The 90s were a time of riotous color, loud fashion, and super cool hip hop dance songs. Whether you’re planning a wedding with 90s dances for the reception, or simply a generationally themed party, you can benefit from a list of 90s hip hop dance songs!
90s hip hop music was characterized by dancing and were often written specifically to be played at dance parties. Most of the songs have rhythmic, rhyming patterns of speech if not rap verses that are catchy enough to move to.
In this article, we’ll give you a list of some of the all time greatest and most recognizable 90s hip hop dance songs to play at your party or wedding reception! Let’s jump right into it.
Best 90s Hip Hop Dance Songs
Below, you will find out list of the 90s hip hop songs that were too legit to be forgotten! With this list, you should be able to pick out the most fun songs to move to for whatever event you’re planning.
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1. Summertime – DJ Jazzy Jeff ; The Fresh Prince
In the year 1991, no song was more fun to get down to than “Summertime” on the album Homebase by DJ Jazzy Jeff and none other than Will Smith, the Fresh Prince himself. Note that this song came into being before Will got his break on the TV Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
No matter what the age, this song will make dancers feel what it was like to be part of the party scene in the heat of summer during the 1990s.
2. Insane in the Brain – Cypress Hill
This song was released in 1993 by Cypress Hill on their album, “Black Sunday,” which was appropriately named given the macabre content of the lyrics. In it, the singer feels like they are going crazy. However, the tempo of the song is funky and fresh, and undeniably fun to dance to!
3. Jump Around – House of Pain
There are few sounds more iconic than the intro to House of Pain’s hit, “Jump Around.” Danny Boy, Everlast, and DJ Lethal created the perfect song to absolutely freak out to on the dance floor. Watch out for mosh pits at any party where this song starts to play!
4. Regulate – Nate Dogg and Warren G
In 1994 Nate Dogg and Warren G. created a fantastic song to move to. The song features a great beat to get everyone involved in, and a lyrical story about the two members of the 90s hip hop scene having each other’s back during a night of pleasure.
5. The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) – Missy Elliot
Missy Elliot and Timbaland combined forces to create this excellent dance hit in 1997 on the album, also named “Supa Dupa Fly. The song reached the top of more than one record list, and came with a music video who’s spirit exists on whatever dance floor this song is played for!
6. U Can’t Touch This – MC Hammer
If there is any song MC hammer is more well-known for than “U Can’t Touch This,” we don’t know what it is! This song was released on the album entitled “Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em,” Though it came out back in 1990, many people will still follow the word “Stop” with “Hammer Time!” to this day in homage of the iconic lyrics to this song.
7. So Wat’Cha Want – Beastie Boys
This song feels like one of the quintessential punk ballads of hip hop from the 90s. With a grungy vibe that manages to stay upbeat and fun, it will certainly get the head-bangers out on any dance floor!
8. Mama Said Knock You Out – LL Cool J
In the year 1991, one of the most iconic songs of hip hop came out, so influential that it matched the title of its own album! This song may commonly evoke images of the boxing ring that the music video centers on, but it is a fun banger for the dance floor, too.
9. Killing Me Softly – Fugees
On her album “The Score,” released in 1996, Lauryn Hill sang a tune that would be immortalized as not only a great, soulful way to pour your heart out for karaoke, but a fantastic dance number, too. The chorus may seem more crooning than good for moving to, but the verses are a true homage to hip hop dances!
10. Nuthin’ But a G Thang – Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg
This song was featured on the 1992-released album, “The Chronic.” In fact, it is the very first song on the very first album Dr. Dre created when going solo. It also featured in the Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
If that weren’t enough to convince you to play this song at your reception or party, this 90s hip hop dance anthem has a great beat for multiple levels of breaking it down.
11. Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) – Jay-Z
On the album “Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life,” Jay-Z utilized the hit song from the classical Broadway Musical, “Annie,” to show everyone what his life was like growing up on the streets of New York. While communicating this experience, he also provided us with a slamming 90’s hip hop dance song.
After all, you could easily argue that the original “Hard Knock Life” from “Annie” was already a great dance number. Add Jay-Z’s musical style to that, and you’ll find your dance floor full in no time!
12. This is How We Do It – Montell Jordan
If you’re looking for any song to choreograph the perfect 90s hip hop dance to, look no further than “This is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan. This song is timeless for it’s lyrics and beat which can make anybody dance and feel awesome while doing it.
13. Ice, Ice, Baby – Vanilla Ice
We’ve all heard the allegations that Vanilla Ice got his beat for “Ice, Ice, Baby” from Queen’s epic ballad, “Under Pressure.” At the end of the day, however, it simply doesn’t matter. When the iconic lyrics “stop, collaborate and listen” come over the speaker, everyone at your reception or party will get up and start to move for sure!
14. Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It – Will Smith
Speaking of Will Smith and his infectious charm even before his role on “Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” the song “Getting Jiggy Wit It” features a fantastic opportunity for anyone who loves to dance to prove it. This song contains not only a great beat, but an addictive hook sung by a background chorus that will keep dancers excited to move.
15. Hypnotize – The Notorious B.I.G.
The rapper lovingly known as Biggie Smalls released incredible singles in his lifetime, and sometimes they were even released back-to-back, like “Hypnotize.” However, it is this 90s hip hop legend that features a rocking drumbeat capable of encouraging whole rooms to start breaking it down on the dance floor.
16. Fantasy (Bad Boy Remix) – Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey may not be the first name that leaps to mind when you hear “90s hip hop dance,” but we can assure you, anyone who hears “Fantasy,” especially the “Bad Boy Remix” version, will be happy to remind you of its hook. The song also features Old Dirty Bastard.
17. Shoop – Salt-N-Pepa
This song is certainly a throwback! Released in 1994, smack in the middle of hip hop from the 90s, play this song by Salt N Pepa at your party and you’ll likely see every woman born in or around the era flock to the dance floor for some fun!
18. The Humpty Dance – Digital Underground
The Humpty Dance was released by the Digital Underground in 1990 and on an album of the same name. It can be said to have kickstarters hip hop dance songs as we know them! After all, it was nominated for a Grammy Award and an MTV Music Video Award. It is also one of the most frequently sampled songs ever created, with more than 100 uses in other numbers.
19. CREAM – Wu Tang Clan
If you are looking for a contender for the very best rap album ever released, either in the 90s or elsewhere, you will probably have to consider Wu-Tang Clan’s “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) released in 1993. This album features “CREAM,” which features the iconic line still repeated by hip hop enthusiasts today, “dollar dollar bills, ya’ll!”
20. Concrete Schoolyard – Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5’s “Concrete Schoolyard” song made a great breakout hit for the hip hop group. It managed to blend social consciousness with fun dancing beats, a signature flow, and samples of some old school classics like those of Ike Turner. Definitely play “Concrete Schoolyard” at any 90’s themed dance party, if not a wedding reception!
21. Hip Hop Hurray – Naughty By Nature
This song had everything going for it the moment it was released in the mid-90s. Naughty By Nature generously combined old school hits with their own raw skill to create the ultimate hip hop dance jam. Some of the other artists featured in this song include the Isley Brothers, James Brown, and Peter Gabriel!
22. California Love – Tupac
After Tupac was released from jail in 1995, the song “California Love” was released to become an overnight classic. It pays homage to everything loveable about California. It also features the vocals of funk band Zapp’s singer, Roger Troutman. In addition to being a great dance song, it has a pretty interesting music video that pays homage to the “Mad Max” films.
23. Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) – Digable Planets
This may not have been the first hip hop dance song to pop into your brain when the category was first mentioned, but it would be a mistake to leave “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” off of any list of great 90s songs!
This number’s jazz-inspired tunes give it more of a timeless, lo-fi like quality that still manages to encourage dancers on the floor. It made musical history, too, gaining a Grammy and showing off the smoother side of rap as a genre.
24. Gin ; Juice – Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg is certainly back on this list for his second single, “Gin ; Juice.” This was the debut of the drawl that Snoop Dogg has become famous for. It set the artist apart as not only a character, but a rapper of skill in his own right. It is a great 90s hip hop dance track to vibe to for any party.
In Conclusion
To sum it all up, the 90s were a time for breakthrough hip hop dance songs, and few samplers of the era could deny that some of the best dance anthems came from this time period. Whether listening to jazzy rap like “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” or celebrating Will Smith’s start in songs like “Summertime,” these hits will take you back and get you dancing!
Serena & Dominic are a married couple and parents to 3 wonderful children. They plan weddings, run multiple small businesses, and curate wedding events.
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