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The 21 Greatest Hip-Hop Supergroups of All Time
Ah, the hip-hop supergroup. It’s a mythical hybrid beast, like a chimera or a gryphon, whose whole is greater than the sum of its constituent parts (at least ideally). But for all the planned and discussed supergroups out there, few come to fruition, and those that do are often doomed to travel the decimated rap landscape like so many zeebroids and beefalos, toiling in obscurity.
But lo! What’s that? This week is a banner week for hip-hop supergroups, you say? Slaughterhouse dropped a video on Monday, and grafted-devil saviors La Coka Nostra released an album yesterday? Well, lordy be! That must mean it’s time for another exhaustive Complex compendium! Read on to travel back in time and relive 21 of the greatest and not-so-greatest supergroups (planned and real) to bless our tape decks (yes, tape decks), presented in alphabetical order to forestall any squabbling between Cuban Link and MC Eiht.
But first, a few ground rules. It’s only a supergroup if the members came together AFTER they attained some prominence as an act in their own right (sorry, Wu and Boyz in the Hood). Pre-existing crews and label rosters aren’t supergroups, even if they all get together to make a song (sorry, DITC, Disturbin’ Tha Peace, and Fab Five). You get the idea. If we missed someone significant, let us know in the comments. And if you’re THAT burned up about Special Teamz (Edo G, Jaysaun, and Slaine) not being on this list, then keep it to yourself.
213
MEMBERS: Nate Dogg, Snoop, Warren G. The group actually existed before they got famous, but they released a 213 album later, so we’ll let it stand.
BEST KNOWN SONG: “Ain’t No Fun (If the Homies Can’t Have None)” (with Kurupt) off Snoop’s 1994 album Doggystyle (not officially a 213 song, but c’mon!)
DID THEY RELEASE AN ALBUM?: Yup! 2004’s The Hard Way (ayo!).
RATING:
BANG BANG BOOGIE
MEMBERS: Cuban Link, Hocus, Lord Tariq, Mysonne, S One (aka The We Hate Fat Joe Gang)
BEST KNOWN SONG: “Bang Bang Boogie Anthem”
DID THEY RELEASE AN ALBUM?: Kinda! Just mixtapes so far.
RATING:
RATING (IF YOU LIVE NORTH OF THE HARLEM RIVER DRIVE):
CROOKLYN DODGERS
MEMBERS: Two official iterations: (Buckshot, Masta Ace, Special Ed produced by ATCQ/Chubb Rock, Jeru, O.C. produced by Premier) and a weird bootleg third one (Jean Grae, Mos Def, Memphis Bleek produced by 9th Wonder).
BEST KNOWN SONG: “Crooklyn,” off 1994’s Crooklyn soundtrack
DID THEY RELEASE AN ALBUM?: Nope!
RATING (FIRST VERSION):
RATING (SECOND VERSION):
RATING (THIRD VERSION):
CRS (Child Rebel Soldiers)
MEMBERS: Kanye, Lupe Fiasco, Pharrell
BEST KNOWN SONG: “Us Placers”
DID THEY RELEASE AN ALBUM?: Nope!
RATING:
RATING (IF YOU HAVE NO INDIVIDUAL SENSE OF STYLE):
EMC
MEMBERS: Masta Ace, Punchline, Wordsworth, Stricklin (who?)
BEST KNOWN SONG: “Block Episode,” off Masta Ace’s 2001 album Disposable Arts
DID THEY RELEASE AN ALBUM?: Yup! 2008’s The Show
RATING:
FANTASTIC FOUR
MEMBERS: Black Thought, Common, Pharoahe Monch, Talib Kweli (rumors also abounded about Psychic Friends, which swapped out Talib for Jeru da Damaja)
BEST KNOWN SONG: A freestyle on Rawkus’ backpacker classic Lyricist Lounge Vol. 1 (minus Talib and plus Absolute from House of Reps)
DID THEY RELEASE AN ALBUM?: Hahahahahah! We mean, nope!
RATING:
THE FIRM
MEMBERS: AZ, Foxy Brown, Nas, Cormega/Nature
BEST KNOWN SONG: “Phone Tap”/”Firm Biz”
DID THEY RELEASE AN ALBUM?: Yup! The Album (1997)
RATING (NAS + DRE AND STILL GARBAGE!):
Dave July 15, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I’m just gonna throw it out there, Army of the Pharaohs? Sure their underground but they have their reputations. Now they’re a supergroup.
Save July 15, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Yea, the list is pretty impressive…But if ya’ll could mention Weathermen, ya’ll could’ve said Army of the Pharaohs.
Sam July 15, 2009 at 6:36 pm
how could u forget children of the corn. cam’ron, mase, big l, bloodshed, herb mcgruff & digga. Thats a supergroup
Complex Sez July 15, 2009 at 6:58 pm
They were all nobodies when they were in a group, bro.
CHILE ! July 15, 2009 at 7:25 pm
So was 213
Complex Sez July 16, 2009 at 12:04 pm
213 put out a commercially available album once they were all stars in their own right.
The Big Sleep July 18, 2009 at 6:06 am
So did D.I.T.C./the Diggin’ in the Crates crew.
Black Chanler July 15, 2009 at 6:47 pm
No Justus Leage?
DeShawn Stevenson July 15, 2009 at 6:57 pm
“In related news, they might want to look into getting a Delorean.” bwahahahaahaha.. watch out Goldie Loc might come shoot your ass
JLH July 15, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Cool list and all but how does EMC get a rating of 3?
supermario July 15, 2009 at 7:15 pm
native tongues get no love? ATCQ, De La, Jungle Brothers and the rest all got deals or were at least making records before any of them joined up.
ill will July 15, 2009 at 7:41 pm
How the hell it aint got Bone Thugs, ATCQ, Outkast on here
rumrunner July 15, 2009 at 9:35 pm
i don’t think you understood the concept
FRAZE July 15, 2009 at 7:43 pm
WAt About BlackStarR?
You Don't July 15, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Understand the concept.
j'son July 15, 2009 at 11:15 pm
no harlem world? what kinda scam we running here??
Walt Harp July 15, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Westside Connection, only a rating of 3. But then again I do know where Slauson is. I guess I accept the disclaimer rating. LOL.
And the Delorean line was classic comedy. and the truth.
P.O.E July 16, 2009 at 12:31 am
how can you say the gravediggaz only good album was their first….for horrorcore fans yeah it might be but to hip hop fans man the second, the pick,the sickle, and the shovel was on some thought provoking shit. any hip hop fan needs to listen to that shit. “we come to dig you up outta your graves”..
z27 July 16, 2009 at 3:19 am
what no D.I.T.C. or original terror squad cmon their shit was hard
z27 July 16, 2009 at 3:21 am
never mind i didnt read that at the top
maq July 16, 2009 at 4:32 am
what about the commission? jay-z biggie charlie baltimore
GOLDEN STATE July 16, 2009 at 6:40 am
Wouldn’t you say “Card Molly” as Golden State’s most well-known song?
CanadaStandUp July 16, 2009 at 11:58 am
Westside Connection should definetly get higher than 3..
How about Reflection Eternal?
Talked about but ain’t happened (yet) Wish list: Scarface, Ice Cube & Nas ,,,,,Scarface, Jigga & Beanie Siegel
Ja$e July 16, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Scarfacce, Jigga and Sigel > Scarface, Nas and Cube Guess Who’s Back is crack.
CanadaStandUp July 16, 2009 at 2:45 pm
^^^Agreed..one of my favorite Kanye beats….anything from ‘The Fix’ is classic status
jonny July 17, 2009 at 5:52 pm
wack ass list
Dart_Adams July 18, 2009 at 9:54 am
Army Of The Pharaohs? Justice League? Weathermen? Demigodz? SPECIAL TEAMZ?
LOL
One.
Champclay59 July 19, 2009 at 4:46 pm
ATTN: COMPLEX….WHAT ABOUT CHILDEN OF THE CORN
CAMRON,BIG-L,MASE,and DIGGA
john August 11, 2009 at 1:44 am
Wheres bootcamp? what a shit list
Kevin January 9, 2010 at 5:53 am
Nah, this list sucks. No Native Tongues?
DRE January 18, 2010 at 12:58 am
GOODIE MOBB
bacdafucup January 29, 2010 at 5:18 am
Group: Wu-Tang Clan (Method, GZA, RZA, Rae, Deck, Ghost, ODB, MK , U-God)
Could be considered Supergroup: (Redman and Method Man)
Both of their careers shot up individually before they became a group, making them a “supergroup”.
Now do you people get the concept?
bacdafucup January 29, 2010 at 5:21 am
HOT BOYS ISN’T A SUPERGROUP.