In today's music industry, it's not uncommon for various artists to release multiple versions or remixes of their songs. After a song's original release, many hip-hop artists will go back into the recording studio with the intent of completely adapting their original song into something totally different. Often times, the remix will feature new artists that weren’t present in the original. This can give the new song a drastically different sound and feel, while still building off of the success of the original track. Sometimes these new artists will be from completely different genres, and the remix will end up sounding nothing like the original. These remixes can introduce different genres to different audiences, and potentially bring in more money for the artist. By reaching out to different audiences, the artist may be able gain more mainstream popularity in today’s competitive market.
Jay-Z - "Encore"
Jay-Z & Linkin Park - "Numb/Encore"
Jay-Z's "Encore" was popular among the hip-hop crowd when it was first released in 2003 on The Black Album. Later in 2004, Jay-Z and Linkin Park teamed up to release a collaboration album called Collision Course. The hit single off the album combined lyrics from Linkin Park's "Numb" and "Encore" by Jay-Z. The song became very popular and ended up reaching number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. This is a great example of a hip-hop artist remixing a previously popular song with an artist of a different genre, in order to reach a completely new audience and obtain commercial success. Rock fans were introduced to hip-hop, and vice-versa.
Kid Cudi - "Day 'N' Nite"
Kid Cudi vs. Crookers - "Day 'N' Nite"
"Day 'N' Nite" was originally released by Kid Cudi on his 2008 mixtape A Kid Named Cudi. Later on in 2009, a remix was released with the Crookers that added a very heavy dance influence to Cudi's original track. The remix became very popular among both hip-hop and electronic music fans. "Day 'N' Nite" was Cudi's first hit song, and the remix only enhanced his mainstream popularity.
Florida Georgia Line - "Cruise"
Florida Georgia Line - "Cruise (Remix) ft. Nelly"
Rappers aren't the only ones who feature artists from different genres in their remixes. Sometimes rappers themselves may be featured on remixes that allow the original artist to reach an entire new audience. Florida Georgia Line's "Cruise" became a huge hit among country music fans in 2012. Later on, they released a remix with Nelly that received radio play on pop stations throughout the country. This collaboration introduced mainstream audiences to Florida Georgia Line.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - The VS. EP & The VS. Redux
Some hip-hop artists will create an entire album that consists of remixes of their previous songs. In 2009, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis released The VS. EP, and a year later, they released The VS. Redux which consisted of the same songs, just remixed.
Hip-hop does cross genres a lot of times to create masterpieces. Many of your examples show some of the greatest hits that were created. Good examples!
ReplyDeleteI think this trend is so typical due to the fact that it is easy for rappers to reach out to other genres, and this is part of the reason hip hop became so popular. Rappers have proven to us that it is possible to rap over any type of beat and any genre, because rap beats don't always have a distinct sound, hip hop has become more versatile.
ReplyDeleteI, personally, think remixes are some of the best songs ever created. Usually, I like the remix more than the original. If something is good the first time, why can't it be even better the second time around? It's as if you are rewriting a paper for school after getting feedback from your teacher, which in music's case would be the fans.... all you can do is make the song better! Mixing songs has made music an even greater culture than it was.
ReplyDeleteFlorida Georgia Line's addition to Nelly in their song is pretty surprising, I've heard the original song before but I've never heard the remixed version. I thought you did a great job when when it came to providing examples and giving some background on the song/video. Remixes are great because it allows us, the audience to hear a song only improved, although sometime people feel the remix turns out worse than the original.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the examples you put to show how songs are changed. I could see why an artist would go back and change up the song or add a new artist, but in at the same token sometimes it's better if they just stuck with the original.
ReplyDeletegreat article and interesting read about the different music genres that mesh well with rap. the article explains that musicians can unite no matter the genre and create some really great music
ReplyDeleteArtists take preexisting sounds and add their unique flow to it and there is nothing wrong with that. The exposure that the original song is getting is one that would not exist if it wasnt for the adaptations made by the remixes. Great examples of songs that integrate the radical revisions.
ReplyDeleteI think that the main reasons for remixes are popularity and money. I do enjoy a lot of songs that are remixed, but I feel as though the artists do not make them for their audiences; they are made to expand their audiences. Sometimes artists jeopardize their integrity crossing genres when making remixes.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great read. I personally really like listening to remixes of songs and the Jay z/Linkin Park Numb/Encore remix is one of my all time favorite songs. Great examples of songs and remixes.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you mentioned cruise because it's something that hip hop rarely has (A mix of country and hip hop). I enjoyed the read.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. Kid Cudi was a great example because the remix of his first hit only furthered his success and impact on mainstream music.
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