May 03, 2017

Billboard: Hot Rap Singles (May 3, 1997)

Billboard: Hot Rap Singles (May 3, 1997) Soundscan

I've been meaning to start doing this sooner, but let's introduce it today; the 'Hot Rap Singles' from 20 Years Ago (May 3, 1997). Each week I'll try to pull up these charted/hottest singles from 20 years ago to see trends and what nostalgia some of the songs generate. Charts are from Billboard but collected, compiled and provided by Soundscan. On the week of May 3, 1997, Biggie was at #1 with his lead single 'Hypnotize' off 'Life After Death.' Jay-Z was the chart's "Greatest Gainer" moving from #41 the prior week to #15 with the 4th and final single 'Feelin It' from his debut album, 'Reasonable Doubt.' 2Pac's 'How Do You Want It' was approaching a year on the charts, and Camp Lo was looking at 6 months with their smash, 'Luchini.' The list also had hits from Tracey Lee, KRS-One, Foxy Brown, Puffy & Mase + joints from Outkast, Capone-N-Noreaga, Redman, Jeru The Damaja, Lost Boyz, The Roots, Lil' Kim and more. One of the list's biggest surprises was the underground joint 'Tight Team' from Shamus; if you're not familiar, give his slept-on LP, 'Serving Life,' a listen. The full list is above, but I pulled selections from Spotify - based on taste/what was available - and made a Playlist below. Jay-Z removed 'Reasonable Doubt' from streaming services (except Tidal) so I couldn't include 'Feelin It.' I'll work on presenting the material better in future weeks.