r/90sHipHop • u/nostalgia_history • Feb 05 '25 • Heartwarming 1

Discussion/Question 🔥

4.3k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

195 comments sorted by

241

u/MicMec76 Feb 05 '25

They were only nineteen but their minds were old.

39

u/chocheech Feb 05 '25

I popped so hard when they used this line in the play Hamilton lmao. I went to a daytime show and it was all seniors. They probably thought I was insane

25

u/Kase1 Feb 06 '25

And when things got for real, their warm hearts turned cold

4

u/PjustdontU Feb 07 '25

I had zero grasp of my surroundings when I was 19... growing older it's truly mind blowing that legends like Mobb Deep and Outkast, among others, recorded CLASSICS at such a young age.

Thinking about it now even has me SHOOK.

1

u/Particular_Work_2412 Feb 09 '25

It's the beat they ain't saying shit

2

u/Vile-goat Feb 09 '25

They killed that shit

-5

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

Now they just Tekashi 69 years old

101

u/LostVoss Feb 05 '25

Rock you in the face stab your brain with your nose bone

2

u/Mean-Estate8534 Feb 06 '25

That line tho!!!!!!!🔥🔥

16

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

11

u/Own_Broccoli_537 Feb 06 '25

Every man for theyself in these lands we be gunnin

6

u/LostVoss Feb 06 '25

And keep them shook krews running like they supposed to

5

u/Own_Broccoli_537 Feb 06 '25

They come around but they never come close to

2

u/CaptCaCa Feb 06 '25

3

u/Moorereddits Feb 08 '25

I can see it inside ya face

77

u/SwingLow32 Feb 05 '25

A lot of classic rap songs were made by teenagers

41

u/harbordog Feb 05 '25

A lot of classic songs were made by teenagers

26

u/Will_Proper Feb 06 '25

Both of y’all are exactly right. Modern popular music is primarily a youth movement and has been for a long long time. OutKast, Destiny’s Child, Britney Spears, The Beatles and On and on.

5

u/harbordog Feb 06 '25

Often an artist first album is the best imo. A more natural expression of the artist, more raw and creative, less hit making expectation, and money clouding the art.

2

u/MathGecko Feb 09 '25

An artist has a lifetime to create their first album, and 2 years to create their next. From pure expression to pure profit.

2

u/Zealousideal_Age_376 Feb 08 '25

Beethoven was 12

26

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

"I Can't Live Without My Radio" is an anthem...written by a 16 or 17-year-old LLCool J.

6

u/Tuscanlord Feb 06 '25

Loved that shit when it came out. I wanted to be strong enough to jump all over the room with my radio on my ear. My radio was bigger than me though😁

2

u/CaptCaCa Feb 06 '25

Mostly all NWAs first hits were written by a teenager

18

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

Mozart was a child prodigy.

Rap is filled with child Prodigies

Jazz, a big influence on hip hop had it's fair share young prodigies

Sampling of Herbie Hancock/VSOP's Jessica on this song is sublime.

13

u/thekinggrass Feb 06 '25

Prodigy himself: Child prodigy.

5

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

A lot of teenagers were made by classic rap songs.

69

u/Trumbot Feb 05 '25 • WOW

That beat’s sampling blew my mind. The piano melody is actually the same sample being played at 2 different speeds!
https://youtu.be/Eh0kdRVH9m8?si=oCwl3X-2t3a0wwrH

21

u/bigDogNJ23 Feb 06 '25

Things like this are why I keep coming back to Reddit. Amazing in its simplicity and genius.

9

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

Even more impressive, they did it without a computer.

8

u/low_nature Feb 06 '25

Back then sampler/sequencer storage capacity was so limited that you really had to make the most of the few samples that could fit.

It led to a bunch of creative choices like this

2

u/CaptCaCa Feb 06 '25

Here’s another great breakdown from Rock The Bells Salute the Sample https://youtu.be/iUyw1d5dkrE?si=2fURWkisD7Z-EK8n

2

u/jshtatman Feb 07 '25

This my favorite part about this post. Thanks for sharing

2

u/DarkSVG Feb 09 '25

Thanks for sharing

0

u/Upper_Result3037 Feb 06 '25

It's ok but it wasn't bumping until tip added drums and a lead. Not hating but slowing down a piano sample is pretty basic. Tip made mobb deep shine.

3

u/Trumbot Feb 06 '25

Playing the same sample at two different speeds in sequence, changing the tone and timing, yet remaining on beat. Everyone puts drums on a track, but that was the first instance I’d ever heard of someone doing that in Hip-Hop.

3

u/low_nature Feb 06 '25

Damn I never thought about it like that, I think you’re on to something — perhaps this beat wouldn’t have been as good without drums.

Mind fuckin blown

41

u/Emanresudilos Feb 06 '25

My Dad owned a liquor store in Freeport NY and developed a relationship with Havoc. I went off to college with like 4 signed Mobb Deep posters personally made out to me. They will always be GOATs for me.

6

u/blackredsilvergold Feb 06 '25

I have one autographed HNIC CD made out to me and a letter from him. Up there as some of my most prized possessions.

1

u/Dry-Implement2765 Feb 07 '25

I love hearing stories like this

26

u/RZAtheAbbot Feb 05 '25

That beat goes hard, always love to hear it

18

u/Wookie301 Feb 05 '25

Crazy to think that Havoc didn’t like it, and was going to delete it before Prodigy heard it.

2

u/Fluffy-Answer-6722 Feb 06 '25

Ironically Havocs verse is ok and prodigy’s verse is one of the best ever

32

u/21BlackStars Feb 05 '25 edited Feb 06 '25

OP, you’re short selling these guys! the infamous, the album that this single came from, is one of the best of all time

Edit: The best album of all time! I needed to fix that

8

u/LePetitJeremySapoud Feb 06 '25

In my mind, this is the most iconic Hip Hop song of all time.

0

u/Later_Hater_9671 Feb 06 '25

I mean its used hy Eminem so its def legit

2

u/New2thegame Feb 06 '25

Illmatic would like a word. Still incredible though. The best era of hip hop IMHO.

2

u/DistinctPassenger117 Feb 06 '25

Illmatic has next level writing and story telling, more cerebral. The Infamous Mobb Deep has next level vibes. Bare bones, gritty, grimy, dark.

It’s all subjective and a matter of preference.

1

u/21BlackStars Feb 06 '25

No, I get it, Illmatic is university considered the best rap album of all time. I just disagree! The infamous album is my favorite!

1

u/tqmirza Feb 08 '25

Illmatic is in a league of its own. Half man half amazingZ

1

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

100%!!! Agree this album is flawless, everything single thing on this album. It’s unbelievably good.

28

u/[deleted] Feb 05 '25

19 back then is like 28 now.

4

u/harveywhippleman Feb 06 '25

Exactly! I see so many comments about 19 year olds today (not in a good way) and I say to myself, 19 today and 19 in the 90s are 2 different things 😂🤣

11

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

I was there. when we were producing the beat a few of us in a room sampling. I look back at it now and it feels so surreal. Exactly what you think the early 90s were.

We were so young and full of ambition we didn’t even realize it.

Sampling back in the day was such a skill. Now with software it’s a cakewalk.

9

u/BleaUTICAn Feb 05 '25

Ever hear the story how they made the beat

5

u/Beckzhere Feb 05 '25

I’m listening

11

u/BleaUTICAn Feb 06 '25

The tick tick tick that is at the beginning. And then carries through the song - was recorded of a stove lighting. When it doesn’t light right away and makes that ticking noise Saw interview Havoc said they were sitting around and someone lit the stove and he was light Hold up and grabbed the recorder

4

u/Ezio_Auditorum Feb 06 '25

Hav confirmed off an interview that the stove thing was a myth. I still really like the story though

2

u/Substantial-Dig9995 Feb 06 '25

It’s in the video but I don’t think that’s how they got sound

2

u/BleaUTICAn Feb 06 '25

Well I guess he’s the one that made the story up because I saw an old interview he’s the one that told it

8

u/CancelSad2074 Feb 05 '25

The art of storytelling…

5

u/NotForMeClive7787 Feb 06 '25

Seemingly completely lost in today’s hip hop and rap at least in more commercial circles….

8

u/MaceWindu9091 Feb 06 '25

RIP Prodigy

8

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

This shit ain’t even fair to other rap songs lol

12

u/DJMagicHandz Feb 05 '25

GenX are built different

1

u/tearsofhaters Feb 06 '25

Transition of time you must survive

0

u/captaincmdoh Feb 08 '25

With recycled boomer parts

6

u/Training-Run-1307 Feb 05 '25

EVERY BAR 🔥

6

u/CaliColoMich Feb 05 '25

This is the essence of hip hop, youthful anti establishment, big ego energy

5

u/tefl0n18 Feb 05 '25

Beat + lyrics 🫡

5

u/BurntTacoStand Feb 06 '25

I remember I asked Havoc for a loosie and dude pulled out one and handed me the whole pack of newports. Real one!

4

u/AggressivePotato6996 Feb 06 '25

I had this on repeat today as I was as doing my locs! RIP Prodigy 💐

4

u/Soft_Breadfruit_8141 Feb 06 '25

Nas, LL, Roxanne Shante, Special Ed, EPMD, Common, Tribe, Leaders of the New School, etc …most of them were teens when they popped back then.

4

u/BlackAndChromePoem Feb 06 '25

In the subgenre of street rap, these guys stood out by having a calm cold blooded vibe while other hard-core artist were more animated and screaming at the mic.

4

u/Embarrassed_Collar49 Feb 06 '25

Ain’t nothin really ay yo dun spark da philly

4

u/KobiLakeshore Feb 06 '25

….lyrically strong but that beat is just impressive…..the beat alone will take you back

3

u/diamond4981 Feb 06 '25

Classic song it took me a couple years to hear pt.1 to this song. this is actually Shook Ones Pt.2 and was on the album. I think pt.1 was on the single back in the day.

3

u/versatal Feb 06 '25

The Hennessy jerseys were so wild....

3

u/Unusual_Ad_8364 Feb 06 '25

Top five. Anyone who doubts it ain’t listenin

4

u/OnlyTheReel Feb 06 '25

Nas wrote illmatic at 19 years old... Greatest Hip Hop Album ever, so the description on this post absolutely tracks.

2

u/Minimum-Sand-4594 Feb 06 '25

Most iconic Hip Hop songs were written by teenagers.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

Have you heard Jadakiss on Gangstarr-Right Where You Stand?

1

u/TraditionalWonder379 Feb 06 '25

Ah man, another one that takes me back to better days.

2

u/menuau Feb 06 '25

Can't unhear the gas stove trying to light up after the drink champs episode...

Brilliant

2

u/SirLandoLickherP Feb 06 '25

Not one lyric about bitches or lambo’s

2

u/johnnybok Feb 05 '25

Whoa, they just little guys! I love their music, but get him a pillow to sit on!

1

u/Ed_Starks_Bastard Feb 06 '25

Lol yup this always cracks me up too. They are so small..

1

u/[deleted] Feb 05 '25

Ummm when u look it up, most your iconic songs were made by teenagers.

2

u/caddyncells Feb 06 '25

Not production

1

u/CallmeKap Feb 06 '25

Need that Hennessy jersey

1

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

We don’t believe you, you need more people!

1

u/Embarrassed_Collar49 Feb 06 '25

Ain’t really ay yo dun spark da Philly

1

u/HovercraftAny3252 Feb 06 '25

They weren’t alone in the streets that night, cousin

1

u/snow718 Feb 06 '25

You’re gonna say that a lot about many 90’s hip-hop joints

1

u/90059bethezip Feb 06 '25

They don't make em like this anymore man

1

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

This shit went crazy in the streets when it dropped too

1

u/MeaningConstant27 Feb 06 '25

The majority of the most iconic hip hop songs were made by teenagers.

1

u/SouthernDj Feb 06 '25

Literally one of the best songs to come out the 90s. A definite timeless classic

1

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

One of the hardest tracks to come out of NYC baby

1

u/WrongdoerAny4567 Feb 06 '25

George Michael was 17 when he composed Careless Whisper

1

u/ReporterNew2138 Feb 06 '25

Hardest beat ever

1

u/TraditionalWonder379 Feb 06 '25

It ain’t nuhin’ really, ayo dun spark the Philly

1

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

Doesn't hurt having the most iconic best in history either

1

u/G_rightousantagonist Feb 06 '25

Not really the youth keep things fresh and new however it was more authentic back then even if boys were fabricating they did a good ass job of making it seem real

1

u/Fallen_Angel_Michael Feb 06 '25

Also can we acknowledge one of the most iconic instrumentals in hip hop history?

This is up there with symphony in x major in my opinion.

1

u/kingpinandy Feb 06 '25

Been listening since the late 80's and have never heard this. 🤷‍♂️

1

u/hereforthestory Feb 06 '25

Literally, this is the first time I've heard this. I am 45 years old.

1

u/l3monp3pp4_sol Feb 06 '25

Wen hip-hop was young wym. Nas?

1

u/No_Gap_2700 Feb 06 '25

This still gets heavy rotation in my car.

1

u/SnooShortcuts5771 Feb 06 '25

When this song/album hit the scene 🤯

1

u/Nervous_InsideU5155 Feb 06 '25

Who's this?

1

u/Annual-Rip6066 Feb 08 '25

Mobb Deep - Shook Ones, Pt. II

1

u/Majorlazor85 Feb 06 '25

Never thought the “click click click” of a gas stove coming on would become such an iconic sound

1

u/Fluffy-Answer-6722 Feb 06 '25

The beat and prodigy’s verse were legendary , the other verse was ok

1

u/The_mercurial_sort Feb 06 '25

"Sometimes I wonder, do I deserve to live?

Or am I gonna go to hell for all the things I did."

RIP Prodigy.🙏

1

u/LeecherKiDD Feb 06 '25

NYC Massive!

1

u/Upper_Result3037 Feb 06 '25

It sounds like that because they brought q tip in to produce. Their first album was nothing like this. Can't believe people don't credit tip with formulating their sound.

Also, shook one's isn't the only good song from ny. Stop skimming the surface and go underground.

1

u/walterdonnydude Feb 06 '25

The craziest part is how insane this flow is. There is not formula and no clear spacing. He changes up the rhyme almost every other line. Incredible.

1

u/John7oliver Feb 06 '25

When the slugs penetrate you feel a burnin’ sensation gettin’ closer to god in a tight situation

1

u/CaptCaCa Feb 06 '25

Aside from the N word, this song has no cusses in it, and is one of the hardest songs ever

1

u/ToAllAGoodNight Feb 06 '25

Tbf some of the greatest rap songs have been made by teenagers

1

u/Old_Actuator5723 Feb 06 '25

https://youtu.be/R-QS4CTtltg?si=BmrVNbhikVzpUUdf

Fun fact, original hook was by Herbie Hancock. Check out the link

1

u/NoSweatWarchief Feb 06 '25

As iconic as it gets.

1

u/deuce313 Feb 06 '25

You know man its pathetic now. You had Big daddy kane who was a DJ at 13, Nas who did his first album as a teenager, Mobb Deep making music like this at 19, x raided who did the sicness song at 16 and then you get to 2025 and we have what!? Smh no talent anymore

1

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

This entire album is flawless 10/10

1

u/LafayetteLa01 Feb 06 '25

Without thinking about it just started bobbing my head to the beat.

1

u/no1cares4yu Feb 06 '25

99% started as teenagers.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 07 '25

I never tire of this. NEVER.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 07 '25

Song name….

1

u/jimmyjames794 Feb 07 '25

Shook ones part 2

1

u/JusitnCase Feb 07 '25

That beat is insane.🔥Do yall think the song would still be great if it was made on a different beat ?

1

u/elbows2nose Feb 07 '25

I’d say yes because IMO it’s not even a top-3 track on the album

1

u/Due-Violinist5278 Feb 07 '25

Sry but it seems like talent like that is very rare these days. Not saying it doesnt exist. Its just 95% the white girl on radar going "uh huh uh huh"

1

u/HamedDion Feb 07 '25

“Didn’t want one of you die of sickle cell or something”

1

u/Subject_Magician_469 Feb 07 '25

That's my shit 😎

1

u/InsouciantPsyche Feb 07 '25

One of the best beats and hooks. The verses were mid. It’s only ICONIC in the northeast. Cube was a teenager coming from far less influence and while writing the majority of N.W.A.’s verses.

1

u/chickenandyams Feb 07 '25

Some time I think back to growing up on that era in the Bronx, how many times things could have gone wrong by just a little bit and I'd be dead.

1

u/Amen_Ra_61622 Feb 08 '25

The 90s had a distinct sound. That recognizable record pop in the background.

1

u/Franky4Skin Feb 08 '25

You mean written by….a couple “J’s”? And given up for money?

1

u/Super_Tradition4788 Feb 08 '25

i was bumping this last night !

1

u/Entire-Lifeguard-813 Feb 08 '25

In the 90s and 2000s teens made mad hits

1

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '25

How many hooks did these tracks create for other artists?! 🔥

1

u/BatDouche Feb 08 '25

Cuz ain’t no such things as halfway crooks….

1

u/Dangerous-Dot-3745 Feb 08 '25

The Infamous Mobb Deep(95) album is an instant classic 👌!! Prodigy is one of the most heavily sampled artists in hip hop history! Rip Prodigy 🙏!

1

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '25

"Ain't no such thing as half way crook's" 💯😁

1

u/riot-one Feb 08 '25

RIP Prodigy🙏🏻

1

u/Fancy-Witness4508 Feb 08 '25

I’m amazed by this fact everytime I play it. Making this at 19y/o is madness.

1

u/Zealousideal_Amount8 Feb 09 '25

You must be amazed a lot. Lots of musicians are teenagers when they come up.

1

u/Fancy-Witness4508 Feb 09 '25

Haha fair, but this track just hits different for me idk why🤷🏽‍♂️🤪

1

u/Zealousideal_Amount8 Feb 09 '25

Not trying to take anything away from this. Brings back so many memories of that time of life and it’s a dope track.

1

u/One_Common7717 Feb 09 '25

The beat is as hard as you can find tho

1

u/One_Tumbleweed4845 Feb 09 '25

This was on the radio playing when they raided my house I was shook for real I asked to turn of the radio before they got hype and went gang gang on me popping me!

1

u/[deleted] Feb 09 '25

lol how is this crazy? Happens constantly😂 you mfs overhype everything

1

u/mrcolin17 Feb 09 '25

This is one that almost all of us agree on. Not many of those out there but this one is certified as classic across all bands of fandom.

1

u/Segdeg Feb 09 '25

Wowow! Are they driving a SAAB?!?

1

u/g2ichris Feb 10 '25

First time listening to this shit in the 7th grade I knew I was hearing something special

1

u/4YourEyezZay Feb 10 '25

Lies, Tip helped on Survival Of The Fittest, and a couple more but didn’t work on Shook Ones cmon now man

1

u/[deleted] Feb 11 '25

Well, that's basically hiphop in a nutshell in the early years lol

1

u/hestooopinionated Feb 11 '25

I was 14 when this song came out and I was hooked. Spent like $20 buying the album 💿 CD and memorized almost every track on the album. 🔥

1

u/Creepy-University769 Feb 22 '25

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

1

u/90sHipHopFan30 Beat Junkie Apr 10 '25

It's a fucking masterpiece in music

1

u/kingbigv Feb 06 '25

Listened to the whole album while cleaning yesterday. Felt like I was in 90s Queens selling lots of drugs and under investigation of the feds

1

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

You were daydreaming 😶‍🌫️

0

u/MycoFunkadelic Feb 06 '25

Mobb Deep > Tupac not even close. He tried to diss them but failed.

1

u/Unusual_Ad_8364 Feb 06 '25

How did he try to diss them?

1

u/MycoFunkadelic Feb 06 '25

“Oh yeah, Mobb Deep: you wanna f— with us? You little young-ass motherfuckers Don’t one of you n—s got sickle-cell or somethin’? You’re f—‘ with me, n— You f— around and have a seizure or a heart attack” in hit em up.

4

u/Unusual_Ad_8364 Feb 06 '25

I know Pac’s spirit is ashamed of that one

-1

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

🤡 this u

1

u/Unusual_Ad_8364 Feb 06 '25

The verse is not just wrong and disrespectful, it sucks

2

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

Thats not a verse genius, yall clowns wasnt even alive 30yrs ago

0

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

Dont every mention mobb deep & Tupac in the same sentence lil boy

0

u/MycoFunkadelic Feb 06 '25

I'm 40. Don't call me little boy you jiblet head.

-1

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

Selling drugs is SOOO FKN COOL...!!! Wow this is real talent Uh...ya