Before we get into it, let's take a look at the first few that come to mind when I think about country music and the hip hop artists joining together...
Nelly and Tim McGraw in 2003.
Haha...No Comment.
The next collaboration that I can think of which actually went to the Country Charts to reach the number 1 (not the remix version however). Jason Aldean's "Dirt Road Anthem" feat Ludacris. This track I actually enjoyed. I think mainly because I was watching the CMT Awards in 2011 when I first witnessed it. And Ludacris being from Georgia as well as Aldean, I didn't skip a beat in finding it actually enjoying. Let's Check it out...
This song was actually written by a very talented, well I don't really know what to call him, "Country Rapper?" His name is Colt Ford and he also wrote Aldeans hit track, "My Kinda Party".
So thinking so far, as much as I can remember. We have one, I wont call it hip hop, I'll just say "Urban" track where a Country Artist is featured and one Country Song where a hip hop artist is featured. And we have Colt Ford who does it both all in one.
So the playing fields are even.
1 to 1
Now lets take us to 2013 where this week Brad Paisley released a new album called, "Wheelhouse". On this album is a track that is causing quite a commotion on twitter, media etc. (including the Ellen Show) and saying that it is wrong, racist, etc. but they both explain that the idea may be misinterpreted. I'm not going to comment on it, only I think LL Cool J's part is pretty wack honestly, but hey I have my own opinion, but regardless, the world is full of negative people, I try not to be that, so take a listen and form your own opinion.
As a fan of all musical genres and having favorite roots stuck within me of earlier hip hop, disco, oldies, and country, it is hard to really say how I feel about this collaboration. The idea behind it I think is worthy and it has been creating a lot of buzz on both sides of the fence (hip hop/country) but if there is one thing that I could say to Hip Hop and Country fans who don't see the other side of the fence, take out the beat, melody, everything...and read the vocals, learn the story, because on both sides regardless the "noise" behind it, there is a story and a purpose to the track.
So let's settle up the score:
Country feat Hip Hop-2
Hip Hop feat Country-1
Wait a minute...that doesn't add up... So, LL Cool J, let's return it and feature Brad Paisley snippets on a track for your upcoming album, "Authentic" album that drops April 30th.
Final Tally:
Country feat Hip Hop: 2
Hip Hop feat Country: 2
What are your opinions? Comment below, also if you know of another hip hop/country collab let me know because these were the only ones I could think of off the top of my head.
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