Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 100 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of films and musical genres. Click “Next Soundtrack” below to explore each soundtrack in the list or for easier navigation, view the full introduction & soundtrack index here.
Boyz N the Hood
Qwest/Warner Bros. (1991)
Selected by Jesse Ducker
The early to mid 1990s saw an increase in the release of “urban” films. This was partly because Hollywood was becoming more aware of the purchasing power of the hip-hop demographic. John Singleton’s Boyz N the Hood was arguably the first film in this new era, and it, in turn, gave birth to “the hip-hop soundtrack.” As it turns out, the first is also one of the best.
Southern California-based rap talent takes center stage on the album, as Ice Cube gives courses on navigating ghetto life on “How To Survive In South Central,” while Kam lambasts phony gangsters on “Every Single Weekend,” his debut track. Yo-Yo and Compton’s Most Wanted, both in the early stages of their careers, demonstrate their continued growth as artists on their respective contributions. And Miami’s 2 Live Crew temporarily eschew booty music to record the thumping “Hangin’ Out,” one of the album’s strongest entries.
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