It’s 2004. Fuzzy hats and velour track suits are still cool, yet to be replaced by jeans, fitted caps and snapbacks. It’s the golden age of club rap: forget the moody lyricism of Kanye, the titans of the charts are Nelly and 50 Cent. The hit of the year begins with an up–tempo beat and almost tropical bird calls, and then, from out of nowhere, “HAAAAAAAAAA!” It’s not a laugh. It’s like a duck call (if that duck had golden grills and was issuing a call to get crunk).
This is probably the best description I have for the Ying Yang Twins and their magnum opus, “Salt Shaker.” It's the era of the booty–shaking club anthem at its finest. As the twins enjoin us to “shake it like a salt shaker” in their uniquely guttural baritones, you almost have no choice but to do it.
And for 2004 onwards, that’s what we did — this track enjoyed endless replays in America’s sweet sixteens, clubs and — most memorable for me — bar mitzvahs. Because there’s just nothing like shakin’ your salt shaker and getting crunk with bubbeh and zadeh.
More in Music: Decemberists Review Six Degrees of Collaboration
