, and it’s straight up in your face. Onyx wasn’t about slick wordplay or conscious rap, they were about pure adrenaline, making music that felt like a riot in audio form.

What really stands out to me as a Gen Z listener is how much this album foreshadowed the energy of today’s drill music. The intensity, the shouting deliveries, the aggressive hooks, it all laid the groundwork for the kind of raw, street driven music we hear now from artists like Pop Smoke, and UK drill pioneers.

Onyx brought that wild, no holds barred energy to hip hop in a way that wasn’t common at the time, and you can still hear their influence in how modern rappers attack beats with that same relentless, high energy style.

Bacdafucup wasn’t just an album it was a movement. Sticky Fingaz, Fredro Starr, and the crew introduced this raw, almost punk like attitude to hip hop that made you feel like you were in the middle of a mosh pit. Even today, their impact can be heard in the most aggressive corners of rap. If drill is the new wave, Onyx was one of the original blueprints.

Favourite tracks from Album

Bichasniguz
Here 'N' Now
Throw Ya Gunz
Slam
Shiftee

Favourite tracks from Album

Keep It Underground
Check It (Remix)
Flow On (New Symphony) Featuring Kid Deleon and Sah-B
Chief Rocka
Sleep For Dinner (Remix)

Lords Of The Undeground

Here Comes The Lords

Here Come the Lords, the debut album from the Lords of the Underground, was a game changer for me .

From the first track, it was clear that the group had a unique vibe that stood out from the typical East Coast hip hop of the time.

What really drew me in was the way they balanced fun, party vibes with real street consciousness. Lyrically, the album has a confident swagger. The crew’s wordplay and clever lines were sharp.

They definitely had a way of blending humor and hardcore rap seamlessly, which kept the album feeling fresh and entertaining throughout. Whether they were spitting about street life or just having fun, the Lords of the Underground knew how to keep things engaging.

Favourite tracks from Album

G.E.T.O
No Nuts No Glory
Six Feet Deep
Raise It Up
Bring It On

Geto Boys

Till Death Do Us Apart

You can hear how The Geto Boys have leveled up since their 1991 album. It’s not just more polished it’s darker, heavier, and feels like they’re fully in control of their message.

The production is fire. The beats are gritty but more layered than before, and there’s this almost cinematic vibe in some tracks. Scarface especially steps up, and the whole group’s storytelling is on another level here. They’re talking about violence, paranoia, and life on the edge, but in a way that feels even more real and unfiltered than before.

This album feels like the Geto Boys finally found their voice fully. It’s intense, a little scary, but also kind of inspiring because they’re owning everything they’ve been through and putting it all out there with no filters. Compared to their first album, this one’s way more focused and powerful it’s like they figured out exactly how to say what they needed to say, and it still echoes now.

As a Gen Z listener, I respect how the Geto Boys didn’t hold anything back. It’s like they were rapping not just to be heard, but to make sure no one could ignore what they were going through. And even though the production sounds old school compared to today’s beats, it still feels heavy and real in a way that hits deeper than a lot of new music.