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The 1990s were a pioneering decade in black cinema, so it would stand to reason that the era was also a pioneering decade in the music associated with black cinema. Soundtracks were in sort of a golden age, led by the Whitney Houston-dominated soundtrack to The Bodyguard, which won the 1993 Grammy for Album of the Year and sold something like eleventy-billion copies.

Imagine compiling a list like this for the Oughts? Wouldn’t happen. ’90s soundtracks (especially the R&B/hip-hop ones) were a great tool for introducing new artists, promoting musicians’ crossovers into film, and adding the hot single of the moment so the album could then sell like hotcakes. Here’s a list of the top 10-in my humble opinion, anyway.

(The Bodyguard is not included here for two reasons. 1: With the exception of maybe three or four songs, it sucked, and 2: it wasn’t really R&B or hip-hop.) With that cleared up, let’s move on.

10. Above The Rim
(1994)

Key Tracks: “Regulate” (Warren G. & Nate Dogg), “Part-Time Lover” (H-Town), “Pour Out A Little Liquor” (Thug Life)

Although 2Pac was pretty prominent in the movie itself, he only appeared on the soundtrack under the name of his spinoff group, Thug Life. Their “Pour Out A Little Liquor” is actually one of the better ‘Pac songs (and I don’t think anyone else from Thug Life was actually on the song.) This album also marked the beginning of the relationship between ‘Pac and Death Row, who released the soundtrack. It was a solid mix of R&B and really melodic gangsta rap. Highlights included a breezy version of Al Green’s “I’m Still In Love With You”, the H-Town and Jodeci team-up “Part-Time Lover”, and Tha Dogg Pound’s intoxicating “Big Pimpin.” For the record, their “Big Pimpin'” is way better than Jay-Z’s song of the same title, and Jigga’s song is no slouch. The Above The Rim soundtrack, though, has to be best remembered for introducing us to a little duo named Warren G & Nate Dogg. They rode a Michael McDonald sample straight to the top of the charts with the unforgettable “Regulate.”

9. Menace 2 Society
(1993)

Key Tracks: “Unconditional Love” (Hi-Five), “Streiht Up Menace” (MC Eiht), “Death Becomes You” (Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth)

MenaceThis Hughes Brothers film was kinda scary to watch, and the soundtrack was equally dark. MC Eiht’s title track (sort of-it was called “Streiht Up Menace”) was a slow-rolling song that, true to its title, sounded quite menacing. The all-star cast of hip-hop stars appearing on the soundtrack included Too $hort, Spice 1, DJ Quik and more. The West Coast-centric soundtrack also made room for a group of Texans (UGK) in one of their earliest appearances on wax and a few New Yorkers (Brand Nubian and an unexpectedly hardcore Pete Rock & C.L Smooth) and, of course, made room for one R&B track: Hi-Five’s stunning “Unconditional Love.” Most slept on slow jam of the ’90s? Might be this one.

8. Boyz -N- Da’ Hood
(1991)

Key Tracks: “Me & You” (Tony! Toni! Tone!), “Just Ask Me To” (Tevin Campbell feat. Chubb Rock), “Growin’ Up In The Hood” (Compton’s Most Wanted)

If 1988’s Colors is the granddaddy of West Coast hip-hop movie soundtracks (thanks to Ice-T’s legendary theme song) then I guess 1991’s Boyz -N- Da Hood is the daddy? Nephew? Released on Quincy Jones’ Qwest label, this compilation shot to #1 on the R&B albums chart, and boasted a who’s who of rap and soul royalty. Of course, the film’s breakout star, Ice Cube, had to have a spot, and he ripped it up on “How To Survive In South Central.” His protege, Yo-Yo, represented with “Mama Don’t Take No Mess,” and Main Source dropped in the previously released but very relevant “Just A Friendly Game Of Baseball.” On the R&B tip, this album boasted the uptempo “Just Ask Me To” by a youthful Tevin Campbell, and, of course, one stunning slow jam: Tony! Toni! Tone’s “Me & You.”

7. New Jack City
(1991)

Key Tracks: “I Wanna Sex You Up” (Color Me Badd), “I’m Dreamin'” (Christopher Williams), “I’m Still Waiting” (Johnny Gill)

This was the album that set the tone for the ’90s hip-hop/R&B movie soundtrack. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Top 200, and featured a robust lineup of new jack heavyweights. It was a bit slow-jam heavy, thanks to Keith Sweat’s “There You Go (Tellin’ Me No Again)” and Johnny Gill’s “I’m Still Waiting,” but it also boasted a funky all-star team up by LeVert, Troop and Queen Latifah on a cover of The O’Jays’ “For The Love Of Money” and a film-encapsulating rap by co-star Ice-T called “New Jack Hustler.”

Plus-the New Jack City soundtrack introduced the world to Color Me Badd via “I Wanna Sex You Up.” Laugh now, but if you were an R&B fan in 1991, you played the ever-loving SHIT out of this song.

6. How Stella Got Her Groove Back
(1998)

Key Tracks: “Beautiful” (Mary J. Blige), “Your Home Is In My Heart (Stella’s Theme)” (Boyz II Men feat. Chante Moore), “Mastablasta ’98” (Stevie Wonder feat. Wyclef Jean)

Here’s a sleeper for you. The romantic adaptation of the Terry McMillan novel boasted an awesome soundtrack. Executive produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis with help from Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B., this album had a distinct island flair. Lady Saw asked you to “Escape To Jamaica” (with a little help from “The Pina Colada Song”), Beenie Man teamed up with Big Pun, and Shaggy delivered “Luv Me Luv Me” with a little help from the Queen of Flyte Tyme, Janet Jackson. On the more traditional tip, there were tracks from Boyz II Men, Me’shell Ndegeocello and Mary J. Blige, plus a hip-hop cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Master Blaster” which teamed the Motown legend with the red-hot Wyclef Jean.

5. Juice
(1992)

Key Tracks: “Juice (Know The Ledge)” (Eric B. & Rakim), “Uptown Anthem” (Naughty By Nature), “Don’t Be Afraid” (Aaron Hall)

JuiceIt’s largely believed that the last five years of Tupac Shakur’s life were, at least a part, a reaction to playing such a heavy character in Juice. Whether the man took on the persona of Bishop in real life or not, this soundtrack was an end to end banger. Rakim delivered the theme song, a master-class in emceeing, and he played the drums on it too! This early ’92 release also boasted looks from two legendary groups on the come-up: Cypress Hill and Naughty By Nature, whose “Uptown Anthem” is a standout from their catalog. The soundtrack, taking place as it does in New York, is mostly hip-hop, although Guy’s Aaron Hall got his first solo look thanks to the bangin’ (and a little bit creepy) “Don’t Be Afraid.”

4. Mo’ Money
(1992)

Key Tracks: “Money Can’t Buy You Love” (Ralph Tresvant), “I Adore You” (Caron Wheeler), “The Best Things In Life Are Free” (Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson feat. BBD & Ralph Tresvant)

Jam & Lewis executive-produced this soundtrack (giving them two titles on this list, same as fellow supa-producer Babyface) and delivered on all fronts. Aside from the various Damon Wayans-led skits that screw up the flow of the album, this is like an R&B all-star team from 1992. Shit, “The Best Things in Life Are Free” alone is an all-star team, boasting vocals from Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross, and 2/3 of New Edition (Bobby & Johnny stayed home that day.) Mr. Gill does make a solo appearance with the slow jam “Let’s Just Run Away,” though. Jimmy & Terry made sure to showcase their acts Mint Condition and Sounds of Blackness, and even fronted a record (“The New Style”) for what might be the only time in their illustrious career. Add in appearances from Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte, Caron Wheeler and Color Me Badd (once again) and you have the makings of a fantastic soundtrack.

3. Waiting To Exhale
(1995)

Key Tracks: “Let It Flow” (Toni Braxton), “Why Does It Hurt So Bad?” (Whitney Houston), “Sittin’ Up In My Room” (Brandy)

Babyface was at the top of his game at the end of 1995, and Whitney Houston was coming off The Bodyguard soundtrack. The two gathered up just about every female R&B singer who was anyone at that time (about the only notable omissions were Janet and Mariah) and the result was the glorious Waiting To Exhale soundtrack. The album had its playful moments (TLC, always dependably raunchy, provided “This Is How It Works” and Brandy delivered her finest teen angst moment with “Sittin’ Up In My Room”) but the theme of this soundtrack, largely, was heartache (just like the movie.) Chaka Khan delivered a fantastic reading of “My Funny Valentine” and Toni Braxton’s acoustic guitar-heavy “Let It Flow” is a standout in her catalog. Of course, there was a lot of Whitney here as well-the CeCe Winans duet “Count On Me”, the hushed “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” and a tour de force vocal on “Why Does It Hurt So Bad”-a performance arguably as good as ” I Will Always Love You.”

2. Boomerang
(1992)

Key Tracks: “I’d Die Without You” (P.M. Dawn), “Hot Sex” (A Tribe Called Quest), “End Of The Road” (Boyz II Men)

The last gasp for L.A. Reid and Babyface as a songwriting and production team, before Reid went on to executive life. This is the best soundtrack to an Eddie Murphy movie (sorry Beverly Hills Cop) and what’s interesting to note is that even with all the great L.A./’Face tunes included here (such as Boyz II Men’s “End Of The Road,” which spent 13 weeks at #1,) the two best songs on the album were not written/produced by LaFace: P.M. Dawn’s “I’d Die Without You” and A Tribe Called Quest’s “Hot Sex.” Also, the Boomerang soundtrack introduced America to Toni Braxton, who appears on no less than three songs here.

1. Love Jones
(1997)

Key Tracks: “Hopeless” (Dionne Farris), “You Move Me” (Cassandra Wilson), “The Sweetest Camp” (Refugee Camp All-Stars Introducing Lauryn Hill)

LovejonesSurprised? You shouldn’t be. The soundtrack to this romantic Larenz Tate/Nia Long movie boasts a who’s who of the burgeoning neo-soul movement. It’s also one of the best full albums for what uh…we call intimate relations. Starting off with Dionne Farris’s “Hopeless” (another ridiculously underrated jam) and continuing with songs by Groove Theory, Maxwell and Kenny Lattimore, there’s one solid slow jam after another on here. There’s a pair of great covers coming from the So So Def camp (Xscape’s take on The Dramatics’ “In The Rain” and Trina Broussard’s smoldering re-do of Minnie Riperton’s “Inside My Love”) and–the solo debut of Lauryn Hill on “The Sweetest Thing.” From the first note to the last, perfection.

 

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