Hip hop music is one of the most beloved genres in music. This quiz will test your knowledge on some iconic rap songs from the 90s and 2000s.
Are you a fan of hip hop music? Why not test your knowledge by taking this quiz on yourself or some friends? It’s an entertaining way to discover the history behind this popular style of music.
1. Dr. Dre
Hip hop is a music genre that features everything from party beats to contemplative dirges. It’s diverse, yet one of the most commercially successful and artistically refined.
Dre is a West Coast rapper and hip-hop producer best known for popularizing the gangsta rap subgenre. In 1996, he left Death Row Records to launch his own label: Aftermath Entertainment.
Dre has earned the respect of countless rappers and artists, such as Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Jay-Z. He’s produced more than a dozen hit songs and been awarded five Grammy Awards for his efforts.
In 2001, Dre released his debut solo album entitled 2001 which produced several hits such as Grammy-winning single “Forgot About Dre”. Later that same year he signed with Interscope Records and served as executive producer on rapper 50 Cent’s debut album Get Rich or Die Tryingin’.
Dre is often found producing and composing music when not rapping. He’s renowned for his inventive use of sound technology, particularly reverb and effects, as well as his keen sense of sound design that has earned him the respect of other musicians.
The rapper possesses an intimate understanding of rap psychology, helping him comprehend how his lyrics are perceived by listeners. Furthermore, he makes a conscious effort to ensure his words don’t sound too harsh or insensitive.
Dre is known for his musical accomplishments and also holds a passion for philanthropy. He co-founded the Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation – an undergraduate program designed to develop creative and technical abilities in students.
2. DMX
DMX was one of the most influential rappers in hip-hop. He made his debut in 1998 with a platinum-selling debut album and quickly rose to become an iconic figure within the genre.
Though DMX was best known for his hardcore rap hits, he also had an aptitude for acting, landing several roles on the silver screen during his career. His gritty persona made him the ideal choice for several movies such as Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds and Cradle 2 the Grave.
He was the first rap artist to have his two albums reach US number one within a year, demonstrating his immense talent and the potency of his lyrics, which often dealt with harsh realities of ghetto life. It served as an impressive testament to his perseverance and raw talent.
As a child, DMX experienced abuse and lived in foster homes; this would be evident in his honest music. Eventually he would learn to befriend stray dogs, creating an intense bond with them.
The rapper was also renowned for his spirituality, which he explored through songs such as “We Right Here” and his autobiographical single Slippin’. As he grew to embrace Christianity, he would close out both albums and live performances with prayers.
His passion for dogs inspired a series of popular songs, including “Get At Me Dog.” Additionally, he wrote “Cold Chillin’ Christmas,” featuring him singing along to the tune of “Christmas in Hollis” with his own canine companion Boomer.
DMX is an iconic example of an artist who doesn’t fear to stand out from his peers. He made it big during a time when rap was still developing, and became one of hip hop’s most important MCs. With eight studio albums and numerous films under his belt, DMX cemented himself as an iconic figure in hip hop culture.
3. Twista
Twista has been a mainstay in hip hop for years, known for his rapid flow. He’s collaborated with some of music’s biggest names such as P. Diddy, Lil Kim and Mariah Carey among others.
He began his career in Chicago, making a name for himself through his mixtapes. After signing with Atlantic Records in 1997, he released his first studio album Adrenaline Rush which became an instant hit and featured the single “Slow Jamz.”
His 2004 album Kamikaze achieved #1 on the Billboard 200 and earned him his second platinum album. A year later, The Day After followed suit and featured collaborations with many renowned artists like Mariah Carey, Lil Kim, Trey Songz and Pittbull.
Twista has achieved great success as a rapper, songwriter and record producer with an impressive career that has netted him $7 million. At present, Twista is focusing on promoting his gun training course while giving back to the community.
Twista has maintained his fan base as a songwriter and producer even after leaving the music industry. He’s collaborated with some of music’s biggest names like Kanye West, Trey Songz and Pharrell Williams to name just a few.
Twista has achieved great success throughout his career, becoming one of the most beloved MCs worldwide. He has won multiple awards and amassed a net worth in excess of $7 million dollars.
Twista began his career in the early 1990s and quickly earned notoriety for his fast-paced style of rapping. His ability to spit faster than anyone else in the industry helped him build a large fan base and garner him fame. Over time, he’s collaborated with numerous renowned artists while earning several awards for his work.
4. M.I.A
M.I.A, born in Sri Lanka to British parents, made waves in the early 2000s with her unique blend of music, visual arts and politics that presaged popular music’s future. With Arular released in 2005 followed by Kala the following year, she quickly rose to become one of the world’s biggest rap stars.
Her music was heavily influenced by her political background as her father was a Tamil activist in Sri Lanka. Many of her songs expressed sympathy for the separatist movement but she also took on more mainstream controversy when faced with being prevented from entering America in 2008. As a result, many of her subsequent songs dealt with politics directly or indirectly.
She was one of the pioneers of ‘urban desi’, which blends South Asian and American styles to create a hip hop sound that has since gained widespread recognition. Her fourth studio album, Matangi, released in 2013, offers a different take on her earlier work while still adhering to her signature style.
It’s an upbeat record with plenty of catchy tunes, but there aren’t many standout tracks. Some tracks like ‘Steppin Up’ sound generic while ‘Meds and Feds’ has an abrasive synth that may be hard to take.
The rest of the album is more polished, with tracks like ‘Bad Girls’ and ‘Sexodus’ featuring Indian textures. ‘Atention’ pays homage to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange while ‘Y.A.L.A’ serves as a response to Drake’s ‘YOLO’.
Her fifth album, AIM, is an energetic collection of songs that zips by in under 40 minutes. It features guest appearances from One Direction’s Zayn Malik on ‘Freedun’ and Jamaican dancehall star Dexta Daps on ‘Foreign Friend’; however there are few stand-out tunes here which makes listening to this album somewhat tedious.
5. Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott, a Virginia native and hip-hop superstar whose career has spanned more than two decades, is an icon with four Grammy awards and an ever-increasing fan base.
At her debut, Elliott and producer Timbaland created a sound that looked towards the future. Their 1998 LP Da Real World was set in 3000, even featuring The Matrix as its cover art. However, it wasn’t until 2002’s Under Construction that Elliott and Timbaland returned to their roots, honoring both their past successes while pushing genre boundaries forward.
Under Construction opens with an epic remix of RZA’s beat from Method Man’s 1994 single “Bring the Pain,” Elliott adding her own take with an intense chorus that cuts through every word. On her next solo record, Elliott takes things up a notch by inviting Aaliyah and Da Brat to join in for an explosive soundscape that is both playful and terrifying.
Her most successful releases after Under Construction include the upbeat “We Run This” and uptempo anthem “Work It.” Both songs forgo traditional structure to let her sing in 6/8 time, which gives them a buoyant vibe. The latter’s anti-ballerisms (Elliott says, “I’m a girl who eats like a vulture”) are balanced out with clever one-liners and comedic asides.
Her latest single, “I’m Better,” doesn’t quite fit her style; it sounds more Migos-influenced than Missy, with a trap-inspired beat that doesn’t match her trademark lowkey flow. As such, the song sounds more like an uptempo club anthem than something from her latest LP; still, it makes for an enjoyable listen and we’re delighted to have Missy back on All Songs Considered this episode!