Friday Night Soundtrack – July 19th, 2013

Age can be a crazy thing and as I’ve said before, nothing makes me feel my age like music.  I can remember different times in my life based on the music that I was listening to.  It’s been 17 years since I first got my license (insert super old feeling here) and what better way to relive that time than comprise a list of some of the biggest tracks from the year of 1996.

After doing a little research, most of the biggest singles released that year came from the R&B/Rap world.  Artists such as 2Pac, Coolio, Boyz II Men and LL Cool J dominated the charts, pumping out hit after hit.  Not being the biggest fan of those two genres (as you’ll see from this weeks list), I’ve decided to embrace my inner hip-hop (I can see the cringing already) and compile some of the more memorable R&B/Rap hits from that year.

1 – The Crossroads (Bone Thugs N Harmony)

Written in honor of deceased rapper Easy-E, this song climbed all the way up to #1 on the American charts.  Spending eight weeks at the top position, “The Crossroads” would become the bands biggest hit, earning them a Grammy.  Personally I don’t love this song.  I probably got caught up in the hype when it was first released, but it does nothing for me now.

2 – California Love (2Pac)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWOsbGP5Ox4

Even though this song only spent two Weeks at the top spot in the summer of 1996, it will always be remembered as one of 2Pac’s biggest hits.  Another song that I can clearly remember.  This was blasted out of every high schoolers Civic and Jeep around.  I still dig this track to this very day.

3 – Gangster’s Paradise (Coolio)

Everyone remembers that video with Coolio and Michelle Pfeiffer facing off against one another in that dingy high school setting….and what about that other guy who sang the hook looking all mysterious because of the smoke all around him.  Does this track hold up…..not really well, as opposed to the Weird Al version which will go on forever.

4 – No Diggity (Blackstreet)

Spending four weeks at the top position, back in November of 96, “No Diggity” put Blackstreet on the map.  unfortunately it was the only time they found themselves on the map.  It had great flow and a super catchy chorus.  I still dig this track the odd time it pops up in my iTunes.

5 – That Girl (Maxi Priest ft. Shaggy)

I can’t stand this song and it pains me to admit that I can remember it being played regularly.  This track made the list because of my mother and that’s the only reason.  I could probably write 1000 words on why this song is horrible, but why waste that much time.  I do apologize.

 

 

About the author

Jeff

Jeff is one-fourth of the group that makes up HAFILAX. His usual ramblings can be read right here on the website. If reading isn't your thing, he also hosts the Basement Tapes podcast.

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