1. Nas - N.Y. State Of Mind

The quintessential Nas track and one of Hip Hop’s best songs ever. A classic narrative of life on the NYC streets, this is one of the many classics Nas’ partnership with DJ Premier would yield and just arguably the biggest of them all.

2. Common - I Used To Love H.E.R.

Not just Common’s biggest song, but one of the biggest songs in Hip Hop, EVER. In this classic track, Common cleverly describes what appears to be his changing feelings for a girl, but what turns out to be his ever-evolving relationship with Hip Hop. Truly a landmark recording and the centerpiece of one of the best albums in one of Hip Hop’s best years.

3. Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy

The first single from Notorious B.I.G.‘s monumental debut album Ready To Die and an unbelievable critical and commercial success. This classic Biggie joint is an all-time classic not just because of its universal appeal, but because of its essentially positive vibe.

4. Gang Starr - Mass Appeal

Gang Starr always came with that straight up, real hardcore Hip Hop. In this classic joint from their fourth album Hard To Earn, they address sell-out artists who are willing to compromise their sound and themselves for chart success. The quintessential Gang Starr track.

5. Warren G - Regulate ft Nate Dogg

“Regulate” is the worldwide smash hit by Warren G and Nate Dogg. Released in the summer of 1994, the track appears on the soundtrack to the film Above the Rim and later Warren G.’s album Regulate…G Funk Era. One of those timeless tracks that still gets played today.

6. O.C. - Time's Up

O.C.‘s Time’s Up from his underrated 1994 album Word…Life was a scathing accusation, pointed at studio-gangsters and thug-posturers who were flooding the Hip Hop scene at the time.

7. Nas - The World Is Yours

Over a classic beat provided by Pete Rock, who brilliantly interpolates the old school classic “Its Yours” by T La Rock, Nas drops three dope verses.

8. Crooklyn Dodgers - Crooklyn

The Crooklyn Dodgers are a Hip Hop supergroup from Brooklyn, New York City, consisting of rotating members. The first group was composed of Buckshot, Masta Ace, and Special Ed. Their one and only record is this classic cut “Crooklyn,” produced by Q-Tip.

9. Keith Murray - The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World

“The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World” is the first single released from Keith Murray‘s debut album, The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World. The song was produced by Erick Sermon (who also provided background vocals) and became Murray’s most successful single.

10. Beastie Boys - Sabotage

That video. Simply brilliant and a perfect companion to this banging crossover track, probably one of the Beastie Boys’ most celebrated in a catalog full of classics.

11. Scarface - I Seen A Man Die

One of Scarface’s most recognizable singles and the centerpiece of the all-around excellent The Diary. As deep and introspective as Scarface can be, this is a legendary track and one of Scarface’s very best.

12. Method Man - Bring Da Pain

“Bring the Pain” is the classic first single released from Method Man‘s debut album Tical, the first, hugely successful Wu-Tang solo project, by one of the clan’s most beloved members.

13. OutKast - Git Up, Git out

The third single from OutKast‘s debut Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. This 7-minute track features Cee-Lo & Big Gipp of Goodie Mob, who rip it up with Andre & Big Boi on this mid-tempo masterpiece about doing something with your life. The beat, the message: a true testament to the power of Hip Hop.

14. Gravediggaz - Nowhere To Run, Nowhere To Hide

The third track from Gravediggaz’s debut album 6 Feet Deep and the second single released from it. With a beat originally intended for the Wu-Tang Clan, this RZA masterpiece arguably is the signature track off that underrated classic album.

15. Thug Life - How Long Will They Mourn Me? ft Nate Dogg

“How Long Will They Mourn Me?” is one of the lead singles of 2Pac’s 1994 project Thug Life, and one of the many big 2pac tracks.

16. Notorious B.I.G. - Things Done Changed

One of the most underrated Biggie songs; at least it is one of our personal favorites. This is a typical excellent lyrical narrative by Biggie, over a delicious instrumental crafted by Darnell Scott.

17. Jeru The Damaja - D. Original

“D. Original” by Jeru the Damaja, is the second single (after “Come Clean”, which was released in 1993) from his debut studio album The Sun Rises in the East. Perfect beat by DJ Premier complemented by Jeru’s dope rhymes.

18. Ahmad - Back In The Day

“Back in the Day” is a timeless track by forgotten West Coast rapper Ahmad. Released when Ahmad was only 18, the song is a nostalgic remembrance of childhood and young teenage years, from a somewhat jaded adult perspective. “Back in the Day” was Ahmad’s only major hit single, no doubt on the strength of its hook – a sample of the Teddy Pendergrass song “Love TKO”. “Back In The Day” sounds as fresh today as it in 1994.

19. Craig Mack - Flava In Ya Ear

For a while there, it looked like Craig Mack was going to be the next big thing. It didn’t happen for some reason, but this single from his debut album is an undisputed Hip Hop classic (as is the remix which features Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Rampage, and Busta Rhymes.

The remix is one of the best remixes ever done. Biggie‘s verse is just sick, full of Quotables. Check the video if you can spot all the cameo’s, besides the inevitable Puffy.

20. Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Take You There

“Take You There” is just one of the many stand-out tracks on Pete Rock & CL Smooth‘s second album, The Main Ingredient, the duo’s second consecutive masterful album.

21. Big L - Put It On

The first single off Big L’s debut album (which would be released in 1995) is one of the most radio-friendly of his entire catalog – on request of the record label to promote the album – but it is dope as hell anyway. The catchy Kid Capri hook works and Big L shows off his trademark top-notch wordplay and impeccable flow.

22. UGK - Front, Back, & Side To Side

“Front, Back, & Side To Side” is one of the many highlights of UGK‘s all-around excellent sophomore album Super Tight, one of this year’s classic albums from the South – along with Scarface’s The Diary and OutKast’s Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.

23. The Roots - Distortion To Static

Black Thought and Malik B showing off their lyrical skills over a dope drumbeat. “Distortion To Static” is the first single and just one of the stand-outs from The Roots’ second album Do You Want More?!!!??!, which would be released in 1995.

24. Artifacts - Wrong Side Of Da Tracks

“Wrong Side Of Da Tracks” is a classic jam by Artifacts, from their underrated first album Between a Rock and a Hard Place.

25. Raekwon - Heaven & Hell

This solo debut single by Wu-Tang Clan rapper Raekwon offered a tantalizing preview to his solo debut album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…, which would be released in 1995 and which would turn out to be one of the best Hip Hop albums ever.

26. Notorious B.I.G. - Big Poppa

One of the most macked-out songs ever and one of Biggie’s biggest hits. Super classic club banger.

27. Masta Ace - Born To Roll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHzg278Xkcg

For his 3rd album (and second as/with Masta Ace Inc.) Sittin On Chrome. Masta Ace reinvented himself yet again, this time doing a West Coast flavored album. “Born To Roll is one of the best tracks of Sittin On Chrome – Masta Ace’s commercially most successful album.

28. Gang Starr - Code Of The Streets

This classic cut – much like the rest of Gang Starr’s fourth album Hard To Earn – is real, uncut, East Coast Hip Hop at its best.

29. Nas - Life's A Bitch ft AZ

Another Illmatic highlight which perfectly captures the essence of the young black males growing up with the prospect of violent death or being incarcerated looming over them. Nas kills it as usual with his verse, but it is guest AZ who steals this particular show with a killer verse of his own.

Hip Hop trivia: it’s Nas’ father Olu Dara who provides the trumpet solo at the end to finish off this classic joint.

30. Coolio - Fantastic Voyage

Before his mainstream fame because of the 1995 Gangsta Paradise single, Coolio was an important member of WC’s MAAD Circle. With It Takes A Thief, he dropped a dope solo debut album after his MAAD circle period. “Fantastic Voyage” is one of the singles, with pop appeal, but dope as hell nonetheless.

31. Gang Starr - DWYCK ft Nice & Smooth

Markedly darker, both sonically and lyrically, than their previous albums, Hard To Earn is yet another 5-star album from Gang Starr. DWYCK is one of the few lighthearted moments on the album. Another classic Gang Starr track.

32. Lady Of Rage - Afro Puffs

“Afro Puffs” is the first single released by The Lady of Rage in 1994 from the Death Row labeled  Above the Rim: The Soundtrack. Still the best-known track from a sadly underrated emcee.

33. Public Enemy - So Whatcha Gone Do Now?

From Public Enemy‘s underappreciated fifth album Muse Sick-N-Hour Mess Age, (which admittedly was a bit too long for its own good and less inconsistent than their previous efforts, but still was a very good album) this track packs a strong message to ‘gangsta’ and sell out Hip Hop artists.

34. Notorious B.I.G. - Unbelievable

Produced by DJ Premier, so you know the instrumental is dope. One of the many stand-out tracks from Biggie’s super classic debut Ready To Die. Biggie Smalls Is The Illest.

35. Nas - It Ain't Hard To Tell

Another Nas masterpiece. Excellent instrumental by Large Professor and loaded with samples, especially the brilliant looping of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” stands out. Filled with Quotables – Nas at his best.

36. Da Brat - Funkdafied

“Funkafied” is the lead single from a historic album: the first album by a female emcee to sell over a million units.

37. Jeru The Damaja - Ain't The Devil Happy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rjO5PMbics

In a year when DJ Premier dropped another excellent Gang Starr album with Hard To Earn, he reserved his best beats for Brooklyn emcee Jeru The Damaja. Jeru’s intellectual street flows combined with Premier’s best instrumentals result in a tight 10- song album with no filler tracks. “Ain’t The Devil Happy” is one of the very best songs on the album.

38. Organized Konfusion - Stray Bullet

Organized Konfusion was responsible for three excellent albums in the 90s, and this is one of the best tracks of the best of the three albums. Prince Po and Pharoahe Monch show some unparalleled lyricism on this dark, dense, complicated, and intellectual album, on conceptually brilliant “Stray Bullet” they tell a story from a bullet’s perspective.

39. Digable Planets - 9th Wonder (Blackitolism)

One of the best tracks from Digable Planets’ second album in two years (and unfortunately their last). Musically reminiscent of The Roots, this smart and seductive album is one of 1994 most creative and interesting releases. A timeless album, that sounds as fresh today as it did in 1994.

40. Beatnuts - Props Over Here

One of the highlights from Beatnuts’ first full-length album – an underappreciated NYC classic. This is one of those albums that have stood the test of time. The production is excellent throughout, and the braggadocious and humorous rhymes are catchy and creative. “Props over Here” is a perfect example of what the Beatnuts are all about.

Honorable Mentions

• Nas – Memory Lane
• Nas – One Love
• Nas – One Time 4 Your Mind
• Nas – Represent
• Nas – Halftime
• Notorious B.I.G. – Everyday Struggle
• Notorious B.I.G. – Warning
• Notorious B.I.G. – One More Change
• Notorious B.I.G. – The What
• OutKast – Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
• Outkast – Crumblin’ Erb
• O.C. – Word… Life
• O.C. – Constables
• O.C. – Born 2 Live
• Jeru The Damaja – My Mind Spray
• Jeru The Damaja – Can’t Stop The Prophet
• Gang Starr – Brainstorm
• Gang Starr – The Planet
• Pete Rock & CL Smooth – The Main Ingredient
• Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Carmel City
• Pete Rock & CL Smooth – I Get Physical
• Common – Resurrection
• Common – Sum Sh** I Wrote
• Scarface – Hand Of The Dead Body
• Scarface – No Tears
• Scarface – Mind Playin’ Tricks ’94
• Organized Konfusion – Thirteen
• Organized Konfusion – Stress
• Organized Konfusion – Bring it On
• Ahmad – Back In The Day
• Beatnuts – Superbad
• UGK – The Return
• UGK – Pocket Full Of Stones 2
• The Coup – The Name Game
• The Coup – Taking These
• The Coup – Fat Cats, Bigga Fish
• Warren G – This DJ
• Redman – Sooperman Luva (Part II)
• Thug Life – Pour Out A Little Liquor
• Gravediggaz – 1-800 Suicide
• Gravediggaz – Diary Of A Madman
• Gravediggaz – Defective Trip (Trippin’)
• Method Man – Release Yo’Delf
• Method Man – PLO Style
• Public Enemy – Give It Up
• Public Enemy – Bedlam 13:13
• Public Enemy – What Side you On?
• Boogiemonsters – Recognized Thresholds Of Negative Stress
• Boogiemonsters – Altered States of Consciousness
• E-40 – Captain Save A Hoe
• Coolio – It Takes A Thief
• Coolio – County Line
• Above The Law – Black Superman
• Above The Law – Kalifornia
• Dru Down – Pimp Of The Year
• JT The Bigga Figga ft Mac Mall – Game Recognize Game
• Fugees – Nappy Heads
• Digable Planets – Four Corners
• Coolio – Fantastic Voyage
• Bone Thugs N Harmony – Thuggish Ruggish Bone
• Saafir – Light Sleeper
• The Coup – Fat Cats
• M.O.P. – How About Some Hardcore
• Big Mike – Playa Playa
• Big Mike – Something Serious
• Slick Rick – Behind Bars
• Blackalicious – Lyric Fathom
• Beastie Boys – Sure Shot