The early ’90s was a pivotal time in rap. The Juice soundtrack backed the film starring Tupac Shakur, Omar Epps, and others in a hood tragedy that defined the era when east coast boom bap gave way to west coast gangsta rap. The album featured Rakim with the titular track subtitled “Know the Ledge,” an eery reference to the fatal ending of the film. It also featured songs by Salt’n’Pepe, EPMD, Too Short, and Cypress Hill.
The soundtrack was released on MCA Records and peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard 200 and number 3 on the rap charts. On its 30th anniversary, it’s important to note how pivotal this soundtrack was at the time. Naughty by Nature and other top talent made memorable appearances on a format that is all but extinct in the streaming era.