Is Mobb Deep’s signature record, “Shook Ones (Pt. II)” the most revered freestyle beat ever created in Hip Hop? Several true-to-life outliers would simply say, “hell yes.”
It’s a testament to the 1995 record’s greatness that an inclusively hardcore, knotty-head anthem could transcend pop culture and mainstream entities just because it sounds that good. The song has been featured in a handful of video games over the years, Mariah Carey’s single “The Roof,” NBA promotional commercials and even was referenced in the award-winning magnet broadway presentation, Hamilton.
Havoc tells HipHopDX that the song only took him an hour to create, “once I put the sample and bass line together,” the rest was history. If you listen closely to The Infamous, you’ll hear bits and pieces of the “Shook Ones (Pt. II)” greatness sparsed all across the entire album, making it an undisputed classic.
The elephant in the room is, of course, Eminem’s 8 Mile introduced an entirely younger generation of fans and fans who didn’t listen to anything other than Slim Shady until its history-expanding soundtrack was released. Yet and still, how did Marshall Mathers and the rest of the production crew have the gall to choose the song for that pivotal battle scene and opening credits intro? They knew that the future generations would never get enough of the sinister instrumental that allows for seamless flowing.
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As does the creators.
Piggybacking off the success of Chance the Rapper and Monica’s #SoGoneChallenge, the M-O-BB launched their own #ShookOnesChallenge earlier this week, in hopes to bridge the gap between emceeing, especially since we’re in the midst of an era that social media memes and videos are proclaiming it to be “The Mumble Rapper Generation.” Shit.
But another thing history has shown us is that the instrumental is a favorite amongst professional recording artists. Revisit ten of the freshest “Shook Ones” freestyles from some of the best names in Hip Hop, at one time or another.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs466zOGymY
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Fabolous (2015)
Best Punchlines: In this kitchen, step back and watch the chef cook
My corner told me, “Counter jabs with a left hook”/And give me mine, you don’t want to see my stress look/I drive through with the mask, looking like Westbrook”
Young Loso has been on a tear with his last couple of project releases. Here’s a beautiful example of the lyricism he’s been putting on for Brooklyn.
The Game (2005)
Best Punchlines: “Fuck Lloyd Banks, it ain’t about who can rap/It’s about when the Ruger clap, is rufus back/I see what you thinkin’, you want me to die, is that so?
Now you left leaning back, thanks to Fat Joe”
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The Game shredded G-Unit after being kicked out the group using 23 unforgettable instrumentals in the process. During his Mobb Deep phase, he decided to pour ether on Lloyd Banks.
Euro (2014)
Best Punchlines: “I never seen a cop in the Dominican republic/And if i see a cop in the Dominican republic then/He probably holdin’ rocks when your straps out in public/They can legally technically rob your ass in public”
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Although he’s not as revered as his fellow “Shook Ones” freestyle alumni, Euro’s performance is a clear-cut example how battle rappers and wordsmiths are gravitated to this beat like it shares a part of their DNA. Now about that Young Money deal…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tNx7b-Ws2o
Cassidy (2008)
Best Punchlines: “Them other rappers is pussy, them niggas is not tough
And all they sell you is garbage, They Red Foxxed up”
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If Swizz Beatz’ former protégé would have stayed on this path, who knows how much money he’d be making on the battle rap circuit these days. They probably would have named an event after him. Also, shout out to Fred Sandford.
J. Cole (2009)
Best Punchlines: “I’m so bright/I close my eyes and I can still see light/I’m so live you motherfuckers gotta kill me twice”
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Hyperboles in Hip Hop. You gotta love it.
Method Man & Redman (1996)
Best Punchlines: “Cause the ruckus for all you muthafukas/Don’t you know me and Method Man jam like Smucker’s” — Redman
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Is Redman the GOAT? He’s definitely got an open case for murdering mics for more than twenty years.
Crooked I (2011)
Best Punchlines: “You not a Legend like John, move back like his embarrassing hairline/Let the heir to the chair shine/Throughout ugliness, the Slaughter’s there with me
It’s all Lovie Smith, my team Bear with me”
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Is Slaughterhouse still a thing? That’s another conversation for another day. Back to the topic on hand, KXNG Crooked bodied his boys this time around.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NabULXubATs
Dame “D.O.L.L.A.” Lillard (2016)
The best All-Star to never play in an All-Star is steadily working towards the title of “Best Baller to Ever Touch a Mic.”
Eminem B-Rabbit (2002)
Best Punchlines: “What’s the matter, dawg? You embarrassed?/This guy is a gangsta? His real name’s Clarence/And Clarence lives at home with both parents/And Clarence’s parents have a real good marriage”
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Keep in mind that this is a fictionalized version of Eminem putting in work on Havoc’s magnum opus. He’s nice even in acting mode.
Kendrick Lamar & Black Hippy (Sorry Soulo) (2013)
Best Punchlines: “I’m about to crack the Da Vinci Code/Yeah and nothing’s been the same since they dropped “Control”/And tucked a sensitive rapper back in his pajama clothes”
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High five.
