Back when stores couldn’t keep rap CDs on the shelves, record labels took advantage of the ingenious idea to disguise soundtracks as albums that contained hit singles from popular artists, more familiar classic tracks or a formal introduction to an artist they planned on breaking in the immediate future. Those days are now larger few and far in between save for the occasional exception (see: Furious 7 for example).
The Barbershop: The Next Cut soundtrack recently steered things back in that direction, most notably allowing for Ice Cube and Common to make their recording debut together. Still, film co-stars Nikki Minaj and Eve were noticeably absent, still leaving room to return back to the days of nearly original albums for films.
Maybe that trend will be revamped; maybe not. Still, Hip Hop heads have been blessed with copious amounts of jewels from soundtracks over the years. With all due respect to the Murder Was the Case’s and New Jersey Drive’s of the space, check out this list of underrated Hip Hop soundtracks.
High School High (1996)
Notable Tracks: “The Good, the Bad and the Desolate” (The Roots), “Wu-Wear: The Garment Renaissance” (RZA, Method Man & Cappadonna), “Queen Bitch” (Lil Kim)
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There isn’t much worth remembering about this Jon Lovitz film outside of Tia Carrere and the fact it helped spark a romance between Mehki Phifer and Malinda Williams but HSH‘s rap, albeit goofy, aesthetic made it possible for the soundtrack to be unapologetically loaded with Hip Hop. Most memorably, the widely popular “Wu-Wear” joint did wonders for the then new brand’s sales, even without the major department store placement. IT’S WHAT YOU NEEED, BABY!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POBWcSbU5jg
Soul in the Hole (1997)
Notable Tracks: “You Ain’t a Killer” (Big Pun), “Rare Species (Modus Operandi)” Mobb Deep, “Your Life” (O.C. & Nast)
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Coach Kenny Jones never got his just due on the basketball sidelines and neither did Loud Records, one of the best rap labels to ever do it. One of their best releases came in the form of the Soul in the Hole OST, that fed the streets with one of the better Mobb Deep loosies and prepared the world for some guy named Big Punisher, who would make history as the first Latin rapper to go Platinum.
The Corrupter (1998)
Notable Tracks: “Take It Off” (UGK), “5 Boroughs” (KRS-One, Bounty Killer, Buckshot, Cam’ron, Keith Murray, Killah Priest, Prodigy, Redman, Reverend Run & Vigilante)
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Chow Yun-fat and Mark Wahlberg have mastered their respective areas of acting expertise. Just not together. While most audiences probably don’t remember The Corrupter because Rush Hour showed it how it’s really done in Chinatown, rap fans will surely remember UGK’s classic “Take It Off” record or the time KRS-One united all the “5 Boroughs” to solidify NYC’s dominance at the time. Jay Z’s “More Money, More Cash, More Hoes” didn’t nearly hold the same weight as the original but it still gave the soundtrack a true exclusive.
Choices (2001)
Notable Tracks: “Gangsta Niggaz” (DJ Paul, Juicy J & Gangsta Boo), “Wona Get Some, I Got Some” (DJ Paul, Juicy J, Lord Infamous & T-Rock), “Dis Bitch, Dat Hoe” (Project Pat, Ludacris & Crunchy Black)
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Pre-Academy Award-winning and MTV reality show fame, thee Three 6 Mafia were cranking out hits at a fevered pace and continuously getting better as a unit. Following the Friday modus operandi, the Memphis collective churned out a forgettable hood movie but also hashed out arguably their best album with the soundtrack. The collection boasted of vintage Triple Six terror tunes but also sported a pair of bona fide hits in “Baby Mama” and “2-Way Freak.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gafWrSRGEyM
Slam: The Soundtrack
Notable Tracks: “I Dare You” (Black Rob & Joe Hooker), “The World I Know” (Goodie Mob & Esthero), “Feel My Gat Blow” (Mobb Deep)
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Hip Hop music’s close approximation with poetry was fully evidenced with Slam, starring Saul Williams, revered journalist Bonz Malone and Sonja Sohn, l.k.a. Kima from The Wire. To strengthen this theme on the musical end, KRS-One, Black Rob, Noreaga, DJ Spooky and more were nabbed for the soundtrack, making it a worthy addition to any CD wallet looking for options outside of the more recognizable releases.
Tales from the Hood (1995)
Notable Tracks: “Born II Die” (Spice 1), “Face Mob” (Scarface & Facemob), “I’m Talkin’ to Myself” (NME & Grench the Mean 1)
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Aside from a few dark laughs, Tales from the Hood is mostly a grim affair. It’s accompanying soundtrack wasn’t for the faint of the heart; consisting of nothing but horrorcore raps at the subgenre’s peak of acceptance. The in-movie montage during the playback of Spice 1’s “Born II Die” could be considered the most gruesome rap music video all time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdLdeu2nIFc
Street Fighter (1994)
Notable Tracks: “Come Widdit” (Ahmad, Ras Kass & Saafir), “One On One” (Nas), “Life as…” (LL Cool J)
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Like 96.4% of movies adapted from video games, Street Fighter was an ultimate letdown so it depends on one’s perception if having a dope soundtrack is actually a bonus. Being that the tape was released on Priority Records, Ice Cube was nabbed for the titular track opener and several other Tiger Uppercuts soon followed. Nas’ “One On One” served as one of the last remnants of the Illmatic sound before street dreaming took over and Public Enemy and Paris both made worthy contributions. Never mind, the “MC Hammer and Deion Sanders debacle, “Straight to My Feet,” however.
Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996)
Notable Tracks: “Winter Warz” (Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Masta Killa, U-God, & Cappadonna) “We Got More” (Shock G & Luniz), “Renee” (Lost Boyz)
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Most folks were too busy laughing to notice that Don’t Be a Menance had a pretty dope Hip Hop score. (Most of the times when Helen Martin’s Grandmother character was on-screen.) All coasts were represented as Tony Starks kicked off his Ironman album the right way and UGK, Keith Murray and Lord Jamar all appeared on another record. On the R&B side, Joe got his big break during the sex scene with his slow jam, “All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do).”
Any Given Sunday (2000)
Notable Tracks: “Jump” (Mystikal), “Sole Sunday” (Goodie Mob and OutKast), “Shut Up” (Trick Daddy, Trina, Deuce Poppi & Co)
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Seeing that it was a football movie starring LL Cool J and Jamie Foxx, it’s not all that surprising that a predominant rap soundtrack was in the playbook. What is surprising, however is all the wins it boasted. The Dungeon Family on “Sole Sunday.” Foxx featuring Common and Guru with the title track. Production from The Neptunes, Swizz Beatz, DJ Scratch and Havoc.
Romeo Must Die (2000)
Notable Tracks: “Try Again” (Aaliyah), “We At It Again” (Timbaland & Magoo), “Rollin’ Raw” (B.G.)
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Aaliyah’s film debut wasn’t exactly a romantic thriller like the title implied but the soundtrack managed to capture its dark, waterfront scenery, almost perfectly. Check out Confidential’s “It Really Don’t Matter” for a clear-cut example. And although she would leave depart this life only a year later, Aaliyah’s four-song contribution still ranks amongst some of the best in her sizable catalog.
Sunset Park (1996)
Notable Tracks: “High ‘Til I Die” (2Pac), “Back at You” (Mobb Deep), “Keep on, Keepin’ On” (MC Lyte & Xscape)
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In spring of 1996, the Chicago Bulls had set the Golden State Warriors just trumped and MC Lyte was shedding her old school image by going gold with her “Liberian Girl” sampled “Keep On, Keepin’ On” hit. The Sunset Part OST also saw Ghostface Killah unveil another Ironman single with “Motherless Child” and Onyx, Tha Dogg Pound and Adina Howard held it down on with their song donations as well.
Blade (1998)
Notable Tracks: “1/2 & 1/2” (Gang Starr & M.O.P.), “Blade” (KRS-One & Channel Live), “The Edge of the Blade” (Mystikal)
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The first of Wesley Snipes’ hack and slash vampire thriller featured nothing but techno and dizzying electronica rock—and rightfully so. But Epic and TVT Records knew if they wanted to
move some jewel cases, they would need to entice some Hip Hop heads. Hence one of the best Gang Starr songs ever created being touted alongside the compilation. DJ Premier and goth finally had a reason to go in the same sentence (said nobody).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sbgKxMxh1I
Light It Up (1999)
Notable Tracks: “How Many Wanna” (Ja Rule), “That’s Real” (AZ & Beanie Sigel), “High Schoolin'” (OutKast & Slimm Cutta-Calhoun)
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Who would have thought the “MacGyver Theme” could catapult an aspiring artist to carve out a multi-platinum niche for themselves in the competitive rap game? That’s exactly what Ja Rule did when he hollered his lungs out and asked where his ride or dies were at. Usher didn’t bother to musically support the soundtrack to his horrible movie but Outkast, Jon B. and Master P (among others) held it down.
Rhyme & Reason (1997)
Notable Tracks: “Is There a Heaven 4 a Gangsta?” (Master P), “Represent” (MC Eiht), “Nothin’ But the Cavi Hit” (Mack 10 and Tha Dogg Pound)
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Def Jam’s The Show cast a long shadow for Hip Hop documentaries and their soundtracks in the 90s; one Rhyme & Reason certainly didn’t eclipse but it still featured some gems like MC Eiht’s “Represent” and the “Scenario” tandem of Busta Rhymes and A Tribe Called Quest with “Wild Hot.” The video for RZA’s “Tragedy” (posted above) fully realized the relationship between the Wu-Tang Clan and its kung-fu legacy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUENi5mgvHs
Dangerous Ground (1997)
Notable Tracks: “The World Is Mine” (Ice Cube), “You’re Only a Customer” (Jay-Z), “Murder” (Crooked)
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In retrospect, it’s remarkable to peep the bicoastal soundtrack lineup for this oft-forgotten Ice Cube flick, as it dropped in the midst of the East Coast/West Coast war (and even before The Notorious B.I.G. was murdered). KRS-One, Keith Murray, B-Legit and Too $hort were all thrown in the mix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-IaC-wz4HA
I Got the Hook-Up! (1998)
Notable Tracks: “Ghetto Vet” (Ice Cube), “What the Game Made Me” (Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek & Sauce Money), “Bump and Grill” (UGK & N.O. Joe)
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I’m Bout It got a lot of credit for being released in the midst of No Limit’s meteoric rise to money, power and respect. However the cadre enlisted on this hood comedy’s soundtrack really showed how far their popularity reached out the time. Jay Z, Ice Cube and 8Ball & MJG all threw Master P weapons-grade material to use on the compilation, which seemingly brought out the best in most of the existing soldiers on the Tank at the time. The soundtrack also made attempts to settle the “Wu-Tang Vs. No Limit” rivalry amongst fans with “Who Rock This,” a face-off featuring Mystikal and Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
