Listomania: The 30 Best One-Hit Wonders of '90s Hip-Hop

By Cory Graves Wed., Mar. 23 2011 at 12:48 PM

Categories: Listomania

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Nobody beats the Biz.

As mentioned yesterday when we caught up with Everlast for a Q&A, House of Pain is in town tonight, playing a reunion show at South Side Music Hall. And the only thing more surprising than the fact the group has managed to hang around for two decades is the fact that their long-running career owes thanks almost entirely to the success of one massive 20-year-old single.

In its defense, "Jump Around" was more than just a flash-in-the-pan radio hit -- it's been included on pretty much every "best hip-hop songs of all time" list. And who could disagree? It was a hell of a song. Plus, due to its constant usage in every sports arena on the planet, the song is arguably just as popular today as it ever has been.

Hell, if it weren't, would we even still be discussing a group that hasn't had another song on the radio in nearly 20 years?

On that note, we decided to put together our list (in semi-chronological order) of the 30 best one-hit wonders of '90s hip-hop. Note how some -- like House of Pain -- have managed to turn their 15 minutes into a prolonged career, while others are all but forgotten.

Vanilla Ice - "Ice Ice Baby" (1990)
Biz Markie - "Just a Friend" (1990)
2 In a Room "Wiggle It" (1990)
Digital Underground - "Humpty Dance" (1990)
Marky Mark and The Funky Bounch - "Good Vibrations" (1991)
MC Breed - "Ain't No Future in Yo' Frontin'" (1991)
3rd Bass - "Pop Goes the Weasel" (1991)
Black Sheep - "The Choice Is Yours" (1991)
Positive K - "I Got a Man" (1992)
Digable Planets - "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" (1992)
Sir Mix-a-Lot - "Baby Got Back" (1992)
Wreckx-n-Effect - "Rump Shaker" (1992)
Paperboy - "Ditty" (1992)
Kriss Kross - "Jump" (1992)
Arrested Development - "Tennessee" (1992)
House of Pain - "Jump Around" (1992)
Snow - "Informer" (1992)
Duice - "Dazzey Duks" (1993)
Onyx - "Slam" (1993)
95 South - "Whoot There It Is" (1993)
Tag Team - "Whoomp There It Is" (1993)
Fu-Schnickens - "What's Up Doc (Can We Rock?)" (1993)
Ini Kamoze - "Here Comes the Hot Stepper" (1994)
Warren G & Nate Dogg - "Regulate" (1994)
Skee-Lo - "I Wish" (1995)
Crucial Conflict - "Hay" (1996)
DJ Kool - "Let Me Clear My Throat" (1997)
Freak Nasty - "Da Dip" (1997)
B.G. - "Bling Bling" (1999)
Pharaohe Monch - "Simon Says" (1999)

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