shook ones

“Shook Ones, Pt. II” By Mobb Deep Is The Best-Ever Beat, Rock The Bells Proclaims

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“Dirty Feet” by Daly-Wilson Big Band, “Kitty With The Bent Frame” by Quincy Jones, “Jessica” by Herbie Hancock, and “Shook Ones” by Mobb Deep all walk into a bar. The result? One of the greatest rap songs of all time. Moreover, “Shook Ones, Pt. II” by the legendary duo sampled all these cuts and became one of the genre’s most iconic songs ever, especially for the East Coast scene. It’s a legacy that continues to endure to this day, as the LL Cool J-founded rap organization Rock The Bells recently crowned it the best beat of all time. Other competitors in the top five are A Tr*be Called Quest’s “Electric Relaxation,” Craig Mack’s “Flava In Ya Ear,” “Still D.R.E.” by Dr. Dre, and “N.Y. State Of Mind” by Nas.

That’s one heck of a New York bias, right? Jokes aside, this writer can’t help but agree: few tracks encompass the energy, technique, aesthetic, and cultural impact of East Coast rap and hip-hop at large as well as “Shook Ones, Pt. II.” Whether it’s the crisp drum pattern, the wailing sirens, or the most ominous key line you’ll ever hear, this song is legendary for a reason. One half of the Mobb, Havoc, produced this cut, and for those curious, the panel that judged these top 50 beats had DJ Epps, Cool of Cool & Dre, DJ Scratch, and Torae as its make-up. Funnily enough, RapCaviar‘s same list last year had RTB‘s No. 2, “Still D.R.E.,” as No. 1, whereas “Shook Ones, Pt. II,” RTB‘s No. 1, was their second pick. Watch the panel debate the list down below.

Read More: What Is Mobb Deep’s Best-Selling Album?

Rock The Bells Panel Discusses “Shook Ones, Pt. II” As The Best Hip-Hop Beat Of All Time: Watch

“I just want to say how honored I am to have ‘Shook Ones, Pt. II’ by Mobb Deep produced by myself, voted number one hip-hop beat of all time,” Havoc expressed about the praise. “I remember being in the projects in Queensbridge. Me and Prodigy just being there trying to make something for the world to hear our voice. And here we are this many years later, being saluted and held as the number one beat and hip-hop greatest of all time. But I just want to say thank you to all the hip-hop fans, rest in peace to my brother Prodigy. He would be just excited— as excited as I am, and I just want to thank all y’all fans, man. Salute.”

Meanwhile, the MC and producer recently debunked a myth about this classic. “You know when a myth [takes] a life of its own?” Havoc said on SiriusXM’s WkndWork. “You just be like, f**k it, you don’t wanna hurt nobody’s feelings, so you just agree with the myth? I be like, ‘Alright, f**k it. Yeah, [the hi-hat on ‘Shook Ones, Pt. II’ is] from the stove.’ The truth of the matter is that the hi-hat that I used on the actual track of ‘Shook Ones’ sounds similar to a project stove.” For more news and the latest updates on Mobb Deep, stay logged into HNHH.

Read More: Remembering Prodigy Of Mobb Deep

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What Is Mobb Deep’s Best-Selling Album?

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Mobb Deep carved an indelible mark on the rap landscape. Among their repertoire, The Infamous stands tall as their best-selling album, etching its place in the annals of hip-hop history. Lauded for its raw lyricism and gritty beats, this record achieved platinum status in the United States by the RIAA. Additionally, it earned a gold certification in the UK by the BPI. Its global impact and enduring singles have solidified its legacy in hip-hop.

Read More: Top 5 “Shook Ones” Freestyles

The Infamous: Platinum Status & Global Reception

The Infamous catapulted Mobb Deep into mainstream acclaim upon its release in 1995. Revered for its authentic portrayal of life in Queensbridge, New York, the album swiftly garnered commercial success. The RIAA certified it platinum, denoting over a million copies sold in the United States alone. The feat undoubtedly serves as a testament to its widespread resonance among rap enthusiasts. Beyond the American borders, its reverberating impact was evident, securing a gold certification in the UK by the BPI.

Despite the absence of precise global sales figures, The Infamous attained international recognition, resonating with audiences worldwide. Furthermore, its unflinching narrative, propelled by Havoc’s evocative production and Prodigy’s lyricism, transcended geographical boundaries. Its impact was not just seen in the East Coast but across America and the globe.

Singles & Impact

The album’s singles fortified its commercial success and cultural significance. “Shook Ones Pt. II” emerged as the magnum opus, hailed not only as a standout track on The Infamous but also as a quintessential anthem within the hip-hop genre. Its distinctive piano loop and evocative verses became emblematic of Mobb Deep’s signature sound, capturing the essence of street life with unfiltered honesty. “Survival Of The Fittest,” another notable single, which they later used as the title of their 2015 EP, further showcased the duo’s lyrical prowess and resonated deeply with listeners, enhancing the album’s impact.

These singles, coupled with tracks like “Give Up the Goods (Just Step),” “Temperature’s Rising,” and “Eye For A Eye (Your Beef Is Mines),” contributed to the album’s multifaceted allure. However, each track elucidated the stark realities of inner-city living, cementing Mobb Deep’s status as purveyors of authentic street narratives. As a result, The Infamous transcended mere musical boundaries, leaving an enduring legacy that reverberates in contemporary hip-hop. Its influence continues to ripple through the genre, inspiring subsequent generations of artists who draw from its unfiltered storytelling and raw, unapologetic delivery.

Read More: Mobb Deep: Where Are They Now?

Conclusion

Mobb Deep’s magnum opus, The Infamous, remains an exemplar of East Coast rap’s golden era. Its platinum certification in the US and gold status in the UK underscore its commercial triumph, while its singles reverberate with an undying resonance, solidifying its place as a timeless classic within the realm of hip-hop.
In conclusion, The Infamous not only reflects Mobb Deep’s zenith but also encapsulates an era of hip-hop defined by authenticity and raw storytelling. Its enduring legacy stands as a testament to the duo’s artistry and its irrefutable impact on the genre’s evolution, etching an indelible mark on the hearts of rap aficionados worldwide.

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Havoc Debunks Myth About Mobb Deep’s “Shook Ones, Part II”

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We’ve all heard the opening seconds of Mobb Deep’s “Shook Ones, Part II”: A gas stove getting lit, clicking over and over until it turns into the cymbal beat of the song. It’s iconic and classic at this point. This became Mobb’s most popular song back in 1994. And while the stove sample is legendary, New York rapper Havoc is here to set the record straight. Via the SiriusXM radio show WkndWork, Havoc talked about how they got that sound and that the real story isn’t as cool as the myth that it came from an actual burner stove.

“You know when a myth [takes] a life of its own? You just be like, f*ck it, you don’t wanna hurt nobody’s feelings,” Havoc said in the interview. “So you just agree with the myth. I [will] be like, ‘Alright, f*ck it. Yeah, it’s from the stove.’” However, while people believe it’s a stovetop providing the sound behind the song, it’s actually a hi-hat. According to Havoc, “The truth of the matter is that the hi-hat that I used on the actual track of ‘Shook Ones’ sounds similar to a project stove.”

Read more: Havoc Recalls Losing To Nas In A Rap Battle As Teenagers

How Havoc Helped Make “Shook Ones, Part II”

Mobb Deep was a hip-hop duo that rose to prominence in the 90s, right when hip-hop was taking off into mainstream consumption. It consisted of Havoc and Prodigy, two rappers working off each other and creating inventive sounds, like the hi-hat “stove” on “Shook Ones, Part II.” Sadly, Prodigy passed away in 2017 due to sickle cell anemia complications. The musical artist was 42 when he died.

As for Havoc, he conducted the SiriusXM interview while celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. “Shook Ones, Part II” was Mobb Deep’s most well-known track, showcased in Eminem’s movie 8 Mile. Havoc was known for creating new sounds with Mobb Deep’s music, including using a Herbie Hancock piano sample from the song “Jessica.” He slowed down the piano and altered it so that it gave an eerie vibe. He was so creative that people thought he used a real stove for the beat!

Read more: Remembering Prodigy Of Mobb Deep

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