Top 8 Remixes of ‘08

Last year gave us the standard fare of rappers hopping on the hottest beats, but also a bevy of remixes from electronica DJs flipping popular originals in and out. Here were the best on both fronts:

8. N.E.R.D. – “Everybody Nose” Remix, featuring Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and Pusha T

CRS + Pusha T

The least famous rapper of the bunch upstages the CRS dudes (including Lupe and his “high” verse) but whom better to talk about coke than a Thornton brother? Sadly no more party horns, but Pharrell obnoxiously yelling “On Fiyyahh!” will suffice. (Watch here)

7. John Legend- “Green Light” Diplo Dade County 1988 Mix, featuring Andre 3000

Diplo

Legend’s voice becomes just another instrumental ingredient, taking a backseat to the heavy, late 80s Miami bass employed by Diplo, mixmaster-of-the-moment. (Listen here)

6. Shawty Lo– “Dey Know” Remix, featuring Ludacris, Young Jeezy, Plies, & Lil Wayne

Ludacris

Luda hijacks this joint with his constant jabbing, making you forget it belonged to T.I.’s latest victim Shawty Lo. On the other hand, while completely hilarious, Weezy’s verse serves as a reminder for us all to stay away from the Styrofoam cup. (Listen here)

5. Robin Thicke- “Magic” Mark Ronson Remix, featuring Wale and Mary J. Blige

Mark Ronson

Ronson swaps the vintage R&B feel for some horn-fueled go-go while Wale lays down two swaggerific verses over his native sound. (Listen here)

4. Lil Wayne- “A Milli” Remix, featuring Cory Gunz

Cory Gunz

Rumor has it Weezy dropped Gunz’s verse from the OG because the young’n outrapped him. Then again, everyone—even Ne-Yo—outrapped Wayne on this. Cory got his shine, though—his verse was dope enough to land him a magazine cover (XXL). (Listen here)

3. KiD CuDi- “Day N Nite” Crookers Remix

Crookers

The original sounded like a house track trying to break free, which the Crookers completely liberate when the synth breakdown hits. You just might find yourself reaching for the glow sticks. (Watch here)

2. M.I.A.- “Paper Planes” DFA Remix

DFA Records

By the time every half-decent rapper (and Trey Songz) hopped on this, those gunshots got mighty annoying. Thankfully, electronica label DFA completely rework the track, hinging it on a few groovy little guitar chords. (Listen here)

1. Coldplay- “Lost” Remix, featuring Jay-Z

Jay

Hov’s verse on this is about two years old, an excerpt from the “Grammy Family Freestyle” he spit on New York’s Hot 97 prior to the release of Kingdom Come. It remains one of his best post-retirement stanzas—vulnerable, age-appropriate, and clearly relevant to his lofty status in the game—and not simply yet another reminder that the Big Homey was born in BK (see “Brooklyn [Go Hard]“, “Hello Brooklyn 2.0,” etc.). (Watch here)

Four To Forget

You know what's coming...

Lil Wayne- “Lollipop” Remix, featuring Kanye West
Another verse from Purple Rain Wayne. And Kanye manages to flip the phrase “not your cheese” to “nacho cheese,” proving that him not rapping anymore might not be such a bad thing after all.

DJ Khaled- “Go Hard” Remix, featuring Jay-Z and Kanye West
Jay-Z does in fact “go hard” until he calls Kanye “bab’ bro.” How cute.

Busta Rhymes- “Arab Money” Remix Part 1, featuring Too Many People Completely Oblivious To How Dumb This Song Is
“I’d like to thank Steven Spielberg and George Lucas for directing this movie.” What they fuck are you talking about, Busta? And I’m sure Senegal appreciates the shout out on here, as well, Akon.

Busta Rhymes- “Arab Money” Remix Part 2, featuring Five Struggling Rappers
The only redeeming thing about this damn song is this video (skip to 1:50)

-Devin Chanda