In part one of our look back at the year 1996 in hip-hop, we observed 10 lasting qualities that made ’96 totally unique. In part two, guests Kenneth Hicks and Vince Hicks took us back down memory lane on The Preseason Podcast of the Year, as we reminisced on the era and its impact. In part three, it’s your time to get involved!
The Mission: Create the perfect album imaginable that embodies everything about hip-hop in 1996, using only songs that dropped in the nine-six.
The Rules: Twelve tracks. No more than three songs from any one album. No limitations on the amount of singles or non-singles you can use. Songs released in 1996 that appeared on albums that were released in 1997 are acceptable, as are songs released in ’95 that appeared on albums that dropped in ’96.
The Goal: Select the 12 best songs and place them in order (factoring in things like overall tempo or storytelling of an album) as if you were a producer to create the best audio representation of hip-hop in 1996.
Each member of the HHSR family has put together their own playlist. You can view them each on our YouTube channel.
The first list of songs belong to yours truly, along with a brief explanation as to why each song made the vicennial album cut.
Sidebar: Each of us were sequestered when creating our playlists. These playlists were not a collaborative effort.
Justin’s Best of ’96 Album
1. 13th Floor/Growing Old- Outkast
It seems fitting to have The South bat leadoff, if for no other reason than ’96 was the year The South really began to make a name for itself. Plus the “’96 gone be that year” sampling makes for a nice intro touch.
2. The Message- Nas
Track two on his second album It Was Written, Esco’s pure lyricism sets an early tone for the caliber of music to come, while building towards the “lit” portion of the LP.
3. Fu-Gee-La- The Fugees
The record’s pace picks up with one of the most fun songs of the year in one of the most important slots on any album. Track 3 is a pivotal point on most albums— this one showcases the premiere female lyricist of the day.
4. Ambitions As A Ridah- Tupac Shakur
More fire. Pac brings ruggedness and attitude to the project with the first song off All Eyez On Me.
5. California Love Remix- Tupac Shakur Feat. Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman
Even more fire. California Love was never my favorite song, but the West Coast’s flag-plant song was unquestionably a hot record, and arguably the biggest rap song of the year. It also has had the longest shelf life of any song from ’96.
6. Everything Remains Raw- Busta Rhymes
We swing back to the East Coast and slow it down a bit with this non-single from The Coming. Still, not an ounce of momentum is lost with Busta Bust on the mic.
7. Dead Presidents II- Jay Z
Transitioning fully into a slower portion of the album, we welcome rap’s future king to the party (either version would do, but II is just better).
8. What They Do- The Roots
Not only a dope record, but the visual was possibly the best of the year.
9. I Ain’t Mad At Cha- Tupac Shakur Feat. Danny Boy
Our third selection from Pac— he shows us a different side of himself, while tragically, the video foreshadows his destiny.
10. Bout It 2- Master P Feat. Mia X
Had to hit The South once more. The story of 1996 is incomplete without acknowledgement of the rise of No Limit.
11. All That I Got Is You- Ghostface Killah Feat. Mary J. Blige
The album winds down two of the most soulful songs of the year. Ghostface authored one…
12. Tha Crossroads- Bone Thugs N Harmony
Bone authored the other. The song rivals “California Love” and the video rivals “What They Do” for best of the year.
Anthony’s Best of ’96 Album
1. Fu-Gee-La- The Fugees
2. Motivators- A Tribe Called Quest
3. Brooklyn’s Finest- Jay Z Feat. The Notorious B.I.G
4. Crush On You- Lil Kim Feat. Lil Cease
5. Street Dreams- Nas
6. Soul On Ice- Ras Kass
7. Elevators (Me & You)- Outkast
8. Tha Crossroads- Bone Thugs N Harmony
9. Ambitionz Az A Ridah- Tupac Shakur
10. Woo Hah!! (Got You All In Check)- Busta Rhymes
11. Dead Presidents II- Jay Z
12. Hail Mary- Tupac Shakur (Makaveli) Feat. The Outlawz & Prince Ital Joe
Kenneth’s Best of ’96 Album
1. Ready Or Not- The Fugees
2. Stakes Is High- De La Soul
3. Renee- The Lost Boyz
4. Brooklyn’s Finest- Jay Z Feat. The Notorious B.I.G
5. Crush On You- Lil Kim Feat. Lil Cease
6. 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted- Tupac Shakur Feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg (Lead Single)
7. California Love Remix- Tupac Shakur Feat. Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman
8. Mr. Ice Cream Man- Master P Feat. Silkk The Shocker, Mia X & Mo B. Dick
9. Rapper’s Ball- E-40 Feat. Too $hort & K-Ci
10. Elevators- Outkast
11. What They Do- The Roots
12. If I Ruled The World- Nas Feat. Lauryn Hill
And now…
The Challenge: Create a better album than the three you see above and drop it in the comments section! What does your Best of ’96 album look like? And which of ours do you like best?