Above the Rim (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)

Curated by Dr. Dre, Above the Rim is one of the rare soundtracks that stands on its own as an album, not to mention as a definitive cross-section of hip-hop and R&B circa 1994. Though heavy on Dre’s Death Row stable (the movie also co-starred 2Pac), the selection here is surprisingly varied, featuring unvarnished G-funk (O.F.T.B.’s DJ Quik-produced “Crack’em”) and gangsta rap (The Lady of Rage’s “Afro Puffs”, 2Pac) alongside contemporary soul and new jack swing (Al B. Sure!, SWV), accentuating the similarities between the styles rather than the differences. That balance of smooth and tough is exemplified by the soundtrack's smash single: Nate Dogg and Warren G’s immortal “Regulate”.