Hip Hop has been collaborating with its southern cousin for over two decades.
In 1999, Will Smith stared in the action-comedy, ‘Wild Wild West’—a movie he claims was the “worst decision” he’s made in his career.
Surprisingly, although regarded as a commercial disappointment, the film grossed a worldwide total of $222.1 million. It was nominated for eight Golden Raspberry Awards and won five, including Worst Picture and Worst Original Song (for the song “Wild Wild West” by Will Smith).
The visual for the song was reflective of the film and even included scenes from the movie itself—a rollout Hollywood should actually revisit. The song hit no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 but only stayed there for a week.
Throughout the video, Smith is seen draped in cowboy couture, boots and hat to match, alongside Dru Hill and the originator of the Wild Wild West track, rapper Kool Mo Dee. There’re guns, fire, plenty of beautiful women, and what’s a hip hop video without fifty-lim cameos, including Baby Face, MC Lyte, and Stevie Wonder.
But despite the arguably artistic disaster of it all, Smith paired the elements of hip-hop, a little r&b, and stylings of country quite well, giving us a “country-rap” bop—celebrating it’s birthday today.
Yet the affiliation between the two genres is nothing new. The friendship can be dated back to The Rappin’ Duke’s 1984 single, entitled, “Rappin’ Duke” that blended that early hip hop sound with lyrics such as “Da ha da haahh. Da ha ha hahh haahhhhh”.
And if lyrics weren’t enough hip hop would honor its country connect with videos like “Pony” (1996) by Ginuwine. Who passed up the typical flashy gear and 90s video vixen’s for a more ho-down feel, with tall glasses of beer, cowboy hats, and even a mechanical bull.
Even when musical gatekeepers such as Billboard tried to disrupt the peace between the two, their track record proved that the bond was unbreakable–an example best displayed earlier in the year by Lil Nas X and country icon Billy Ray Cyrus.
Hip Hop has been collaborating with its southern cousin for over two decades. And in honor of the 20th Anniversary of Wild Wild West, we reflect on some of our favorite moments where hip-hop and country music collided over the years.
Intelligent Hoodlum “The Posse (Shoot ‘Em Up)” (1993)
A history lesson on “black gunslingers” — “One out of every three cowboys were black/But if you watch TV, you’ll never know that”.
Intelligent Hoodlum – The Posse (Shoot ‘Em Up) [HD]
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Outkast “Rosa Parks” (1998)
Name a better southern duo. This single off their album “Aquemini” featured a fast-blues guitar, porch-stomp percussion and a bridge featuring a turn on the harmonica by André 3000’s stepfather.
OutKast – Rosa Parks (Official Video)
OutKast’s official music video for ‘Rosa Parks’. Click to listen to OutKast on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/OutKastSpotify?IQid=OutKRP As featured on Aquemini.
Mo Thugs Family Ft. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony “Ghetto Cowboy” (1998)
Krayzie Bone reimagines himself as a bank robber on the run, bumping into trouble everywhere he goes when he encounters Thug Queen, a horse-stealing, sheriff-killing vagabond. The pair team for some unlawful adventures.
Bone Thugs N Harmony – Ghetto Cowboy
Bone Thugs N Harmony – Ghetto Cowboy
Public Announcement “Body Bumpin (Yippie-Yi-Yo)” (1998)
The dance moves say it all.
Public Announcement – Body Bumpin’ (Yippie-Yi-Yo)
Music video by Public Announcement performing Body Bumpin’ (Yippie-Yi-Yo). (C) 1998 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Wyclef Jean Ft. Kenny Rogers “Pharoahe Monch Dub Plate” (2000)
Wyclef ear for various sounds is impressive and proves that with this collaboration with Mr. Rogers.
Kenny Rogers – Pharoahe Monch Dub Plate
Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment Kenny Rogers – Pharoahe Monch Dub Plate · Wyclef Jean The Ecleftic -2 Sides II A Book ℗ 2000 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT Composer, Lyricist, Executive Producer: Jerry Duplessis Composer, Lyricist: Donald Schlitz Executive Producer: Farel Jean Composer, Lyricist: Troy Jamerson (Pharoahe Monch)
Nappy Roots “Awnaw” (2002)
The group was introduced during the rise of Southern Rap and the music they produced never strayed from their southern upbringings.
Nappy Roots – Awnaw (Official Video)
The official video of “Awnaw” by Nappy Roots from the album ‘Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz’. Subscribe for more official content from Atlantic Records: https:/…
Bubba Sparxxx “Comin’ Round” (2003)
Timbaland sampled the bluegrass-jam outfit Yonder Mountain String Band for a song that sounds like a baptism.
Bubba Sparxxx – Comin’ Round HQ audio
I do not own the copyrights of the video content. All rights go to their respective owners.
Nelly Ft. Tim McGraw “Over and Over” (2004)
If you can think of any hip-hop artist to regularly collaborate with country artist, it would probably be the Country Grammar artist himself, who also collaborated with country newcomers, Florida Georgia Line.
Nelly – Over And Over ft. Tim McGraw (Official Music Video)
Music video by Nelly performing Over And Over. (C) 2004 Universal Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc. #Nelly #OverAndOver #Vevo #HipHop #TimMcGraw
Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson “Superman” (2011)
This is what happens when two marijuana lovers link up–you get a track about living life to its fullest despite not being Superman.
New Video: Snoop Dogg f. Willie Nelson – Superman
Snoop Dogg collabs with legend Willie Nelson on “Superman” from Snoop’s recently released album Doggumentary. Doggumentary, in stores NOW! http://bit.ly/doggumentaryalbum
Beyonce Ft. The Dixie Chicks “Daddy Lessons”(Live Performance) (2016)
Beyonce is notoriously known for surprise drops, but when the songstress appeared at the country music awards with the Dixie Chicks, neither party was prepared.
? Beyoncé & Dixie Chicks’ ? HQ SOUND LIVE – “Daddy Lessons” ? ??? ?
Beyoncé ? and The Dixie Chicks⚡️ perform “Daddy Lessons” at the 2016 Country Music Awards. ? ⭐️ SPECTACULAR✨? HQ remastered sound ? Editing by sbc (setzehomes) title edition by sbc (setzehomes) THIS PERFORMANCE TOOK STANNING FOR THE GREATNESS TO A WHOLE NEW DIMENSION. November 2016 CMA Awards 50th.
Lil Nas X Ft. Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road (remix)” (2019)
When Billboard told Lil Nas X that his old town road hit wasn’t “country” enough and took his song off the Country charts, the SoundCloud rapper when out and recruited the biggest country element he could find–Billy Ray Cyrus. Since then the two have been chilling at the No. 1 spot.
Lil Nas X – Old Town Road (Official Movie) ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
Official video for Lil Nas X’s Billboard #1 hit, “Old Town Road (Remix)” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. Special guest appearances from Chris Rock, Haha Davis, Rico Nasty, Diplo, Jozzy, Young Kio, and Vince Staples.
Editor’s Pick: Shawn Brown- “Rappin’ Duke” (1984)
Today’s generation is too young to remember the Rappin’ Duke, but he was the first to bring the country feel and slang to hip hop back in 1984. Featuring Shawn Brown doing his impersonation of John Wayne as a rapper, “Rappin’ Duke” was the original hip hop/country music infusion.
Shawn Brown – Rappin Duke
Fuck Lil Wayne, Tupac, Eminem, etc. this is the greatest rapper in history. mother fuckers cant hold a candle to this rappin beast. now get on your knees, chump, and bow down to the lyrical genious that is Shawn Brown. the video sucks ass, but the song is pure genious.
Happy 20th Wild Wild Wild West.
