A posse cut is a popular form of song in hip hop music that involves successive verses by four or more rappers.[1]
Tracks described as posse cuts by Rolling Stone include A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario",[2] "Tha Shit" by The D.O.C.,[3] "Doin' Our Own Dang" by Jungle Brothers,[4] "Monster" and "So Appalled" by Kanye West, and "Set It Off" by Snoop Dogg.[5] Tracks described by AllMusic as posse cuts include "Wu-Gambinos" by Raekwon,[6] "1, 2, 3" by Naughty by Nature,[7] and "Head Banger" by EPMD.[8]
History
[edit]Many classic early hip hop tracks, such as Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force's "Zulu Nation Throwdown", took the form of a posse cut. The posse cut became established in the eighties as a way for rappers to give exposure to their friends, or their posse. However, towards the end of the eighties and the start of the nineties, the posse cut began to be used as an "All-Stars" device to bring together rappers who had respect for each other's skills on the microphone, or a way to unite various well-known and respected artists to deliver an important message.
Notable examples
[edit]1980–90s
[edit]Track | Artists | Notes |
---|---|---|
"The Symphony" | Marley Marl, Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane | Allmusic describes it as "one of the best posse cuts in hip-hop history",[9] and "classic".[10] |
"Parental Discretion Iz Advised" | N.W.A, The D.O.C. | The only track from the 1988 Straight Outta Compton album to feature verses from all rapping members of N.W.A, and a guest appearance from The D.O.C who also co-wrote several songs on the album. |
"We're All in the Same Gang" | West Coast Rap All-Stars | A 1990 single by the West Coast Rap All-Stars, a collaboration of West Coast hip-hop artists that assembled for this song that promoted an anti-violence message. Produced by Dr. Dre, the song featured rapped verses from various artists. |
"Live at the Barbeque" | Main Source, Nas, Joe Fatal, Akinyele, Large Professor | From their 1991 album Breaking Atoms. This song was the debut for Nas, and his verse was later sampled on "Genesis", the intro track to his debut album Illmatic (1994). |
"Scenario" | A Tribe Called Quest, Leaders of the New School | Rolling Stone describes "Scenario" as "the ultimate posse cut",[2] and in Allmusic's review of "Scenario" they say, "not only did Tribe make history on The Low End Theory by putting together one of the best hip-hop albums of all time, they also opened up a hole in the sky for the emergence of the ever-unique and talented genius of Busta Rhymes".[11] |
"Cowboys" | The Fugees, Outsidaz | A song by The Fugees from their 1996 album The Score. Besides verses from the existing Fugees, the song also features Outsidaz members. |
"Make 'Em Say Uhh!" | Master P, Fiend, Silkk The Shocker, Mia X, Mystikal | From the 1997 album Ghetto D and the 1998 album MP da Last Don. The song features verses from various artists. |
"Triumph" | Wu-Tang Clan | From the 1997 album Wu-Tang Forever. The song features verses from various members of Wu-Tang Clan. |
"Banned from T.V." | Noreaga, Big Pun, Nature, Cam'ron, Jadakiss, Styles P | 1998 collaboration featuring various artists. |
"The Anthem" | Sway & King Tech, RZA, Eminem, Tech N9ne, Xzibit, Pharoahe Monch, and others | A 1999 posse cut featuring various artists. Described as a "classic posse cut".[1] |
2000s–20s
[edit]Track | Artists | Notes |
---|---|---|
"Candy (Drippin' Like Water)" | Snoop Dogg, E-40, MC Eiht, Goldie Loc, Tha Dogg Pound, Ladybug Mecca | From the album "Tha Blue Carpet Treatment". Produced by Rick Rock.[12] |
"Its Okay (One Blood MegaMix)" | Game, Jim Jones, Snoop Dogg, Nas, T.I., Fat Joe, Lil Wayne, N.O.R.E., Jadakiss, Styles P, Fabolous, Juelz Santana, Rick Ross, Twista, Tha Dogg Pound (Kurupt & Daz Dillinger), WC, E-40, Bun B, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, Young Dro, Clipse (Pusha T & No Malice), Ja Rule | The song begins with "Dre, I See More Dead People." It is 11 minutes and 50 seconds long.[13] |
"The Last Huzzah!" | Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Despot, Heems, Kool A.D., Danny Brown, El-P | A remix of Exquire's "Huzzah". Named one of the best songs of 2011 by Rolling Stone Magazine.[14] |
"Mercy" | Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chainz | From the album Cruel Summer. Hailed as the best song of 2012 by various publications, including SPIN Magazine.[15] |
"Oldie" | Odd Future, Tyler, the Creator, Hodgy Beats, Left Brain, Mike G, Domo Genesis, Frank Ocean, Jasper Dolphin, Earl Sweatshirt | Posse cut from The OF Tape Vol. 2. |
"1 Train" | ASAP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, Joey Badass, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Big K.R.I.T. | From the album Long. Live. ASAP.[16] |
"Rosie at Rubber Tracks (known alternatively as "Sorry Bonita") | PRO ERA, Dyemond Lewis, Chuck Strangers, Dirty Sanchez, A la $ole, Kirk Knight, Dessy Hinds, CJ Fly, Joey Bada$$ | On the Summer Knights mixtape by Joey Bada$$, as "Sorry Bonita"; released in 2013. Can also be found on Underground Airplay 2: The New York Renaissance by Peter Rosenberg, released in 2013 as "Rosie at Rubber Tracks". |
"Detroit vs. Everybody" | 2014 single off Shady Records's compilation album Shady XV, Eminem, DeJ Loaf, Royce Da 5'9, Big Sean, Danny Brown, Trick Trick | |
"Piñata" | Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Domo Genesis, G-Wiz, Casey Veggies, Sulaiman, Meechy Darko, Mac Miller | On their collaborative 2014 album of the same name. |
"Really Doe" | Danny Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Earl Sweatshirt | Released as a single for his 2016 album Atrocity Exhibition. |
"RAF" | ASAP Mob, ASAP Rocky, Playboi Carti, Quavo, Lil Uzi Vert, Frank Ocean | From their 2017 album Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy. |
"Rolling 110 Deep" | DJ Kay Slay, Sheek Louch, Styles P, Dave East, Crooked I, Black Thought, Conway the Machine, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Papoose, Loaded Lux, AZ, Bun B, Fred the Godson, Jim Jones, Ransom, Rah Digga, M.O.P., Trae The Truth, Joell Ortiz, Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz, Cory Gunz, Shaq Diesel, Roy Jones Jr., Kool DJ Red Alert, Redman, Young Buck, MC Serch, Big Daddy Kane, MC Shan, KRS-One, Jon Connor, Twista, Drag-On, Chris Rivers, Nino Man, Locksmith, 3D Na'Tee, Trick-Trick, Tragedy Khadafi, E-A-Ski, Cassidy, Freddie Foxxx, Gillie da Kid, Ice-T, Treach, Kool G Rap, Lil Cease, RJ Payne, J.R. Writer, Shoota 93, Ms. Hustle, Vado, Mysonne, Mistah F.A.B., Saigon, Melle Mel, Grandmaster Caz, Havoc, Tracey Lee, Outlawz, Herb Gruff And Spit, Sickflo, Onyx, Ras Kass, Termanology, DJ Doowop, Junior Reid, Oun P, Merkules, Wais P, Maino, Uncle Murda, PT Capone Mobstyle, Mike Cee, Royal Flush, Super Lover Cee, Page Kennedy, Rock, Gunplay, Brand Nubian, Sonja Blade, Coke La Rock, Nice & Smooth, Consequence, Millyz, OT The Real, Ron Artest, Kaflow, Tone Trump, Hocus 45th, Omar Epps, Bodega Bamz, Bynoe, Ptkny, Aobie, Sporty Thievz, Tony Moxberg, Styleon, Chuck D, Sauce Money | From his 2021 mixtape Accolades. Produced by Trackateering Music.[17] |
"Strangers" | Danger Mouse, Black Thought, ASAP Rocky, El-P, Killer Mike | On their collaborative 2022 album Cheat Codes. |
"Rolling 200 Deep" | DJ Kay Slay, Sheek Louch, Snoop Dogg, Raekwon, Papoose, Bun B, Millyz, Dave East, Run-D.M.C., Jim Jones, AZ, Sha-Rock, Ice-T, Freeway, Maino, Gorilla Nems, Royal Flush, Grandmaster Caz, Cassidy, King Flo, DJ Spinderella, Cory Gunz, KXNG Crooked & Joell Ortiz, M.O.P., Coke La Rock, Sauce Money, RJ Payne, Uncle Murda, Whispers, Keen Streetz, Piff Jones, Nero Ron, Large Professor, OT the Real, Paul Wall, Nino Man, Mic Geronimo, Ransom, Ms. Hustle, Melle Mel, Shoota 93, Ras Kass, DJ Doowop, Haddy Racks, Kid Capri, Bynoe, Kool Keith, GTB King Card, B-Real, Herb Gruff And Spit, Knick Gunz, Tony Touch, Vado, Grand Puba, Axel Leon, Smooth Da Hustler, Trigga tha Gambler, Slim Dyme, Big Daddy Kane, Shyheim, Oun P, Page Kennedy, PRAYAH, Tony Yayo, Double X Posse, Big Noyd, Head Ice, E-A-Ski, Sadat X, Artifacts, Brillo, Daddy-O, Chi-Ali, Tragedy Khadafi, Twista, Goodie Mob, Outlawz, Hocus 45th, Billboard Baby, The Hoodies, China Mac, E. Ness, DJ Paul, Jack Frost, Kaflow, Majesty, Neek The Exotic, PT Capone Mobstyle, O.C., Termanology, Tony Moxberg, Wais P, Talk It Trigga, ZipWithTheDrip, Treach, Rah Digga, Mysonne, Jon Connor, Jae Millz, Rock, Smif-n-Wessun, Skyzoo, Mikey D, Tone Trump, Locksmith, Big T, Saigon, Sha Queen, Peter Gunz, King Bliss, Corporal AK, The Legion, DV Alias Kryst, Nutso, Waterbed Kev, Torae, Mickey Factz, Young Buck, 88 Lo, Smooth B, King Malachi, Master Rob, Vita, Merkules, Nytro, Iron Sheikh, Bishop Lamont, Capitalist, Jade Diamonds, Sparky D, Onyx, Paula Perry, Tahmell, Da Inphamus Amadeuz, Cortez Bodega, Superstar Floss, Innocent?, MC TNT, Tracey Lee, Aobie, Kurtis Blow, Lady Katz, MC Globe, Tony Sunshine, Imam Thug, Mistah F.A.B., Layzie Bone, Lazarus, Neek Da Skittz, J.R. Writer, Terror van Poo, Itbizkit, Dyce Payso, Klass Murda, MC Rayvon, Johnny Wa, Chip-Fu, Iman Shumpert, J SOS, Manolo Bandz, Kitty Gata, Ghostface Killah, Sporty Thievz, Trae Tha Truth, Don Q, T.I., KRS-One, E-40, MC Serch | A year and a half after his death, DJ Kay Slay is being honored with the release of the ultimate posse cut in the form of "Rolling 200 Deep." Produced by Trackateering Music.[18] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. 221.
- ^ a b [1] [dead link]
- ^ [2] Archived October 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [3] Archived August 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [4] [dead link]
- ^ Huey, Steve. "( Only Built 4 Cuban Linx > Overview )". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
- ^ Swihart, Stanton (1991-09-03). "( Naughty by Nature > Overview )". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
- ^ Swihart, Stanton (1992-07-28). "( Business Never Personal > Overview )". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
- ^ Witt, Chris (1988-11-19). "( In Control, Vol. 1 > Overview )". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
- ^ Swihart, Stanton. "( SlaughtaHouse > Overview )". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
- ^ Butler, Blake. "allmusic". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
- ^ "50. The Game "One Blood (Remix)" (2006) — The Best Rap Remixes Since 2000". Complex Networks. 2013-07-24. Retrieved 2014-03-26.
- ^ "50. The Game "One Blood (Remix)" (2006) — The Best Rap Remixes Since 2000". Complex Networks. 2013-07-24. Retrieved 2014-03-26.
- ^ Rollingstone
- ^ "G.O.O.D. MUSIC, FEAT. KANYE WEST, BIG SEAN, PUSHA T, AND 2 CHAINZ - "MERCY" - Kanye - 41 | SPIN". Archived from the original on 2015-06-27.
- ^ "A$AP Rocky's "1Train" Was the Definitive New Age Posse Cut". HNHH. 14 October 2019.
- ^ "DJ KaySlay Releases Posse Cut 'Rolling 110 Deep' Featuring 110 Rappers". Hip Hop N More. June 25, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ "DJ Kay Slay Honored With Hour-Long 200-Rapper Posse Cut 'Rolling 200 Deep'". Complex. November 5, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2024.