The 20 greatest hip-hop movie soundtracks

Duane Martin, Leon, Tupac, and Marlon Wayans starred in the sports drama film Above The Rim. The film’s soundtrack was executive-produced by Suge Knight and featured hit songs including Warren G’s “Regulate” and The Lady of Rage’s “Afro Puffs.” The soundtrack was widely successful and reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200. 

Marvel Studios took the world by storm in 2018 with the release of the film Black Panther, starring Chadwick Boseman. Film director Ryan Coogler called on Kendrick Lamar to produce the soundtrack, alongside Ludwig Göransson to compose the original score. The soundtrack featured original songs by Lamar, SZA, Jay Rock, ScHoolboy Q, Vince Staples, and more.

Omar Epps, Khalil Kain, Jermaine Hopkins, and Tupac starred in the 1992 film Juice. Although Tupac had a major role in the film, surprisingly, he was nowhere to be found on the film’s soundtrack. Instead, the soundtrack was filled with songs by artists including Naughty by Nature, Big Daddy Kane, Salt-n-Pepa, and Eric B. & Rakim. 

One of the aspects that stood out about the animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was the music featured in several scenes. Metro Boomin was called on to curate the soundtrack, and it featured songs from Swae Lee, A$AP Rocky, Don Toliver, and Nas. 

Martin Lawrence and Will Smith reprised their roles as Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey in the 2003 action comedy film Bad Boys II. Diddy was named executive producer of the film’s soundtrack, which featured songs from Jay Z, Nelly, Fat Joe, and more. 

The soundtrack for the 1995 film Friday was filled with tracks for hip-hop, R&B, and old school audiences. Dr. Dre’s “Keep Their Heads Ringin’” and Rick James’ “Mary Jane” helped the album reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200. 

Eminem not only starred in the 2002 film 8 Mile, but he also executive-produced the soundtrack. In addition to his hit single “Lose Yourself,” other artists also had original records, including Jay Z, D12, Nas, and Rakim. 

John Singleton made his directorial debut with the 1992 coming-of-age film Boyz n the Hood, starring Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding Jr., Morris Chestnut, and Laurence Fishburne. The soundtrack featured some of the hottest hip-hop and R&B artists, including 2 Live Crew, Ice Cube, Monie Love, and Tony! Toni! Tone!

50 Cent made his acting debut in the 2005 film Get Rich or Die Tryin.’” The soundtrack featured several 50 Cent songs such as “Hustler’s Ambition” and “Window Shopper,” as well as tracks from Lloyd Banks, Mobb Deep, and Tony Yayo. 

Lyor Cohen and Irv Gotti were one of the biggest record executives in hip-hop, so it was only right that they were coined as executive producers for the 1998 film Belly. Some of the artists featured on the soundtrack included Jay Z, DMX, Ja Rule, Mya, and Noreaga. 

Not only was Rush Hour a box office hit starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, but the soundtrack also saw success on the Billboard charts. Thanks to singles like Dru Hill’s “How Deep Is Your Love” and Jay Z’s “Can I Get A…,” the soundtrack peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. 

In 1993, Tyrin Turner, Jada Pinkett, and Larenz Tate starred in the teen drama film Menace II Society. The film also had a solid soundtrack to match, featuring artists such as Spice 1, Too $hort, Hi-Five, and UGK. 

In 1997, Charlie Sheen and Chris Tucker starred in the action comedy film Money Talks.  To coincide with the film, some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B filled the soundtrack, artists such as Lil Kim, Naughty by Nature, Mase, and Deborah Cox, to name a few. 

In 1990, Christopher “Kid” Reid and Christopher “Play” Martin, also known as the duo Kid ‘n Play, starred in the movie House Party. While the plot centers around Kid sneaking off to a house party, but gets in trouble with bullies along the way, it was only right that the film’s soundtrack had the right tunes that one could hear at a party. Not only did Kid ‘n Play contribute to a few songs, the soundtrack also featured artists like LL Cool J, Flavor Flav, and the Force MDs. 

In 2000, Aaliyah starred alongside Jet Li in the action film Romeo Must Die. Aaliyah also contributed to several songs on the soundtrack including “Try Again” and “Come Back in One Piece.” The soundtrack also featured tunes from artists such as Mack 10, B.G., and Timbaland & Magoo. 

Creed III  lead actor and director Michael B. Jordan recruited J. Cole and his Dreamville team to executive produce the film’s soundtrack. Some of the standout tracks included “Ma Boy” by JID and Lute, “Anthem” by Big Sean and EST Gee, and “Jack” by Earthgang and Buddy. 

In 2003, DMX starred alongside Jet Li in the action film Cradle 2 the Grave. Not only did it give viewers a chance to see how much DMX improved in his acting chops, but the soundtrack also included his hit song “X ‘ Gon Give It to Ya.” In addition to that song, the album also featured songs from the likes of Eminem, Foxy Brown, Joe Budden, Clipse, Birdman, and more. 

Terrence Howard played the role of a drug dealer with rap career aspirations in the 2005 film Hustle & Flow. In the movie, he performed “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp,” which became a central theme, and the track ended up winning an Oscar for Best Original Song. In addition to that song, the soundtrack also featured tracks from P$C, Lil Scrappy, E-40, Trina, and 8Ball & MJG. 

Queen Latifah and Kay Gee served as executive producers on the soundtrack for the 1996 film Sunset Park. In addition to Latifah contributing some of her own original music, the soundtrack also featured songs from some of the biggest names in hip-hop including Tupac, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Mobb Deep, and 69 Boyz. 

In 1995, Spike Lee produced the crime drama-filled New Jersey Drive, which was centered around teenagers committing car theft and joyriding around town. The film’s soundtrack featured production from Diddy, Erick Sermon, Organized Noize, and more. The soundtrack peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard 200 thanks to songs from Redman, Outkast, III Al Skratch, Total, and The Notorious B.I.G.