10 Things We Don't Miss About '90s Hip-Hop
We don't need any repeats of these '90s hip-hop moments.
1 / 11
The Road to the '00s - It's not like things are totally amazing in hip-hop currently — midway through the second decade of the new millennium. But it is a global enterprise that's been embraced by the world at large. Even though the genre still isn't a flagship at award shows like the Grammys, the latest development that mixtapes will now be eligible for Grammy consideration is a step in the right direction. Still, as we looked back at the Golden Age of hip-hop in the '90s, there are some things we don't miss at all. —Jon Reyes (Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirect)
2 / 11
All the crotch grabbing and references to male genitalia on a track. - While crotch grabbing has made its way into the world of R&B, hip-hop has thankfully graduated from it. Also, thank goodness phallic euphemisms have as well... for the most part.(Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect)
3 / 11
Party jams frequently happening on the "remix." - The motto is "if at first you don't succeed, try again." Hip-hop in the '90s oftentimes just didn't seem to get it on the first try. Enter the remix. Classic remixes? Sure, but still.(Photos from left: Def Jam Recordings / PolyGram Records, Atlantic Records / Queen Bee Entertainment)
4 / 11
The Mafia obsession. - While Rick Ross still references "the mafia" (primarily BMF) from time to time, it's not as prevalent as back in the day. It always felt like dress-up. Thankfully, the genre outgrew it.(Photo: Undeas Recordings / Big Beat Records)
5 / 11
The aggressive divide between mainstream and underground. - The battle of the popular vs. the underground might still be something that happens today, but the genre itself is more unified than ever. Today an underground artist will proudly release indie mixtapes with an end goal of major distribution with their art remaining just the same. (Photos: Scott Gries/Getty Images)
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6 / 11
New York being the ONLY focal point. - Bless the powers that be that took us out of NYC and to Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Philly and many other hip-hop sectors with tons to offer. (Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
7 / 11
Female rappers being pitted against each other. - Whoops, sorry. Still happens today.(Photos from left: Brenda Chase / Stringer, Scott Gries)
8 / 11
Posse crews were quite large. - The large crews were nice and all, but the tracks... so long.(Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirect)
9 / 11
"Territory" wars. - The infamous East Coast vs. West Coast war was never really about territory — it was personal mixed in with a lack of understanding the rival city. But it's just something no one misses, especially given the casualties. For the most part, beefs today are all hashed out over on the mic and we're totally OK with that.(Photos from left: WENN, Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
10 / 11
The baller-celebrity-rap crossover. - Straight-up, these were the worst. Embarrassing. If you ever forget what these felt like just watch Boris Kodjoe's character in Brown Sugar.(Photos from left: Getty Images, Andy Lyons/Allsport, Al Bello/ALLSPORT)