The best '90s rappers and rap groups brought us some of the best rap songs of all time with artists like Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, and the Notorious B.I.G. dominating the decade. Often described as the "golden age" of hip hop and rap, the 1990s introduced many rappers and rap groups that would go on to become the best rappers of all time.
During the beginning of the decade, prominent acts and rappers like Ice Cube, LL Cool J, and Public Enemy led the charts as their fame, first established in the 1980s, continued. Each brought something new and interesting to the rap world, such as Ice Cube's 1991 release of "Death Certificate," which dealt with real-world issues like racism, Los Angeles gangs, and drugs.
As the decade continued, one of the best rap albums of all time came along in 1992. Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" made the now-legendary producer and rapper's name, along with the name of another up-and-coming rapper, Snoop Dogg, known around the world. Snoop and Dre represented the West Coast of the United States and alongside the late Tupac Shakur and the rest of the Death Row family, these rappers dominated the genre for the next several years. But there was another coast ready to battle for that top spot on the charts.
Enter the Bad Boy family from the East Coast with top names like Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs and Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace. These two sides were crucial in the East Coast-West Coast rap rivalry that not only produced some of the top rap music of the decade but also ultimately ended the lives of 2Pac and Biggie, as both were tragically murdered.
All of these rappers and their music influenced and ushered in a new generation of rappers, the best rappers of the 2000s, and put up a good fight for the best decade for rap music ever. Which 90s rapper is your favorite? Vote for the ones you like the best below or add your favorite to the list!
112,5893,343Tupac Shakur
All Eyez on Me, Me Against the WorldGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Political hip hop, Gangsta rap, West Coast hip hop
27,1762,011Ice Cube
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, The PredatorGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Alternative hip hop, Political hip hop, Hardcore hip hop, Gangsta rap
![N.W.A]()
34,4041,147N.W.A
Straight Outta Compton, Niggaz4LifeGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Political hip hop, Gangsta rap, G-funk, West Coast hip hop
See: The Best N.W.A Songs
![The Notorious B.I.G.]()
410,4572,961The Notorious B.I.G.
Ready to Die, Life After DeathGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop, Gangsta rap, Mafioso rap
![Wu-Tang Clan]()
56,0221,712Wu-Tang Clan
Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, Wu-Tang ForeverGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop, Gangsta rap, Mafioso rap
![Nas]()
68,3762,685Nas
Illmatic, Life Is GoodGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Alternative hip hop, East Coast hip hop
See: The Best Nas Songs
![Snoop Dogg]()
76,7122,316Snoop Dogg
Doggystyle, Tha DoggfatherGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Pop music, Gangsta rap, G-funk, Reggae
![Method Man]()
82,173551Method Man
Tical, 4:21... The Day AfterGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop
![Outkast]()
91,505297Outkast
Stankonia, AqueminiGenres (Music): Alternative hip hop, Dance-pop, Jazz, Electronica, Southern hip hop
![Eazy-E]()
104,5911,604Eazy-E
Eazy-Duz-It, It’s On (Dr. Dre) 187um KillaGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Old-school hip hop, Gangsta rap, G-funk, West Coast hip hop
![Eminem]()
117,2752,902Eminem
The Marshall Mathers LP, The Slim Shady LPGenres (Music): Hip hop
![Method Man and Redman]()
122,040558Method Man and Redman
Blackout!, How HighGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop
![Mobb Deep]()
132,329807Mobb Deep
The Infamous, Blood MoneyGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop, Gangsta rap, Mafioso rap
![Dr. Dre]()
146,3122,662Dr. Dre
The Chronic, 2001Genres (Music): Hip hop music, Rap music, Gangsta rap, G-funk, West Coast hip hop
![Busta Rhymes]()
152,5661,005Busta Rhymes
When Disaster Strikes…, The Big BangGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Ragga, Dancehall, Hardcore hip hop, Pop music
![A Tribe Called Quest]()
162,103796A Tribe Called Quest
The Low End Theory, Midnight MaraudersGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Jazz rap, Alternative hip hop, Rhythm and blues, Alternative rock
![DMX]()
173,8161,570DMX
It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, Flesh of My FleshGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Horrorcore, Hardcore hip hop, Christian hip hop, East Coast hip hop
See: The Best DMX Songs
![Bone Thugs-N-Harmony]()
183,0121,219Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
E. 1999 Eternal, BTNHResurrectionGenres (Music): Urban contemporary, Hip hop music, Horrorcore, Midwest hip hop, Gangsta rap
![Run–DMC]()
191,478537Run–DMC
Raising Hell, Run-D.M.C.Genres (Music): Hip hop music, Alternative hip hop, Hardcore hip hop, Industrial hip hop, Rock music
![André 3000]()
203,2681,555André 3000
Royal Flush, Class of 3000: Music Volume OneGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Alternative hip hop, Rock music, Electronic music, Rhythm and blues
![Nate Dogg]()
211,699678Nate Dogg
Music & Me, Welcome To The Dogg HouseGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Pop music, Neo soul, Gangsta rap, G-funk
![Rakim]()
222,7951,245Rakim
The 18th Letter, The Archive: LiveGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop
See: The Best Rakim Songs
![Cypress Hill]()
231,606689Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill, Black SundayGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Alternative hip hop, Nu metal, Hardcore hip hop, Latin American music
![Ol' Dirty Bastard]()
24946361Ol' Dirty Bastard
Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version, The Trials and Tribulations of Russell JonesGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Rap music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop, Rhythm and blues
![LL Cool J]()
252,0701,013LL Cool J
Radio, Mama Said Knock You OutGenres (Music): Hip hop music, Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop
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