Before mixtapes flooded the streets, movie soundtracks showcased various artists to promote the film. A record label would’ve been fortunate to capitalize on the success of a film by putting a stamp on its soundtrack. The music in a movie is a character within itself, as they set the tone to accompany the mood of the scene. If done correctly, the music in a movie either enticed people to go out and buy the album or rush theaters to see the film. One hand washed the other as the movie and music complemented each other artistically as well as financially.
Soundtracks also gave a platform to lesser known artists who never dropped an album. Some of them you hadn’t heard of since. A few of them aren’t “Googleable.” They don’t even have a Wikipedia page. Even though some of them became a part of the “Where Are They Now?” discussions after landing in obscuring, their 15-minutes of fame is the epitome of “homie hookup,” courtesy of a soundtrack. Most of them made the best of that flash-in-the-pan moment by dropping bangers that’ll make you say, “Ah snap! What happened to them?!” And because of that, they hold bragging rights regardless of not reaching a high level of fame they probably sought after.
The soundtrack gained prominence in the 1970s during the Blaxploitation era until reaching its peak in the 1990s. The height of the soundtrack brought eyes to movie theaters and living rooms, and ears to stereos and headphones. While I’m not the type to romanticize the past as the “well, back in my day…” type of old head, there’s no accident that damn near every soundtrack on the list is from the ‘90s. No disrespect to joints from the 1980s and 2000s, but the ‘90s soundtracks were just…different. So much so that I believe that the ‘90s was the zenith of modern civilization.
Everything was better in the ‘90s: music, movies, clothes, sports, video games, the economy, etc. Sheeeeeeid, we even had a president who smoked weed and got head in the White House (allegedly). I still showed love to the 2000s in my 25 Greatest Hip-Hop Soundtracks of All-Time list, even though two of those albums were basically dropped by the same label (hint, hint).
The ranking of these classic albums was done by consistency, non-skippable tracks, and replay value. Sequencing also played a part in the criteria. Some joints lost points based on the tracklisting that threw off the flow of the album. I don’t care how many albums were sold. The collection of songs that blended well together had to move the needle. Impact doesn’t necessarily determine greatness. So I left out that criteria for the ranking. A lot of music that left an influence throughout the years either sound dated or was the product of a media craze.
And we all know that the Pet Rock had come and went.
I’m sure Millennials and Generation Xers will take a stroll down memory lane from movie soundtracks that were the soundtracks of their yesteryears. Some of you might agree, disagree, roll your eyes, and cuss me out about the placement of the list and the omission of certain albums, but one thing’s for sure, my list is the quintessential truth, Ruth.
Shout out to Señor Love Daddy.
So Do The Right Thing and enjoy the top 25 countdown.
See what I did right ‘chea?
Peeeeeeeeeace.
25. Krush Groove
Top Tracks:
If I Ruled the World
Krush Groovin’
Tender Love
Quick take: Everybody who is new to Hip-Hop should start with this album.
24. Soul in the Hole
Top Tracks:
Diesel
The Game of Life
Won on Won
Quick take: I took a chance on buying the CD when it first dropped…and was glad I did.
23. High School High
Top Tracks:
Wu Wear
I Just Can’t
Queen Bitch
Quick take: This jawn had to grow on me after a few listens.
22. The Wood
Top Tracks:
Neck Ov Da Woods
I Wanna Know
Think About You
Quick take: The Mystikal jawn with Outkast is one of the greatest rap songs of all time — supremely underrated.
21. Rhyme and Reason
Top Tracks:
Nuthin’ But a Cavi Hit
Is There a Heaven for a Gangsta
Tragedy
Quick take: The documentary showcased one of Biggie’s last interviews before his untimely demise.
20. Belly
Top Tracks:
Tommy’s Theme
Top Shotter
The Militia Remix
Quick take: The movie was pretty much a long music video for the songs.
19. New Jersey Drive Vol. 1
Top Tracks:
Benz and Beemer
Can’t You See
Do What U Want
Quick take: The music supervisor should’ve combined volume 2 with 1, respectfully — volume 2 is basically an EP.
18. Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
Top Tracks:
Winter Warz
Renee
All the Things
Quick take: This jawn would’ve been ranked higher if the last 3 songs were deleted.
17. House Party 2
Top Tracks:
Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody
House Party II
Yo Baby Yo
Quick take: The film excerpts made the soundtrack a movie within itself; I’m glad that the excerpts were separated from the songs as their own track.
16. 8 Mile
Top Tracks:
Lose Yourself
Wanksta
8 Mile
Quick take: I still haven’t seen the movie.
Bonus take: This jawn would’ve been ranked much higher if it wasn’t so uneven and top-heavy.
15. Hustle & Flow
Top Tracks:
Whoop That Trick
It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp
Hustle & Flow (It Ain’t Over)
Quick take: Terrence Howard performs as DJay (the name of his character in the movie) and arguably has the best songs on the album
Bonus take: A dope album to get the party crunk from start to finish
14. Who’s the Man?
Top Tracks:
Party and Bullshit
Who’s the Man?
You Don’t Have to Worry
Quick take: No music by Uptown artists like Christopher Williams, Little Shawn, and Jeff Redd is hella suspect.
13. New Jack City
Top Tracks:
New Jack Hustla
I Wanna Sex You Up
I’m Dreamin’
Quick take: I was pleasantly surprised by the dopeness of this jawn.
12. I’m Bout It
Top Tracks:
Meal Ticket
How Ya Do Dat
Ride 4 U
Quick take: This soundtrack had Chicago in a chokehold during the Summer of ‘97.
11. Boyz N The Hood
Top Tracks:
How to Survive in South Central
Me and You
Just Ask Me To
Quick take: I woke up from sleeping on this album during COVID.
10. Boomerang
Top Tracks:
End of the Road
I’d Die Without You
Love Shoulda Brought You Home
Quick take: This soundtrack leans heavily on the R&B side, buuuuuut it’s so dope that I felt obligated to rank it in my top 10.
9. Menace II Society
Top Tracks:
Streiht Up Menace
Guerillas Ain’t Gangstas
You’ve Been Played
Quick take: A dope mix of East Coast, West Coast, and Southern artists from start to finish.
Bonus take: I didn’t realize DJ Quik had dissed Everlast (from House of Pain) until years later.
8. Sunset Park
Top Tracks:
High Til I Die
Just Doggin’
Keep On, Keepin’ On
Quick take: It’s funny how “Just Doggin” by Tha Dogg Pound was featured in Above the Rim but found its way on this album.
7. Get Rich or Die Tryin’
Top Tracks:
Hustler’s Ambition
Window Shopper
Have a Party
Quick take: This jawn is pretty much a 50 Cent album with guest appearances.
6. Gang Related
Top Tracks:
Made Niggaz
Staring in my Rearview
Lost Souls
Quick take: I’m glad they added “Made Niggaz” to the tracklist — that jawn was previously released on the Supercop soundtrack the year prior.
5. Friday
Top Tracks:
Friday
Keep Their Heads Ringin’
Hoochie Mama
Quick take: One of the last times you heard Luke and 2 Live Crew together on a track before the split.
4. Juice
Top Tracks:
Know The Ledge
Uptown Anthem
Don’t Be Afraid
Quick take: I always wondered why Pac never dropped a track on this jawn.
Bonus take: It’s crazy how Too Short and MC Pooh sound alike.
3. The Nutty Professor
Top Tracks:
Touch Me, Tease Me
Doin It Remix
I Like
Quick take: This album helped Def Jam get a second wind after a string of flops in the early ‘90s.
2. Murder was the Case
Top Tracks:
Murder Was the Case Remix
Natural Born Killaz
Recognize
Quick take: It’s a shame that Death Row never capitalized on the buzz that Sam Sneed, Danny Boy, and Jewell gained from this album.
Bonus take: The Dr. Dre/Ice Cube Helter Skelter collaboration album is Detox’s twin brother as far as joints that will never drop.
1. Above the Rim
Top Tracks:
Regulate
Afro Puffs
Big Pimpin’
Quick take: A flawless classic with tracks that could’ve been on the Tha Dogg Pound’s Dogg Food.
Bonus take: Press “play” and allow the album work its magic.
Honorable Mentions (Joints you should buy/stream even though it didn’t hit the top 25):
Deep Cover
CB4
In Too Deep
The Show
Trespass
Ghost Dog
Choices
Baby Boy
Afro Samurai Resurrection
Blue Streak