fantastic cross-genre rap collaborations?
May 10, 2011 10:56 AM Subscribe
Help me find really good rap songs with hooks that are sung by non-rap artists?
I'm liking these collaborative rap songs where the (completely addictive) hook is sung by a guest artist from a different genre--songs like Airplanes (B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams), Written In The Stars (Tinie Tempah feat. Eric Turner), Love The Way You Lie (Eminem feat. Rihanna). There's something highly appealing about the contrast of the emotionally intense rapping with the melodic singing.
Recommendations? These are all mainstream examples, and I'd be delighted with anything more obscure/complex/interesting. I don't really know anything about rap/hip-hop music, so feel free to assume that I haven't heard anything besides these three songs.
I'm liking these collaborative rap songs where the (completely addictive) hook is sung by a guest artist from a different genre--songs like Airplanes (B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams), Written In The Stars (Tinie Tempah feat. Eric Turner), Love The Way You Lie (Eminem feat. Rihanna). There's something highly appealing about the contrast of the emotionally intense rapping with the melodic singing.
Recommendations? These are all mainstream examples, and I'd be delighted with anything more obscure/complex/interesting. I don't really know anything about rap/hip-hop music, so feel free to assume that I haven't heard anything besides these three songs.
Lupe Fiasco samples Modest Mouse as the hook on The Show Goes On, that's pretty weird.
posted by 2bucksplus at 10:59 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by 2bucksplus at 10:59 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
The Roots often feature John Legend, like "The Fire" from their most recent album.
Also, this is so ridiculously common, you might want to narrow it down a little. Seriously, almost every hip-hop album probably has multiple tracks that match your description.
posted by General Malaise at 11:01 AM on May 10, 2011
Also, this is so ridiculously common, you might want to narrow it down a little. Seriously, almost every hip-hop album probably has multiple tracks that match your description.
posted by General Malaise at 11:01 AM on May 10, 2011
Case in point, the somewhat ridiculous (but I think endearing) Need You Tonight, by Professor Green featuring Ed Drewett (neither of whom you've probably heard of).
posted by Admiral Haddock at 11:04 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by Admiral Haddock at 11:04 AM on May 10, 2011
"The Truth" by Handsome Boy Modeling School (feat. Roisin Murphy)
"Sadie Hawkins," by Doomtree (Dessa is a rapper, but sings, too, and this is an amazing collab with crewmate Indigo)
Talib Kweli, "I Try" (feat. Mary J. Blige)
"Coffee" by Aesop Rock (feat. John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats)
Aesop Rock + Kimya Dawson, "Delicate Cycle"
I may think of some more later ...
posted by jeffmshaw at 11:05 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
"Sadie Hawkins," by Doomtree (Dessa is a rapper, but sings, too, and this is an amazing collab with crewmate Indigo)
Talib Kweli, "I Try" (feat. Mary J. Blige)
"Coffee" by Aesop Rock (feat. John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats)
Aesop Rock + Kimya Dawson, "Delicate Cycle"
I may think of some more later ...
posted by jeffmshaw at 11:05 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
You mention things that are more "obscure/complex/interesting." Mr. Lif is working on a project with a Balkan brass brand that looks completely crazy and fantastic. Watch the video here.
posted by jeffmshaw at 11:08 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by jeffmshaw at 11:08 AM on May 10, 2011
Not exactly rap, but maybe Guns Blazing by Unkle would be of interest? Slightly obscure and quite complex/interesting.
posted by workerant at 11:12 AM on May 10, 2011
posted by workerant at 11:12 AM on May 10, 2011
"Sick of Being Lonely" - Field Mob, with Ciara on the hook.
"So What" - Field Mob, also with Ciara on the hook.
"Got Up This Morning" - Sage Francis with Jolie Holland.
posted by ndfine at 11:21 AM on May 10, 2011
"So What" - Field Mob, also with Ciara on the hook.
"Got Up This Morning" - Sage Francis with Jolie Holland.
posted by ndfine at 11:21 AM on May 10, 2011
Kanye is your homeboy in this case:
Through the Wire
All Falls Down
Slow Jamz
All of the Lights
There are a few good Adele rap remixes:
Jay Z Ft Kanye West & Adele - Never Chasing Pavement
Adele vs. Jay-Z vs. Biggie - Rolling In the Deep
Big K.R.I.T. - Hometown Hero
Some GaGa related remixes:
Wale - Chillin Ft. Lady Gaga (The Knocks Remix)
Kid Cudi - Make Her Say ft. Kanye West, Common
Also, Eminem's Stan comes to mind. You'll probably also enjoy the Fugees and Lauryn Hill's solo stuff. Really, a lot of the rap that came out in the mid-to-late 90s had some sort of R&B hook. And today, a lot of the rap that kids listen has some sort of indie hook.
posted by AceRock at 11:32 AM on May 10, 2011 [2 favorites]
Through the Wire
All Falls Down
Slow Jamz
All of the Lights
There are a few good Adele rap remixes:
Jay Z Ft Kanye West & Adele - Never Chasing Pavement
Adele vs. Jay-Z vs. Biggie - Rolling In the Deep
Big K.R.I.T. - Hometown Hero
Some GaGa related remixes:
Wale - Chillin Ft. Lady Gaga (The Knocks Remix)
Kid Cudi - Make Her Say ft. Kanye West, Common
Also, Eminem's Stan comes to mind. You'll probably also enjoy the Fugees and Lauryn Hill's solo stuff. Really, a lot of the rap that came out in the mid-to-late 90s had some sort of R&B hook. And today, a lot of the rap that kids listen has some sort of indie hook.
posted by AceRock at 11:32 AM on May 10, 2011 [2 favorites]
Oh shit, lif cut his hair? Where have I been?!?!
Obscure
Ground Components - Coming in from all angles (feat Macromantics)
Proton - Fade Away (feat Santigold)
Black Ice - Nights in the Summertime
Not so obscure
Royce 5'9 - I'm on my own planet
Royce 5'9 - Wet My Whistle (feat Sarah Stokes)
Ghostface - Cherchez La Ghost
Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind featuring Alicia Keys. (empath beat me to this one)
posted by cashman at 11:33 AM on May 10, 2011
Obscure
Ground Components - Coming in from all angles (feat Macromantics)
Proton - Fade Away (feat Santigold)
Black Ice - Nights in the Summertime
Not so obscure
Royce 5'9 - I'm on my own planet
Royce 5'9 - Wet My Whistle (feat Sarah Stokes)
Ghostface - Cherchez La Ghost
Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind featuring Alicia Keys. (empath beat me to this one)
posted by cashman at 11:33 AM on May 10, 2011
These are more sample based hooks:
"Dontgetit" - Lil Wayne (Tha Carter III) has a large sample of Nina Simone's version of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."
"Use Me Up" - UGK (Too Hard To Swallow) samples the hook from Bill Withers' "Use Me."
posted by ndfine at 11:35 AM on May 10, 2011
"Dontgetit" - Lil Wayne (Tha Carter III) has a large sample of Nina Simone's version of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."
"Use Me Up" - UGK (Too Hard To Swallow) samples the hook from Bill Withers' "Use Me."
posted by ndfine at 11:35 AM on May 10, 2011
One of my favorites is an electronic music guy Cex
He's from Baltimore, and this is a bit of his more dark work. Plus he is a real cool diy kinda guy and will actually write you back!
posted by handbanana at 11:35 AM on May 10, 2011
He's from Baltimore, and this is a bit of his more dark work. Plus he is a real cool diy kinda guy and will actually write you back!
posted by handbanana at 11:35 AM on May 10, 2011
Check out Gangstagrass - not everyone's cup of tea I'm sure, but the mix of rap and 'bluegrass' and beats does it for me - their site's not loading for me right now, but the Theme to Justified is what most folks know
posted by pupdog at 11:48 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by pupdog at 11:48 AM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
Superstar -- Lupe Fiasco
Humdrum Town - Theophilus London (I think it's the artist himself singing the hook, but it's definitely a melodic contrast to the rapping)
posted by mireille at 11:57 AM on May 10, 2011
Humdrum Town - Theophilus London (I think it's the artist himself singing the hook, but it's definitely a melodic contrast to the rapping)
posted by mireille at 11:57 AM on May 10, 2011
New Wave by Common (Featuring Laetitia Sadier Of Stereolab).
posted by rustcellar at 12:38 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by rustcellar at 12:38 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
Two other Lupe Fiasco songs have been mentioned but not may favorite: Lupe Fiasco - Daydreamin'
posted by C^3 at 12:45 PM on May 10, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by C^3 at 12:45 PM on May 10, 2011 [3 favorites]
Shaggy - Angel ft. Rayvon
Almost anything by The Lonely Island
posted by TinWhistle at 1:16 PM on May 10, 2011
Almost anything by The Lonely Island
posted by TinWhistle at 1:16 PM on May 10, 2011
I don't know if this fits the bill since I wouldn't technically call it a rap song, but maybe My Culture by 1 Giant Leap?
posted by JaredSeth at 1:23 PM on May 10, 2011
posted by JaredSeth at 1:23 PM on May 10, 2011
More Theophilus London - Why Even Try feat. Sara Quin
And more Common - Everywhere feat. Martina Topley-Bird
And more Kanye West - Homecoming feat. Chris Martin
And someone who hasn't been mentioned yet! K'naan - Bang Bang feat. Adam Levine
posted by sigmagalator at 1:27 PM on May 10, 2011
And more Common - Everywhere feat. Martina Topley-Bird
And more Kanye West - Homecoming feat. Chris Martin
And someone who hasn't been mentioned yet! K'naan - Bang Bang feat. Adam Levine
posted by sigmagalator at 1:27 PM on May 10, 2011
Not sure if mash-ups count, but this Aloe Blacc and Notorious BIG joint is awesome.
posted by AceRock at 1:27 PM on May 10, 2011
posted by AceRock at 1:27 PM on May 10, 2011
CRS (Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West & Pharrell) - Us Placers
- the entire hook is sampled from thom yorke's eraser
posted by fizzix at 1:49 PM on May 10, 2011
- the entire hook is sampled from thom yorke's eraser
posted by fizzix at 1:49 PM on May 10, 2011
You might find Plan B interesting, for example on She Said there is a mix of soul and rap, both very competently performed by the same artist.
posted by Busy Old Fool at 2:20 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Busy Old Fool at 2:20 PM on May 10, 2011 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Perplexity at 10:58 AM on May 10, 2011