Pop Will Eat Its Children, Pt. 10

5. "Nuthin' But A G Thang," Dr. Dre & Snoop Doggy Dogg

1992
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: #2

Former MC and producer for the world's most dangerous rap group, Dr. Dre will go down in history for…headphones? Fuck that. He introduced the world to Long Beach wunderkind Snoop D-O double G. I always wondered why Redman sounded so boisterous on the mic despite smoking so much (presumably unlaced) weed. Snoop, though, sounded precisely how I thought a massive pothead should on the mic.

Keep it? NO

"Who Am I (What's My Name)?," Snoop Doggy Dogg

1993
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: #3

Laconic Youth. Wallop and whine, where am I (what's my location)? West west!

4. "Rebel Girl," Bikini Kill

1993
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: Did not chart

Despite what some close to me think, I do not hate Bikini Kill. I'm simply bemused by their renown relative to their talent.

Keep it? NO

"Kiss & Ride," Bratmobile

1993
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: Did not chart

Nothing's better than an educated woman. Nothing's worse than an educated woman with no sense of humor.

3. "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems," Notorious B.I.G. (feat. Mase & Puff Daddy)

1997
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: #1

With this, Biggie Smalls became the first recording artist to have multiple posthumous #1's on the Hot 100. "Hypnotize" has a far superior sample, and doesn't allow Puff to do anything more strenuous than ad-libs. "Mo' Money" makes us wait until the last verse to hear Biggie. No sir, I don't approve.

Keep it? NO

"Sky Is the Limit," Notorious B.I.G. (feat. 112)

1997
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: #20

From OshKosh to Gucci, chocolate milk to Moët. The xylophones and guitar in the Bobby Caldwell original are absolutely sublime, so don't get mad at Clark Kent for not trying to slice into marble.

2. "No Diggity," Blackstreet (feat. Dr. Dre & Queen Pen)

1996
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: #1

You wouldn't think much of a group that asked Dre into the studio strictly to rap, but Teddy Riley had some carpet to piss on. Any friend you have that resists the pull of "No Diggity" is a friend you don't need.

Gigantic love to Queen Pen for casually mentioning her female lover in her verse.

Keep it? YES

1. "Smells Like Teen Spirit," Nirvana

1991
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: #6

Not putting the warbled wonder of 90s rock atop the mountain is blasphemy in critic circles.

Keep it? NO

"Come As You Are," Nirvana

1992
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: #32

Aren't I a contrarian cunt, picking the less-loved follow-up. Just because it's better. Just because it plays my spine like Emmett Chapman, D.C. I'm so infuriatingly predictable.



In the great battle between 80s and 90s music, the 90s were arguably more diverse; however, in nearly every classic genre (barring hip-hop), they come up short. An expanded list of 100 songs would have been fun to tackle, but ultimately wouldn't have shrunk the gap.