Since Run DMC exploded in the mid 1980’s with their hit “Walk This Way”, a collaboration with the rock band Aerosmith, hip hop has frequently collided with other musical genres. These collaborations stretch from country to electronic and all offer a unique twist to a genre that is inaptly described as lacking diversity. With that being said, here are some of the most unlikely and interesting hip hop/rap music collaborations with an artist of a different genre.
1. HAIM- My Song 5 Ft. A$AP Ferg
An all female indie-pop rock band from San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles collaborating with the “Trap Lord” from Harlem? Quite an unlikely meeting to say the least, yet here it’s a perfect fit. A$AP Ferg’s ad-libs layered distantly underneath HAIM’s vocals give the song a groove I’ve never heard achieved in any other rock song. I was introduced to HAIM because of this collaboration and would recommend anyone to give them a listen if they are unfamiliar with their music.
2. Baauer, Fetty Wap, and Dubbel Dutch - Promises
I grew up listening to old school house music because that was my mother’s genre of choice when it came time for early morning Saturday cleaning. Today, house music has evolved into so much more than what it was in the 80’s and 90’s with EDM DJs like Diplo and Steve Aoki reaching levels of superstardom. When I first came across “Promises” I had no idea that it was produced by Dubbel Dutch and Bauer who are EDM DJs. The brass and bass in this song is in your face and unforgiving and carries the same attitude that any other hip hop song would have but with a more melodic accompanying instrumental.
3. Jay-Z and Linkin Park- Numb/Encore
I got Jay-Z’s "The Black Album" for my birthday when I was in the fourth grade. At the time, Jay-Z was allegedly going into retirement so every song on that album was already considered an untouchable classic...until Linkin Park came along. Since "Collision Course" dropped, the crossover between the rappers and bands latest albums at the time, I don’t think I’ve heard the original versions of "Numb" or "Encore." Either that or I always assume that the version I’m listening includes both songs, that’s how successful that collaboration was.
4. Jamie xx- Good Times ft. Popcaan and Young Thug
EDM and Dancehall are slowly becoming synonymous with each other, and when you throw in Cash Money’s hottest recording artist at the moment or at least the only one who isn’t trapped under a contractual obligation, you have a hit. “Good Times” makes me want to grill out under the sun, a polar opposite of what I feel when listening to Young Thug’s most notable project to date "Slime Season 2."
5. Nelly - Over And Over ft. Tim McGraw
I hate country music but a country artist collaborating with a rapper is practically unheard of and therefore had to be included on this list. Nelly taps into his southern roots and strays away from the St. Lunatic sound that he curated and gained popularity from. Not to mention Tim McGraw, dare I say it, actually did his thing on this track and the song actually works.
