Offthechart's Random Tracks of the Day: Mashup Edition

Today I'm gonna use all mashup songs, with rap acapella's and rock/pop beats. Of all the rappers to be used in mashups, Jay-Z is by far the most popular. When American Gangster, Jay-Z's homage to the movie, came out, there had to have been at least 50 different mashups CDs using those acapellas alone. One of my favorites was Jay thrown over some U2 beats. My favorite off of that CD, entitled U2 Gangster, is Jigga's 'Pray' vocals over U2's 'One.' The two sounds go together so well, this song could have been on the original CD. No youtube so hit the link to stream and download.
Download: Jay-Z vs. U2-Pray

I stumbled across this next one on Youtube. Using the vocals from Joe Budden and Busta Rhyme's 'Fire' over the Red Hot Chili Pepper's 'Snow (Hey Oh)' this is just another one of those mashups that really hits its stride. The lyrics are spend up a little bit to match RHCP's quick beat and they fall in line together perfectly.

Download: Joe Budden vs. RHCP-Snow Fire

The last song of the day is called 'Technology is Right', which mixes 50 Cent's 'Ayo Technology' and Nelly Furtado's 'Say It Right'. The producer, Norwegian Recyling, muted the vocals a bit, so the track almost has an eerie sound to it. This is a great song to just sit back and let your mind wander to as the song has a sort of hypnotic effect.
Download: Norwegian Recyling-Technology is Right

Offthechart's Random Tracks of the Day

First for the day is Warren G and Nate Dogg's 'Regulate'. This is a real classical west coast track, from the smooth beat to Nate Dogg's smooth crooning. In my opinion, Nate Dogg is the best rap chorus/hook singer of all time and should be a role model for the rest (ie. T-Pain, Akon, etc.). This song tells the story of Warren G out hunting for women, when he's mugged and Nate Dogg comes along and shoots his friend's assailants. Fun fact to know and tell: Warren G is Dr. Dre's stepbrother.

Download: Regulate feat. Nate Dogg

Another solid west coast song right here: 'Paper'd Up' by Snoop Dogg. This song is actually a cover of Rakim and Eric B's 'Paid in Full', though Snoop definitely adds his own flavor to it, with his unique style of rapping and a new chorus. There is just something about his cool, casual flow that is just like ambrosia for your ears. Fun fact to know and tell: Snoop Dogg performs this song at Mitch's house party in the movie 'Old School'.

Download: Paper'd Up

This track is off of Jay-Z's debut, Reasonable Doubt, which was released in 1996. The content of this song fits in perfectly with the image Jay set for himself as gritty and from the streets. He describes the hardships of hustling and dealing drugs, tossing in some of his best lines to this day: "So I kept feedin' her money 'til her shit started to make sense", "We used to fight for building blocks/ Now we fight for blocks with buildings that make a killin'", and "I never prayed to God, I prayed to Gotti." For real though, you've gotta listen to this song to fully appreciate the brilliance of it.

Download: D'Evils

Offthechart's Random Tracks of the Day

First up for the day is some classic Game. Released as promotional content for his most recent CD, L.A.X., this track features The Game going hard over a bumping west coast beat and Akon covering the hook.


Download: Gangsta Party feat. Akon

This track is off of DJ Noodles' BP3-Qual, a mixtape dedicated entirely to Jay-Z mixes. '1000 Stacks' features Jay-Z's verse from the 'I Get Money' remix, Jeezy's verse from 'I'm So Paid' and Nelly's '1000 Stacks' beat. In my opinion, this track is far better than the sum of it's parts, improving on each and every piece that went into it.


Download: 1000 Stacks feat. Young Jeezy

Yet another track from DJ Noodles, this one is off of his Drake mixtape, Ready to Fly. In my top 10 mixtapes of 2009 mixtape, I gave this tape the solid 4 spot. It takes nearly all of Drake's best rapping verses and put's them over some real rap beats, as opposed to the gentle synths that made up 99% of So Far Gone. Noodles really showcases the best Drake has to offer and reveals that his amazing potential that is continually hidden behind all the R&B tracks he insists on releasing. This particular track features the acapella from 'Replacement Girl' over Terror Squad's 'Take Me Home' beat. This is another mixtape definitely worth picking up. Comment if you want the upload link as well.


Download: Take You Home feat. Trey Songz