A posse cut was a common occurrence in 90’s hip hop and added to the uniqueness of the genre, emphasising that it is a culture much bigger than just rap; it is a movement, heavily dependent on collectives. You had artists frequently crossing paths and working together; constantly making and breaking alliances and competing with each other. This created one big, entertaining narrative around hip-hop, and it’s something which has been much too scattered post-2000.
In the past few years there has been a resurgence in rap mass-collaborations, particularly with artists like DJ Drama and DJ Khaled who have both enjoyed major label releases, bringing together “dream teams” and filling the void that DJ Clue and Funkmaster Flex left when they stopped being relevant. The problem with this is that the albums haven’t been executed too well. For example, DJ Khaled’s LP’s are always peppered with unwelcomed guests like Plies and Flo-Rida, only remaining half-great. For a posse cut to really work, each and every rapper needs to bring their A-game, and their A-game needs to be something we actually want to listen to and dissect. Hip-hop fans frequently take joy in discussing which emcee outshined their collaborators (who “killed it,” “went in,” “snapped,” or my favourite – “wrecked it”); in recent years that debate has often been unequivocal and one-sided.
The reason for this article is that one of the East Coast’s brightest new talents, A$AP Rocky, is coming to our shores this month with a string of sold-out concerts, and he just happens to have given us one of the best posse cuts – ‘1 Train’ from his acclaimed debut Long. Live. ASAP– commercial rap has heard in years. In anticipation, we look back on 15 of the most memorable posse cuts in the now-rich history of hip-hop.
First, here’s ‘1 train’ which he’ll hopefully perform on his forthcoming Australian tour:
Before you get all uppity about how the list isn’t just all Wu-Tang cuts: so the list isn't heavily dominated by the Wu, I have decided to exclude them based on them being a collective that are expected to record together. Also, these aren’t ranked.
1. DMX Feat The Lox & Mase – Niggaz Done Started Something
DMX had not one but two classic posse cuts on his timeless debut It’s Dark and Hell is Hot but this deadly concoction of unforgiving street rap is the ultimate for each of the five emcees who spit threats over this tough Dame Grease beat.
Best verse: Mase
2. Craig Mack Feat Notorious B.I.G, Busta Rhymes, Rampage & LL Cool J – Flava In Your Ear (Remix)
Biggie has never been outshined on a track, there’s no exception here; though, all emcees play to their strengths. The beat was fresh and innovative at the time, a perfect hypnotic bounce for each to experiment with.
Best Verse: Notorious B.I.G
3. Capone-N-Noreaga Feat Mobb Deep & Tragedy Khadafi – L.A L.A (Kuwait Mix)
Found on CNN’s only classic album – The War Report - this was one of the major tracks that fuelled the famed East-West rap fued and the brightest gem to emerge from the period. Despite being the least successful of the five, Tragedy Khadafi gives us the greatest verse of his career.
Best verse: Tragedy Khadafi
4. A Tribe Called Quest Feat Leaders of the New School – Scenario
Each verse is irresistibly charismatic. This iconic hip-hop song remains one of the best rap songs ever recorded, full of quotable lines, and marked one of Busta Rhymes’ most respected verses.
Best Verse: Busta Rhymes
5. Big L Feat Lord Finesse, Microphone Nut, Jay-Z, Party Arty & Grand Daddy I.U – Da Graveyard
Taken from one of the most criminally underrated debut albums of all time, Big L filled Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous with his cult-forming style; 'Da Graveyard' is one of many highlights. The beat is simple and effectively gritty. The multi-syllabic verse ensures Big L never lets his guests outshine him, although Hov’s old style comes in a close second, right with Lord Finesse on his heels.
Best Verse: Big L
6. EPMD Feat K-Solo & Redman – Da Headbanger
A classic hit squad cut, and one of the hardest verses Parrish has spit in his career. K-Solo’s head-spinning verse and Redman’s undeniable wit are just as show-stealing as the always-reliable EPMD. Built around a hook designed for a live setting, this is one of most underrated posse cuts of the golden era.
Best Verse: Redman
7. LL Cool J Feat Method Man, Redman, DMX & Canibus – 4, 3, 2, 1
The beat is repetitive and can get annoying after repeated listens, but the sheer star power of this track forced it into classic status on release. This was also the first time LL and Canibus had their infamous war of words, and the arrogance of LL put him on track for an early win.
Best Verse: LL Cool J
8. Fat Joe Feat Nas, Big Pun, Jadakiss & Raekwon – John Blaze
It’s damn near unfair to put Big Pun on a track and expect the others to even come close to touching his effortless, mind-blowing verse. Raekwon came close though.
Best Verse: Big Pun
9. Lil’ Jon Feat Bun-B, T.I, Jadakiss, Nas & Ice Cube – Grand Finale
A dream team of “five of the hottest motherfucking emcees in the world” when Lil’ Jon was the ‘it’ producer in southern hip-hop. Don’t let the commercial appeal distract you from the fact that all five emcees bring their A-game.
Best Verse: Ice Cube
10. Main Source Feat Nas, Joe Fatal & Akinyele – Live at the BBQ
One of the most notable songs in hip-hop history purely because it introduced the world to Nas; despite his fellow emcees each gliding over the beat with ease, no one can deny the instant jaw-drop anyone would get from simply listening to the first few bars of Nas’ verse.
Best Verse: Nas
11. Marley Marl Feat Craig G, Masta Ace, Kool G Rap & Big Daddy Kane – The Symphony
No similar list is complete without this entry. The definitive posse cut and a landmark collaboration between New York’s Juice Crew.
Best Verse: Big Daddy Kane
12. Mobb Deep Feat Nas & Raekwon – Eye for an Eye (Your Beef is Mine)
The definition of a ‘street anthem,’ the beat is cold and unforgiving, painting a grim picture of New York’s underground much like the entire album it was taken from.
Best Verse: Prodigy
13. T.I Feat Kanye West, Jay-Z & Lil’ Wayne – Swagga Like Us
In terms of lyricism, this posse cut pales in comparison to the rest. It’s the bravado and effortless swagger with which each of these rappers navigate the M.I.A sample that makes this extremely hard to forget. At the time of this recording, Lil’ Wayne was and is well past his prime, and Kanye West is frustrating in his insistence that autotune actually sound good; but Jay-Z and T.I tear this beat to shreds.
Best Verse: T.I
14. Cool Breeze Feat OutKast, Goodie Mob, Witchdoctor & T-Mo) – Watch For the Hook
From the eccentric beat to the off-kilter back-and-forth's within the song, 'Watch for the Hook' went down as Cool Breeze's one and only well-known track; thanks mainly to Andre 3000 who is one of few rappers who has never spit a less-than-great verse.
Best Verse: Andre 3000
15. Puff Daddy Feat Notorious B.I.G, The Lox & Lil’ Kim – All About The Benjamins
This is one of the defining beats of commercial rap in the 90’s, and the most recognisable collaboration when all Bad Boy Records were actually in harmony with one another; It was also a great demonstration of Lil’ Kim's prowess on the mic, alas, no one can mess with Biggie.
Best Verse: Notorious B.I.G
