When it comes to hip hop covers, often than not you’re left thinking “why would they even attempt covering THAT song!?” But then there are those that cause you to begin dancing around your room with excitement.
But what’s most surprising is when those covers are done by non-hip hop artists. I don’t know if it’s the initial shock of “oh my god, this actually sounds good,” or the weird juxtaposition of when the song is done in another genre entirely. The bottom line, though, is that they’re good and all we want to do is listen to them.
Here are 10 of the best hip hop covers from non-hip hop artists.
Ed Sheeran and Passenger — “No Diggity / Thrift Shop”
A pretty recent cover comes from music’s most soulful ginger, Ed Sheeran, who teamed up with Passenger’s Mike Rosenberg during a recent visit to Australian radio to give us an amazing mash up of Blackstreet’s 90′s hit “No Diggity” and Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop.”
Ed Sheeran — “Empire State of Mind”
Ed Sheeran makes another appearance on this list with his cover of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State” of Mind for BBC Radio 1. Ed can do no wrong, so it’s no surprise that this cover (like everything he does) is nothing short of perfection.
Ed Sheeran—”Pony”
You know when you were a kid and you were absolutely convinced that the cartoons were right? And that yes, animals act like humans and can talk but they just don’t want to do it around you? No? Just me. Fine. Whatever. Go break my heart. But at least let me revel in this pony moonwalking.
Thanks, Internet for going there. #DancePonyDance
Uh…I’m feeling hot and bothered now.
Proving the world that he can sing just about anything and make it sound original, Ed Sheeran does it again with another amazing cover.
While Ed’s style is usually along the lines of acoustic, folk, alternative and pop, he is also a huge Hip-Hop and R&B fan. So while he was in New York City promoting his debut album ‘+’, he did an impromptu cover of Ginuwine’s sexy tune “Pony” while rehearsing for his sold-out gig.
If that was just an random performance, I am SERIOUSLY IMPRESSED.
And can I just mention how he just picks up his phone and gets up the second he was done?
Oh you know. It’s not like he just made everyone swoon over his voice.
