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Entertainment

Remembering ’90s rap

Updated 8:01 AM EDT, Mon August 3, 2015
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Dr. Dre, left, and Snoop Dogg were two of the hottest hip-hop stars of the 1990s. In August, Dre announced that he has a new album coming out. Here's a look back at some of the other stars of '90s rap.
Dr. Dre, left, and Snoop Dogg were two of the hottest hip-hop stars of the 1990s. In August, Dre announced that he has a new album coming out. Here's a look back at some of the other stars of '90s rap.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/getty images
They really did make you wanna "jump, jump." From their backward clothes to their infectious hit single "Jump," the rap duo Kris Kross signified the fun that was 90s rap. Chris Kelly <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F07%2F03%2Fshowbiz%2Fchris-kelly-autopsy%2F">died of a drug overdose in May 2013. </a>
They really did make you wanna "jump, jump." From their backward clothes to their infectious hit single "Jump," the rap duo Kris Kross signified the fun that was 90s rap. Chris Kelly died of a drug overdose in May 2013.
Steve Eichner/Getty Images
Gang Starr was known for their prolific and profound lyrics. In 2010, founding member Guru, at right with DJ Doo Wop in 2005, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2010%2FSHOWBIZ%2FMusic%2F04%2F20%2Frapper.guru.dies%2Findex.html" target="_blank">died of cancer.</a>
Gang Starr was known for their prolific and profound lyrics. In 2010, founding member Guru, at right with DJ Doo Wop in 2005, died of cancer.
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
"Here's a little story all about how ..." DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (whom you may know now as movie star Will Smith) kept us grooving with "Summertime."
"Here's a little story all about how ..." DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (whom you may know now as movie star Will Smith) kept us grooving with "Summertime."
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
He may want to be known as "Snoop Lion" now, but back in the day, Snoop Dogg played up the gangsta/pimp image.
He may want to be known as "Snoop Lion" now, but back in the day, Snoop Dogg played up the gangsta/pimp image.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Remember when A Tribe Called Quest left their wallet in El Segundo or fell in love with "Bonita Applebum"?
Remember when A Tribe Called Quest left their wallet in El Segundo or fell in love with "Bonita Applebum"?
Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Da Brat was a labelmate of Kris Kross on So So Def Records and became one of rap's top-selling female artists.
Da Brat was a labelmate of Kris Kross on So So Def Records and became one of rap's top-selling female artists.
Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images
They didn't have a long career in the rap world, but Digable Planets' "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" in 1993 helped introduce a generation to a fusion of jazz and hip-hop.
They didn't have a long career in the rap world, but Digable Planets' "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" in 1993 helped introduce a generation to a fusion of jazz and hip-hop.
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
We still love the Beastie Boys. MCA, aka Adam Yauch, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2012%2F05%2F04%2Fshowbiz%2Fbeastie-boys-death%2Findex.htm">died of cancer in 2012</a>.
We still love the Beastie Boys. MCA, aka Adam Yauch, died of cancer in 2012.
Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images
Wreckx-n-Effect helped popularize New Jack Swing with their hit "Rump Shaker."
Wreckx-n-Effect helped popularize New Jack Swing with their hit "Rump Shaker."
From MCA Records
Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth are best known for their hit "They Reminisce Over You," which paid tribute to the death of one of the members of Heavy D & The Boyz.
Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth are best known for their hit "They Reminisce Over You," which paid tribute to the death of one of the members of Heavy D & The Boyz.
Catherine McGann/Getty Images
Das EFX had heads bopping in the 1990s.
Das EFX had heads bopping in the 1990s.
Djamilla Rosa Cochran/Getty Images
Heavy D, right, fronted Heavy D & the Boyz and was much beloved <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2011%2F11%2F08%2Fshowbiz%2Fent-heavy-d-dead%2Findex.html" target="_blank">before his death in 2011.</a> Here he performs with singer Tyrese at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta.
Heavy D, right, fronted Heavy D & the Boyz and was much beloved before his death in 2011. Here he performs with singer Tyrese at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta.
Chris McKay/Getty Images
Two words for you: "Wild Thing." Tone Loc's hit peaked in 1989, but we were still kind of jamming to it in the '90s.
Two words for you: "Wild Thing." Tone Loc's hit peaked in 1989, but we were still kind of jamming to it in the '90s.
Toby Canham/Getty Images
The Michael Bivins-produced group Another Bad Creation was viewed as an attempt to ride the wave of kid rappers like Kris Kross. Their album "Coolin' at the Playground" was released in 1991.
The Michael Bivins-produced group Another Bad Creation was viewed as an attempt to ride the wave of kid rappers like Kris Kross. Their album "Coolin' at the Playground" was released in 1991.
From Motown
Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin of Kid 'N Play had us all trying to do the kick step.
Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin of Kid 'N Play had us all trying to do the kick step.
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
New Jersey natives Naughty by Nature gave the world the ultimate in party jams and an ode to the genre with "Hip Hop Hooray."
New Jersey natives Naughty by Nature gave the world the ultimate in party jams and an ode to the genre with "Hip Hop Hooray."
Dan Callister/Getty Images

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