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After-party

The offical summer hip-hop remixes

By DOMINIQUE HENDELMAN | August 28, 2007

Kanye West

In hip-hop, after the show it’s the after-party, and after the hit it’s the remix. When an artist releases a remix, bootleg versions always abound, and now with programs like Garageband enabling any schmuck with a computer to lay down a verse, there’s more pressure than ever to get the official remix out quickly and sickly. Check out the examples below and don’t be surprised if you hear yourself shouting, “Rewind Selektah!”

Kanye West feat. Young Jeezy, “Can’t Tell me Nothin’ ” remix
The original single has the Louis Vuitton Don spitting over another innovative, sample-heavy beat, but throwing Young Jeezy onto the remix is a change-up worthy of Josh Beckett. Kanye’s preppy pastels are the antithesis of Jeezy’s thug swagger; both are incredibly cocky, however, and that must be the tie that binds, because the combo works — the hypnotic beat brings out Jeezy’s most lyrical flow, and Kanye sounds contemplative rather than abrasive.

Sean Kingston feat. Fabolous & Lil’ Boosie, “Beautiful Girl” remix
There are a million remixes of Kingston’s track out right now, but this is the official one. The remixed beat samples more of “Stand by Me” than the original did; the result is much more melodic. Fabolous is learning how to kick it to the ladies without dulling the sharpness of his flow, and his verse here proves he can do just that.

Fall Out Boy feat. Lil’ Wayne, Lupe Fiasco, Travis (Gym Class Heroes), Kanye West, Tyga, Paul Wall & Skin Head Rob, “Arms Race” remix
Who’d have ever thought Fall Out Boy and Lil’ Weezy would be on a song together? This remix is particularly great because all the rappers are rhyming about how they have no idea what the song means. The original guitar riffs are still there, but the increased bass and drums give the remix a mash-up quality that makes it stand out in the crowd.