Grindin'

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Released in 2002, "Grindin'" was the first international single from the Virginia Beach rap duo, the Clipse. The song was produced by the Neptunes and featured on the Clipse's debut album, Lord Willin'. The song became a summer anthem and was distinct because of its driving, spartan beat (presaged by previous Neptunes productions, notably "Southern Hospitality" by Ludacris), thus recalling minimalist hip-hop classics like Run-DMC's single, "Sucker MC's". Two remixes of "Grindin'" appear as bonus tracks on Lord Willin'. One, simply identified as "Remix" features guest rhymes from N.O.R.E., Baby, and Lil Wayne. The other, a Caribbean-flavored (by way of Canada) version appropriately titled "Selector Remix," features vocals from Sean Paul, Kardinal Offishall, and Bless. The unmistakable beat and its sound effects of metal slamming and vocal pops resurfaced again in 2003, when it backed Jay-Z's guest verse on the remix of the Young Gunz song, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop." It was also very briefly incorporated into the remix of "Crew Deep" by Mad Skillz, a Virginia Beach posse jam which featured Missy Elliott and Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes, in addition to the Clipse.