Calm down, there are zero Artifacts beats on this compilation.
The following twenty-one rap beats from the nineties are not the biggest, the best or the most memorable, but they all hold sway with me for one reason or another and provide a suitable soyundtrack for your steering or commuting pleasure.
Download: A Salute To 90s Rap Instrumentals
*UPDATE: Re-uploaded with missing track restored*
Track listing:
01 ‘For My Pa’ – Godfather Don
AWB sleigh bells win again.
02 ‘Ain’t No Love’ [Instrumental] – Real Live
It’s all about the strings.
03 ‘Trife Life’ [Instrumental] – Mobb Deep
Sounds like this was recorded next to a construction site, which makes it Industrial Rap, technically.
04 ‘Nuttin Move But Da Money’ [Instrumental] – Smif-N-Wessun
Da Beatminerz at the height of their powers with this white label gold.
05 ‘Straight Jacket’ [Instrumental] – The Beatnuts
Best rap song to feature the sound of running water. The song before this is in second place.
06 ‘True Confessions’ [Instrumental] – Tragedy Khadafi and Iman THUG
You sang beautifully just now.
07 ‘Boom Biddy Bye Bye’ [Instrumental] – Cypress Hill
The hook on this is incredible.
08 ‘Suspended in Time’ [Instrumental] – Group Home
Seagulls are the fifth element of rap, cos they’re gully, money.
09 ‘Sally Got A One Track Mind’ [Instrumental] – Diamond D
When you listen to the record he filtered and sped-up to make this masterpiece, you realise that D Squared is one the best to ever do it. Still don’t know where he got those strings from either…
10 ‘Thief’s Theme’ [Instrumental] – Jigmastas
Spinna combines vibes and loud drums to excellent effect.
11 ‘All Black’ [Instrumental] – Big L
This Finesse beat is so mean that you might have to punch yourself in the face just to calm down.
12 ‘Illegal Life’ [Instrumental] – Capone N Noreaga feat. Tragedy Khadafi
Actually sounds like it was recorded in the trenches of the Gulf War.
13 ‘Genuine’ [Instrumental] – Triflicts
Vibraphone like woah.
14 ‘Hityawitdat’ [Instrumental] – Lootpack
Early Madlib utilizes the most creative use of a Busta Rhymes hook I’ve yet to hear.
15 ‘Last Dayz’ [Instrumental] – Onyx
The production on their second LP was as nasty as a warm bottle of Champale, which is a good thing.
16 ‘Get Down’ [Instrumental] – MF Grimm
The most sombre club record ever, hence the remix on the b-side.
17 ‘Father Time’ [Instrumental] – Saukrates
Canadian dry.
18 ‘Crimes and Friends’ [Instrumental] – N.O.T.S. Click
Sounds like a broken down old arcade machine on it’s last legs.
19 ‘True and Livin’ [Instrumental] – Lord Finesse
LF showcases his ear for the eerily melodic and crispy snares.
20 ‘The Phat Kat Ride’ [Instrumental] – Masta Ace Incorporated
Fender (Rhodes) bender.
21 ‘All Night’ [Instrumental] – Xperado
Top five use of the Steve Miller Band.1
- The others being ‘Nobody Beats The Biz,’Essays on BDPism,”Gangster of Love’ and ‘Hellraiser.’