As the UK celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Official Albums Chart in 2026, new streaming data has revealed the most-streamed albums of the 1990s, and hip-hop continues to prove its lasting influence.
Leading the rap pack is Dr. Dre’s landmark 1999 album 2001, which ranks as the No. 4 most-streamed album of the decade across all genres.
2Pac’s double-disc classic All Eyez on Me comes in at No. 8, while The Notorious B.I.G. places two albums on the prestigious list with Ready to Die at No. 13 and Life After Death at No. 22.
Eminem’s breakthrough major-label debut The Slim Shady LP also makes the Top 20, landing at No. 18, while Nas’ iconic debut Illmatic ranks No. 39. Rounding out hip-hop’s presence is the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, whose groundbreaking debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) comes in at No. 30.
Top Hip-Hop Albums on the Most-Streamed 1990s List:
1) No. 4 – Dr. Dre – 2001
2) No. 8 – 2Pac – All Eyez on Me
3) No. 13 – The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die
4) No. 18 – Eminem – The Slim Shady LP
5) No. 22 – The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death
6) No. 30 – Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
7) No. 39 – Nas – Illmatic
The overall list, however, belongs to British rock royalty.
Oasis officially claim the two most-streamed albums of the 1990s, with their 1995 blockbuster (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? taking the No. 1 spot, followed by their classic 1994 debut Definitely Maybe at No. 2. The Manchester band’s third album, Be Here Now, also made the list at No. 17, underscoring the group’s enduring popularity following the success of their Live ’25 Tour.
Seattle grunge icons Nirvana secured two Top 5 entries with Nevermind (No. 3) and In Utero (No. 5), while Radioheadalso landed two albums in the Top 10 with OK Computer (No. 7) and The Bends (No. 10).
The rankings highlight the staying power of 1990s music across rock, hip-hop, pop and country, with artists like Shania Twain, Lauryn Hill, Alanis Morissette, Metallica, Green Day and Red Hot Chili Peppers also earning spots among the decade’s most-streamed albums.
