Who Remixed It? 10 Best Remixed Hip Hop & R&B Songs
Who Invented the Remix? 10 of the Best Remixed Songs in Hip Hop & R&B
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Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell once said “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing.” Interpret the song as you will, but that refers to the original version of something. No wack carbon copy, but the authentic, bonafide prototype of something is usually deemed as the best for most things (except when referencing the movie The Godfather II). But in music, since about the ‘90s, there’s always been room to flip a song, add some new vocals, a hot new beat and make it better–or worse. This is the art of the successful remix. Hence the number of remix albums put out by a number of artists over the years.
Diddy, then Puff Daddy at the time, used to claim he invented the remix. We’re not about to start pinpointing ownership, but we did find 10 remixed songs by 10 prolific artists that if you ask us, rival their predecessors for top status. Even if you don’t agree, at least you’ll have some new joints to add to a playlist in need.
*Note: all remixes are featured first, originals are linked to in the descriptions.
“You Remind Me Remix” by Mary J. Blige – featuring Greg Nice
From the epic What’s the 411? album, the remix featuring Greg Nice is THAT joint. Mary said it herself, it has that “knock.” She even made a video for the remix as opposed to the original. Call me a sucker for remixes that turn slower hits into jams for the dance floor (you’ll notice this preference as the list goes on), but this is definitely one of those cuts that was just too dope to stay in the ‘90s and still blasts through earbuds nearly two decades later.
“I Wanna Be Down Remix” by Brandy – featuring MC Lyte, Yo-Yo & Queen Latifah
Just my opinion, but this might be one of the best remixes ever recorded. It changed a bubbly teenage-love affair type track into a Hot but sophisticated take on professing lust for a good man. The lyrics from all three MCs are memorize-worthy, and Brandy had her vocals on point of course. The video for the remix, directed by Hype Williams and dipped in black and white with a few instances of technicolor, is just as enjoyable as the song (though we could have lived without seeing Ray-J). Loves it!
“Ignition Remix” by R. Kelly
Now this fella right here could definitely rival Diddy or any other artist for the flurry of remixes he has been behind. Whether he was producing them, or blessing the track with his vocals. This remix might be his best though. The song is essentially a brand new one–the lyrics are nothing like the original, and the tempo was upped big time. As with Mary’s “You Remind Me” remix, a video was made for the newest version of “Ignition,” (obviously made during the big basketball jersey phase) and the track itself had everyone saying, “It’s the freakin’ weekend baby I’m bout to have me some fun.” Definitely one of R.Kelly’s best if you ask me…
“You Don’t Have to Worry Remix” by New Edition – featuring Missy Elliott and Puff Daddy
Remember when New Edition made one of their first comebacks (yeah I know they’ve tried many a time) during the mid-‘90s? Bobby was still in his prime and they meshed vocally like nothing had changed or happened between them. They also had a little extra umph thanks to the addition of Johnny Gill. One of the hits they put out from the album “Home Again” released in ’96 was the joint “You Don’t Have to Worry.” While the original was pretty good, the remix allowed Bobby to show out not only on the song but in its accompanying video. All that grinding and humping probably blinded a few folks…The beat fit the vocals a whole lot better than the original. Plus, Missy’s rhyme at the beginning was one of her best, and was one of the first times we got hit with the “hee” as she loves to say. And you can thank Diddy for this remix by the way.
“Certainly (flipped it)” by Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu’s remix of her song “Certainly,” this time entitled “Certainly (flipped it),” was one of the few times we had seen an artist include an original version and its accompanying remix on the same album. The revamped track popped up near the end of the Baduizm album, and with its mixture of the “Summer Madness” sample and some Roy Ayers-like vibraphone work, the song literally flips its slower, more jazz-driven predecessor into a stepper’s dream. The perfect summertime jam, it was lightyears ahead and better than the original.
“I’m Still Waiting Remix” by Jodeci
Don’t get me wrong, the original “I’m Still Waiting” was a classic by all means. But the remix, brought to you by the genius of DeVante Swing, with its ‘90s swag and declaration that THIS indeed is “for the Jeeps,” sounded much better. Views of the video for the remix (once again, no video for the original) are high, so I must not be alone in my thinking. The remix is unapologetic, not trying to sound anything like the original but putting a twist on the lyrics used in the album version. We even get a chance to hear member Dalvin (I’ll understand if you don’t remember who he is out of the group…) do something other than be pretty as he jumps out the box with a rap. Is it a great rap? No, not really, but it works for the song, and this song definitely goes hard.
“Hot Like Fire Remix” by Aaliyah
This one is difficult to call, but Aaliyah’s “Hot Like Fire” remix comes, I’ll say, very close to surpassing the greatness of the album version. The original, slower, but smoother, is accented by what sounds like some Doug E. Fresh-like beatboxing and a beat reminiscent of the New Jack Swing era thanks to Timbaland. But its remix was definitely a quintessential summer banger. The late songstress covered the remix with a lot of attitude, and from the looks of the video, some effortless dance moves. Ciara eat your heart out! This one still gets played constantly on my iPod. But which version do you think is better?
“I Need a Girl Part II” by P. Diddy – featuring Ginuwine, Mario Winans & Loon
Whenever P. Diddy wants to pour his heart out on a track to let a woman know how he feels…he always gets a famous R&B crooner to sing it better for him. The original version, made post the implosion of his public love affair with Jennifer Lopez and graced with vocals by Usher, is sophisticated with its wavy instrumentals. Definitely a song great for lounges while sipping martinis. But the remix, my favorite by far, is one of those songs you could hear anywhere, whether at a cookout with friends and family, or on the radio during a traffic jam (don’t ask). It wakes people up and gets them to the dance floor. And Ginuwine, uber-popular around the time thanks to the song “Differences,” killed those vocals! Now this one has Bad Boy written all over it.
“Somebody’s Sleeping in My Bed Remix” by Dru Hill – featuring Jermaine Dupri & Da Brat
The vocals in the original “Somebody’s Sleeping in My Bed” were, as we used to say, “off the chain.” After K-Ci Hailey, nobody could do pain in a track better than Sisqo’s big, dramatic behind. But the So So Def remix was my favorite version. The chorus was way more smooth and the tandem rap of Jermaine Dupri and our favorite tomboy rapper Da Brat was the icing on the cake of this dope remix. As the men said, “What else do you need?”
“Flava in Ya Ear Remix” by Craig Mack – featuring the Notorious BIG, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes & Rampage
The beat to this song, continuously revamped and used by rappers and folks like Jennifer Lopez (*side-eye*) is masterful. It’s a mix of horns and an awesome drum kit topped by the clever rhymes of four distinct voices with even more distinct personalities. And don’t forget the banging bottles at the beginning and a Warriors inspired call to Bad Boy. With all this and more, “Flava in Ya Ear” the remix that is, starts in an epic manner and ends the same way. This one embarrasses its predecessor–no offense Craig! Every rapper says something classic (for example: “I get more butt than ash trays”), and to this day, you can bump this track, windows down, rhyming at the top of your lungs with no shame. It will be hot in any decade.
What remixes would you like to add to the list?
