Words By David D.

The Hook.

Arguably the most important element in determining a song’s success and ability to be replayed. It has made millions for talentless artists and has kept some very capable MC’s from reaching the next level. Fabolous and Papoose for instance, have struggled due to their inability to have songs with stellar hooks. Fabolous’ last album was bogged down by an R&B singer on almost every track while Pap would rather just rap for 137 straight bars without a hook.

Biggie seldom supplied his own hooks, usually relying on some sort of female vocalist or Diddy to help him out and give that classic and memorable touch to his tracks. Artists like Outkast, Jigga and Eminem have always been able to construct catchy and memorable hooks that never compromised the high-level or lyricism in the surrounding verses.

But what if the hook were to disappear? How many artists would you really be able to listen to? How many MCs have truly been able to captivate you for three minutes of straight lyricism with no break?

With that being said: I have my list of my favorite “hookless” Hip-Hop songs.

Now, a few parameters:

1. I excluded posse cuts as they usually don’t have hooks and only require an MC to spit for 16 bars generally.

2. I didn’t use narrative tracks which pretty much don’t have hooks but use the narrative to drive the track (ex. Biggie’s “Got A Story To Tell” or Ghostface’s “Shakey Dog”). Instead I opted for straight spittin…

3. Only album cuts…cuz everyone has songs with no hooks for mixtapes.

So without further ado- my list of top “Hook”-less tracks.

Andre 3000 – “A Life In The Day of Benjamin Andre”

Though this had a loose story, it was mostly 3 Stacks going on about his career for damn near five minutes. He hit us up with info on his transformation into the more eclectic Dre and even gave us a gem about his relationship with Seven’s momma: “Call Tyrone on the phone why you/ do that girl like that boy you oughta be ashamed/ the song ain’t about me and that ain’t my name.” It was the perfect ending to a classic album.

Eminem – “Rabbit Run”

Like the previous song, Eminem has a loose outlined story of an artist trying to come up with a hit record, but it’s also Em just spitting about his own personal angst through the character of Rabbit. It’s a brilliant track examining the inner workings of the artistic process.

Ghostface Killah – “Mighty Healthy”

No, I don’t really know what he’s talking about on most of the song, but damn it’s fly. Ghost just goes stream of consciousness going from his patented abstract lyrics to singing to create a helter skelter maelstrom of that style we love that made Supreme Clientele a classic.

Jay-Z – “No Hook”

After the debacle which was Kingdom Come, I had begun to lose faith in Hov. When I popped in American Gangster, this was the song that let me know he was back. The inner turmoil of a dealer was perfectly etched out in this track. I challenge you to find a better snapshot of the philosophical battle any gangster has to go through to maintain.

You know the drill…sound off.

Stray Shots

Run-DMC-Run-DMC-(Remastered)-2005

Kottonmouth Kings – High Society

Kingpin Skinny Pimp – King Of The Players Ball

AZ – S.O.S.A. (Save Our Streets AZ) (2000)

The Very Best of Otis Redding

P.A. – Pyrex Prophecy Mixtape

Big Boi Feat. Andre 3000 And Raekwon – Royal Flush CDS

Alicia_Keys-Teenage_Love_Affair-(Promo_CDS)

Organized Konfusion – (1996) – Bring It On (The Lost Remix) (Vinyl, 12″)

Jeru The Damaja – Come Clean_VLS (1993)

Blu – The Narrow Path VLS

C.R.A.C.__Blu_and_Ta_Raach_-Bullet_Through_Me-VLS-2008

Stray Shots

Win A Limited Edition Erykah Badu Vinyl 12″