“Shook Ones Part I” and “Shook Ones Part II” are songs by the legendary NYC rap duo Mobb Deep. Mobb Deep is very high up on my list of Best Rap Duos of all time (A topic I plan on blogging about eventually), and Prodigy and Havoc were only 20 years old when The Infamous was released in 1995, which is something that blows my mind upon every listen
Now most of you are probably familiar with “Shook Ones Part II”, seeing as it is one of the most recognizable rap beats of all time and it is frequently used as a freestyle beat, but a surprising amount of people I’ve talked to were completely unaware that there actually is a Part I. There are a few reasons for this. For starters, “Shook Ones Part II” was the lead single for Mobb Deep’s 1995 album The Infamous, while Part I wasn’t officially released until their next album came out, Hell on Earth, in 1996. Kind of a weird move to release Part II before Part I, but I’m sure Quentin Tarantino would approve of this “Timelines don’t matter” move
I think another reason why Part II is way more known than Part I is because it, surprisingly, contains no swears. I don’t have any proof of this, but I always just assumed this was a move to get the song on the radio easier, but that is just speculation. Anyway, because Part II is self-censored and the beat is so good, it got out to a way wider audience
As for which version I think is better, I’d have to go with Part II just because of how iconic that beat is. However, I fucking love the Part I beat too. There’s just something about that raw, dark beat combined with the uncensored lyrics that makes it go so hard
Anyway, it’s a Friday night, multiple beers have already been cracked, and these songs have me feeling pumped up and ready to not take shit from anybody. Just remember guys: If somebody gets in your face tonight, look them right in the eye and say, “You ain’t a crook son. You’re just a shook one!”
Lastly, to close this blog out, Rest in peace Prodigy. Sucks that a legend is gone, and it REALLY sucks that he died in the most non-gangster way of all time (He was in the hospital due to his sickle cell anemia and he choked to death on an egg)
PS: Those Hennessy jerseys that Havoc and Prodigy are wearing in the “Shook Ones Part II” music video are so fire, but sadly, I’m far too white to ever wear something that fresh
LYRICS
PART 1
PART 2
Yeah, to all the killers and a hundred dollar billas
(Yo I got the phone thing, know I’m sayin’? Keep your eyes open)
For real niggas who ain’t got no feelings
(No doubt son, keep your eyes open)
(I got this, I got this)
(Just watch my back, I got your front, yo)
Check it out now
(Word up, say it to them niggas, check this out it’s a murda)
You heard of us, official Queensbridge murderers
The Mobb comes equipped for warfare, beware
Of my crime family who got ‘nough shots to share
For all of those, who wanna profile and pose
Rock you in your face, stab your brain with your nose bone
You all alone in these streets, cousin
Every man for they self in this land we be gunning
And keep them shook crews running, like they supposed to
They come around but they never come close to
I can see it inside your face, you’re in the wrong place
Cowards like you just get they whole body laced up
With bullet holes and such
Speak the wrong words man and you will get touched
You can put your whole army against my team and
I guarantee you it’ll be your very last time breathing
Your simple words just don’t move me, you’re minor, we’re major
You’re all up in the game and don’t deserve to be a player
Don’t make me have to call your name out
Your crew is featherweight, my gunshots’ll make you levitate
I’m only nineteen but my mind is old
And when the things get for real my warm heart turns cold
Another nigga deceased, another story gets told
It ain’t nothing really, ayo dun, spark the Phillie
So I can get my mind off these yellowbacked niggas
Why they still alive I don’t know, go figure
Meanwhile back in Queens the realness and foundation
If I die I couldn’t choose a better location
When the slugs penetrate you feel a burning sensation
Getting closer to God in a tight situation
Now, take these words home and think it through
Or the next rhyme I write might be about you
‘Cause ain’t no such things as halfway crooks
Scared to death, scared to look, they shook
‘Cause ain’t no such things as halfway crooks
Scared to death, scared to look
Living the live that of diamonds and guns
There’s numerous ways you can choose to earn funds
Some get shot, locked down and turn nuns
Cowardly hearts and straight up shook ones, shook ones
He ain’t a crook son, he’s just a shook one
Yo it’s a must, in gats we trust, safeguarding my life
Ain’t no time for hesitation, that only leads to incarceration
You don’t know me, there’s no relation
Queensbridge and we don’t play, I don’t got time
For your petty thinking mind, son, I’m bigger than those
Claiming that you pack heat but you’re scared to hold
And once the smoke clears you’ll be left with one in your dome
13 years in the projects, my mentality is what, kid?
You talk a good one but you don’t want it
Sometimes I wonder do I deserve to live
Or am I gonna burn in hell for all the things I did?
No time to dwell on that ’cause my brain reacts
Front if you want kid, lay on your back
I don’t fake jax, kid, you know I bring it to you live
Stay in a child’s place, kid you outta line
Criminal minds thirsty for recognition
I’m sipping, E&J got my mind flipping
I’m bugging, digging my ways out of holes by hustling
Get that loot kid, you know my function
‘Cause long as I’m alive I’ma live illegal
And once I get on I’ma put on all my people
React quick, spit lyrics like MACs, I hit your dome up
When I roll up, don’t be caught sleeping ’cause I’m creeping
‘Cause ain’t no such things as halfway crooks
Scared to death, scared to look, they shook
‘Cause ain’t no such things as halfway crooks
Scared to death, scared to look, they shook
(We live the life that of diamonds)
‘Cause ain’t no such things as halfway crooks
Scared to death, scared to look, they shook
‘Cause ain’t no such things as halfway crooks
There’s numerous ways you can choose to earn funds
Some get shot, locked down and turn nuns
Cowardly hearts and straight up shook ones, shook ones
He ain’t a crook son, he’s just a shook one
To all the villains and a hundred dollar billers
To real brothers who ain’t got no feelings, yeah
The whole Bridge, Queens get the money
41st side, keepin’ it real, you know
Queens get the money
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