Rappin' to the choir

September 14, 2008 4:50 PM

Tell me of your favorite hip hop joints that feature a gospel style chorus.

I'm not interested in Christian hip hop per se. What I am interested in is hip hop artists who have used upbeat, hand-clappin', foot-stompin', multi-voice, gospel choir-style refrains in their songs.

Held Down by De La Soul & Get By by Talib Kweli are pretty much perfect examples of what I'm looking for.

posted by jammy to media & arts (11 answers total)

My first thought was "Jesus Walks" by Kanye West. But that's pretty obvious.
posted by ginagina at 5:20 PM on September 14, 2008 [1 favorite]

This Way - Dilated Peoples feat. Kanye West
Never Let Me Down - Kanye West feat. Jay-Z and J-Ivy

(clearly a Kanye specialty...)
posted by cosmic osmo at 5:36 PM on September 14, 2008

Talib Kweli - Get By (also samples gospel-influenced Nina Simone's Sinnerman)
posted by phrontist at 6:20 PM on September 14, 2008

“Bombs Over Baghdad” by Outcast
“Go Go Gadget Gospel” by Gnarls Barkley
posted by bonobo at 6:22 PM on September 14, 2008

“Tennessee” by Arrested Development
posted by bonobo at 6:37 PM on September 14, 2008

...Outkast
posted by bonobo at 6:47 PM on September 14, 2008

Talib Kweli - Hostile Gospel Pt. 1
Talib Kweli - More or Less
posted by mhuckaba at 8:04 PM on September 14, 2008

Also, MAYBE this:
Outkast & UGK - International Player's Anthem
posted by mhuckaba at 8:08 PM on September 14, 2008

Church, also by De La Soul, has a chorus sample intertwined into the beat. It's very catchy!
posted by saxamo at 8:15 PM on September 14, 2008

Another obvious choice: Pray by M.C. Hammer. Or just Hammer.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 11:18 PM on September 14, 2008

Fuzzy Skinner: "Another obvious choice: Pray by M.C. Hammer. Or just Hammer."

"Do Not Pass Me By," by Hammer, was the first song to come to mind. The choir chorus really gets you moving.
posted by WCityMike at 9:53 AM on September 22, 2008