BY MIKEY MIGO
There are plenty of musical artists out there who have claimed their fame by simply doing the same thing over and over again. It's not a bad thing because the better ones usually evolve with their art and bring something new to the table each time they put out a new album. Sure there are "subgenres" that many bands explore, but when it comes down to it they are either doing Rock, Hip Hop, or the genres I don't speak of like Country.
Then there are artists who accept other genre's into their palette. These musicians step out of their comfort zone and use other genres in their art. While there have been bands to use a pop term like "hybrid-metal" or "rap rock", it's not so much of a stretch for them. They aren't established as one genre and aren't really taking on a collaborative risk.
Today I wanna look at a few artists and collaborations that crossed the genre lines.
Using my patented "Rock/Paper/Scissors" ranking system, I'm going to rate the following artists based on the quality and impact their "genre cross" has had. Did it "Rock"? Does this just look good on "paper"? Or do I want to stab my eardrum with "scissors"?
AEROSMITH/RUN DMC
Unless you weren't allowed to leave a dark hole your entire life, you know exactly what this collaboration is. Run DMC collaborated with Aerosmith to release "Walk This Way". It's a classic song and Run DMC's update to it not only brought Aerosmith back into the limelight, but also made hip hop a lot more accessible to the general suburban world. Up until the untimely death of the Grandmaster, this collaboration was still brought out on special occasions. There may have been collaborations like this in the past, but this one is what opened a lot of people's eyes. The impact of this collaboration is a lot bigger than what many would give it credit for.
Verdict: ROCK.
PUBLIC ENEMY/ANTHRAX
The hard rock of Anthrax mixed with the strong political hip hop icons Public Enemy would of normally been something people would laugh about. That changed in 1991 when the two groups teamed up for "Bring Tha Noize". The grinding guitar riff leading into Chuck D's massive "BASS! HOW LOW CAN YOU GO!" will give you chills. You've heard it just about everywhere at some point be it a movie, a televison show, or even in video games. It's a song that's empowering, edgy, and very unique. If you listen to the lyrics and music, it's still edgy today. When it comes up on the radio or a CD it's a song you can't help but turn up loudly and get into.
Verdict: ROCK.
BON JOVI
There are Bon Jovi songs that we all know and love, then there's the rest of their discography that is left better unspoken of. Over the years I've noticed that they've fallen into a trap of their songs sounding a bit too similar. Solid? Maybe. But they rarely ever seem to stray from their normal structure. It has gotten old and repetitive. So what they've recently done was go the route of crossing the genre lines to the country music audience. I was told that they've not really gone country, but more "Americana'. I don't buy that reasoning when they're playing country music award shows.
Verdict: SCISSORS
JAY Z/LINCOLN PARK
As "Mash Ups" were gaining popularity online and in the clubs, one band and one legendary rapper hooked up and did it on their own. They took some of their biggest hits and "mashed" them up into new arrangements. It was cool for like five minutes. The idea behind it was great and innovative, but the lasting effect of this EP doesn't really stand up. Both are better on their own and "Collision Course" almost borders the line of "novelty" now just a few years after its release.
Verdict: PAPER.
KID ROCK
Kid Rock is an artist. Say whatever music snob comment you want to use about him, but he has more talent than 95% of the musicians out there. Not many people can put out successful rock, hip hop, and country singles, that a lone plays every instrument. He's not adapting to current trends or whatever is popular. He composes music that reflects on him and what he himself would like to hear. Like his work or not, you can't deny him his proper due.
Verdict: ROCK.
BLONDIE
In 1980, Blondie released "Rapture" as a single. It's a normal Blondie new wave pop song, yet there's one distinct difference between this song and their other classics. This song featured Deborah Harry busting out a rap verse. Even in the song, she references Fab Five Freddy and Grandmaster Flash. I appreciate her efforts, but to me this song is lame. When I hear it or see the video, I can't help but cringe.
Verdict: SCISSORS.
MIKE PATTON
There has never been a "genre line" to cross when it comes to Mike Patton. From his Faith No More work to his current work in Peeping Tom and every project in between, Patton has explored every musical medium in his work. He's far ahead of his time and the more I listen to his early work the more I can hear MANY other bands who have "borrowed" aspects of his style.
Verdict: ROCK. ROCK. ROCK. (Yes, three ROCKS)
When it all comes down to it, wouldn't it be great to remove the labels and just accept music as the art it is? I doubt that will happen any time soon as the labels we use for genres and really anything is used to help market what the "sound" is. As long as we continue to have people who take risks, then I can live with it.
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