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]
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.
| 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] |