EML Guest Playlist #1 - ‘An Ode To The Posse Cut’ by Mike Aikman
In the first of a new series of special Guest Playlists by like-minded music lovers across Edinburgh’s creative community, we get schooled in the art of the ‘posse cut’ (a track featuring at least 4 different artists/rappers) by hip hop lover and drinks industry dude Mike Aikman. Strap in for 21 wall-to-wall bangers that show the incredible lyrical artistry of hip hop.
Mike runs Mothership, the company behind three brilliant cocktail bars in Edinburgh (Bramble, Lucky Liquor Co, The Last Word Saloon) and a range of spirits and liqueurs. Music is an integral part of all the bars, especially Bramble, the basement bar where world-class cocktails are served to a head-nodding hip hop soundtrack.
LISTEN TO THE PLAYLIST ON MIXCLOUD HERE OR HIT THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW
The Playlist - An Ode to the Posse Cut
by Mike Aikman
This playlist is one that has been bubbling in my head for a while. It’s called ‘An Ode to the Posse Cut’, which (for me) is a track featuring at least 4 separate artists/rappers. I’ve always enjoyed the collaborative side of hip hop, with artists regularly featuring on other songs, regardless of location, style etc.
I got into hip hop in the late 80’s, mostly thanks to my older brother who played NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton” and Jungle Brothers’ “Straight Out The Jungle” on repeat in his room. It was so original and different to anything else I was hearing at that point. Loads of kids at my school were into rock, then there was a happy hardcore/techno contingent, but something immediately just rang my bell with rap and hip hop.
So many people still associate hip hop with angry, violent men but there is so much more to it than that. There is certainly some choice language in this mix (looking at you, Mr Pharoahe Monch) but many of the songs feature a positive message. For example, “A Tree Never Grown” was recorded in response to police brutality in the US in the late-90’s, specifically the situation with Amadou Diallo. To me, it is a beautifully haunting song that never got the fame it deserved.
Another important one is “Self Destruction”, which was made by the Stop The Violence Movement. Led by KRS One to encourage unity after an increase of violence in hip hop in the late-80’s, including the murder of his bandmate and friend Scott La Rock and BDP.
I love all the songs on this mix (so much so I had to cut it down from over 40 tracks to get to the final 21!) and could talk about an aspect that I love about every track. For example: “Live at the BBQ” is the first song Nas ever appeared on, when he was still called Nasty Nas, years before he released his classic Illmatic album. The Big Daddy Kane track “Show & Prove” was also one of the first songs which a young (and hungry) Jay-Z appeared on.
Full tracklisting:
1 MC SERCH, BACK TO THE GRILL
2 A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, SCENARIO
3 MAIN SOURCE, LIVE AT THE BBQ
4 BIG DADDY KANE, SHOW & PROVE
5 JOELL ORTIZ, BLACK ROCK
6 MARLEY MARL, THE SYMPHONY
7 VARIOUS/MOS DEF, A TREE NEVER GROWN
8 JUNGLE BROTHERS, DOIN OUR OWN DANG
9 PHAROAHE MONCH, SIMON SAYS REMIX
10 STOP THE VIOLENCE, SELF DESTRUCTION
11 LL COOL J, 4,3,2,1
12 COOL BREEZE, WATCH FOR THE HOOK
13 C-RAYZ WALZ, THE LINEUP
14 MR LIF, POST MORTEM
15 BLACK STAR, TWICE INNA LIFETIME
16 ELZHI, FIRE REMIX
17 CHANCE THE RAPPER, FINISH LINE DROWN
18 BLACK SHEEP , PASS THE 40
19 LEADERS OF THE NEW SCHOOL, SPONTANEOUS
20 DJ HONDA, OUT 4 THE CASH
21 LOST BOYZ, BEASTS FROM THE EAST
Hope you enjoy this Guest Playlist - keep an eye out for the next one soon….!