The best West Coast rap songs of the ‘90s

Although Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg released their first song “Deep Cover” a few months prior, the world really took notice of Snoop when they dropped their follow-up collaboration “Nothin’ But a ‘G’ Thang.” Produced by Dre, the song was the lead single from the rapper’s debut solo album The Chronic. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot Rap Songs charts. 

In 1995, Los Angeles group The Pharcyde released their sophomore album Labcabincalifornia. Following the release of the first single “Drop,” they saw even more success with the second single “Runnin,’” J Dilla produced both songs. The track tells the perspective of a guy who shouldn’t keep running away from his problems. 

After Ice Cube chose to break away from his hip-hop group N.W.A., he went on to have a successful solo career. In 1992, he released his third solo album The Predator, which featured the hit single “It Was a Good Day.” On the track, Cube describes a day in his life from his mother making breakfast, to playing basketball, to hooking up with a girl.

In 1994, Warren G came onto the scene with his Nate Dogg-assisted debut single “Regulate.” Produced by Warren as well, the song was not only featured on his debut album Regulate… G Funk Era, but also the Above the Rim soundtrack. The song sampled Michael McDonald’s “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near),” and it peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1996, Bay Area native E-40 released his third album Tha Hall of Game, led by the hit single “Rapper’s Ball.” Teaming up with Jodeci singer K-Ci and fellow Bay Area rapper Too $hort, E-40 uses the track to describe his life of luxury while also calling out folks who truly aren’t about that life.  

Just a few months after releasing his debut single “Born and Raised in Compton,” DJ Quik returned with his second single “Tonite.” With a sample of Betty Wright’s “Tonight is the Night,” Quik uses the track to describe a day in his life. 

In case you didn’t know that the West Coast knows how to party, Tupac is here to remind you of his 1995 single “California Love.” Teaming up with Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman, Tupac uses the track to describe all things California such as fashion, weather, crime, music, and different cities throughout the state. “California Love” topped several Billboard charts including Hot Rap Songs and the Hot 100. 

Too $hort is all about making money and going after what he wants on his 1996 single “Gettin’ It.” He simply gives his listeners advice to never give up, as he raps on the second verse, “I know you tired of being broke, just hanging out / You got a lot of dreams but you can’t get out / The first thing you need to do is set yourself some goals / Think positive, everything is old.” 

In 1998, Kurupt released his debut album Kuruption!, which featured the hit single “We Can Freak It.” Produced by Battlecat, the song is one of the most recognized tracks in the G-funk music era. 

Oakland duo Luniz is all about the community on their debut single “I Got 5 On It.” Produced by Tone Capone, the song details how people bring their money together so they can all enjoy some marijuana. The song was a top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and saw new light in 2019 when Jordan Peele remixed it as a theme song for his horror film Us.

Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg are always a force in the rap game when they collaborate on a song. It was no different in 1999 when they released their hit single “Still D.R.E.” Co-written by Jay Z and co-produced by Scott Storch, Dre uses the track to describe his hiatus and how long he takes to perfect his craft and drop albums. 

Skee-Lo came onto the scene in 1995 with his debut single “I Wish.” On the track, the rapper describes how much he desires to be taller and have finer things in life so he can impress a potential lover. As he says on the hook, “I wish a little bit taller / I wish was a baller / I wish I had a girl who looked good, I would call her / I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat / And a six-four impala.” 

After being featured on a couple of songs with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg released his debut album in 1993 properly titled Doggystyle. His first solo single “Who Am I (What’s My Name)” was produced by Dre and sampled songs like Funkadelic’s “(Not Just) Knee Deep” and George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog.” It’s one of those songs that truly ushered in the G-funk sound of the decade.  

In 1996, Oakland rapper Richie Rich released his third album Seasoned Veteran which featured his lead single “Let’s Ride.” There’s nothing like California and he mentions it on the hook, “Something about the West Coast / It makes me wanna ride.” 

In 1995, Long Beach rap group The Dove Shack released their debut album This Is the Shack, led by the hit single “Summertime in the LBC.” The smooth and airy production of the track fits perfectly as the group describes the perfect summer days in their hometown. Not only do they describe the type of people they hang out with, but also the cars they drive and the fashions that people wear. 

Oakland group Souls of Mischief came onto the scene in 1993 with their debut single “93 ‘Til Infinity.” One of the cool things about the track is how the sound is unique to California and didn’t sound like the mainstream West Coast music at the time. On the track, the group describes their daily lives such as going on dates to rocking different fashions. 

Just two years after releasing his debut studio album The Mail Man, E-40 returned with his sophomore album In a Major Way. He teamed up with his younger sister Suga-T on the second single “Sprinkle Me,” a track in which the rapper gives the game to his listeners. “Sprinkle Me” reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart. 

Tupac and Digital Underground have no problem spitting their game on the 1993 single “I Get Around.” The track became Tupac’s first major successful single, selling over one million copies and placing as a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1991, Yo-Yo released her debut album Make Way for the Motherlode, which featured the hit single “You Can’t Play With My Yo-Yo.” Teaming up with her mentor and fellow Los Angeles rapper Ice Cube, Yo-Yo uses the track to describe who she is as a woman. 

In addition to E-40 being a solo artist, he was also a member of hip-hop group The Click, which included fellow members B-Legit, D-Shot, and Suga-T. In 1995, The Click released their sophomore album Game Related, led by the hit single “Hurricane.” The song title is in reference to an alcoholic drink, which according to E-40, “It’s just like moonshine, have you on your face.”

In 1994, San Francisco rapper Rappin’ 4-Tay released his sophomore album Don’t Fight the Feelin,’ which featured the hit single “Playaz Club.” On the track, 4-Tay describes his love for different players clubs across the state of California. As he says on the hook, “Me and my homies, we’re tighter than a glove / We chop a lot of game, that’s how we do it in the playaz club.”

In 1994, Coolio released his debut album It Takes a Thief, which featured the hit single “Fantastic Voyage.” Using a sample of Lakeside’s 1980 song of the same, Coolio describes how much he wants to live a peaceful life, one that is free of fear with his family. “Fantastic Voyage” reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1994, Too $hort released his eighth album Get In Where You Fit In, led by the hit single “I’m a Player.” Using a sample of Bootsy Collins’ “Hollywood Squares,” Too $hort uses the track to emphasize his pimp and player ways. As he says on the first verse, “You see I made up my mind when I was 17 / I ain’t with no marriage and a wedding ring / I’ll be a player for life, so where’s my wife?” 

In 1994, Oakland rapper Dru Down released his most successful single to date, “Pimp of the Year.” The title of the track is pretty self-explanatory as Dru Down describes his pimping ways of dealing with women. 

MC Hammer is probably the first rapper to transcend across the hip-hop and pop worlds. In 1990, he released his third album Please Hammer Don’t Hurt Em, which featured the hit single “U Can’t Touch This.” Using a sample of Rick James’ 1981 single “Super Freak,” the song was a massive hit. Not only was the song a top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 but it was the first rap song to be nominated for Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards.