1999: A Year of Paradox in Hip-Hop
New titans, storied rivalries, and the emergence of a groundbreaking talent. #HipHop50
1999 was a weird but notable year in hip-hop, marked by a tumultuous landscape filled with new faces, continued success from established heavyweights, the shooting of Big L, Cash Money Records takeover, Lauryn Hill winning Grammy awards and intense rivalries. The battle for the crown in New York intensifies with Nas and JAY-Z, the rise of a new force in Detroit with Eminem, and the birth of a new generation of artists ready to redefine the genre's landscape into the new millennium.
Nas released the highly anticipated album I Am..., which generated mixed reactions throughout the hip-hop community. On the other hand, JAY-Z continued his meteoric ascent following his groundbreaking 1998 album with Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter. The competition between these two figures caused a significant change in the New York rap scene, resulting in a division that would have a lasting impact on the city's hip-hop story.
DMX, another heavyweight in the New York scene, also had a significant year. Following the success of his first two albums in 1998, DMX released his third studio album, ...And Then There Was X. This album featured the smash hit "Party Up (Up in Here)," which quickly became an anthem and further elevated DMX's status as one of the era's most influential rappers. The album actually had the highest sales during its first week among all hip-hop albums in 1999.
While the East Coast was battling for supremacy, a new force emerged on the West Coast – a white rapper from Detroit named Eminem. Under the tutelage of legendary producer Dr. Dre, Eminem released his groundbreaking major-label debut album, The Slim Shady LP. His sharp wit, dark humor, and intricate rhyme schemes quickly gained him notoriety. Despite the controversy surrounding his lyrics, it debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 behind TLC's FanMail.
However, the full scope of the changes in 1999's hip-hop landscape goes beyond these highlights. A complete analysis would involve various artists' discographies, lyrical themes, commercial success, and their influence on the genre's evolution. To fully understand the lasting impact of this pivotal year, it's necessary to dive deep into the individual narratives and broader cultural shifts that marked 1999 as a unique year in hip-hop history.
Certified Classics of 1999
The Slim Shady LP — Eminem
We kick things off with one of Eminem's influential works, The Slim Shady LP. Bursting onto the scene with a fiery blend of wit, irreverence, and biting lyricism, Eminem’s debut major-label album provided a jolting shock to the system. His raw narrative style, coupled with Dr. Dre's sophisticated beats, resonated with audiences, illuminating the darker recesses of American suburbia. The album’s controversial content courted acclaim and criticism, paving the way for a career hallmarked by boundary-pushing narratives.
Things Fall Apart — The Roots
The Roots were busy etching their name in stone with Things Fall Apart. This album marked a bold departure from conventional hip-hop norms. Eschewing a reliance on loops and samples, The Roots incorporated live instrumentation to create a vibrant, organic sound. Lyrics with socio-political insights further augmented the group’s unique sonic palette, reflecting an understanding of music's power to prompt critical discourse.
Operation: Doomsday — MF DOOM
On a somewhat subterranean level, 1999 saw the birth of Operation: Doomsday by the elusive MF DOOM. His labyrinthine wordplay and clever sampling created a fresh landscape in rap. Employing a comic book alter ego, DOOM's narratives were rich with metaphor and reference, showcasing an alternative approach to indispensable rhymes that hadn't been explored previously.
A Prince Among Thieves — Prince Paul
Prince Paul's A Prince Among Thieves also shares this spotlight. This concept album spun a riveting narrative across its 35 tracks, demonstrating the potential for hip-hop as a platform for storytelling. Paul's robust character development and seamless fusion of humor and drama underscored his deft ability to manipulate traditional song structures, imbuing the genre with a fresh layer of depth.
Black On Both Sides — Mos Def
In the same vein, Mos Def, with Black On Both Sides, presented a varied showcase of his lyrical skill. His seamless blending of rap, soul, and jazz underpinned a philosophical exploration of identity and race, a refreshing departure from much of mainstream hip-hop and Rawkus Records' focus during the era.
2001 — Dr. Dre
Enter Dr. Dre with 2001; his meticulous craftsmanship is fully displayed after several disappointing projects, including the Aftermath compilation and the Firm. Dre's dedication to precision in his production and arrangement techniques yielded an album that, while minimalist in approach, is layered with subtlety and complexity. While not on the level of The Chronic, each track contributes to an intricate, holistic auditory experience.
Internal Affairs — Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch's Internal Affairs warrants a mention. This album consolidated Monch’s status as an adept lyricist. Fusing intense, hard-hitting beats with thoughtful, engaging lyricism, Monch cultivated an atmosphere of gritty realism while demonstrating his vocal versatility and syllabic rhyme style.
Essential Albums of 1999
Delving into the kaleidoscope of hip-hop in 1999, we find a trove of essential releases that left profound imprints on the scene.
Chopper City in the Ghetto — B.G.
Rising from the crucible of New Orleans hip-hop, B.G. dropped an album that played an instrumental role in defining the Southern rap sound. An unapologetic rawness to B.G.'s style made it potent and undeniable. His wordplay and narration of street life were agile, a perfect harmony of grit and charisma. Chopper City in the Ghetto epitomizes this combination, reflecting his tenacious spirit.
Nia — Blackalicious
Next on our list is Nia by Blackalicious. Blackalicious preferred a finer brush if B.G. painted his world with a spray can. Nia was a different beast—a sophisticated lyricism study. It was a kaleidoscope of metaphors intricately woven into narratives touching various aspects of life. Each track was a nugget of wisdom, encased in a shell of catchy beats and rhythmic flow.
Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders First Lady — Eve
Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders First Lady by Eve marked a significant point in 1999. As the first female artist under the Ruff Ryders label, Eve had something to prove, and, boy, did she deliver. Her album was a sonic showcase of her life's experiences, speaking candidly about the trials and triumphs of womanhood. She weaved a fiery and poignant audio narrative, setting a precedent for female artists in the following years.
So How’s Your Girl? — Handsome Boy Modeling School
Handsome Boy Modeling School's So How’s Your Girl? was in a different lane. This project brought an alternative flair to the hip-hop scene with its eclectic blend of sounds and styles. This project audaciously veered off the beaten path, creating a wholly unique, equally experimental, and engaging soundscape.
Guerrilla Warfare — Hot Boys
The album Guerrilla Warfare from Hot Boys sits among these releases, seething with raw, untamed energy. Its contagious magnetism catapulted the group into mainstream consciousness. The heady mixture of gritty lyricism and unconventional beats drew an indomitable line in the sand for Southern rap, broadening its reach and challenging preconceptions.
Black Elvis / Lost in Space — Kool Keith
Meanwhile, the otherworldly eccentricity of Kool Keith's Black Elvis / Lost in Space demands recognition. Striking a delicate balance between hip-hop traditionalism and a daringly futuristic ethos, this album challenges the listener, breaking from norms while echoing the culture's foundational spirit. With each track, Kool Keith presents an ambitious exploration of themes, making us rethink our understanding of hip-hop's possibilities.
Soundpieces: Da Antidote! — Lootpack
Transitioning our focus, Lootpack's Soundpieces: Da Antidote! provides an eclectic foray into the experimental side of hip-hop. Each track on this album reflects a conscious divergence from formulaic patterns, illuminating the boundless breadth of hip-hop's musical canvas.
Blackout! — Method Man & Redman
Method Man & Redman's Blackout! builds upon the pair's complementary synergy, melding their distinct styles into a unified whole. This album encapsulates the pure energy that these two titans bring to the table, embodying a mutual respect and organic chemistry that is both palpable and contagious.
Da Real World — Missy Elliott
On the other hand, Missy Elliott's Da Real World thrives on pulsating energy, challenging the conventions of gender, power, and identity within the industry. Her audacious themes, meshed with a distinct sound, make this album an audacious act of reclamation and a loud assertion of female empowerment.
Murda Muzik — Mobb Deep
Representing the East Coast, Murda Muzik by Mobb Deep explores life in the urban underbelly of NYC. Its beats pound with the rhythm of the city streets (thanks to Havoc), each track unapologetically gritty and raw, a chilling reminder of the harsh realities often hidden beneath the surface.
My Vinyl Weighs a Ton — Peanut Butter Wolf
Lastly, we can't forget My Vinyl Weighs a Ton by Peanut Butter Wolf. This album demonstrates the power of sampling and beat-making, an ode to the essence of hip-hop culture. The weight of the vinyl isn't merely physical but symbolic of the legacy and love carried within the grooves of each record.
Pinnacle Rappers of 1999
DMX
With his gritty sound and uncompromising, street-infused lyrics, DMX had an unerring ability to make listeners hear and feel his music. He released two commercially successful albums within the same year in '98, certified his stature as a rapper, and managed to do it again with his third album in '99. The authenticity and the raw energy of his delivery turned DMX into a captivating figure, capturing the zeitgeist of the times.
JAY-Z
JAY-Z, already a respected figure in the industry, lifted his craft to new heights in '99. His album Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter showcased his ability to blend commercialism and hard-hitting bangers with a keen observance of the world around him.
Juvenile
And then there was Juvenile, the New Orleans-based rapper who introduced a new sound to the hip-hop sphere with his distinctly southern flow and cadence. His major-label debut, 400 Degreez, was a fiery ode to southern street life that resonated with nationwide audiences. The hit single “Back That Azz Up” defined the late '90s hip-hop landscape with its catchy hooks and beats provided by Mannie Fresh, showcasing the appeal of the burgeoning southern hip-hop scene.
Breakout Stars in 1999
Eminem
With his debut album, The Slim Shady LP, Eminem, the bold rapper from Detroit, revolutionized the rap game. He challenged societal norms with his impressive rhyme schemes, irreverent humor, and sharp wit, prompting a reassessment of the possibilities of rap. His work challenged preconceptions about race and identity in hip-hop, opening doors for future artists who strayed from the traditional mold.
Mos Def
From the heart of Brooklyn came Mos Def, an artist whose creative skill transcended the boundaries of hip-hop. His debut album, Black On Both Sides, revealed a gifted rapper and showcased a multifaceted artist unafraid to tackle complex issues. With his thoughtful lyrics and melodic flow, Mos Def gave voice to social and political concerns often overlooked in the genre. His work paved the way for a generation of conscious rappers, influencing the lyrical direction of hip-hop in the subsequent years.
Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch became one of the most recognizable voices in the late ‘90s hip-hop community with his debut album, Internal Affairs. His delivery was distinct, and his lyricism was unparalleled, resulting in an album unlike any other era. Tracks like “Simon Says” showcased his unique ability to blend complex lyrics with infectious beats, marking him as an artist who had as much to say as he had to show.