Hip Hop Awards 2022: 5 Greatest Rap Posse Cuts Ever
This month we’re celebrating hip hop stars, music, and culture ahead of the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards. As we gear up for what’s expected, another fantastic night of music, special guest appearances, and explosive performance from the industry’s biggest entertainers.
One of the many things we love about hip hop is some of the most iconic collaborations known as posse cuts. When the topic of four or more emcees performing on one beat is brought up, several moments come to mind.
In the late 90s, the Queen of Rap Lil Kim called several of her favorite artists—Missy Elliott, Da Brat, Left Eye, Angie Martinez—to hop on a remix to “Not Tonight.” It would subsequently become one of hip hop’s most memorable moments in female rap unity.
Ahead of this year’s celebration, check out five of the most significant rap posse cuts ever.
Lil' Kim — “Not Tonight” (Ladies Night Remix) feat. Missy Elliott, Da Brat, Left Eye, Angie Martinez
This is arguably one of the best presentations of female unity in hip-hop history. An all-star cast of emcees consisting of Missy Elliott, Da Brat, and the late Lisa Left Eye Lopes, with a surprise verse from Angie Martinez, joined the Queen of Rap Lil Kim for one of the best hip hop posse cuts, male or female.
Released in the late 90s, “Not Tonight” (Ladies Night Remix) for the Nothing to Lose soundtrack became an instant hit, peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. The track, which features did so well it earned the Brooklyn legend a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance at the 40th annual ceremony.
Wu-Tang Clan – “Protect Ya Neck”
The members of the Wu-Tang Clan sent a clear message with their individually iconic performances on their 1992 debut single “Protect Ya Neck,” which featured eight of the original members, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, U-God, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, RZA, and GZA.
The song is one of the most legendary posse cuts from the group, sitting in the upper half of several publications’ lists of greatest singles.
Diddy – “It’s All About the Benjamins” (Remix) feat. Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, Lil’ Kim, The Notorious B.I.G.
Diddy’s 1996 smash hit “It’s All About the Benjamins” (Remix) featured Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, Lil’ Kim, and the late Notorious B.I.G. with vocals from Missy Elliot is a classic record from the Bad Boy label founder’s debut studio No Way Way.
N.O.R.E. – “Banned from T.V.”
Rapper N.O.R.E. wasn’t always the podcast boss we know him to be today. Back in the day, the New York native was cranking out hits with some of the best in the industry, including his 1998 hit single “Banned from T.V.” from his debut album N.O.R.E..This iconic track features N.O.R.E. Nature, Big Pun, Cam’ron, Jadakiss, and Styles P.
UGK – “International Player’s Anthem (I Choose You)” / Underground Kingz
The Underground Kingz (Bun B, Pimp C) and the Outkasts (André 3000 and Big Boi) unite for this classic record on exploiting women for monetary gain, abstinence, and a wholesome tale of marriage and monogamy delivered by André 3000.
According to Bun B, the song was initially supposed to be a collaboration with Three 6 Mafia. However, in an interview with XXL, the Texas legend said, “Big and Dre got their hands on the sampler. We get one call from Big Boi saying, ‘Hey man, I love this song and did a little remix beat to it and if you guys want to use it, check it out.’”
He added, “They send it over, and around the same time, we get a call from Andre asking, ‘Is that song closed out? Because I really like that song and want to jump on it.’ This was just a matter of circumstance, and at the same time, we were having issues getting the lyrics cleared from Sony for Three 6 Mafia.
Watch the Hip Hop Awards on Tuesday, October 4, at 9 PM ET/PT on BET
