Say word?! A Posse cut is a popular form of song in hip hop music that involves successive
verses by four or more rappers. (various members of D.I.T.C. pictured above)

Man, I really dig posse cuts. Especially if it’s done right with the correct chemistry within each lyricist inside of the cypher just feeding off each others vibe and what not. Posse cuts (or cyphers) are true forms of Hip-Hop and expression. When I see an album featuring a posse cut of dope artists, I take serious consideration into coppin’ that album. I think of it as that extra mile the recording artist goes to in getting some special guests to rock alongside the track. The same goes for live shows in your area and how the shook the crowd. Think of Posse cuts as a friendly game of Hot potato showcasing a dope verse than passing it along to the next Emcee. On the record label tip, posse cuts are used to send out messages, introduce new talent or build up more hype to an Artists fourth coming album.

The first of our many segments will showcase a few of my favorite posse cuts videos throughout the years.

The Symphony 2000 (EPMD feat. Redman, Method Man and Lady Luck)
I remember when this first dropped in 98′. It was one of the lead singles to EPMD’s last album “Out of Business” with Def Jam. I thought the beat was hot, courtesy of Erick Sermon. PMD was always on point and brought that rugged lyrical tone. The Symphony also featured some of Redman and Method Man’s bright spots in their career. It just got everyones game up. I thought Lady luck was aiight- nothing out of the ordinary but she had some flavor, I can’t be mad with that. Symphony 2000 is one of my favorite personal cuts I enjoy periodically. It has the right ingredients within a posse cut.

All about the Benjamins (Puff Daddy feat. The Lox, Lil’ Kim and The Notorious B.I.G.)
I can’t call it… I gotta say I love this track! When I first heard it, the beat bugged me out. Whether it was the Lox, Kim and even Puff, they were feedin’ off that vibe! I kinda wish peeps doin’ posse cuts these days would refer to how dope Puff got away with this hit. To top it off, Biggie completely stole the show and killed it in the end.

4…3…2…1 (LL Cool J featuring Redman, Method Man, DMX, Cannibus and Master P)
Just for laughs… yes this is the cut where LL dissed Canibus in his own track. Canibus practically owned that track. The Red n’ Mef lyrics felt a little watered down, DMX was on point and Master P really wasn’t getting funky. The beat was above average but could have been better. I don’t know, at the time I thought it was a marketing scheme trying to get LL to look tough. Than I found out, last minute LL cool J redid his lyrics just to bully up on Cannibus. After all was said an done… Cannibus owned that beef.

Scenario (A Tribe called Quest and Leaders of the New School)
Ahh! This is straight throwback! How could I ever forget this cut? Tribe… L.O.N.S… it brought back a lot of memories, hype and crazy styles upon styles within this colorful bunch of wordsmiths. Somebody needs to step up and throw down like this. Instant classic!

The Symphony (Marley Marl featuring The Juice Crew all-stars)
The song has classic written all over it. Lyrical fury by some of Hip-Hop’s biggest icons… a hot beat… A posse cut wouldn’t be a posse cut without Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane! Courtesy of Marley Marl, I don’t know what else to say other than it’s a must!

There are so many posse cuts to chose from, I think we just chipped off a little bit off the iceberg! Until next time!