Posse cut

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] 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

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

• "The Symphony" by Marley Marl, 1988, featuring Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap and 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" by N.W.A, featuring 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" is 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: King Tee, Body & Soul (including Dee Barnes), Def Jef, Michel'le, Tone-Loc, Above The Law, Ice-T, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, Eazy-E of N.W.A, J.J. Fad, Young MC, Digital Underground's Money-B and Shock G/Humpty Hump, Oaktown's 3.5.7 and MC Hammer.

• "Live at the Barbeque" by Main Source, featuring Nas, Joe Fatal, Akinyele, and 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" by A Tribe Called Quest, 1991, featuring 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" is a song by The Fugees from their 1996 album The Score. Besides verses from the existing Fugees, the song also features Outsidaz members Pacewon, Rah Digga, Young Zee, and Fugee affiliate John Forté.

• "Make 'Em Say Uhh!" and its remix "Make 'Em Say Uhhh! #2" by Master P, from the 1997 album Ghetto D and the 1998 album MP da Last Don respectively. The song features from Fiend, Silkk The Shocker, Mia X and Mystikal. The remix features the same lineup of artists as well as the verse order as the original, with an exception of Mystikal's verse being replaced by a verse from Snoop Dogg.

• "Triumph" by the Wu-Tang Clan from the 1997 album Wu-Tang Forever. The song features verses from Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Cappadonna, U-God, RZA, GZA, Masta Killa, Ghostface Killah, and Raekwon with the intro and ad libs from Ol' Dirty Bastard.

• "Banned from T.V." by Noreaga, 1998, featuring Big Pun, Nature, Cam'ron, Jadakiss, and Styles P.

• "The Anthem" by Sway & King Tech, 1999, featuring RZA, Eminem, Tech N9ne, Xzibit, Pharoahe Monch, Kool G Rap, Jayo Felony, Chino XL, and KRS-One. The book How to Rap describes it as a "classic posse cut".^[1]

• "Reverse" a song by Puff Daddy released on his 1999 album entitled Forever. The song features verses from Puff Daddy, Shyne, Redman, G-Dep, Sauce Money, Cee-Lo Green, and Busta Rhymes.

• "Somne LA Niggaz" by Dr. Dre from the 1999 album 2001. The song features Defari, Xzibit, Knoc-turn'al, Time Bomb, King T, MC Ren, and Kokane. However, this song does not feature vocals from Dr. Dre himself as he is only the producer of the song.

• "Candy (Drippin' Like Water)", is a song by Snoop Dogg from his 2006 album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment. This song was produced by Rick Rock and it features verses from Snoop Dogg, E-40, MC Eiht, Goldie Loc, Tha Dogg Pound (Daz Dillinger and Kurupt), and Ladybug Mecca from Digable Planets.

• "Its Okay (One Blood MegaMix) by Game, 2006, featuring 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), and Ja Rule. The song begins with "Dre, I See More Dead People". It is 11 minutes and 50 seconds long.^[12]

• "The Last Huzzah!" by Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire feat. Despot, Heems, Kool A.D., Danny Brown, and El-P. The track was a remix of Exquire's "Huzzah". The cut was called one of the best songs of 2011 by Rolling Stone Magazine.^[13]

• "Mercy" by Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz is a cut from the G.O.O.D. Music album Cruel Summer that became a hit in 2012, and the track was hailed as the best song of 2012 by many publications including SPIN Magazine^[14]

• "1 Train" by ASAP Rocky featuring Kendrick Lamar, Joey Badass, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, and Big K.R.I.T. From the 2013 ASAP Rocky album Long. Live. ASAP.

• "Detroit vs. Everybody" by Eminem, DeJ Loaf, Royce Da 5'9, Big Sean, Danny Brown and Trick Trick. From the 2014 Shady Records compilation album Shady XV.

• "Vice City" by Jay Rock, 2015, featuring Black Hippy (Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, and Schoolboy Q).^[15]

References

1. Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. 221.
3. Archived October 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
4. Archived August 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
6. Huey, Steve. "((( Only Built 4 Cuban Linx > Overview )))". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
7. Swihart, Stanton (1991-09-03). "((( Naughty by Nature > Overview )))". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
8. Swihart, Stanton (1992-07-28). "((( Business Never Personal > Overview )))". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
9. Witt, Chris (1988-11-19). "((( In Control, Vol. 1 > Overview )))". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
10. Swihart, Stanton. "((( SlaughtaHouse > Overview )))". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
11. Butler, Blake. "allmusic". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
12. "50. The Game "One Blood (Remix)" (2006) — The Best Rap Remixes Since 2000". 2013-07-24. Retrieved 2014-03-26.
13. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-singles-of-2011-20111207/mr-muthafuckin-exquire-feat-despot-das-racist-danny-brown-and-el-p-the-last-huzzah-20111209
14. http://www.spin.com/articles/best-songs-2012?slide=40
15. Reed, Ryan (September 11, 2015). "Jay Rock Recruits Kendrick Lamar, Black Hippy for 'Vice City' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 13, 2015.

External links

• Top 5 Posse Cuts of All Time by Angus Crawford