Meaning of “Shook Ones (Part II)” by Mobb Deep

“Shook Ones (Part II)”, which hit the marketplace on 7 February 1995, most notably, in terms of official achievements, peaked at number 7 on the US Hot Rap Singles chart and was eventually certified platinum in the United Kingdom. 

But for rap aficionados who were actually around during the 1990s, this song is recognized as an indisputable classic, with Prodigy in particular providing one of the best lyrical performances in the genre’s history. For example, Eminem used this song, not one of his own, during the intro of 2002 semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile. 

Moreover, this track proved to be Mobb Deep’s breakthrough single and remained their signature song throughout the duo’s nearly three decades of existence and beyond.

Logic would dictate that Mobb Deep would still be around to this day if not for the passing of Prodigy, who suffered from sickle cell anemia, in 2017 at the age of 42. His Mobb Deep co-star, Havoc, is still technically active, but there aren’t any entries in his discography post-2017. So these days when you hear about Mobb Deep, it’s usually along the lines of the pair being recognized as an honorable hip-hop act.

Credits for “Shook Ones (Part II)”

“Shook Ones (Part II)” served as the lead single to “The Infamous”, which also proved to be Mobb Deep’s best-selling album (though others fared better critically). This song was written by the aforementioned Prodigy and Havoc, with the latter also producing the track. 

In putting together the instrumental, Hav sampled 1970’s “Jessica” by Herbie Hancock, 1972’s “Kitty with the Bent Frame” by Quincy Jones, as well as the original “Shook Ones“, which he also produced. 

This was back in the days before the industry really began paying attention to samples used in rap songs, so neither Hancock or Jones are acknowledged as composers. And to note as for the original “Shook Ones”, which came out in 1994, that particular tune has more or less slid into obscurity and is only remembered as serving as the predecessor to Part II.

The music video to this track – which featured other rappers from the Queensbridge, NYC area beside Mobb Deep – was directed by Froi Cuesta. 

The song is a product of these labels:

• Sony Music Entertainment
• RCA Records
• Loud Records

The Lyrics of “Shook Ones (Part II)”

The instrumental to the track is okay, but what really makes this song a classic is its first verse, as rendered by Prodigy. Any rapper worth his salt is able to relay tales from the ‘hood akin to this one. But Prod does so with an unprecedented level of clarity, where you can clearly make out every word being relayed, besides authentically coming off as someone who had genuine experience living that life.

That said, the sentiments being relayed are common to this brand of rap music. For instance, Prod commences the verse by giving a shoutout to his crew and his ‘hood. Then he goes about alluding to their formidability – and especially his in particular – when it comes to street. 

Afterwards, the rapper points to the main topic of the song, which is calling out fake thugs. But his words take on a deeper meaning, implying how volatile the streets of New York can be in general, such as “the wrong ways” being able to promptly place a soul in danger.

The verse proceeds to take on a more personal tone, in which Prodigy is calling out an unnamed rival in particular. And in that regard, he depicts his crew as being more dangerous than that of his enemy’s.

Then comes perhaps the most-memorable part of the entire track, in which the vocalist notes that despite being “only 19” years old at the time, his “mind is old”. 

“I’m only nineteen, but my mind is old”

In other words, he possesses the type of wisdom derived from being experienced on the street. This includes Prod acknowledging that he too can catch a bullet. But in that regard, he concludes that he was to leave the mortal plane in such a fashion, he’d prefer to do so in his hometown of Queens. 

Or put otherwise, the vocalist is not afraid of death, and he remains cool under fire. And again, the verse is not only about Prodigy depicting himself as a tough guy but also advising others, in a threatening way, that they shouldn’t feign thugism unless they’re truly willing to go all out in living up to that ideology.

Or as Hav puts it in the chorus that follows, there’s “no such things as halfway crooks”. Another way of looking at that statement is as true gangstas, as idealized, being such that they aren’t afraid to pull the trigger. 

Those who don’t live up to that standard are “scared to death” and “scared to looked”. Or put alternatively yet again, if they’re in a potentially life-threatening situation, such as being in someone else’s territory for instance, they wouldn’t even want to make eye contact with another thug.

“Son, they shook
‘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
Livin’ the life that of diamonds and guns
There’s numerous ways you can choose to earn funds
So 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”

And no disrespect to Havoc, but his verse which comes after the chorus is completely overshadowed, insignificant even, in comparison to Prodigy’s lyrical contribution. But that being said, at first he picks up on a similar idea as the one mentioned above, which is presenting his ‘hood as a very dangerous one. 

And relatedly, Hav implies that he’s an unhesitant gunslinger, as spending “13 years in the projects”, i.e. the infamous public housing system of New York City, has made him that way. So similar to Prodigy, he’s warning those who feel they got something to prove not to rub him the wrong way. That’s because as further implied, he’s not someone who’s just rapping about busting gats but will indeed do so if he’s compelled to.

The song ultimately concludes with the vocalist giving a shoutout to various criminals out there, such as “all the villains” and “real brothers who ain’t got no feelings”. These are those who do what they feel they have to do in order to make money and defend themselves. 

And in that regard, he also recognizes his crew, the Queensbridge posse. So yes, this song does, both directly and indirectly, celebrate the lifestyles of street-based, gun-toting thugs. But so it is in the setting Prod and Hav found themselves in, one where the most-popular guys in the ‘hood tended to be those who were the toughest.

In Conclusion

Of all the gangsta rap songs in circulation out there, to this day “Shook Ones (Part II)” comes off as being one of the most credible in terms of presenting its vocalists as actual gunslingers. That is not to say that we have any evidence of Prodigy or Havoc ever actually shooting anybody (though Prod did get arrested a number of times on gun charges). 

But after listening to these lyrics, it’s pretty obvious that they were familiar with the streets and the type of mentality a young man often needed to possess to survive in such environments with respectability.