The year 1996 in hip hop gave us the hits that we still listen to today. From the east to the west coast, the introduction of new styles of hip hop surely made a huge mark in history. Here are the hits that topped the Billboard Hot Rap Singles Charts in each month of ‘96.
January: Hey Lover by LL Cool J
LL Cool J started the year off right with the first number one of the year, Hey Lover. Hey Lover sampled Michael Jackson’s Lady of My Life and also featured the soulful vocals of Boyz II Men on the hook. The first single of off his 6th album, Mr. Smith, got him Grammy nominated. This song snagged him his second Grammy, he won Best Rap Solo Performance in 1997.
February: Tonite’s Tha Night by Kriss Kross
After major success in the early 90s from hits like Jump and Warm It Up, Kriss Kross dropped another hit on us in ’96. Written and produced by Jermaine Dupri, Tonite’s Tha Night put Kriss Kross back on the map. This record was the first single released off of their final album, Young, Rich & Dangerous. The song received its Gold Certification from the RIAA in January of ’96 and was topping the rap charts within a month.
March: Get Money by Junior M.A.F.I.A feat. The Notorious B.I.G
March of ’96 was a month to remember after Junior M.A.F.I.A released their final single \ off of their Conspiracy Album. Get Money reached top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was named as one of Billboard’s Top 100 hits of 1996. The platinum certified song has lived on through decades and has received placements in top films such as 8 Mile and Notorious.
April: Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check/Everything Remains Raw by Busta Rhymes
This record helped put Busta Rhymes on the map as a solo artist. This being his first solo single he made sure to grab everyone’s attention with its comedic video and quirky lyrics. The record peaked at number eight on Billboard’s Hot 100 and hit number one on the rap chart in April of ’96. Busta’s breakout record got him a Grammy for the Best Rap Solo Performance the following year.
May: 5 O’clock by Nonchalant
5 O’Clock by Nonchalant features vocals from Drecia Vega & Bink Woods Dre. The single spent 20 weeks on the Billboard charts and hit number one on the rap chart in May ’96. One of the few MC’s of this time, her single gained her a Gold certification.
June: Tha Crossroads by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Tha Crossroads was the single that changed everything for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The Eazy-E protégés told the story of missing their loved ones that had passed away and moved on to “Tha Crossroads”. The record debuted at number 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and was the group’s highest selling single to date. Tha Crossroads was the only number one on the rap charts that went double platinum in ’96.
July: How Do U Want It/California Love by 2Pac Featuring K-Co and Jojo
The West Coast took over with this single from Cali’s own 2Pac. The song featured vocals from K-Ci and Jojo and reached #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and on the Rap Singles chart.
The single sampled Body Heat by Quincy Jones and went double platinum. Tupac’s single landed him placements in the film Gang Related, Tupac’s last movie performance, and also in Friday After Next in 2002.
August: Elevators (Me & You) by OutKast
Elevators was the the first single off of OutKast’s album ATLiens. This record introduced a new sound from OutKast. Their album ATLiens featured original production with unique tones and a different style from what their fans experienced from them before. The song received a Gold certification from the RIAA and went number one barely a month after its release.
September: Loungin by LL Cool J
Yet again, in September, LL Cool J topped the charts another time with his single Loungin. The song received platinum certification and peaked at number 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The music video featured LL Cool J in an affair with a “taken” woman. The song was later featured in Nickelodeon’s infamous flick Good Burger.
October: Po Pimp by Do or Die feat. Twista
Po Pimp was the breakthrough hit that helped put the group on the map. After becoming a local hit, people started to take notice and soon they were signed to Rap-A-Lot Records. The smooth beat, lyrics and the Twista feature made it the perfect song for the summer. Po Pimp made its way to the top a few short months later in October of 1996.
November: Street Dreams by Nas
Street Dreams Nas’ second hit following If I Ruled the World. Released in October of 1996, it didn’t take long for this song to hit number one in less than a month. The song was produced by Trackmasters and distributed by Columbia Records.
December: No Time by Lil Kim feat. Puff Daddy
The last song to top the hip hop chart in ‘96 was Lil Kim’s No Time featuring Puff Daddy. Produced by Stevie J and Puff Daddy himself, this song was the first single off of Lil Kim’s debut album. This record helped Kim prove to the world of hip hop that she wasn’t one to be messed with nor overlooked. The song received platinum certification and gave Kim her first ever number one hit.
