There’s a lot to love about 90s hip-hop and R&B, but one of the things I miss the most are soundtrack albums.

Sure, we get big-time soundtracks occasionally these days, like Kendrick Lamar curating music for Black Panther or Beyonce’s The Gift for the Lion King film. But in the 90s, these were regular occurrences. And the best part? Getting new music from the biggest names in the game alongside random cuts from up-and-coming artists you’d never heard of but would soon become faves.

Imagine a random 2025 movie like, say Woman in the Yard, featuring new music from SZA, Janelle Monae, Doja Cat, Tyler, the Creator, FLO, Boldy James, Charlie Wilson and Grace Jones. That was the level of blessings we received in the 90s.

In the spirit of that era, I spent the past month listening to 129 (!!!!!!!!) soundtracks from 1990 to 1999 to compile the 50 best of that decade.

One caveat – this list will NOT include soundtracks that primary featured previously released music. Sorry, Dead Presidents fans, soundtracks that were mainly comprised of hits from the 70s were not included. Same goes for Malcolm X, Jackie Brown and a few others.

Also, a major shoutout to my guy Brandon (THEO!) over at ShattertheStandards.com for assisting in the research for this post.

So grab a drink and a box of Dollar Store candy (cuz I know y’all are too cheap to pay full price for theater snacks) and settle in for this cinematic journey into the best soundtracks of the 90s.

But first, a few honorable mentions:

The Wood
Deep Cover
New York Undercover
House Party 2
White Men Can’t Jump
Nothing to Lose
Judgement Night
Light It Up
Higher Learning
Bad Boys
Def Jam’s How to Be a Player
Woo
Blade
The Five Heartbeats

50. Mo’ Money (1992)

The year is 1992 and R&B is still swingin’ to that New Jack sound, so it’s no surprise that it’s a big part of this soundtrack. New Jack pioneers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced the entire album, so R&B gets top billing here. The most memorable entry is “The Best Things in Life Are Free” featuring the dream team of Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson, Bell Biv DeVoe and Ralph Tresvant. Hip-hop is represented well too, with cuts from MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane and Public Enemy rounding things out.

Forgotten favorite: Mint Condition, “My Dear”

49. Poetic Justice (1993)

I always found it weird that despite starring in the movie (and having her songs featured in the film) there were no Janet Jackson songs on the official soundtrack. Still, what we got instead was pretty successful, including oft-forgotten tracks from the early days of TLC and Usher, along with strong G-Funk contributions from Tha Dogg Pound, The Lady of Rage, Warren G, Nate Dog and 2Pac himself, who also appeared in the film. Hey, at least they gave us a Pac track on this one.

Forgotten favorite: Pete Rock & CL Smooth, “One in a Million”

48. The Players Club (1998)

If you assumed The Players Club soundtrack would be solely songs fit for the booty club … you’d be about half right. There’s plenty of that – including not one, but two versions of Ice Cube’s “We Be Clubbin’,” but the second half of the album breaks the mold and gets a little more romantic with some solid late-90s R&B. It’s a more balanced release that you might expect.

Forgotten favorite: Public Announcement, “What a Woman Feels”

47. Class Act (1992)

Class Act was a pretty goofy film – even by early 90s comedy standards – so I was a little surprised that I enjoyed its soundtrack so much. At just 10 tracks, it’s way more streamlined that many soundtracks on this list, and that makes every song count a little more. Film stars Kid N’ Play of course have a cool contribution with “Get It Right” but the real standouts are Jade with “I Wanna Love You,” kicking off one of the most wildly successful yet short lived runs of the era.

Forgotten favorite: B Angie B, “A Class Act I”

46. Blue Streak (1999)

Well, you can’t say they didn’t commit to a theme. To coincide with the film’s jewel heist theme, nearly every song on the Blue Streak soundtrack has something to do with money, diamonds or robbing someone – not that any of those themes are a stretch for late 90s hip-hop. The themes might be a little cliche but it’s filled with hidden gems (see what I did there) from established names like Foxy Brown and newer faces like Ruff Endz. We all made out like bandits on this one.

Forgotten favorite: Playa, “Playboy Like Me”

45. Boyz N the Hood (1991)

Boyz N the Hood is unquestionably one of the greatest films of its era, so some of y’all might balk at the placement of its soundtrack. Honestly, I expected it to be much higher too. Though it’s not as rock-solid as I remember, it’s still a strong compliment to the film thanks to West Coast headliners like Ice Cube, Too Short and Yo-Yo coming out in full force. Shout out to R&B acts like Tony Toni Tone and Hi-Five for providing more mellow moments too.

Forgotten favorite: Yo-Yo, “Mama Don’t Take No Mess”

44. Sprung (1997)

The Sprung soundtrack is a well-balanced listening experience. You’ve got Jay-Z’s “Who You Wit” as the big centerpiece track while artists like E-40 hold down the westside, with Canibus, The Lost Boyz and repping the east. On the other side of the equation we celebrate R&B’s legacy with Quincy Jones’ “Secret Garden” while getting a taste of its future with the often-forgotten “One in a Million” remix from Aaliyah and Ginuwine. And then Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold just steal the show with their rendition of “Don’t Ask My Neighbors.” All your bases are covered.

Forgotten favorite: Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold, “Don’t Ask My Neighbors”

43. New Jersey Drive, Vol. 1 (1995)

You probably remember the New Jersey Drive soundtrack, but did you know it spawned not just one, but two volumes? If not, it’s cool – Vol. 2 ain’t much to write home about, so we’ll focus our attention on the superior record. Total’s “Can’t You See” is the biggest draw (thanks to Biggie dropping one of the best guest verses of all time) but Queen Latifah, Heavy D, Keith Murray and more drop underrated cuts as well. And, as customary for the time, we get a nod to the legends with the inclusion of Frankie Beverly and Maze’s “Before I Let Go.”

Forgotten favorite: Queen Latifah, “Jersey”

42. Streets is Watching (1998)

Streets is Watching is such a weird movie – it’s basically a bunch of Jay-Z videos smushed together with some “acting” between. Think Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker, but taking itself way more seriously. Pass on the movie but pick up this soundtrack, which is a time capsule of early era Roc-A-Fella, and, man, do I miss that era. Early-era Jay is my favorite Jay, and adding prime DMX and Christion makes this a treat. But they all pale in comparison to Rell’s “Love for Free.” That man should have been a star and I’m glad he got to shine here.

Forgotten favorite: Jay-Z, DMX and Ja Rule, “Murdergram”

41. He Got Game (1998)

He Got Game is basically a covert Public Enemy album, and though it wasn’t that well received in its time, I think it holds up well. PE creativity uses sports imagery and lingo for their brand of social commentary, and these brothers aren’t holding back. Chuck sounds absolutely fed up, but his fire brings life to these tracks. It’s not always a fun listen (though the title track is entertaining) but like most PE albums, it’s essential.

Forgotten favorite: Public Enemy, “He Got Game”

40. Clockers (1995)

Clockers is recognized as one of the standout soundtracks of its era, and while it didn’t hold up as strongly as I expected during my relistening sessions, it’s still a winner. At just 12 songs, it’s a lot more focused and compact than other releases of the time. And it’s mix of hard-hitting underground hip-hop with a dash of R&B (shout out to 90s soundtrack MVP Marc Dorsey) provide for a diverse listening experience.

Forgotten favorite: Crooklyn Dodgers ’95, “Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers”

39. In Too Deep (1999)

In Too Deep wasn’t playing fair – its tracklist cherry-picked some of the best records of 1999. Mobb Deep and Lil Kim’s “Quiet Storm” remix shows up here, along with Red and Meth’s “Tear it Off,” Jagged Edge’s “Keys to the Range” and even 50 Cent’s infamous “How to Rob.” Gems from Jill Scott and Dave Hollister help to fill out the playlist, making this a very underrated release.

Forgotten favorite: Nas and Nature, “In Too Deep”

38. The Best Man (1999)

Maybe it’s just me but The Best Man soundtrack felt like it was taking its cues from Babyface’s landmark Waiting to Exhale soundtrack. That’s a pretty good blueprint, when you think about it. Similar to Waiting to Exhale, it’s a largely R&B affair (minus a very fun Sporty Thievz cut) featuring standout artists of its era. The all-star collab between Ginuwine, RL, Tyrese and Case is the album’s greatest claim to fame, but Maxwell, LaTocha Scott, Allure, Kenny Lattimore and more prove that here’s plenty of soul to go around.

Forgotten favorite: Sporty Thievz, “Hit It Up”

37. Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998)

When 1998 Edd found out that the Why Do Fools Falls In Love soundtrack would be a collaboration with Missy Elliott’s Goldmine imprint, I was TOO HYPE. My fave overseeing an entire soundtrack? Sign me up. Now, it didn’t become the instant classic I expected, but with Missy and Timbaland behind the boards, success was certain. I contend that “Get on the Bus” is the best Destiny’s Child song that no one remembers, while Supafriends-adjacent artists like Nicole Wray, Coko, Lil Mo and Gina Thompson continued their run of great songs. It’s a fun, bouncing collection brimming with that late 90s Missy/Timbo magic.

Forgotten favorite: Destiny’s Child, “Get on the Bus”

36. Hav Plenty (1999)

Real talk, I remember NOTHING about this film. I’ve never seen it and I barely remember promotion for it. But the soundtrack? Unforgettable. Only in the world of 90s soundtracks would we get Jon B, Coko and Jay-Z on the same record – it’s like someone used the random select option for Marvel vs Capcom: R&B Edition. Unique parings and great efforts from always-reliable artists like SWV, AZ Yet and Erykah Badu make this LP way more memorable than its namesake movie.

Forgotten favorite: Faith Evans, “Tears Away”

35. Life (1999)

I almost passed on the Life soundtrack in 1999. I wasn’t a big fan of K-Ci and JoJo’s title track. “LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFE, LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFE, LIIIIIIIIIIIIIFE, LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFE” was not giving me life. But I’m so glad I jumped on board. It features what may be my R&B obsession Kelly Price’s best song, along with great tracks from Mya and Destiny’s Child that you probably didn’t even know existed. And you can’t overlook Maxwell’s massive “Fortunate” and our introduction to City High (and that baby that was “hongry”).

Forgotten favorite: Kelly Price, “It’s Gonna Rain”

34. A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994)

Here’s another one that snuck up on me and aged a lot better than I expected. Word of warning for those triggered by the Arruh – the album’s best moments are led by R&B Voldemort, with a classic Changing Faces track, an overlooked effort from early Aaliyah and a great mix of “Homie Lover Friend.” But there’s more heat to be found – Silk’s “I Can Go Deep” will always hit, Zhane’s “Shame” is the perfect theme song for the film and it’s CRIMINAL how y’all slept on Raja Nee’s “Turn it Up.” Great project.

Forgotten favorite: Hi-Five, “Birthday Girl”

33. Street Fighter (1994)

If you asked me in 1994 what I’d expect a Street Fighter movie soundtrack to sound like, I’d assume we’d get some mid-90s rock stuff, not a hard hitting rap record from Priority Records. But it works well! Pharcyde, Nas, Ice Cube and more deliver aggressive tracks tailor made for brawling with strangers in the street. It may not have matched all that well with the film’s goofy tone, but for mid-90s hip-hop heads, we were in heaven.

Forgotten favorite: The Pharcyde, “Pandemonium”

32. Belly (1998)

If you know me, you know I’m NOT a fan of this movie. Yeah, the intro scene is cool but everything after … yeesh. But like so many entries on this list, the soundtrack shines where the film lacks. Belly is a pretty complete snapshot of late 90s hip-hop, with heavy hitters from Roc-A-Fella Records and Ruff Ryders all over this thing. Plus, we get a few strong R&B numbers to balance things out. I go back to this album much more often than the film.

Forgotten favorite: Wu-Tang Clan, “Windpipe”

31. How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)

I saw the film back in 1998 but somehow missed the soundtrack at the time. I missed a treat. Reflecting the tone of the film, Stella’s groove is defined by an assortment of R&B and reggae tracks, resulting in several surprising team-ups. We get Janet Jackson and Shaggy, Wyclef Jean and Stevie Wonder, Boyz II Men and Chante Moore, even Big Pun and Beenie Man. It’s a sultry, enticing set that perfectly reflects its film.

Forgotten favorite: Mary J. Blige, “Beautiful”

30. Jungle Fever (1991)

Growing up in a Black household in the 80s meant Stevie’s music was inescapable, but Jungle Fever was the first Stevie album I remember hearing on my own and not via parental osmosis. While the title track still drives crazy (not a bad song, mind you, but everyone in my school was obsessed with it and sang it incessantly) there’s so much more here, proving that Stevie had no problem transitioning into the New Jack Swing era. It’s often overlooked in Stevie’s vast discography but absolutely stands up among soundtracks of its era.

Forgotten favorite: Stevie Wonder, “If She Breaks Your Heart”

29. Sunset Park (1996)

I can’t remember a thing about this film – something about kids playing basketball or something – but I can remember high school Edd wearing this album OUT. It had new tracks from all my faves at the time Aaliyah, Xscape, Junior MAFIA, Queen Latifah, Ghostface and Raekwon, Adina Howard – it’s like it was curated just for me. It’s a surprisingly diverse collection that often goes unmentioned when 90s soundtracks are discussed but trust me, Sunset Park knows ball.

Forgotten favorite: Aaliyah, “Are You Ready”

28. Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice In the Hood (1996)

Any soundtrack that features Joe’s “All the Things,” the Lost Boyz’ “Renee” and Ghostface’s “Winter Warz” is getting automatic inclusion on this list. Don’t Be a Menace hits all those mid 90s notes well, while sliding in heat from emerging artists like Mona Lisa. The film itself may have been an insane parody of Black culture and film, but the music remained authentic to the times.

Forgotten favorite: “Mona Lisa, “Can’t Be Wastin’ My Time”

27. High School High (1996)

Talk about an all-star selection of artists: De La Soul, Lil Kim, Pete Rock, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Large Professor, The Roots, The Wu-Tang Clan, Tribe Called Quest, Jodeci, KRS-One, Faith Evans and more. High School High‘s roster looks like a hip-hop and R&B hall of fame. And everyone here delivers, from long-forgotten cuts like Faith’s “I Just Can’t” or songs that would become inescapable, like The Braids’ version of “Bohemian Rapsody,” which was EVERYWHERE for a time in 1996. This was a major win.

Forgotten favorite: D’Angelo and Erykah Badu, “Your Precious Love”

26. Jason’s Lyric (1994)

Going into this recap, the only thing I could recall from the Jason’s Lyric soundtrack was Black Men United’s “U Will Know,” and I’d love to see a track of that magnitude that today. Wishful thinking, I know. But there’s way more to love here. The Jason’s Lyric soundtrack is another of those perfectly balanced offerings, giving us quality R&B from Brian McKnight, Tony Toni Tone, Mint Condition, The Whitehead Bros, and more, along with edgier cuts from Spice 1, Jayo Felony and LL Cool J. Special shoutout to K-Ci’s “If You Think You’re Lonely Now” cover. He was MADE for that track.

Forgotten favorite: Mint Condition and Albert Collins, “If Trouble Was Money”

25. Set It Off (1996)

Set It Off has one of the most memorable soundtracks from the era, thanks to the R&B tour de force that is “Missing You,” along with “Don’t Let Go,” AKA En Vogue’s greatest song EVER. But what elevates this effort are the tracks that often go overlooked. Billy Lawrence’s sugary sweet “Come On,” Bone Thug’s reflective “Dayz of our Lives,” and Blulight’s audio thirst trap “Sex is on My Mind.” This LP starts out incredibly strong and never loses momentum.

Forgotten favorite: Blulight, “Sex is on my Mind”

24. Who’s the Man? (1993)

Sometimes, I do these very long and exhaustive retrospectives not just for you, dear reader, but for me. What other opportunity would I have to remind myself about this dope soundtrack? The Who’s the Man soundtrack hadn’t crossed my mind in decades but two tracks in and I was back home. Check the stats – it was released on Uptown Records. In 1993! That means we got the formative years of the Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Jodeci along with more established names like Heavy D and Father MC. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the future of hip-hop and R&B.

Forgotten favorite: Mary J. Blige, “You Don’t Have to Worry”

23. Booty Call (1997)

A totally ridiculous movie with a banger of a soundtrack – that’s the 90s for you, and few do it better than Booty Call. Too Short and Lil Kim, SWV and Missy, Joe being the ultimate hater – this set spawned so many hits by spring 97. But once again, it’s the album cuts from the likes of Gerald Levert and Silk that keep the party moving. And why didn’t y’all tell me the Backstreet Boys had a banger like “If You Stay” in their catalog!?

Forgotten favorites: Backstreet Boys, “If You Stay”

22. Soul Food (1997)

True to its name, Soul Food is all about the soul. The contributions from Boyz II Men, Total and Dru Hill alone are enough to make this top tier. And that Milestone record is so good that we’re still begging for a full album almost 30 years later. Babyface’s golden pen is all over this soundtrack, and, as you’d expect, he doesn’t miss a beat.

Forgotten favorite: Outkast, “In Due Time”

21. Hoodlum (1997)

Full disclosure: I don’t remember this movie at all, nor do I remember this soundtrack. But believe me, this record has now burned its way into my consciousness. The tracklist is immaculate – Davina’s “So Good” (which was inescapable in 97, I still have the single!), Erykah Badu’s “Certainly,” Faith and 112’s “Can’t Believe,” Chico DeBarge’s “No Guarantee,” Big Bub’s “Zoom” – it’s like Apple Music’s curators time traveled to 97 and made the dopest playlist possible. If this slid under your radar like it did mine, correct that oversight ASAP.

Forgotten favorites: 112 and Faith Evans, “I Can’t Believe”

20. Menace II Society (1993)

If you know your 90s soundtracks, you knew this one was destined to show up. A great soundtrack is often a great reflection of its film, and this tracklist mirrors the, well, menace of the movie itself. MC Eiht, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, UGK, Spice 1 and more bring the intensity matched by Caine, O-Dog n’ dem. And oh yeah, we also get Hi-Five’s “Unconditional Love” wedged in here too. Nothing wrong with a little thug luv in the mix.

Forgotten favorite: Spice 1, “N**** Gots No Heart”

19. Rush Hour (1998)

I can’t think of this soundtrack without hearing Sisqo screaming YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH like a maniac. The first half of this album is hit after hit – Dru Hill, Jay-Z, Case and Joe’s excellent “Faded Pictures” and more. That momentum continues on the second half, thanks to an incredible duet with Montell Jordan and Monifah; NORE, Cam’ron and Charli Baltimore linking up and even an appearance from the Terror Squad. Plus, it’s one of the few soundtracks where the movie clips add to the listening experience. Chris Tucker being Chris Tucker makes this project even greater.

Forgotten favorite: Montell Jordan, Monifah and Flesh-n-Bone, “If I Die Tonight”

18. Men In Black (1997)

It felt like everyone I knew owned this soundtrack in 1997, and seeing that it reached triple platinum status, that might not be far from the truth. I’m sure the title track started buzzing in your brain the second you saw the album cover (Coko doesn’t get enough credit for that hook). But like all the best soundtracks, it’s those hidden morsels that will make you crave more. Nas’ “Escobar 97” is still in my rotation 28 years later and it was likely the first time many of you were introduced to Destiny’s Child and Alicia Keys. This soundtrack stands the test of time.

Forgotten favorite: Destiny’s Child, “Killing Time”

17. Dr. Dolittle (1998)

I was so excited for this soundtrack in 1998 – I remember telling my coworkers at my lil’ mall gig that I was stepping out to cop the album on my lunch break AND NO ONE WAS GOING TO STOP ME. And when I brought it back, we played it in the store. Apologies to shoppers in the summer of 1998 who were forced to hear Montell Jordan’s “Let’s Ride” remix while browsing through video games. Actually, I apologize for NOTHING, this album was so much fun. My boy Timbaland did much of the production, giving us gems like Aaliyah’s “Are You That Somebody” and Ginuwine’s “Same Ol G” – songs that are still beloved today. Plus acts like the 69 Boyz and the Sugarhill Gang keep the energy lively. If I was ranking these soundtracks by nostalgia it would be an easy top 5 pick, but, bias aside, it’s still a keeper.

Forgotten favorite: Ray J, “That’s Why I Lie”

16. The Preacher’s Wife (1996)

Whitney Houston’s voice was MADE for gospel. Her immaculate vocals pushed this set to become the best selling gospel album of all time, as well as being a timeless soundtrack for one of the 90s best movies. This is essentially an lowkey Whitney solo album, one that does her legacy justice.

Forgotten favorites: Whitney Houston, “I Love the Lord”

15. Juice (1991)

The Juice soundtrack is a freshly squeezed helping of hard-hitting hip-hop and New Jack Swing, from concentrate, no pulp. All of the early 90s heavy-hitters are on board – Eric B & Rakim, Teddy Riley, EPMD, Aaron Hall, Naughty By Nature and more. It swings wildly from East Coast rap to danceable R&B, but rarely loses its focus. It’s not as dark and heavy as the film could be but it still captures its spirit well.

Forgotten favorite: Rahiem, “Does Your Man Know About Me”

14. Space Jam (1996)

That Space Jam album cover will forever be dope to me. Like Men In Black, and a couple others yet to come on this list, Space Jam is one of the quintessential soundtracks from that mid-90s golden era. Posse cuts like “Hit Em High” were pretty standard in 1996, but they’re such a rarity today and it raises its stock immensely. Monica, Quad City DJs, All-for-One, and yes, R. Kelly all gave us career-defining hits. In fact, most of the tracks are so well known that I had trouble selecting a forgotten favorite. It shows the universal appeal this album has all these decades later.

Forgotten favorite: D’Angelo, “I Found My Smile Again”

13. Money Talks (1997)

I expect some pushback for this high ranking, but trust me on this one – the Money Talks soundtrack exceeds every expectation. Just look at this lineup: Lil Kim over Timbaland production, Mary J. Blige, early Angie Stone, Me’Shell NdegéOcello, Bad Boy remixes of Barry White tracks, Rick James and Lil Cease overseen by Jermaine Dupri – it’s like they threw decades of Black music in the blender and produced magic. It’s also the only album (that I know of) that featured the OG version of Debroah Cox’s “Things Just Ain’t the Same,” which is worth the cost of your $17.99 in 1997 right there. This album shouldn’t work, but it does so, so well.

Forgotten favorite: Lil Kim, “Money Talks”

12. House Party (1990)

In my opinion, this is the album that started the 90s soundtrack boom. While later editions didn’t quite measure up, the original House Party soundtrack captured the energy of the film and set the tone for a decade of incredible music to come. Full Force, Force MDs, Today, Flavor Flav and of course film stars Kid ‘n Play brought the party from the screen to our stereos. It’s still an unforgettable experience.

Forgotten favorite: Today, “Why You Get Funky on Me”

11. Panther (1995)

I’m willing to bet that this is the most underrated soundtrack on this list, and is one of the most important too. The1995 project is the first narrative film on the Black Panther party, and its themes and messages land especially hard today. So does this soundtrack. The underlying message of Panther is unity, which results in massive collaborative efforts. The lead track “Freedom” features nearly every female rap and R&B artist available in 1995 – more than 50 acts, by my count. Funkadelic, Sounds of Blackness, Joe, Arron Hall and more lend their talents to powerful, uplifting tracks. This felt bigger than music, it felt like a movement.

Forgotten favorite: Big Mike, Biggie Smalls, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Buckshot, Busta Rhymes, Coolio, Digable Planets, Heltah Skeltah, Ill Al Skratch, Jamal, Menace Clan & Redman, “The Points”

10. The Show (1995)

Y’all don’t talk enough about The Show for me, and that’s a shame. It’s one of the greatest hip-hop documentaries every made, so it’s only right that it boasts one of the greatest soundtracks. The mid-90s were a second golden age for hip-hop and all the big names are here – Biggie Smalls, LL Cool J, Onyx, Warren G and more. The Show is the first time we heard Redman and Method Man together, paving the way for them to later become hip-hop’s reigning tag team champions. Mary J. Blige’s “Everyday it Rains” would reign as my favorite MJB song for years, thanks to this set, and even cuts like “Summertime in the LBC” from The Dove Shack & Arnita Porter remain in rotation. This was a landmark moment for the culture.

Forgotten favorite: Mary J. Blige, “Everyday it Rains”

9. New Jack City (1991)

Of all the so-called “hood movies” of the 90s, New Jack City gets the most replays in Soul In Stereo studios. And its soundtrack? It’s just as iconic. True to its name, this a New Jack Swing showcase that gave the world two chart toppers in Christopher Williams’ “I’m Dreamin'” and Color Me Badd’s “I Wanna Sex You Up.” Ice-T, Guy and of course the king himself Keith Sweat also had standout moments. The city was theirs.

Forgotten favorite: Keith Sweat, “Tellin Me No Again”

8. Love Jones (1997)

Now this was something special. The Love Jones soundtrack truly captured the spirit of the movie. Not only was it a showcase of the era’s best R&B artists, we also were blessed with jazz elements and a little spoken word as well, mirroring the core themes of the feature film. Lauryn Hill, Maxwell, Kenny Lattimore – every artist fits the intimate tone of the film. Instead of loading this thing up with the hottest artists of the moment, this soundtrack was crafted with care. It felt like an extension of the film.

Forgotten favorite: Lauryn Hill, “The Sweetest Thing”

7. The Bodyguard (1992)

In the nearly decade-long gap between Whitney Houston’s third and fourth studio albums, she stayed busy both on the silver screen and in the studio, creating incredible soundtracks back to back to back. Now, I hesitate to call this an official Whitney album like some have – it’s only about half-Whitney. But that half is INCREDIBLE. “I Will Always Love You,” “I Have Nothing,” “I’m Every Woman” and “Run to You” – that’s not a greatest hits compilation, that’s tracks one through four on this record! The Bodyguard boasts signature track after signature track, and while it can’t keep that momentum through the entire runtime, efforts from other artists like Lisa Stansfield go just as hard in their own right.

Forgotten favorite: Lisa Stansfield, “Someday (I’m Coming Back)”

6. Murder was the Case (1994)

If you weren’t outside with us in 94, allow me to explain Murder Was the Case. In the early 90s, with the West Coast’s G-Funk sound dominating airwaves, the west’s flagship star decided to drop his own movie. Named after a song from his classic debut, Murder Was the Case was a 18 minute short film about the death and resurrection of Snoop Dogg. Yeah, it was very weird and … not great. But the soundtrack? It was a gift. Essentially a West Coast all-star album, the whole gang was here – Snoop and Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Nate Dogg, Danny Boy, DJ Quik, Tha Dogg Pound and more. This project seems to be a bit overlooked today and that’s disappointing. You can’t tell the story of the West Coast’s dominance without it.

Forgotten favorite: Danny Boy, “Come When I Call”

5. The Nutty Professor (1996)

In the case of many of the soundtracks on this list, we usually get one or two hit songs, with the meat of the record residing in its album cuts. That’s not quite the case with The Nutty Professor. Sure we get tons of great album cuts but this album was a hitmaking factory. “Ain’t No” served as Jay-Z first mainstream hit and Foxy Brown’s breakout performance. “Last Night” and “Touch Me, Tease Me” became signature hits for both AZ Yet and Case, respectively. Monica and Treach and Montell Jordan and Slick Rick, respectively, found surprising chemistry on “Ain’t Nobody” and “I Like.” Everyone involved was blowing up like Professor Klump, making this one of the most beloved releases of the era.

Forgotten favorite: Dos of Soul, “Come Around”

4. Friday (1995)

You can’t talk 90s movies without mentioning Friday, and you certainly can’t talk 90s soundtracks without this one. With the film’s star Ice Cube at the helm, you know you’re getting another West Coast banger and he doesn’t disappoint. But what makes this collection extra special is how room is made for the legends. The Isley Bros., Rick James and Rose Royce introduce their hits to a new generation, and they work extremely well alongside the likes of Dr. Dre and Mack 10. Classic movie, classic soundtrack.

Forgotten favorite: Tha Alkaholiks, “Coast II Coast”

3. Above the Rim (1994)

While the top two soundtracks on my list are largely R&B affairs, Above the Rim leans a bit more hip-hop, making it the best hip-hop soundtrack of the 90s, no question. That’s not to shortchange the R&B efforts here – SWV’s “Anything” remix is a forever banger, and Al B. Sure, H-Town and others are equally impressive. But once again, it’s rap’s left coast that are the MVPs. The Lady of Rage’s “Afro Puffs” and Warren G’s “Regular” are among the best songs of the era – and I’m talking across all genres. Tha Dogg Pound also make a huge impact ahead of the release of their underrated debut album. The movie is OK at best but the soundtrack was a landmark moment for Black music.

Forgotten favorite: Jewell and Aaron Hall, “Gonna Give It to Ya”

2. Waiting to Exhale (1995)

The margin separating No. 1 and 2 on this list is microscopic, so let’s take a moment to talk about this celebration of womanhood. There hasn’t been a better showcase for female R&B artists before or since the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack. Babyface’s pen and the greatest collection of talent of that era made magic, crafting classic songs that detailed love gained, love lost and the bonds of sisterhood. In an era of stellar soundtracks that often threatened to overshadow the films they promoted, Waiting to Exhale sit sits in rarified air.

Forgotten favorite: Shanna, “How Could You Call Her Baby”

1. Boomerang (1992)

If you’ve read my list of greatest R&B albums of the 90s, this placement probably isn’t a surprise. Waiting to Exhale fans are still heated over that ranking! But essentially, I see those two albums as 1A and 1B of 90s soundtracks. But something has to be 1A, and this truly is an A+ effort. Shining as a showcase of LaFace records and the matchless trio of Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons, this soundtrack has it all. Playful banter, memorable love songs and a dash of hip-hop to keep the party started. Looking back, it’s an all-star affair filled with legends who would go on to shape the decade’s music scene. I could change my mind depending on the day of the week, but as of this day, it’s the greatest soundtrack of the 1990s.

Forgotten favorite: Keith Washington, “Tonight is Right”

Which soundtracks would you have added to this massive list? Let us know below.