In hip hop, fans and critics often marvel at and put a premium on the supreme soloists or groups who can craft classic songs and bodies of work while remaining the central figure. However, the most electric moments in the culture occur when multiple emcees collaborate on a track with the sole purpose of asserting themselves as the most lyrically gifted by delivering an epic rhyme spill that outclasses the others. Throughout the years, the songs — which are generally referred to as “posse-cuts” — have become some of the most memorable in the genre’s history, as rap’s most legendary stars team up on wax and bringing the most rabid of rap fans’ fantasies to reality.
In celebration of these historic songs and what they mean to the culture, REVOLT Presents: Tale of the Tape, our series in which we break down the greatest posse cuts of all-time and rank the verses from worst to first.
In our latest installment of the series, we’ll be revisiting “Impeach The President,” a song from Immortal Technique, one of the more politically conscious MCs in hip hop history. Hailing from New York City, Immortal Technique made waves during the early aughts with his independent albums, Revolutionary Vol. 1 and Revolutionary Vol. 2, both earning him acclaim in underground circles. Known for addressing global issues centered around race, poverty, religion, and politics; the rapper quickly became one of the more outspoken artists in hip hop. Using his music and voice as platforms to help create awareness and change, by the mid aughts, Immortal Technique had established himself as one of the more respected artists in the indie circuit.
It was around this time that Immortal Technique began to branch out and work on side projects and collaborations with other artists. One release that caused a stir was “Impeach the President,” which saw Immortal Technique setting his sights on a familiar target, the United States President at the time, George W. Bush. Produced by Just Blaze and hosted by DJ Green Lantern, “Impeach the President” finds Immortal Technique being joined by Dead Prez and Saigon — like-minded artists with the lyrical chops to approach the topic at hand. The result is an unsung posse-cut that takes the powers that be to task, a tried-and-true tradition in hip hop.
Without further adieu, check out our ranking of the verses on “Impeach The President.”
4. stic.man
The Floridian arm of Dead Prez keeps things on brand with this prickly verse aimed squarely at then-President Bush. Turning in a continuation of his group-mates verse, stic.man pegs Bush as a figurehead and levies idle threats against the polarizing commander-in-chief. Calling for the government to be abolished and replaced by a republic ran by the citizens, stic.man envisions himself as the leader of the free world on this outing.
Standout Lyrics: “I’ll push Bush off the White House roof/Calling chickens coming home to roost, it’s overdue/For millions taken advantage of, taken for granted/For the hungry, for the ‘hood, for the good of the planet.”
3. M-1
An avid activist off the mic, as well as behind it, M-1 uses his history of community organizing and engaging in petitions as evidence of his dedication to the cause. On this outing, the Dead Prez member declares that his first order of business if appointed president would be to address the housing crisis plaguing urban communities across the country. Getting off his sentiments in dexterous fashion, M-1 taps his group-mate as secretary of defense with this efficient collection of rhymes.
Standout Lyrics: “If I could be president, I would lower the rent/And make stic.man my secretary of defense/My whole cabinet would be niggas who ain’t havin’ it/You think it’s fucked up now?/Just watch how bad it gets.”
2. Saigon
Saigon pens an open letter to Former President Bush with this introductory string of couplets, which finds the New Yorker highlighting the various missteps involving Bush and his cabinet. Highlighting the politician’s strained relationship with the black and Latin communities, as well as his attacks on the religion of Islam, The Yardfather gives an unfiltered appraisal of Bush’s time in office. Pointing to atrocities like the dead troops murdered in Iraq, and the casualties who passed away as a result of the government’s mishandling of Hurricane Katrina, Sai Giddy makes his case for impeachment a strong one.
Standout Lyrics: “When 2Pac comes back the beef is on, W/You wonder why the black and Latin people don’t love ya/Well, uhm, first, we can start with the church/You’re politicizing religion, you and your father’s the worst/And um, next: Ya’ll took welfare checks/Give us diseases and then collect health care debts?/You only think about yourself/You sendin’ niggas to war while your rifle is on the shelf.”
1. Immortal Technique
Never one to hold his tongue, Immortal Technique lays down a lengthy diatribe tearing into Former President Bush, airing all of his dirty laundry and putting his personal transgressions on Front Street. After throwing Bush’s Former Vice President Dick Cheney under the bus, the fiery MC touches on the hypocrisy of his political stances and his religious values, including The Patriot Act and the U.S.’s war in Afghanistan. All is fair in love and war, and it’s clear all love is lost between Bush and Immortal Technique, who takes the gloves off on this takedown of one of the most vilified political figures in history.
Standout Lyrics: “He’s got a supreme court full of religious fanatics/Let me break down the mechanics:/Al-Qaeda and America been doin’ business well/They’re tighter than Interscope and XXL/From the patriot act to rape in Iraq to/Russia’s war with Afghanistan taking it back to Texas/Governor, your state is the most polluted/And you had the most niggas executed.”
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