American Hip-Hop 1990s

This timeline covers the American hip-hop scene of the 1990s. The events dated have been selected because we believe they are the most influential events.

1990-03-12 01:00:05

A Tribe Called "People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm"

A Tribe Called Quest is a hip-hop group that emerged from the East-Coast in New York. Their debut album is a lyrical masterpiece with rhythm and sounds very different from "West-Coast Gangster Rap"

1990-05-16 00:01:00

Ice Cube "AmeriKKA's Most Wanted" released

In South Central L.A. Ice Cube releases his debut album that becomes and instant classic, and sets the bar for West Coast Hip-Hop

1991-01-01 00:00:00

Dr. Dre leaves N.W.A

This officially signified the splitting of NWA. This happened sometime in 1991. Dr. Dre going solo was a blessing in disguise.

1991-03-03 00:00:00

Rodney King Video

Rodney King was a taxi-driver in Los Angleles. This video of him being beat by Police sparked a hatred between cops and rappers. Rappers now turn there focus towards police violence in their songs.

1991-05-01 00:00:00

Tim Dog releases "Fuck Compton"

Sometime in 1991 Tim Dog released "Fuck Compton", it was a diss track to N.W.A, Gangster Rap, the West Coast, and especially Compton. This was the "first strile" from what will become an infamous East vs West Rap culture battle.

1991-07-12 01:00:05

Ice Cube stars in "Boyz in the Hood"

The story of three boys growing up in the hoods of Los Angeles. Ice Cube is a lead actor. This film was very successful and shined light onto the west coast hip hop scene.

1991-09-24 19:55:13

Tribe Called Quest second album

"The Low End Theory" is Tribe's second album that provides an alternative jazz approach to rap that east and west coast gangster rap does not have.

1991-10-18 13:44:58

"Cool as Ice" film a bust

Vanilla Ice's film is a major bust. He is criticized and defamed. He also manages to get sued by Queen and Dwayne Bowe

1991-11-12 17:03:28

2pac's second album "2pacalypse Now"

This is his second album. It gets a ton of media attention as many of the songs are targeted towards police and are gangter violent. Vice President at the time Dan Quayle attempts to ban the album off american markets. Starts to spur contraversy between rap and police

1992-02-01 19:55:13

"Cop Killa" by Ice-T

The song "Cop Killa" "ignites a firestorm of controversy for it's lyrics about killing police officers. After nationwide protests from law enforcement officials, Time-Warner pressures Ice-T to pull the song from the album and eventually sells it's share of Interscope Records, the distributor." source ThisIs50.com

1992-04-21 19:55:13

Beastie Boys blowup

Beastie Boys release their third studio album, and it is a huge hit. What was initially a joke of a rap album went viral and brought them to fame. Opening a new genre in rap.

1992-12-15 02:47:52

Dr. Dre "The Chronic"

Dr. Dre pairs up with Suge Knight to form Death Row Records. "The Chronic" is Dre's first solo album after splitting with N.W.A. and delivers rap culture an instant classic

1993-02-16 02:47:52

2pac "Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z"

Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z was 2pac's second album. It was greatly succesful, his most bought single is "Keep Ya Heag Up" from this album. This album is still gangster rap but shows 2pac's emotional side as well.

1993-11-01 02:47:52

2pac Accused of Shooting Cops

2pac is accused of shooting 2 off duty cops in Las Negas. The charges are later dropped. He later stars in the film Poetic Justice

1993-11-23 02:47:52

Snoop Dogg Emerges

Released by Death Row Records it was the first LP to be #1 on the Top Billboard Charts. With the help of Dr. Dre Snoop Dogg became a hige influence in rap right away. Giving the West Coast even more muscle power compared to the East

1994-02-01 01:00:05

Bad Boy Records

In 1994 Sean "Puffy" Creates Bad Boy Records and signs Notorious BIG

1994-04-14 17:14:10

Nas goes solo on "Illmatic"

Nas releases his debut solo album Illmatic. Classic and top selling album.

1994-04-26 04:38:11

Outkast "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" album debuts

In 1994 Outkast debuts their album southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. Very differnt form ganster rap of the times.

1994-06-21 15:42:03

Bone Thugs & Harmony debut album "Creepin On Ah Come Up"

Bone Thugs releases there first of many albums

1994-09-13 11:35:57

Notorious BIG release debut album

Notorious BIG releases his first album under Bad Boy records and reached no. 12 on Billboard's Top 200

1995-02-14 00:00:00

Snoop Dogg "Murder Was the Case"

Snoop Dogg releases Murder Was the Case a shortfilm/sountrack that is a reponse to his murder trail

1995-02-14 02:58:37

2pac goes to Jail

Tupac is sentenced to up to four and a half years in a maximum security prison, convicted of touching her bum. He immediately begins serving his time in New York's Rikers Island penitentiary.

1995-02-24 14:23:42

Eazy-E Dies from AIDS

Eazy-E dies in late Feb after being diagnosed with AIDs one month before. He had a very active sexual life starting at age 12 and had 7 children with 6 different women.

1995-04-01 10:22:40

2pac "Me Againt The World"

Tupac's third album, Me Against the World, debuts at no. 1 on Billboard's pop chart, and goes double platinum.

1995-08-01 12:08:31

Notorious BIG denies 2pac's accusations

Biggie, Puffy and Harrell tell Vibe, they had no connection to Tupac's shooting.

1995-08-29 21:14:41

Notorious BIG signs Junior M.A.F.I.A.

Notorious BIG signs and mentors Junior M.A.F.I.A. (Masters At Finding Intelligent Attitudes) they release there first album "Conspiracy"

1995-09-21 15:11:03

Suge Knight publically offends Puffy

This raises tensions between East and West coast rappers

1995-10-02 21:14:41

2pac is bailed out of jail by Suge Knight

Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight posts $1.4 million bond to release Tupac, who immediately flies to LA, signs with Death Row and begins recording All Eyez on Me.

1995-11-24 21:14:41

Eazy E last album "Str8 Off Tha Streetz of Mothaphukkin Compton"

This album was released after his death, album went Gold and was number 2 on Us Top Charts

1996-01-02 21:14:41

Jay-Z and Notorious BIG build connections

Underground sensation Jay-Z starts to work together with Notorious BIG

1996-02-01 00:00:00

Dr. Dre leaves Death Row and Gansgta Rap

Dr. Dre announces that we will leave Death Row Records as well as gangsta rap styles.

1996-02-21 21:14:41

Snoop Dogg is Acquitted of Murder

Rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg Is Acquitted of Murder

1996-04-19 09:23:20

2pac disses Notorious BIG and Bad Boy Records

2pac claims to have had sex with Notorious BIGs wife. Raises tension between the rappers even more.

1996-09-13 18:15:24

2pac is Killed

Tupac is shot at and killed after a Mike Tyson fight in Las Vegas, he dies seven days later. His killer is still unknown

American Hip-Hop 1990s

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