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Swagga Like Us: How The Posse Cut Has Evolved Over the Last Decade
When T.I., Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and M.I.A. collaborated for Swagga Like Us, it was the meeting of the Gods. T.I., Kanye, and Wayne were in their prime and Jay-Z had legitimized his comeback with the American Gangster soundtrack. Arguably the four hottest MCs at the time came together with the goal of out rapping everyone else on the track.
I still recall standing in my living room watching it performed at the Grammys and getting chills as the music turned on and the screen went black and white. At the time I could not name the exact emotion, I am now certain that feeling was the overwhelming sense of witnessing history. After M.I.A, who would give birth a week later, performed Paper Planes, the curtains opened and the four MCs draped in tuxedos and a full band emerged. They rapped each other’s lyrics, danced around the stage and rocked the otherwise calm crowd. Growing up I saw elite rappers go toe to toe with each other and let the fans decide who had the best verse, so this was a return to normalcy.
The competitive spirit and mutual respect that are necessary for posse tracks is still alive, however it is noticeably declining. Rappers welcome one or two artists on a song, but inviting three or more for friendly competition is not happening as often. Artists seem to be chasing the J. Cole feat of…
