Shook Ones Pt. II
Encyclopedia
"Shook Ones" is the lead single
from Mobb Deep
's 1995 album The Infamous
. The song was hailed as an instant classic
and, in many ways, was the pinnacle of Mobb Deep
's critical acclaim, making it their signature song to this day. In 2010 Pitchfork Media
included the song at number 25 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s.
The song is a sequel
to the group's 1994 promotional single "Shook Ones
", with similar lyrics, but less profanity. The original song is featured on the b-side of some releases of "Shook Ones part II" and was also included on the international version of the group’s album Hell on Earth.
The song is told from the perspective of inner-city youths engaged in territorial warfare and struggling for financial gains.
. "Jessica" by Herbie Hancock
is the main hook and "Dirty Feet," released in 1979 by Daly Wilson Big Band was sampled for the drums.
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
from Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...
's 1995 album The Infamous
The Infamous
Upon its release, The Infamous earned critical acclaim and was widely considered to be a cornerstone album of New York hardcore rap. Rolling Stone magazine originally rated the album 3½ out of 5 stars, and called it "a darkly nihilistic masterpiece". It, however, gave it a 5 out of 5 star rating in...
. The song was hailed as an instant classic
Masterpiece
Masterpiece in modern usage refers to a creation that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career or to a work of outstanding creativity, skill or workmanship....
and, in many ways, was the pinnacle of Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...
's critical acclaim, making it their signature song to this day. In 2010 Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
included the song at number 25 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s.
The song is a sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to the group's 1994 promotional single "Shook Ones
Shook Ones (song)
"Shook Ones" was a 1994 promotional single by hip-hop group Mobb Deep. The song was the group's debut on Loud/RCA/BMG Records after leaving its previous label, 4th & B'way Records....
", with similar lyrics, but less profanity. The original song is featured on the b-side of some releases of "Shook Ones part II" and was also included on the international version of the group’s album Hell on Earth.
The song is told from the perspective of inner-city youths engaged in territorial warfare and struggling for financial gains.
Samples in the song
The song samples "Kitty With the Bent Frame", released in 1971 by Quincy JonesQuincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
. "Jessica" by Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock
Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
is the main hook and "Dirty Feet," released in 1979 by Daly Wilson Big Band was sampled for the drums.
As sampled by other songs
- The song was sampled by R&BContemporary R&BContemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
Mariah CareyMariah CareyMariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
in her single "The RoofThe Roof (song)"The Roof " is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, taken from her sixth studio album, Butterfly . It was released as the third single from the album in Europe, on March 20, 1998 by Columbia Records. Like "Butterfly" and "Breakdown", "The Roof" received a limited worldwide release due...
," SublimeSublime (band)Sublime was an American ska punk band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's line-up, unchanged until their breakup, consisted of Bradley Nowell , Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh . Michael "Miguel" Happoldt also contributed on a few Sublime songs, such as "New Thrash." Lou Dog, Nowell's...
in its song "April 29, 1992 (Miami)", the Canadian R&B singer Keshia ChantéKeshia ChantéKeshia Chanté is a Canadian Juno Award-winning critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, model, and actress...
in her 2003 single "Shook (The Answer)", and in MimsMims (rapper)-Career:Mims graduated from Westbury High School and was born in Westbury Ny enrolled at Nassau Community College. He left the institution after two months of classes to pursue a career in rap music. He began spending time in Harlem with Cam'ron as an acquaintance...
' debut single "This Is Why I'm HotThis Is Why I'm Hot"This Is Why I'm Hot" is a song by American rapper Mims. The song was co-written by Mims and produced by Blackout Movement for his debut album Music Is My Savior ....
". - New Kids On The BlockNew Kids on the BlockNew Kids on the Block are an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and...
frontman Jordan KnightJordan KnightJordan Nathaniel Marcel Knight is an American singer-songwriter best known as the lead singer in the boy band, New Kids on the Block , and actor, who rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s. He is best known for his distinctive falsetto style of singing, influenced by The Stylistics. After New Kids On...
sampled the song on the album track "Don't Run" from his 1999 self-titled debut, though in the liner notes it was improperly credited to another Mobb Deep song "Survival Of The Fittest". - The Fat JoeFat JoeJoseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
song "The Crack Attack," samples a line from the song to form the chorus. - It was briefly used in the G-Unit diss song 300 Bars and Runnin by The GameThe Game (rapper)Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
. - The Group HomeGroup HomeGroup Home is a hip hop duo, composed of members Lil' Dap and Melachi the Nutcracker . They came to prominence as members of the Gang Starr Foundation. Lil' Dap made his rhyming debut on Gang Starr's 1992 classic Daily Operation on the song "I'm the Man"...
song "Tha Realness" from their album Livin' ProofLivin' ProofLivin' Proof is the debut album from Gang Starr affiliates Group Home. The album featured the hit underground single "Supa Star" and featured the acclaimed production work of the legendary DJ Premier. The album is known both for the supposed sub-par rhyming and superior instrumental work...
samples bits of Prodigy's vocals ("...the realness" for the hook and "...comes equipped" on various parts of the song). - British Emcee AkalaAkalaAkala may refer to:* [[ʻĀkala]] or Rubus hawaiensis, a species of flowering plant endemic to Hawaii* Akala , English rap and hip hop artist...
samples it in his track 'This Is London' on 2004's The War Mixtape. - A sample from the end of Prodigy's verse, "take these words home and think it through", is used by East Coast Avengers in their song, "Dear Michelle", a response to Michelle MalkinMichelle MalkinMichelle Malkin is an American conservative blogger, political commentator, and author. Her weekly syndicated column appears in a number of newspapers and websites. She is a Fox News Channel contributor and has been a guest on MSNBC, C-SPAN, and national radio programs...
's criticism of their single, "Kill Bill O'ReillyBill O'Reilly (political commentator)William James "Bill" O'Reilly, Jr. is an American television host, author, syndicated columnist and political commentator. He is the host of the political commentary program The O'Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel, which is the most watched cable news television program on American television...
. - The Cashh Montana song, "Queens" samples the songs beat and some harmonies.
- DJ Design sampled some of Prodigy's lines for his song "Major (feat. B. Lloyd)"
- Trip hop musician Emancipator produced a mashup of "Shook Ones (Part II)" and Sigur RósSigur RósSigur Rós is an Icelandic post-rock band with classicaland minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound, and frontman Jónsi Birgisson's falsetto vocals and use of bowed guitar. In January 2010, the band announced that they will be on hiatus. Since then, it has since been announced...
's song "untitled 1 / Vaka" - AtmosphereAtmosphere (music group)Atmosphere is an American hip hop group from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group is composed of rapper Slug and DJ/Producer Ant...
sampled, and did a slight variation of the intro of "Shook Ones (Part II)" on their intro of "Always Coming Back Home To You". Atmosphere also sampled and did a slight variation of the hook of "Shook Ones (Part II)" in their song "Party For The Fight To Write". - Finnish group SkateManiaCs uses the beat for their song "Hoodrats".
- Rick RossRick Ross (rapper)William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...
samples this song for his song "Audio Meth", which is in an iTunes Pre-Order version of Teflon DonTeflon Don (album)Teflon Don is the fourth studio album by American rapper Rick Ross, released July 20, 2010 on Maybach Music Group and Def Jam Recordings. Production for the album took place during 2009 to 2010 and was handled by several record producers, including Clark Kent, No I.D., The Olympicks, J.U.S.T.I.C.E...
. - The song was sampled by Donell JonesDonell JonesDonell Jones is an American R&B singer, songwriter and record producer.He is most notable for the hits "U Know What's Up," "Where I Wanna Be," and his cover of Stevie Wonder's "Knocks Me Off My Feet"...
in his song "The Only One You Need". - American Pop star Lady GagaLady GaGaStefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
samples the opening instrumental and a couple of verses in an interlude known as "Paws Up" or "Antler Film". The song was also mixed with Fancy Footwork (Crooker's Remix).
Covers
- The song was covered by Grav over a slightly modified version of the instrumental.
- Bay Area rapper Ya BoyYa BoyWilliam Joseph Crawford , better known by his stage name Ya Boy, is an American rapper from the Fillmore District, San Francisco. He is a younger cousin of San Francisco rapper San Quinn and also the cousin of Bills WR Steve Johnson. Crawford graduated from El Camino High School in South San...
performed a rap over the instrumental on his mixtape The Fix - Atlanta artist B.o.BB.o.BBobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
recorded a freestyle the instrumental, entitled "The Biz" on his mixtape May 25th - Finnish rap group SMC Hoodrats performed a self-titled rap over the instrumental, sharing the original song's theme and lyrical content about inner-city youths living in infamous neighborhoods.
- Diggy Simmons (son of hip hop legend Rev Run) recorded a freestyle over the beat.
- The beat of the song was used for "Wachuwannado", a song by Krayzie BoneKrayzie BoneAnthony Henderson better known as Krayzie Bone, is an American rapper and is a former member of the rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.-Solo career:Krayzie Bone recorded his solo debut, Thug Mentality 1999, in 1998...
and The GameThe Game (rapper)Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
.
Other pop culture references
- "Shook Ones Pt. II" was also included in the beginning of the motion picture 8 Mile8 Mile (film)8 Mile is a 2002 American hip-hop drama film written by Scott Silver, directed by Curtis Hanson, and starring Eminem, Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy, and Kim Basinger....
, in which the main character Rabbit (portrayed by rapper EminemEminemMarshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
) is warming up in front of a bathroom mirror for his next battle while listening to the song. The instrumental for the song is used at the end of the movie in the final freestyle. At one point during the final battle, which used an instrumental version of the song, Rabbit alludes to the chorus in the line "This guy don't wanna battle, he's shook 'cause ain't no such thing as halfway crooks" - The song was included in the soundtrack of various videogames, including True Crime: New York CityTrue Crime: New York CityTrue Crime: New York City is an urban sandbox-style action-adventure videogame published by Activision and developed by Luxoflux for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube consoles and Windows based computers. It is the second game of the True Crime series, released after True Crime: Streets of LA...
, Marc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under PressureMarc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under PressureMarc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure is a video game released on February 14, 2006. It was developed by The Collective, Inc. and published by Atari under license by Marc Ecko...
and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City StoriesGrand Theft Auto: Liberty City StoriesGrand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is a 2005 sandbox-style action video game developed by Rockstar North and Rockstar Leeds. It is the ninth game in the Grand Theft Auto series...
. - This was used as the entrance song for Rashad EvansRashad EvansRashad Anton Evans is an American mixed martial artist from Niagara Falls, New York, currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Evans won the heavyweight division of The Ultimate Fighter 2. Evans lost the UFC Light Heavyweight...
at UFC 114UFC 114UFC 114: Rampage vs. Evans was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on May 29, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. The UFC Fan Expo took place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center....
. - In his song "Ebonics", in which he explains the meanings of popular slang words in the '90s, Big LBig LBig L may refer to:* Lamont Coleman , better know by Big L, American hip-hop artist.Or a number of British radio stations:*Big L 1395, a British radio station.*Radio Luxembourg's English-language progammes ....
claims that "Mobb Deep already explained the meaning of 'Shook'", referencing Shook Ones & Shook Ones Pt. II.
Track listing
- "Shook Ones part II" (LP version) — 5:26
- "Shook Ones part II" (instrumental) — 4:41
- "Shook Ones part II" (a cappella) — 3:49
- "Shook Ones part I" (original Version) — 4:13
- "Shook Ones part I" (instrumental) — 4:13