From it's infamous start with things like Run DMC vs. Aerosmith, to more aquired tastes, like that of Public Enemy, its always been there (and even more recently with the likes of holywood undead). As long as there has been Hip Hop, there has been someone willing to push the envelope, and experiment by mixing it with something else.
It's what you'd expect from a genre of music that relies so heavily on turntablism and inovative producers to keep it afloat.
But nowadays with the scene so heavily dominated by the worthy talents of Mike Shinoda, what else is there to listen too? What else should you check out? Well, here's ten to get you started.
1) Ill Bill, Immortal Technique and Max Cavelera - War Is My Destiny.
Not as such a remix or mash-up, as a true crossover, I'll start my list with this one. As it was meant to be from it's conception, a crossover. Using the harsh stylings of Immortal Technique, and the famous talents of Ill Bill, to lay down a vicious sounding track, and outlaying it with the gutteral metal that is Max Cavelera's domain.
Obviously, the brazilian born Cavelera is famous for his work with Sepultura and Soulfly, rarely straying from his own style of empowering metal. While Immortal technique, is slightly less well known, but for his politicaly enfused, intelligent and angry rap style. They meet incredibly well here over this Ill Bill track, infused with emotion and raw anger.
Oh, and FYI, the video is amazing.
2) X-ecutioners - (Even) more Human that Human
I did struggle to include this on in the list, as the X-ecutioners work quite closely with Shinoda from time to time, but they are extremely accomplished artists within their own right. Currently comprised of Roc Raida, Mista Sinista, Rob Swift and Total Eclipse the group of turntablists and Grand Masta's have an intresting history.
Originaly named for and after the Marvel Comics, they had to change their names for legal reasons, but have thrived due to the groups massive collective talent.
Roc Raida, along with Vlad the Impaler, and Mike Shinoda, released an amazing album called "Rock Phenominon" full of remixes and mashups of metal, with Hip Hop and Rap music. Check it out, it's a fantastic piece of beatoligy.
This song itself throws together Slug, from Atmosphere fame, with Rob Zombie (formerly of White Zombie) in a track that is pure genious.
3) Sage Francis - Got Up This Morning
Firmly in the world of underground Hip Hop, Sage Francis is a cult icon and hero to those disenfranchised with current Rap Music. Along with Buck 65, who produced this record they form some of the last refuge for intelligent lyrical intruiging Hip Hop.
This track mixes together guitar music with a very old west feel to it, and Sage Francis' musky voice and intense lyrics to create a record that you just can't stop listening to.
4) DJ Stylewarz Feat. D-flame and Torch - Bitter Wer?
Another song I struggled to include, purely on the basis, it's german. I listen to alot of world music, but I know alot of people in England dong really bother (other than of course the obligatory Rammstein for the Metal Fans) and for people who don't speak German, Hip Hop would be a little pointless in the language, as the art form is slightly lost.
Or is it? I dont really think so, as you can still hear the rhythmic precussion of the voice, the rhymes and beat, even if you don't understand the words. Anyone who has ever listened to an instrumental or even classical music, can never use not understanding the lyrics as a reason to not listen to a song.
So I do formally challange you to listen to this song with an open mind and not like it (Other than if you think remixing Led Zep's "Whole Lotta Love" is sacriligious, although a better remix of this song has never been done)
5) Apathy - Seven Nation Army
OK, so the lyrics arn't exactly rainbow coloured or waving a peace sign. More like flipping you the bird and trying to chat up your mum, but they're still clever.
I'm aware that Apathy doesn't exactly bridge the gap between hip hop and rap, but It's my guilty hypocritical pleasure, and this song blissfully throws down with the white stripes and creates a new record, while obviously holding the original in high regard.
Again though, Mike Shinoda seems to be heavily on the trail of artists who have similiar tastes to his own, having worked with Apathy a number of times, including along side Styles of Beyond on the cover of Bloc Party's "Banquet", which, if you ask me, was better than the original.
6) Celldweller Feat. Styles of Beyond - Shape Shifter.
Ok, so I'd already mentioned Styles of Beyond, it seemed good to include them, but without venturing to any of their work with Shinoda. I had a tough choice between this song, and their own remix of "Nine Thou" both of which have been included in Need for Speed games.
I opted for this one, not because it's the better of the two, but because im a huge fan of Celldweller and Klayton, and becaus it shows a better range than 'Nine Though' as it includes not only a metal riff and guitar, but also the vocal stylings of Klayton, both screaming and singing.
Check it out.
7) Cowboy Troy - Chicken with the Train
Another one I didn't want to include, for sheer embarrisment.
But a good mix, is a healthy mix, so I thought, even if only for comedic purposes, Cowboy Troy should be included. Country music, and Hip Hop. It's called Hick-Hop.
Enough said really.
8) Saul Williams - Coded Language
I include this one with loose terms. Breaking slightly from my aim, just for intrest. Hip Hop and Emceeing have always, to a point, been included in the drum and bass movement, but this is the first time I've seen spoken word poetry included.
So while not truely Hip Hop, Saul Williams spoken word poem, mixed by DJ Krust, makes it into my list on pure merit. And lets face it, spoken word aint a million miles away from hip hop.
9) Quarashi - Stick 'Em Up
This Icelandic group are extremly unknown. And extremely worthy of a top ten in the UK. No dice however. And I really don't know why. They're great. Lyricaly genious at times, emotive and... rocky. Yeah, rocky. Amazing.
10) This one's a suprise... So give it a clicky.
Excellent post dude, the kind of thing you can read over the course of a day one song at a time. That last one was great good find.
ReplyDeleteStu
agreed! good stuff bud. Coded Language..... absolute killer track
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