Hip hop has been a dominant force in popular culture for decades now, influencing not just the music industry, but also fashion, art, and even film. One of the ways in which hip hop has made its mark on cinema is through movie soundtracks. These collections of songs chosen to accompany a film are often curated by top artists in the hip hop world, making them highly anticipated and influential in their own right.
In this essay, we will explore the top 33 hip hop themed movie soundtracks of all time, spanning various years and styles within the genre. From classic films like 1983’s “Wild Style” to more recent releases like 2018’s “Black Panther,” these soundtracks have captured the essence of hip hop culture and showcased some of the best talent in the industry.
1. Wild Style (1983) – This soundtrack featured tracks from iconic artists like Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, and showcased the early days of hip hop in New York City.
2. Style Wars (1983) – This documentary about graffiti and hip hop culture included a diverse soundtrack that captured the energy and creativity of the era.
3. Krush Groove (1985) – This film about a record label featured music from Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, and LL Cool J, among others, making it a standout in hip hop movie soundtracks.
4. Tougher Than Leather (1988) – This soundtrack from the film starring Run-DMC included hits like “Run’s House” and “Mary, Mary,” cementing its status as a classic in the genre.
5. New Jack City (1991) The original soundtrack to Mario Van Peebles’ 1991 film New Jack City. It was released by Giant Records through Reprise Records, and distributed by Warner Bros. Records. The soundtrack consists of eleven original songs, most of which were performed by chart-topping R&B and hip-hop artists of the time. The music is heavily influenced by the New Jack Swing genre of R&B. Prominent artists and producers of this sound contributed to the soundtrack, including Guy with Teddy Riley, Keith Sweat, Color Me Badd, and Johnny Gill; Al B. Sure! produced the track “Get It Together (Black Is a Force),” performed by F.S. Effect.
6. Juice (1992) – This soundtrack featured tracks from Tupac Shakur, Eric B. & Rakim, and Big Daddy Kane, capturing the gritty and raw energy of the film.
7. Who’s the Man? (1993) thriller buddy comedy film directed by Ted Demme in his feature film directing debut. The film stars Yo! MTV Raps hosts Doctor Dré and Ed Lover as its two main protagonists and features cameo appearances from some of the top rap/hip-hop acts of the time, including (though not limited to) Busta Rhymes, Bushwick Bill, Guru, Eric B., House of Pain, Ice-T, Kris Kross, Phife Dawg, Queen Latifah, KRS-One, Run-D.M.C., and a young Del the Funky Homosapien. The film is also the feature film debut of Terrence Howard.
8. Menace II Society (1993) – This soundtrack included songs from artists like MC Eiht, Spice 1, and Too Short, reflecting the themes of violence and struggle in the film.
9. Above the Rim (1994) – This soundtrack featured tracks from Warren G, 2Pac, and Snoop Dogg, and was a standout in the mid-90s hip hop scene.
10. Friday (1995) – This soundtrack included hits like “Keep Their Heads Ringin'” by Dr. Dre and “Friday” by Ice Cube, capturing the humor and laid-back vibe of the film.
11. New Jersey Drive (1995) – This soundtrack featured songs from artists like Redman, Naughty by Nature, and A Tribe Called Quest, showcasing the East Coast hip hop sound.
12. The Show (1995) An American documentary film about hip hop music. It was directed by Brian Robbins and featured interviews with some of hip hop’s biggest names. Def Jam founder Russell Simmons stars in and narrates the film. The film grossed $1,482,892 in its opening weekend and $2,702,578 during its theatrical run.
13. Space Jam (1996) – This soundtrack featured tracks from artists like Jay-Z, R. Kelly, and Busta Rhymes, and blended hip hop with R&B and pop for a unique sound.
14. Sunset Park (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1996) The soundtrack to Steve Gomer’s 1996 film Sunset Park. It was released on April 23, 1996 through EastWest Records America/Elektra Music Group.
15. Belly (1998) – This soundtrack included songs from DMX, Jay-Z, and Nas, and captured the dark and edgy vibe of the film.
16. Streets Is Watching (1998) The soundtrack album to Abdul Malik Abbott’s 1998 film of the same name. It was released on May 12, 1998, via Roc-A-Fella Records/Def Jam Recordings. Production was handled by Mahogany, Jaz-O, AK47, Darrel ‘Digga’ Branch, Dave G, Dinky Bingham, DJ Clue?, Irv Gotti, Ken “Duro” Ifill, M.O.P., Tone Capone, Ty Fyffe, and Dame Dash, who also served as one of executive producers together with Jay-Z and Kareem “Biggs” Burke. It features appearances from Jay-Z, Christión, Memphis Bleek, Diamonds In Da Rough, DMX, Ja Rule, M.O.P., N.O.R.E., Rell, Sauce Money, Usual Suspects, and The Ranjahz member Wais. The album fared well commercially reaching #27 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and having two singles (“It’s Alright” and “Love For Free”) appear on the Billboard Hot 100
17. 8 Mile (2002) – This soundtrack featured songs from Eminem, 50 Cent, and Nas, and was a commercial success, becoming one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time.
18. Brown Sugar (2002) – This soundtrack featured songs from Mary J. Blige, Common, and Erykah Badu, and highlighted the intersection of hip hop and soul music.
19. Hustle & Flow (2005) – This soundtrack featured songs from Terrence Howard, Ludacris, and Three 6 Mafia, and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp.”
20. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005) – This soundtrack featured tracks from 50 Cent, Eminem, and G-Unit, and was highly successful, selling over 3 million copies.
21. Step Up (2006) – This soundtrack featured songs from Missy Elliott, Ciara, and T-Pain, and reflected the dance and hip hop culture of the film.
22. Notorious (2009) – This soundtrack featured songs from The Notorious B.I.G., Lil’ Kim, and Jay-Z, and captured the life and music of the legendary rapper.
23. Straight Outta Compton (2015) – This soundtrack featured songs from N.W.A., Kendrick Lamar, and Ice Cube, and showcased the rise of gangsta rap in the 80s and 90s.
24. Dope (2015) – This soundtrack featured songs from Nas, Public Enemy, and A Tribe Called Quest, and reflected the eclectic and diverse hip hop sound of the film.
25. Creed (2015) – This soundtrack featured songs from Future, 2Pac, and Meek Mill, and blended hip hop with rock and pop for a fresh sound.
26. The Get Down (2016) – This soundtrack featured songs from Janelle Monáe, Nas, and Miguel, and captured the vibrant energy of the show’s setting in 1970s Bronx.
27. Moonlight (2016) – This soundtrack featured songs from Jidenna, Goodie Mob, and Boris Gardiner, and won an Academy Award for Best Original Score for its powerful and emotional music.
28. Black Panther (2018) – This soundtrack featured songs from Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and The Weeknd, and was a critical and commercial success, blending hip hop with African influences for a unique sound.
29. Superfly (2018) – This soundtrack featured songs from Future, Young Thug, and Miguel, and updated the classic blaxploitation film for a modern audience.
30. Beats (2019) – This soundtrack featured songs from Khalil Everage, T.I., and Young Chop, and captured the underground hip hop scene of Chicago.
31. Sorry to Bother You (2018) – This soundtrack featured songs from The Coup, Tune-Yards, and Janelle Monáe, and reflected the satirical and political themes of the film.
32. The Hate U Give (2018) – This soundtrack featured songs from Kendrick La²mar, 2Pac, and Travis Scott, and addressed themes of police brutality and racism in America.
33. Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) – This soundtrack featured songs from Nipsey Hussle, Jay-Z, and H.E.R., and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Fight for You,” showcasing the struggle and triumph of the Black Panther Party.
In conclusion, hip hop themed movie soundtracks have played a significant role in shaping the genre and expanding its reach beyond just the music industry. From classic films like “Wild Style” to more recent hits like “Black Panther,” these soundtracks have captured the essence of hip hop culture and showcased the incredible talent within the genre. As hip hop continues to evolve and influence popular culture, we can expect to see more groundbreaking soundtracks accompanying films that celebrate its unique style and vision.
