When the two most explosive musical genres of the 20th century join forces…
"Je t’aime, moi non plus." This could roughly summarize the relationship between rap and metal. Fans and artists from these movements can either despise or adore each other. Despite the oppositions, legendary collaborations have resulted in some anthemic tracks!
1. Run DMC feat. Aerosmith – ‘Walk This Way’
Though originally an Aerosmith song from their 1975 album Toys in the Attic, it was Run DMC who invited them to collaborate on the cover for their 1986 album, Raising Hell. This collaboration laid the foundation stone for rap/metal.
2. Anthrax feat. Public Enemy – ‘Bring The Noise’
Unlike ‘Walk This Way,’ ‘Bring The Noise’ was a hip-hop track from the soundtrack of the film Less Than Zero (1987). In 1991, Anthrax invited Public Enemy, the original artists, to re-record the song, which appeared on both their albums, Attack of the Killer B's and Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Back.
3. Biohazard feat. Onyx – ‘Judgment Night’ / ‘Slam’
This article is titled “5 Rap / Metal Collaborations…” not “5 Rap / Metal tracks…”! Given the quality of this New York encounter, it was necessary to reference both tracks that emerged from it.
‘Judgment Night’ is featured on the soundtrack of the film of the same name, a unique compilation of rap/metal tracks, but it’s the Biohazard and Onyx track that stands out.
‘Slam’ is a single from Onyx’s 1993 album Bacdafucup. In 2001, Biohazard took charge of creating a “Bionyx Remix” of this track for their album Tales from the B-Side. Fun fact: Billy from Biohazard recounts the filming of the live clip: “They were freaked out by our New York audience. They came to one of our shows and they all wore bulletproof vests. I’m like ‘Hey, how’s it going?’ and as we hugged, I felt the vests under their jackets. ‘You don’t need bulletproof vests, we’re all family here!’. But they’re like, ‘No man, you guys are tough and the crowd is crazy. We were playing at Times Square in Manhattan and in the video we made, they all wore bulletproof vests. We hung out together, they opened the concert, they played, we shot the video and right after they took off. They disappeared.”
4. Korn feat. Ice Cube – ‘Children Of The Korn’
The guys from Bakersfield had already shown their interest in Ice Cube's sound by covering his song ‘Wicked’ on their 1996 album Life is Peachy (featuring Chino Moreno from Deftones). It wasn't until 1998 with the release of Follow the Leader that a collaboration between the masters of Nu Metal and the rapper came to fruition.
5. Linkin Park & Jay-Z – ‘Points Of Authority/99 Problems/One Step Closer’
Collision Course is a massive mashup of the worlds of Jay-Z and Linkin Park. Heavy guitars and classic tracks from both artists make this the most memorable, and live, it’s even more powerful.
Bonus French Scene: Mass Hysteria feat. La Brigade
While American rappers and rockers collaborate effortlessly, the French are still a bit shy about it. Some groups have tried their hand at this mix, but Mass Hysteria nailed it by inviting La Brigade on their album De Cercle en Cercle.
