Legendary hip hop duo Mobb Deep recently received a major honor when their 1995 smash "Shook Ones Pt. II" was voted the #1 hip hop beat of all time.
The victory comes courtesy of a year-end list compiled by the team at Rock The Bells. Their expert panel of DJs and producers ranked 50 iconic hip hop instrumentals, with "Shook Ones" beating out tracks like Nas' "NY State of Mind," Tribe Called Quest's "Electric Relaxation," and Dr. Dre's "Still D.R.E."
Produced solely by Mobb Deep's Havoc using a grimy piano melody and strings, "Shook Ones Pt. II" was the lead single off the group's critically acclaimed album The Infamous.
Upon hearing the news, an excited Havoc thanked fans for the accolade, also paying tribute to deceased Mobb Deep rapper Prodigy who passed away in 2017.
While Rock The Bells' top spot differs from other recent beat rankings, the timeless appeal and influence of "Shook Ones Pt. II" is undeniable. As hip hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, the dark, menacing production stands out as the greatest backdrop for the vivid street poetry that made Mobb Deep legendary.