15 songs turning 30 years old in 2026: from Aaliyah to 2Pac

22 April 2026, 10:50 | Updated: 22 April 2026, 13:06

Ready to feel old? 1996 was a legendary year for music, giving us the likes of ‘All Eyez on Me’ from Tupac and ‘Reasonable Doubt’ by the Fugees. But which iconic tracks are turning 30 years old? & What was Tupac’s last release before death? Here are all the details,

By Shanai Dunglinson

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1996 was a great year for music, with legends like Aaliyah, Nas, and Jay-Z dominating the scene in the ‘golden age’ of hip-hop, also sadly being the year of Tupac’s death.

The UK music scene was being taken over by Britpop, with some of the biggest names in American hip-hop launching their careers on a global scale.

1996 is largely considered the peak of the breakthrough.

Aaliyah, Nas, and Jay-Z. Picture: Getty Images & Alamy

Artists like Tupac, Mary J. Blige, and LL Cool J even crossed the pond doing some legendary tours in 1996, but what tracks are turning 30?

Which tracks from 1996 define the year and are celebrating their pearl anniversary?

Here are all the details.

10 Hip-Hop & Rnb Songs turning 30 in 2026

1. The Fugees – Killing Me Softly

Fugees - Killing Me Softly With His Song (Official Video)

This track stayed at the UK No.1 for a total of 5 weeks and was the song that allowed British fans to fall in love with the Fugees.
On their second ever album, this was the turning point in their career, and is definitely one of the tracks we can credit as popularising the US sound in the UK.
2. Blackstreet – No Diggity

Blackstreet - No Diggity (Official Music Video) ft. Dr. Dre, Queen Pen

One of the most recognisable hip-hop songs of all time, ‘No Diggity’ is still sampled to this day, even being used in the iconic 2010 World Cup Song ‘Shout for England’ by Dizzee Rascal and James Corden.
3. Nas (ft. Lauryn Hill) - If I ruled the world (imagine that)

Nas - If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) (Official HD Video) ft. Lauryn Hill

‘If I Ruled the World’ was one of the first times audiences were introduced to conscious rap. This song is one of Nas’ most popular songs.
It also marked the first-ever solo feature by the Fugees’ lead singer, Ms. Lauryn Hill.
4. Aaliyah – If Your Girl Only Knew

Aaliyah - If Your Girl Only Knew (Original Video)

This song right here was what arguably cemented the young Aaliyah’s place in the RnB scene, proving she was here to stay.
‘If Your Girl Only Knew’ was also one of the first songs we heard the production talents of the icon that is, Timbaland.
5. Toni Braxton – You’re Makin’ Me High

Toni Braxton - You're Makin' Me HIgh (Video Version)

This was the singer's first-ever US No. 1 hit; it also peaked at No.7 in the UK charts, a commendable feat against the likes of Oasis and Blur.
Toni Braxton quickly became a favourite.‘You’re Makin’ Me High’ will always be a cult classic, despite it originally being written for legend, Brandy.
6. Mariah Carey – Always Be My Baby

Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby (Official Music Video)

‘Always Be My Baby’ is arguably one of Mariah’s most recognisable tracks, still getting played to this day.
Peaking at No.3 in the UK charts, the song also took inspiration from the iconic Wu-Tang track ‘C.R.E.A.M’.
7. Case (ft. Foxy Brown & Mary J. Blige) – Touch Me Tease Me

Case ft. Mary J. Blige & Foxy Brown - Touch Me, Tease Me [HD Widescreen Music Video]

This song was written for the iconic The Nutty Professor, which also featured the likes of LL Cool J and Jay-Z, but undoubtedly this song was the biggest from the soundtrack.
An interesting fact about this was that Mary J. Blige’s contribution to the song, which arguably made it, was largely pushed back against by her record label, but she still did it.
8. Tupac – All Eyez on Me

2Pac - All Eyez On Me

The global icon status was cemented with both this era and single, the song flexing the power 2Pac had at the time.
Tragically, this was the rapper's last release before his death in February 1996.
9. Twisted – Keith Sweat

Keith Sweat - Twisted (Official Music Video)

A huge club anthem, ‘Twisted’, became and still is a staple in all slow jam playlists.
This track spent a whopping 7 weeks at No.1 in the US, as well as featuring background vocals by the RnB trio Kut Klose.
10. 112 (ft. The Notorious B.I.G.) - Only You

Total [feat. The Notorious B.I.G.] - Can't You See (Official Music Video)

This is one of Biggie’s highest ever charting songs in the UK, the 112 taking him to new listeners, as well as introducing the group to British fans.
The iconic music video is filmed in the heart of New York’s Times Square.
So, it is clear that 1996 was a massive year for the Hip-hop & RnB music scene, showing a great transition period for UK audiences.
These songs paved the way for artists like Ms.Dynamite, Craig David and Jorja Smith, and will forever be remembered as bangers!
11. Return of the Mack - Mark Morrison

Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack (Official Music Video)

Mark Morrison is credited as being one of the pioneers of British RnB, with 'Return of the Mack' breaking into the US market when the genre was at its highest peak.
The track made Mark the first ever black male solo artist to reach number 1 in the UK.
Written whilst he was in prison, the track is considered one of the greatest 'comeback' themes.
12. Pony - Ginuwine

Ginuwine - Pony

This song right here is perhaps one of the most iconic RnB tracks of all time.
Timbaland's production on the song changed the genre forever.
The beat wasn't like any of the other music at the time, with its stripped-back futuristic sound.
'Pony' had long-lasting pop culture impact, becoming widely reintroduced to new audiences through film, TV, adverts, and especially Magic Mike.
13. Dreamer - Livin' Joy

Livin' Joy - Dreamer

A dance power track, often considered one of the most-defining tracks of 90s house-pop music.
It is one of the most iconic songs of the era, and contributes to 1996 sounding so good!
14. Get Money - Junior M.A.F.I.A. (ft.The Notorious B.I.G. & Lil' Kim)

Notorious B.I.G. & Lil' Kim ( feat. Junior M.A.F.I.A.) - Get Money

Junior M.A.F.I.A was a group formed by Biggie in the early 1990s, helping introduce the rapper to a wider audiences, as well as launching Lil Kim's career to the world.
It remains a key-example of mid-90s East Coast rap.
15. Un-Break - Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton - Un-Break My Heart (Official HD Video)

This is still one of the most iconic heartbreak anthems, going number 1 in more than 10 countries globally.
Toni Braxton's dramatic vocal performance makes it a forever favourite karaoke song.