Golden Age Hip Hop (From a Gen Z Perspective)
1995
1995 was a crucial year in hip hop, largely because the East Coast vs. West Coast feud was reaching its boiling point. The tension between the two coasts had been building for a few years, but by ’95, it was dominating headlines, influencing music, and ultimately shaping the future of the culture.
At the heart of the drama were two key figures Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.. After Tupac was shot in late 1994 at Quad Studios in New York, he became convinced that Biggie, Puff Daddy, and Bad Boy Entertainment had something to do with it. This sparked an intense rivalry, with Pac openly dissing Biggie and Bad Boy, while Death Row and Suge Knight ramped up the hostility toward the East Coast
Favourite tracks from Album
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If I Die 2Nite
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Me Against the World (Featuring Dramacydal)
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Young Niggaz
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It Ain't Easy
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Old School
2Pac
Me Against The World
It’s wild to think about how much 2Pac evolved with this album. Before this, Pac was known for being a fiery, revolutionary figure loud, rebellious, and ready to take on the world. But here.... He gave us a whole new image of himself. This album wasn’t just about toughness or street life it was deeply personal, reflective, and full of emotion. Instead of just fighting the system, he was looking inward, confronting his own demons, and making some of the most heartfelt music of his career..
This album is 2Pac at his best not just as a rapper but as a poet, a philosopher, and a man struggling to find peace in a world that wouldn’t let him. Me Against the World isn’t just an album; it’s a testament to the power of hip hop as a form of expression, pain, and survival. It remains one of Pac’s greatest works and a defining moment in his legendary career.
Mobb Deep
The Infamous
If you’re someone who prefers lighter, more positive hip hop, The Infamous might not be for you. This album isn’t for the faint of heart it’s dark, raw, and unfiltered, painting a vivid picture of the harsh realities of the streets. From start to finish, it feels like stepping into a cold, unforgiving world where survival is everything.
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That being said, what makes this album truly special is the way Prodigy and Havoc bring that world to life. Their lyricism is sharp, detailed, and often underrated. Prodigy, in particular, delivers some of the most chilling verses of the era, while Havoc not only holds his own on the mic but also crafts some of the best beats of the decade. The production here is immaculate grimy, atmospheric, and haunting proving that you don’t need DJ Premier to make a classic New York boom bap record.
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Beyond just being a great album, The Infamous played a major role in the East Coast’s comeback in the mid-90s. At a time when West Coast hip-hop was dominating, this album, alongside others from Nas, Wu Tang Clan, and The Notorious B.I.G., helped put New York back on top. It reasserted the city’s signature gritty sound and proved that hardcore, lyric-driven rap was alive and well.
Favourite tracks from Album
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The Start Of Your Ending (41st Side)
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Give Up the Goods (Just Step Featuring Big Noyd]
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Up North Trip
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QU Hectic
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Drink Away The Situations (Featuring Q Tip)
Favourite tracks from Album
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East 1999
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Crept And We Came
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Land Of The Heartless
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1st Of The Month
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Mo Murda
Bone Thugs N Harmony
E 1999 Eternal
The way Bone Thugs blended rapid fire rapping with melodic harmonies was insane for the time. Their flows were smooth yet aggressive, and their ability to weave melody into their bars made their music hypnotic.
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Iit's crazy to realize how much Bone Thugs N Harmony’s style from the ’90s lines up with what people today call “mumble rap.” Like, way before artists like Future, Young Thug, The Migos or Playboi Carti came through with those melodic, half sung, halfrapped flows,
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Bone Thugs had this smooth, fast, almost melodic way of rapping where their words would blend into each other. If you weren’t really paying close attention, it could almost sound like mumbling but that was the whole vibe. They were more about feeling than articulation.
That’s basically what a lot of “mumble rap” is doing now.
Take a track like “1st of tha Month” and compare it to something from Lil Uzi Vert, Gunna, or even Rod Wave you’ll notice the same kind of rhythm, the same melody based delivery.
Bone was rapping fast, harmonizing their flows, and letting emotion guide the tone, even if you didn’t catch every single lyric. That blueprint is all over today’s hip hop.
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So in a way, Bone Thugs didn’t just influence the culture they helped predict where it would go. They were doing melodic trap style flows before trap even existed. That blend of melody and rap we hear now? Bone Thugs were on that wave 30 years ago.
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Tha Dogg Pound
Dogg Food
On Dogg Food, Tha Dogg Pound came through with a debut that proved they belonged in the game, no matter what coast you repped. From start to finish, this album is packed with that classic G funk sound, keeping heads nodding with smooth, laid back grooves while still hitting hard with raw lyricism.
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Beyond just technical skill, Kurupt’s raw, no holds barred approach to battle rap and lyricism also left a mark on Eminem. Kurupt was known for his vicious, rapid fire bars and his ability to completely obliterate opponents on the mic something Eminem took to the next level with his battle rap roots. The aggressive, unfiltered style Kurupt brought to tracks fit perfectly with the kind of sharp, relentless lyricism Eminem became known for.
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Like any album, Dogg Food has its minor flaws, but nothing that takes away from its overall impact. It’s a solid debut from an often underrated duo, and it deserves more recognition when talking about classic West Coast hip hop. Whether you're a fan of that smooth G funk or just appreciate raw emceeing, this album delivers.
Favourite tracks from Album
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Dogg Pound Gangstaz
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Respect
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New York New York
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Cyc Lic No
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A Doggz Day Attention
