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*This article was published on November 28, 2022.
The 1990s was a defining decade for hip-hop, both as a popular culture movement and as a large-scale commercial enterprise. Rap music’s profitability and global reach increased exponentially in the ’90s as new superstars emerged from cities and regions across the country. During this period, a thriving underground scene grew under (and indeed parallel to) rap’s campaign to dominate mainstream pop culture. This dynamic plays out here in Philadelphia as well, with a handful of artists releasing on major labels, most recording on smaller independent labels like IQ and Ragz To Riches, and local acts like Dances and The Fake Haus. venues and sold their own records. Vinyl, cassette and CD can be played independently.
Not only did 90s Philadelphia hip-hop build on the growth and evolution of the style enjoyed in the 80s, but the 90s also saw many young artists making major breakthroughs in the 2000s, shaping the future of music. provided a clear path to While it’s almost impossible to compile a list of songs that perfectly sums up ’90s Philadelphia hip-hop, the following song choices reflect the sound and style that defined this chaotic and memorable decade. It is a sincere attempt to capture the .
Fleshco & Miz – We Don’t Play (1990)
In 1989, Southwestern Philadelphia turntablist DJ Miz and Brooklyn lyricist MC Freshko won the DJ and rap contests, respectively, in the New Music Seminar battle for world supremacy. After deciding to team up as a group, the duo dropped “We Don’t Play.” This is an evocative, uptempo anthem that has been rocking Cooking His Outs and Block His parties since the day it was released.
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Summertime (1991)
When the video for DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Summertime” aired following an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the song was a hit and destined for immortality. Uplifting hooks, a hypnotic inversion of Kool & The Gang’s “Summer Madness,” Will Smith’s slow flow, and the colorful video “Summertime” perfectly capture the warm and playful life of Black Philadelphia. I was.
Tone Love – Bring It Back for Jerome (1992)
Twenty-six years before Meek Mill’s “Dreams & Nightmares” was chosen as the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl 2018 anthem, Tuff Crew’s 1992 anthem “Bring It Home for Jerome” was the de facto Eagles’ 1992 anthem. was the soundtrack for Created in honor of Eagles Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jerome Brown after his tragic death in a car accident in the summer of 1992, “Bring It Home for Jerome” is a tribute to the team’s final It was a musical rallying cry as they built momentum into a playoff spot before being eliminated in a big way. by the Cowboys.
The Roots – The Session (The Longest Posse Cut in History) (1993)
At over 12 minutes long, “The Session” serves as a nice bridge between his penchant for jamming out with live grooves with long roots and Philly’s connection to the diverse rap scene. Questlove, a true cypher of Wax, introduces each MC with standout verses from Black Thought, Shortie No Mass, and Roots expansion crew member Foreign Objects.
Ruggedness & Madd Drama – For Real (1994)
“For Real” is an underground anthem by the Hunting Park rap crew, Ruggedness and Mad Drama. Produced by MC/beatmaker/engineer Ruggedness, “For Real” is raw and otherworldly. The beats are dark and atmospheric, while Ruggedness has a free flow, offering song-like dialogue and layered pop culture references.
Bahamas Dia – Unknowhowwedu (1995)
Written as an extended shout-out to Philadelphia hip-hop innovators past and present, Bahamas Media’s “Unknowhowwedu” is a true Philly hip-hop family tree. Over Ski’s slick, glowing instrumentals, Bahamadia spins a poem that tells the story of Philly’s hip-hop culture through his ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. While early figures like Lady B and Sex Machine are beloved, ’80s star Tuff Crew and his 3XDope are celebrated alongside ’90s underground legends Ruggedness and The Rebels. increase. It’s no exaggeration to say that the name Bahamas refers to in “Uknowhowwedu” alone can trace and contextualize a large chunk of Philadelphia hip-hop history.
Da Fat Cat Clique – Da Flow (feat. EST, The Man They Call Lux, Ital Tha Ruffian, Lavee, Ruggedness) (1996)
Da Fat Cat Creek’s “Da Flow” didn’t seem like a local hit. It’s not a single (the song was her third cut on her 12-inch, led by the more popular cut “My Tracks”), but the seven MCs’ sumptuous yet understated piano samplings. Possu was his cut, demonstrating his lyrical skill with. beat. Despite all of this, “Da Flow” spent his summer of ’96 at the top of Power 99’s “Top 9 at 9” countdown and had national hits like Junior Mafia and Notorious BIG’s “Get Money.” beat songs regularly. Criz Diggity and AB Lover joined Three Times Dope’s EST, The Man They Call Lux, Ital Tha Ruffian, Levee, and the track’s producer, Ruggedness, for a barrage of booth-rotting guest verses and the resulting is a very stylistically accurate snapshot. Diverse states of mid-90s Philly rap.
DOD – Price of Fame (1997)
DOD’s “Price of Fame” is a bittersweet anthem to street life, rotated on Power 99’s highly influential late-night mix show Radioactive, and remains an underground classic to this day. With gorgeous guitar and vocal samples, the song has a sad and introspective feel. The lyrics touch on violence, melancholy and despair, with Don Corleone demanding to be buried lying on his stomach when he dies so the world can “kiss my ass” and concludes the poem. Best of all, “Price of Fame” does a great job of capturing street life and the other side of the drug game.
Come Up Show Freestyle – Beanie Sigel, Philadelphia’s Most Wanted, Major Figus (1998)
Beanie Siegel, Philadelphia’s Most Wanted, and Major Figus’ Radio Freestyle, probably recorded in 1998, on a late-night mix show from Cosmic Kev’s Power 99 Come Up show, Philly A glimpse into the future of rap. Featuring dexterous rhyme patterns based on graphic lyrics, punch lines, and internal rhyming couplets, the style pioneered by Beanie Siegel, The Phillies’ Most Wanted, and Major Figus is Philly’s next-generation template. provide. Listening to this freestyle, it’s hard to imagine his 2000s Philadelphia MCs like Meek, Reed Doraz and Joey Jihad sounding the same without their ancestors. am. This freestyle also earns him bonus points, as Beans later kicks the same verse he uses in “Adrenaline” by The Roots.
Eve – What Ya Want (1999)
Armed with Swizz Beatz’ Latin-flavoured instrumentals and oozing charisma, West Philly native Eve’s ‘What Y’all Want’ was a star-making debut. With supreme confidence and style, Eve comes out of the gate to let us know she’s “changing the game, setting the rules, making it work”, established by Lady B, Malika Love, Evette Money and more. built a legacy A brilliant female rapper from Philadelphia.
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