One of the greatest rewards of diving into the golden age of hip-hop is unearthing a collaboration between two titans of the era. Not that these aren’t well-known collaborations, but some of the biggest songs from the era feature a multitude of revered emcees rapping over a single beat. Just look at Tribe’s “Scenario” with Busta Rhymes or Nas teaming up with Scarface on “Favor for a Favor,” each example containing a unique chemistry that can only be achieved through a lack of ego and creativity without limitations. Of all these collaborations, Biggie and Method Man’s “The What” is one of the best. Only a few weeks after Method Man’s 1994 debut, Ready to Die hit the shelves. Two young giants are finding their footing amongst fame and notoriety, putting everything behind them to deliver venomous verses over a hypnotic instrumental provided by Easy Mo Bee.
We unearthed a live performance for this week’s Golden Age Thursday that should be displayed at MoMA. Originally aired on a local New York City station, Biggie is joined by Method Man for a lively performance of their classic collaboration. Through the grainy video footage, you can hear the deafening crowd reaction as each artist begins their verse. The chorus is belted harmoniously from the packed room as two young artists cement themselves as generational talents.
Notorious big feat Method man – The What (Live)
