T.Q.D: T.Q.D's Corner

Greetings and salutations everyone,

I have returned with another edition of T.Q.D’s Corner.  For those of you unfamiliar, this blog is about me waxing nostalgia about Hip Hop days gone by.  This month we will celebrate the power of numbers by going of what I believe are the greatest posse cuts in the history of Hip Hop.  I will not rank them, but I will share my two cents.

For those of you unaware, a posse cut is a collaboration between the main act of a song and at least two other guests and must have at least 3 total emcees.  For example, N.W.A.’s “Straight Outta Compton” is not a posse cut.  A Tribe Called Quest/Leaders of the New School’s “Scenario” is.

Now that we have established our parameters, let’s get in to it.

“Don’t Curse” by Heavy D featuring Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Q-Tip, Grand Puba, CL Smooth and Pete Rock

While I’m not really ranking these, I am going to declare this as my favorite posse cut of all time.  Pete Rock produced the beat.  The only weak part of the song is that he gets on the mic too, but I’m willing to write that off since he probably held the beat for ransom until they let him rap.  Regardless, the concept reflects the title.  There is a lot of self-editing going on and for the most part is done in a clever way.  Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap, as expected, rule this track.  Those who may remember the video (search youtube) may remember Kane wearing a hideous purple outfit, but he made up for it with his verse.

“The Grand Finale” by Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz featuring Ice Cube, Bun B, Nas, Jadakiss, and T.I.

The year was 2004.  I was on long trip around Minneapolis with a buddy being forced to listen the Lil Jon album called Crunk Juice.  I was waiting for the album to end.  Thankfully the terrible album was ended on a high note.  This posse cut is heat.  The beat bangs and everyone brings their A-game.  I am still genuinely shocked by how good it is.  I was getting ready to crown Nas the best on the track, then he is followed by Ice Cube who absolutely shuts the game down…but he is Ice Cube, that’s what he should do.

“Got My Mind Made Up” by 2Pac featuring Tha Dogg Pound, Redman, and Method Man

My brother used to drive around bumping the All Eyez On Me album all the time.  I was never a big fan of the record, but this song always stood out to me.  The beat is basically one long loop, but the is hardly any dead time, so you barely notice it.  In terms of who owns this track, I will give the nod to the host, though the props can be evenly distributed.

“Westside Slaughterhouse” by Mack 10 featuring Ice Cube and WC

The beat bangs.  That must be said first.  Secondly, the rapping is on point all around, which is was shocking to me (not a big Mack 10 fan).  Besides setting the table for what would become Westside Connection, the song is also known for Ice Cube taking a shot at a then moderately known Common.  Common eventually defended himself impressively, but that doesn’t take away from this song.  There isn’t much to say about it other than nod your head and enjoy the punch lines.

“The Symphony” by Marley Marl featuring Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Masta Ace, and Craig G

Most older Hip Hop press members would probably declare this to be the best Hip Hop posse cut.  I’m not sure I agree, but the argument is very easy to make.  Not to mention, no posse cut before this could even compare.  Marley Marl used a familiar Otis Redding sample for the beat and each emcee steps to the mic and sounds more impressive than the one before them, setting the stage for Big Daddy Kane to end the song on the highest note.

“Scenario” by A Tribe Called Quest featuring Leaders Of The New School

Sometimes you know certain things will blow up before they do.  When I first heard “Bad Romance”, I know I’d probably hear about Lady Gaga more than I had ever wanted to.  I remember having a similar feeling when hearing this song, but in different way.  For starters, “scenario” is actually a good song.  The song was a moderate hit, but what set it apart was the appearance of Busta Rhymes (then a member of Leaders Of The New School).  He appears on the song twice and the second time he appears, it was one of those moments, you just knew he was going to be a star.

“The Corner (Remix)” by Common featuring Scarface and Mos Def

The original version of this song appeared on Common’s comeback album Be.  While the original is nice, I’ve always been partial to the remix.  Scarface is my opinion should’ve owned this track, since I’d argue he’s the best of the 3, but the host is allowed to shine, while he and Mos Def play the complimentary role. 

“Self Destruction” by The Stop The Violence Movement (KRS-One, D-Nice, Ms. Melodie, Kool Moe Dee, Chuck D, Flavor Flav, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Stetsasonic, Heavy D, and Just-Ice)

After a fan was killed during a Public Enemy/Boogie Down Productions concert, KRS-One decided to form an organization and get some of the biggest names in the East Coast Hip Hop scene at the time to make people more aware of the influx of violence going on.  The result was this great song.  It’s catchy and informative without being preachy.  Some of the biggest names in the West at the time also gathered for what I always thought was a much weaker song called “We’re All In the Same Gang”, but nonetheless the message was the same.  Unfortunately the issue is every bit as relevant now as it was then.

“Black Ice” by Goodie Mob featuring Outkast

Goodie Mob made sure to set off their second album with this gem.  Everything about this one works.  No one tries to heard to take first place.  Many posse cuts suffer when that occurs.  This is probably one of the purest songs on this list.  Andre 3000 ends out the track and rightfully so.  It was pretty much over after him anyways

…and that concludes this month’s edition of T.Q.D’s Corner.  I know I left out some great posse cuts, but I can’t name them all.  Feel free to respond with your favorite posse cuts.  And of course, if you are unfamiliar with any of the songs above, I’m sure you can find them on YouTube.  Until next month, take care.