Sample Flips: Screwball – “Who Shot Rudy?” (Prod. by K. Jones)
Menacing Queensbridge crew details fictional assassination of former New York Mayor.
The hip hop Queensbridge tradition is well-documented. From Marley Marl, to Nas, Cormega and Mobb Deep, Queensbridge (a housing project in Queens, New York), has produced some of the most prolific hip hop artists and beatmakers. Back in 2000, Screwball, a rap group from Queensbridge, continued this storied tradition with their debut album release, Y2K: The Album. Made up of members Blaq Poet, Hostyle, KL, & Solo, Screwball’s debut was led by controversial single, “Who Shot Rudy?” and DJ Premier produced, “Seen It All.” The album would go on to receive critical acclaim; but it’s the song, “Who Shot Rudy?” that’s stuck with me the most since I heard it as a kid.
Some rappers are known for pushing the boundaries of what’s politically correct and what isn’t. But how many rappers or groups can say they’ve gone as far as creating a fictional assassination tale? And not just a regular assassination, a detailed, methodical, intimidating narrative of someone murdering the sitting New York City Mayor. Screwball can. “Who Shot Rudy?” is about a fictional assassination of former New York Mayor, Rudy Giuliani. The song is both mind-boggling and good. The sample-based beat is sinister, and Solo’s elaborate lyricism is equally menacing.
The music and video below is presented here for the purpose of scholarship.
Screwball – “Who Shot Rudy?” (Prod. by K. Jones)
