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Best Non-Rap Covers of Rap Songs

WilcoTim Mosenfelder, Getty Images

"Acoustic Covers of Hip-Hop Songs" isn't yet an item on the list of 'Stuff White People Like' but "Self-Aware Hip Hop References" is, and that's almost the same thing.

Judging by the artists behind these cover gems on our list of the best non-rap renditions of rap songs, there's a certain demographic being represented here. But there's also something universally appealing about hearing these classic rap songs in such an unlikely context. I mean, who ever imagined Veruca Salt's Nina Gordon or Ben Folds pouring out some malt liquor for their dead homies?
The Gourds -- 'Gin and Juice' (Snoop Dogg)
This viral acoustic cover song swept through Napster over a decade ago thanks to a case of mistaken identity. Phish originally got credit for this twangy take on Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's praise for fruit-based alcoholic cocktails. But it was actually the crafty work of the Gourds, an alt-country outfit from Texas who probably wish Phish would take it off their hands. Napster is long-dead but the Gourds still can't get through a live performance without shouted requests for this one.
Nina Gordon -- 'Straight Outta Compton' (NWA)
Just as British accents belie the Brits' attempts to express anger, Veruca Salt singer Nina Gordon's frequent F-bombs in her cover of NWA's 1988 classic are strangely endearing. And when you consider the song is about the LAPD's frequent gang-sweeps in Compton, Gordon's delicate treatment of the subject matter adds a bit of beautifully appropriate, if NSFW, poignancy.
Lykke Li -- 'Hustlin'' (Rick Ross)
Swedish singer Lykke Li usually opts for singing like a glorified toddler but as proof that everyone -- even sweet-natured Swedes -- is a little bit gangsta on the inside, she took a, um, crack at Rick Ross's classic homage to his real, drug-dealing namesake. This video seems to be the only record of her cover, and while her dance moves leave a little to be desired, if you squint your eyes it looks a bit like she's rocking some Flava Flav-style neckware, so it's safe to say she pulls it off.
Matt Weddle -- 'Hey Ya' (Outkast)
Like the Gourds discovered, Matt Weddle (aka Obadiah Parker) probably knows by now that doing a decent cover of an outside-your-genre song is one way to pigeonhole yourself as 'that guy who does that song.' His blurry rendition of Outkast's 'Hey Ya' has been watched almost eight million times on YouTube and was even the subject of a 'Jeopardy!' question. The fact that few know anything about his other work might be a good thing -- his latest contribution is a concept album that explores his addiction to pornography.
Ben Folds -- 'Bitches Ain't S---' (Dr. Dre)
If you're a nerdy white dude in glasses who feels the need to cover a Dr. Dre song, you'd better go big like Ben Folds did when he performed his take on 'Bitches Ain't S---' live this summer in the form of a duet with Bob Saget. It's no secret that the man who brought us Danny Tanner has a foul mouth on him that would offend the PG sensibilities of Michelle, Stephanie and D.J., and his blue performance with Ben Folds on keys was no exception.
Dynamite Hack -- 'Boyz n the Hood' (Eazy E)
Another classic one-hit-wonder cover, Dynamite Hack's 'Boyz n the Hood' is catchy, funny in a removed-from-original-context kind of way and most likely the only reason you'd ever hear of this band. If the sweaters, golf and croquet in their video weren't enough, they de-gangster it even further when they add in their own last line of lyrics -- "Punkass trippin' in the dead of night" -- to the tune of the Beatles' 'Blackbird.'
Jonathan Coulton -- 'Baby Got Back' (Sir Mix-a-Lot)
Why guitar-toting nerds have this underlying wannabe-rapper streak may forever remain a mystery, but in the meantime, guys like Jonathan Coulton will remain hell-bent on rounding out the edges of booty rap. He usually sings about 'geek culture,' but in his cover of Sir Mix-a-Lot's, yes, timeless classic 'Baby Got Back,' he embodies it and somehow manages to twist the line "I'm long and I'm strong and I'm down to get the friction on" into a soothing lullaby rather than a shameless ode to getting sprung.
Jenny Owen Youngs -- 'Hot in Herre' (Nelly)
Jenny Owen Youngs takes the hip-hop cover to another level, releasing her take on Nelly's 2002 club anthem in the form of a slick video, while opting to reinvent the song rather than spoofing it. Despite all the ice on display in the video, Owen Youngs' igloo party heats up with the help of dancing penguins, polar bears, Eskimos and what might be Santa Claus in his civvies. Not quite what Nelly meant by 'Apple Bottom' but subtly apropos, perhaps. (See also: Tiga's chilly electro remake)
Taylor Swift -- 'Lose Yourself' (Eminem)
Who knew there was such a crossover between fans of Taylor Swift and fans of Eminem? But the sing-along that greets Swift's live performance of Marshall Mathers' motivational number is proof enough. Maybe this is an attempt to get in with the hip-hop community to avoid future MTV Video Music Awards mishaps, or maybe it's her way of appealing to a Grand Rapids, MI, crowd, not far from Eminem's hometown of Detroit. In any case, she'll probably want to work on her introductory "Yo" if she wants street cred.
Jeff Tweedy -- 'I Got a Feeling' (Black Eyed Peas)
Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy recently went on a bit of a Black Eyed Peas cover bender at a small book launch in Chicago, for reasons we might never understand. But his self-deprecating take on 'I Got a Feeling' also got Tweedy and Wilco coverage on TMZ.com and PerezHilton.com, so there's that. And if you ever wondered what BEP's 'My Humps' is about, Tweedy's spoken-word version from the same night might lend some clarity... or not.

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Jimbob Dunn

guess you had no tunes of your own to impress the crowd with... shame man, they made it though...you never mate ha ha. just another open mic night judgement hipocrit. word of advise, bring something new to music if ya cant dont gain hits in putting down others cos everyone else wil think u stink, which u do really ha this goes to tweedy by the way

July 19 2012 at 7:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
VernieQ

I've got acoustic versions of some Jay Z and some Afroman on my Youtube Channel. I'm pretty good. It's worth checkin out. http://www.youtube.com/verniekq04

April 23 2012 at 9:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ehewitt

should have made the list:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zij70PCyBck

October 17 2011 at 10:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
microflight6

I COULD USED TAYLOR SWIFT PANTIES AS A PILOW FOR THE NIGHT AFTER ONE OF HER CONCERTS

October 16 2011 at 10:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rae of Sunshine

Taylor Swift ..............IS .........................the girl next door...she doesnt have the "perfect" singing voice...that IS why every one of her fans love her... Her multiple awards have proven her talent...she is doing what she loves and making us happy at the same time...go find someone else to bash...(plus you're probably a loser anyway)

October 16 2011 at 10:16 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
really?

now that cover by Lykke was HORRIBLE!! She CANT sing, that was an assault on my ears!!!!

October 16 2011 at 10:15 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
A-Electric

Talor swift would sound a lot better with Dr.Dre's dick in her mouth!

October 16 2011 at 10:11 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to A-Electric's comment
Robert

So you wish you were Taylor Swift so you could have Dr. Dre's ...............?

October 16 2011 at 10:25 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Nancy I Dooley1

she is so white & with that bright lipstick loks like some daed & when i saw her in a vedio she loks like a scarecrow with a dress on if uwqant to call it a dress loked more like a long blouse & he singing hell i can do better than in the shower she turns her feet in like a pegium
lookd igorant

October 16 2011 at 10:10 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
really?

Boring! I can't believe people are leaving hater comments about an obviously very talented young lady with yet MORALS!!! There should be nothing but praises for her and the great example she sets for all of her fans, and you non fans should take notes on class! geez! google Jeremy Hollinger and give him some of your opinions on his choice of entertainment for the public! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/16/jeremy-hollinger-special-education-facebook_n_1014169.html

October 16 2011 at 10:09 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
marcsmpsn

Somebody must like Taylor, she's made millions

October 16 2011 at 10:08 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply