A Decade Of Memorable Rap Remixes 2000-2009

The hip hop remix serves a few different purposes, sometimes its solely for different artists to collaborate with each other, sometimes it's a business decision to extend the life of good song, and on rare occasions it's simply because the artist wasn't happy with the original. Here's a collection of some of the best

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Mos Def - Dollar Day (Katrina Klap)

Album: True Magic

Year: 2005

This is undoubtedly the biggest difference between a remix and an original you'll find. Mos Def took Juvenile & UTP's hometown anthem for New Orleans "Nolia Klap" and turned it into a seething criticism of the U.S. Government for their inaction following Hurricane Katrina. I love both versions, but Mos gets credit turning a party jam into political cry.

Amy Winehouse & Ghostface Killah - You Know I'm No Good (remix)

Album: More Fish

Year: 2006

There are two different remixes to this song, one appears on the re-issue of Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black" album and one appears on Ghostface's "More Fish" album. The one that appears on Amy's album only has one Ghostface verse, while the other remix has three verses from Killah... Either way, they're all great (including the original).

Nas feat. Ludacris & Jadakiss - Made You Look (remix)

Album: God's Son (original song)

Year: 2002

You can never deny Nas' confidence in his lyrical ability because Ludacris and Jadakiss are on the short list of rappers who are known for KILLING the competition when they drop a cameo verse. It's a big no-no in hip hop to have another emcee outshine you on your own song, so Nas deserves credit for bringing these two guys in. This song is seven years old and you still can't find a general consensus winner if you asked 100 people who had the best sixteen.

The Roots - The Seed 2.0

Album: Phrenology

Year: 2002

This revamped version of Cody ChestnuTT's "The Seed" appeals to so many people because it can't easily be pinned down to one gentre. Theres a little bit of rap, rock and funk all wrapped together in a great song. The Roots' material of the 90s is remembered most fondly from fans, but this song is definitely one of their coolest to come out this decade.

Jay-Z feat. Rakim, Dr. Dre & Truth Hurts - The Watcher Pt. 2

Album: The Blueprint 2

Year: 2002

This can firmly be considered one of the most underrated tracks of Jay-Z's entire career. It was buried on an album that most fans consider a failure and rarely comes up in the conversation of Jay's best songs. If you're ever wondering how Jay-Z feels about the numerous rappers who call him out every month... just play this verse... which he absolutely rips to shreds. Jay-Z has had a really long career and a lot of great moments, but when you're talking about his best verses of all time you at least have to consider this song.

Nelly feat. St. Lunatics - Tip Drill

Album: Da Derrty Versions: The Reinvention

Year: 2003

Tip Drill is the remix to Nelly's "E.I.", but is mostly known for its wildly controversal video. No matter how Nelly is eventually remembered in hip hop history, he'll always be known as the man who created the best booty video of all time. It's been six years and nobody has even come close (and many have tried...trust me).

R. Kelly - Ignition (remix)

Album: The Chocolate Factory

Year: 2003

Many people (myself included) thought R. Kelly's career was absolutely finished after his child pornography arrest. Instead of crawling in a hole to hide, Kelly puts out Ignition (remix) which becomes one of the biggest hits of his career. No matter what your personal feelings on the guy are, you have to admit this is a really catchy song.

M.O.P. feat. Busta Rhymes, Remy Ma, & Teflon - Ante Up Remix

Album: Warriorz (original)

Year: 2000

Ante Up is one of the most violent songs to cross over into the mainstream and become a hit. It's easy to ignore the message of the song because of how energetic and infectious the hook is. You can still throw this song on at any party and people are going to go batshit crazy.

Pharrell & The Yessirs - Number One (remix)

Album: Out Of My Mind

Year: 2007

Pharrell teamed up with Questlove of The Roots to remix his entire "In My Mind" album (which I highly suggest you check out) and this turned out to be one of the standout tracks.

Rick Ross feat. Young Jeezy & Jay-Z - Hustlin Remix

Album: Port Of Miami

Year: 2006

Rick's "Hustlin'" is the benchmark tale of drug dealing in the last decade. Thanks to 50 Cent we now know just about everything Rick Ross claims to have done is a giant lie, but in my opinion it doesn't take away any of the song's appeal. If you listen to rap because you think everything you're hearing is true, I have a golden bridge in San Francisco I want to sell you.

Honorable Mentions

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Juvenile & UTP Playas - Nolia Clap (remix)

Jay-Z feat. Kanye West - Girls Girls Girls (remix)

Bustah Rhymes feat. Sean Paul & Spliff Star- Make It Clap

DJ Khaled - I'm So Hood feat. EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD

Fat Joe feat. EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD - Make It Rain

Eminem feat. Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Dr. Dre & Xzibit - Bitch Please II

DJ Quik feat. Suga Free & Chucky - Trouble Remix

UGK feat. Outkast - The International Players Anthem

Missy Elliot feat. Nelly Furtado - Getcha Freak On remix

50 Cent feat. Snoop Dogg & G-Unit = PIMP remix

Jermain Dupri - welcome to atlanta remix