Troy L. Smith, Northeast Ohio Media Group
When N.W.A. released the song “Straight Outta Compton” in 1988, and its corresponding album of the same name, it changed the hip-hop landscape.
Not only was it a monumental achievement in gangsta rap, it set the stage for the style and quality of rap music that was to come. Here’s a look at the best West Coast singles to be released after N.W.A.’s breakthrough hit.
25. Tha Dogg Pound - 'New York, New York'
Never under estimate The Dogg Pound’s impact on West Coast hip-hop. Daz Dillinger and Kurupt’s first album, “Dogg Food,” is a true classic, while the song and video for “New York, New York,” featuring the members (along with Snoop Dogg) stomping New York City skyscrapers helped ignite the cross-country rap feud that dominated the 1990s
24. MC Eiht - 'Streiht Up Menace'
MC Eiht’s melodic, 1993 anthem scored one of the most important hood-drama films of the 1990s in “Menace II Society.” It also established Eiht as a solo emcee and was later used on the soundtrack for “Grand Theft Auto V.”
23. Dr. Dre f/Snoop Dogg - 'Still D.R.E.'
The first single from Dr. Dre’s “2001” was a clear indication that the good Doctor was far from done. The song, which contains Dre’s trademark piano and laid-back g-funk beat, set the stage for the last great rap album of the 1990s.
22. Too $hort - 'The Ghetto'
Too $hort was always one of the West Coast’s best storytellers, but lacked the same exposure as other emcees because he was from the Bay Area as opposed to L.A. Still, his best songs featured some of the best portrayals of West Coast, including “The Ghetto,” a raw tale about violence, drugs and trying to survive.
21. Westside Connection - 'Bow Down'
The lead single from Westside Connection’s self-titled debut album is a fiery, scathing anthem that’s reminiscent of Ice Cube’s early solo days. Perhaps it took Mack 10 and WC to bring the best back out of one of the best emcees of all-time.
20. Eazy-E - 'Real Muthphuckkin G's'
Eazy-E’s impact on West Coast hip-hop began before the formation of N.W.A. and continued as a solo artist throughout the group’s run, highlighted by the single “Real Muthphuckkin G’s,” which puts E’s menace and charisma on full display as he takes shots at Death Row Records.
19. The Game - 'How We Do'
No matter how much you think The Game owes to 50 Cent for his first album, you will admit that Fiddy brings the heat on “The Documentary’s” first single. “How We Do” is a trunk-rattling jam that proved The Game was the next big thing from the West Coast.
18. 2pac - 'Two of Amerikaz Most Wanted'
When 2pac joined Death Row it opened the door to several dream collaborations. One of the best was “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted,” his track with Snoop Dogg that played on the emcees’ status as two of rap’s most controversial and talented artists.
17. Compton's Most Wanted - 'He Took Me Under'
The Compton’s Most Wanted supergroup was short-lived and sporadic, but very dynamic. That’s never more apparent than on “He Took Me Under,” the group’s brilliant 1992 single that features a star-making opening verse from MC Eiht and a pitch-perfect sample of Isaac Haaye’s “Walk On By.”
16. The D.O.C. - 'Funky Enough'
As one of the most talented and underrated emcees of his time, The D.O.C. was able to put together clever rhyme patterns that were far ahead of their time. The best example of that is “Funky Enough,” a song featuring lines that have been sampled time and time again by emcees over the years.
15. Snoop Dogg - 'Who Am I (What's My Name)'
Perhaps no rapper was bigger than Snoop Dogg in 1993 and 1994, when he seemingly dropped hit single after hit single, including the top-10 smash “Who Am I?” It was Snoop’s debut single, showing the world that he was much more than a simple Dre protégé. He was about to become one of the biggest rappers of all-time.
14. Luniz - 'I Got 5 on It'
Bay area group Luniz hit the jackpot with “I Got 5 on It,” the biggest mainstream hit to come out of the region. The single went platinum in the U.S. and hit the top-10 in other countries. The memorable instrumental has been sampled by numerous other rappers in both freestyles and singles.
13. Xzibit - What U See Is What U Get'
Though he went on to become a West Coast mainstay, Xzibit seemingly came out of nowhere when he hit the mainstream in 1998. His run began with the brilliant single, “What U See Is What U Get,” a haunting tale of life on the streets that contained one of the best horrorcore beats ever made.
12. Lady of Rage - 'Afro Puffs'
West Coast hip-hop wasn’t just a male dominated affair. Lady of Rage got the chance to chime in when Death Row included her debut single on the “Above the Rim” soundtrack. “Afro Puffs remains one of Dr. Dre’s best tracks, driven by a woman whose rhymes hit just as hard as the boy’s.
11. DJ Quik - 'Jus Lyke Compton'
If DJ Quik was a loner, it’s simply because he didn’t need anyone else. Quik’s second single, “Just Lyke Compton,” instantly made him a player on the West Coast, thanks to its funky style and his charismatic flow that, at the time, was matched by very few.
10. Kendrick Lamar f/MC Eiht - 'M.A.A.D. City"
Kendrick Lamar’s album, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” was a conceptual tale of what it’s like to grow up in Compton. The album’s fiery centerpiece is the turning point of a title track that features Lamar trying to overcome the violence around him, while not getting swallowed alive by it. As an added bonus, the song features a memorable guest appearance by West Coast legend MC Eiht.
9. Ice Cube - 'No Vaseline'
Ice Cube didn’t leave N.W.A. on good terms, as he made apparent on “No Vaseline” with the opening lines “Oh, it ain’t over.” What proceeds is one of the best diss tracks of all-time, as Cube lays into each of his former group mates with no mercy. “No Vaseline” cemented Cube as one of the most influential and compelling voices of his time.
8. The Pharcyde - 'Passin' Me By'
The Pharcyde was one of more playful of the early 1990s West Coast groups, but also one of the most talented. The group’s style bordered on stunning and leaned on a sound that was more original than anything else. “Passin’ Me By” is The Pharcyde magnum opus, sampling everyone from Quincy Jones to Jimi Hendrix, while showcasing the four emcees’ impressive lyrical gifts.
7. Dr. Dre f/Snoop Dogg - 'Deep Cover'
“Deep Cover” was an important song in that it pushed Dr. Dre out from under the umbrella of N.W.A. and showed he had a lot more amazing stuff in him as a producer. The track also introduced the world to Snoop Dogg, a young, laid-back rhymer who was unlike anything you’d ever heard.
6. Warren G - 'Regulate'
Warren G’s classic debut album, “Regulate…G Funk Era” was a bit overlooked, as it came after Dr. Dre’s legendary “The Chronic.” But at least one single, “Regulate,” proved Warren was essential to fundamental elements of the g-funk era. The single, which became a massive hit, is arguably the best non Dr. Dre produced West Coast single of all-time.
5. Cypress Hill - 'How I Could Just Kill a Man'
You can’t overstate the earth shattering impact of Cypress Hill’s 1991 debut single. At the time of its release, “How I Could I Just Kill a Man” was unlike anything hip-hop (on either coast) had witnessed, from the hardcore, psychedelic style beat to B-Real’s mesmerizing nasally flow. The song, along with Cypress Hill’s fantastic debut album, would go on to influence several great emcees, including Eminem.
4. 2pac - 'California Love"
“California Love” is Death Row Records at its peak, with its best emcee and lead producer firing on all cylinders. Dre’s piano-driven bass-heavy beat sets the stage for not only his best verse, but arguably 2pac’s most thrilling performance on one of the biggest hip-hop singles ever released.
3. Snoop Dogg - 'Gin and Juice'
As far as timeless hip-hop songs and phrases go, it’s hard to beat “Gin and Juice,” a song that has hit pop-culture heights with generations that no longer actually sip on gin and juice. Snoop’s second single was an example of how his smooth flow could captivate like no other with rhymes that would score parties for decades to come.
2. Ice Cube - 'It Was a Good Day'
Ice Cube’s 1993 single has become such a hip-hop landmark fans have spent countless hours trying to figure out the specific day at the center of “It Was a Good Day.” Spoiler: It’s abstract. But you can’t really blame bloggers. The combination Cube’s vivid rhymes and DJ Pooh’s melodic beat is as perfect as rap music can get.
1. Dr. Dre - 'Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang'
You already knew what No.1 was going to be. And how could it not? “Nuthin But a ‘G’ Thang” was the starting point for most of the other songs on this list, as it raised the bar for hip-hop music in general. The track, which features the most recognizable hip-hop beat of all-time, was the first single to come out of Dre’s “The Chronic” sessions. There had never been anything like it and, arguably, nothing as good since. The song remains the pinnacle of hip-hop production and the song that turned Dr. Dre into an icon.
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