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Best Rock Covers of Rap and R&B Songs

Posted by Kathy Iandoli
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Cross-genre song covers are always more interesting than regular cover songs. More times than not, the covering artist can perform a song only in the way they know how, giving it a whole new shape as opposed to some karaoke-esque interpretation fit for 'American Idol.' To illustrate this, The Boombox has compiled a list of favorite rock versions of hip-hop and R&B songs. While many of the artists who covered the songs on this list might not share the same fans as the tune's originator, that's what makes it fun. It's a brand-new song by a brand-new artist.

'Whatever You Like'

Original by T.I.; cover by Anya Marina

This cover version circulated around CW shows like 'Gossip Girl' and a handful of MTV reality series. Though T.I. crafted the 2008 original as an ode to his ride-or-die chick (hey, Tiny!) who can have whatever she wanted under the sun, Anya Marina gave it a twist a year later. With her tiny pixie voice, she's singing to her love using T.I.'s OG lyricism, creating this wild contrast. It's a little ironic and a little girly, but Anya Marina flipped the track properly.

Get T.I., 'Whatever You Like' Lyrics

'Stronger'

Original by Kanye West; cover by 30 Seconds to Mars

With Jared Leto as the frontman of 30 Seconds to Mars, there should be no reason this band isn't bigger. The actor turned singer's close-knit cult following surely appreciated this cover of Kanye's 2007 electro-classic. The guitar licks are in sync with the Daft Punk sample, while Leto coos over the song till it sounds like he's grinding on it. Maybe the fellas will want nothing to do with this version, but the ladies have a different idea. Kanye was so pleased with 30 Seconds to Mars' version he hopped on their 2009 track 'Hurricane.'

Get Kanye West, 'Stronger' Lyrics

'Umbrella'

Original by Rihanna; cover by Biffy Clyro

About 3 million 'Umbrella' covers have been floating around since it first hit in 2007, but Biffy Clyro from later that year nailed it. While many artists (sorry, Mandy Moore) got all breathy and tried to emphasize that whole "you can stand under my umbrella" message, these Scottish rockers got acoustic and indie on it, making it reminiscent of Plain White T's' 'Hey There Delilah.' The result is a song that sounds more like pining over unrequited love instead of Rihanna's declaration of love. Interesting how a few guitars and no Jay-Z cameo can totally change a song.

Get Rihanna, 'Umbrella' Lyrics

'No Diggity'

Original by Blackstreet; cover by the Klaxons

First things first: Thank goodness the Klaxons didn't try to rap like Dre or Queen Pen on this track. No dis to the 1996 original, but that pair's verses were pretty much the red-headed stepchildren of that song to begin with. These Londoners have this electro-Beach Boys sound to them, but when they covered Blackstreet's 'No Diggity' in 2007, it was nothing but soul. Another win for the rock boys.

Get Blackstreet, 'No Diggity' Lyrics

''97 Bonnie & Clyde'

Original by Eminem; cover by Tori Amos

When Tori Amos decided to craft this eerie 2001 rendition of Eminem's already terrifying 1999 song, she wanted to write it from the perspective of the woman in the trunk, i.e., Eminem's estranged wife, Kim, singing as if she's overhearing the conversation between Eminem and his daughter, Hailey. As you listen to Amos' version, you can hear the fear in her voice. It's a little hard to digest, but if you can handle the lyrics of early Slim Shady, you'll be just fine.

Get Eminem, ''97 Bonnie and Clyde' Lyrics

Top Hip-Hop Soundtracks

Filed under: Hip-Hop, The Rundown, Songs
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عماد العادل

100/100

December 18 2011 at 3:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

mitchie420

ain't nothin in the way of real music, theres no culture at all being reflected here like with the Bommers or even GenX and Nirvana, theres jus totally NOTHING happening in originality from any of these people you got on here. There is such a lack of imagination and its just so boooorrring, ya got the same tired rappers cryin about the same damn thing, lady gaga BOOORING been there done that years ago with other rock n roll weirdos she is not that original I feel bad about Winehouse but even her act was thiefed from Ronnie Spector. Nothing new in your culture sorry

September 13 2011 at 7:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

King Jerry

wasup rihanna u colo paaaaaaaaaaa

ppppppppppppppppppa satan wife paaapa

August 05 2011 at 1:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

georgeflynn68

youa gotta lova ita

June 16 2011 at 9:51 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

Executees

Executees custom t-shirt line is just as fabulous. We completed the OPRAH 25 T-Shirts in Swarovski for the Farewell Season!!

May 24 2011 at 1:56 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

mhuff371

I like your music

March 22 2011 at 11:35 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

mojo

some songs should never be re recorded, for the simple reason that 99.9% of them will fall short of topping the original. can you imagine anyone , not covering but recording for a #1 hit satisfaction by the stones, or hey jude or like a rolling stone? yeah i'm a o.g. what would indiana jones be like if they made a new one without harrison ford? a classic song, movie or book is just what it is a classic to be admired not copied

March 08 2011 at 6:26 PM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

daytonagary

Kathy Landoni....your fukin lost.Rap artists have ripped off more Music from whites than can be counted.

You must be black to write some s**t like this trash.You must write for free cause nobody could be dumb enough to pay you.

February 06 2011 at 3:03 PM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

daytonagary

Ahhhh BS!!

Blacks ripoff White artists music cause they dont have the talent to write their own music.

Tupac and Biggy were perfect examples of this.

Thats why HipHop is s**t.

February 06 2011 at 3:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Hey Ms. A

I think anyone who can take a song written for someone else, and make it sound like their own, is a genious!

December 25 2010 at 9:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply