Hip-hop heads and R&B lovers alike are well aware of the unspoken rules of music: don’t mess with a classic! But every now and then, the remix of a song is the classic.
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The producer revamps the track adding new artists, the beat is upgraded and oftentimes the remix becomes an entirely new track and changes the energy of the initial song. You know the type; the remixes that make you forget the original ever existed.
We’ve gathered 13 tracks that did exactly that— but, you’ve been warned: This list is the opinion of a handful based on their musical taste and preference, so you may or may not disagree. Let’s get into it!
SWV – “Right Here (Human Nature Mix)” (1993)
Starting off strong is SWV’s 1993 “Right Here” remix. While the original album cut was smooth, the remix proved that adding Michael Jackson’s DNA immediately elevates any track. The single masterfully sampled the iconic loop and bass line from the King of Pop’s “Human Nature” (1982), making the remix a certified game-changer. And who can forget the music video? The Sisters With Voices had every Black girl loving their white, flowy blouses, khakis and silk wraps!
Mariah Carey ft. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – “Fantasy (Bad Boy Remix)” (1995)
While Mariah Carey was known for dominating pop music in the mid-90s, one of her greatest artistic moves was treating her remixes as new tracks. Carey pioneered the art of the star-studded hip-hop remix in the 90s, and her 1995 “Fantasy” remix is the gold standard. The original was already a hit, but adding Wu-Tang Clan’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard and his oh-so quotable verse (“Me and Mariah, go back like babies with pacifiers!”) was pure genius, sending the remix into another stratosphere!
Craig Mack ft. The Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J & Rampage – “Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)” (1994)
“Don’t be mad, UPS is hiring!”
Listen, the 1994 “Flava In Ya Ear” remix remains one of the greatest cuts of all time! Granted, the original already had a groundbreaking beat, but the remix assembled the unprecedented collection of hip-hop legends LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes and Rampage, and instantly went multi-platinum in everybody’s CD player. Let’s not forget The Notorious B.I.G.’s career-defining verse, solidifying why this remix effortlessly overshadows the original.
Mya ft. Jay-Z – “Best of Me (Part 2)” (2000)
While Swizz Beatz produced the original track for Mýa’s “Fear of Flying” album, the project’s single was eclipsed by its remix featuring Jay-Z. When Trackmasters (Poke & Tone) stepped in, they engineered a masterpiece, adding an interpolation of Biz Markie’s “Make the Music With Your Mouth Biz.” The remix also appeared on DJ Clue’s “Backstage Mixtape,” surpassing the original’s popularity by a landslide. The music video also was a hit, not to mention Mya’s North Carolina jersey dress that inspired nearly every Millennial high school girl during the NBA jersey dress phenomenon in the early 2000s.
Jodeci – “Come and Talk to Me (Hip Hop Remix)” (1992)
This one may be close, because Jodeci’s original “Come and Talk to Me,” produced by Jodeci’s own DeVante Swing and singer Al B. Sure!, was already a fan-favorite, certified gold and a Billboard No. 1 R&B hit. But then came the now-disgraced Sean “Diddy” Combs, who produced the “Hip Hop Remix,” giving the original song a complete makeover. We still love both versions, but the remix takes the cake.
Janet Jackson ft. Blackstreet – “I Get Lonely (Remix)” (1997)
Janet Jackson’s original 1997 single “I Get Lonely” was already flawless! It was sultry, sexy and slow-burning, and the music video featuring Jackson’s impeccable choreography solidified the ballad’s impact. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, so outdoing it seemed difficult, but not impossible. Producer Teddy Riley knew the formula, and the remix added R&B group Blackstreet’s golden harmonies. A bit more uptempo, the remix with the group’s vocals fused with Jackson’s delivery easily makes the remix superior to the original.
Brandy ft. Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Yo-Yo – “I Wanna Be Down” Remix (1995)
Brandy, the Vocal Bible, burst on the music scene with a hit in 1994 with “I Wanna Be Down.” The lead single from her self-titled debut album, which was also featured on the “Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack, topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaked at No. 6 on the Hot 100. The following year, the then teen-sensation tapped hip-hop female royalty in Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and Yo-Yo, making the remix an instant anthem for strong women everywhere, surpassing the original.
Mobb Deep ft. Lil’ Kim – “Quiet Storm (Remix)” (1999)
Ok, this one may be a bit controversial, but hear me out. Mobb Deep’s “Quiet Storm” is legendary in its own right, especially with that dark, eerie Havoc beat, a remix was not needed. However, Lil’ Kim added her own flair on the remix with a verse reeking with confidence. With her bars fused with Mobb Deep’s gritty verses, the remix became a commercial success thanks to that contrast. And today, you’ll probably hear the remix on the radio or at the club instead of the original because of Lil’ Kim, who gave the track crossover appeal. The remix generated virtually all of the sales and units sold associated with the original. Men lie, women lie, but numbers don’t. It is what it is.
Justin Timberlake ft. Beyoncé – “End of Time” (2017)
Again, another debatable entry, but the argument can be made that the remix to Justin Timberlake’s “End of Time” is superior than its original. The alternative version added a new verse from Beyoncé, ad-libs on Timberlake’s verses, and a rich blend of vocals between the pair. The duet, featuring harmonies that’ll make you melt, Timberlake’s dreamy falsetto and Bey’s tone, this remix only made the original that much better, even if just by a little.
Busta Rhymes ft. Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Rah Digga, Lloyd Banks, Papoose and DMX – “Touch It (The Remix)” (2006)
In 2005, Busta Rhymes had everybody hype with “Touch It.” After its release, countless remixes were released, including one with only Lloyd Banks and Papoose and even a Latin version featuring Arcángel and De La Ghetto. But the one remix that stood out from the others featured six artists: Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Rah Digga, Lloyd Banks, Papoose and DMX, and went viral before going viral was even a thing! The remix kept that fire Swizz Beatz beat, and the barrage of verses (and Mary J. Blige rapping!) in this all-star cast made this remix an undisputed once-in-a-decade lyrical event.
LL Cool J – “Loungin (Who Do You Love?) Remix” – (1996)
This is a textbook example of one song that’s SO popular most folks think the remix was the original! LL Cool J’s original “Loungin” came out in 1995, and featured a sample of Al B. Sure!’s R&B classic “Nite and Day.” It was solid on its own and a respected album track from LL Cool J’s album “Mr. Smith,” however, when the remix was released the next year the original faded into oblivion. R&B group Total lent their vocals on the remix’s hook, introducing the track to a new audience. The certified platinum remix, opposed to the album version, was released as an official single, and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.
Jagged Edge ft. Jermaine Dupri, Nelly, Da Brat, Lil Bow Wow, Tigah, & R.O.C.- “Where the Party At (Dupri Remix)” (2001)
Jagged Edge’s “Where the Party At” from their “Jagged Little Thrill” album was a massive commercial success. The song featured Nelly and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. But then Jermaine Dupri worked his magic, again, with the remix featuring Nelly, Da Brat, Lil Bow Wow, Tigah, & R.O.C. The remix was a So So Def showcase for JD’s label talent, and he even dropped a verse, too. Folks loved the line-up and the artist’s roll call, making the remix preferred over the original.
A Tribe Called Quest – “Scenario (Remix)” (The Ultimate Scenario) (1992)
A Tribe Called Quest and Leaders of the New School made studio magic that stood the test of time in 1992. The hip-hop classic, which was named in “Time” magazine’s All-TIME 100 Songs list, was also Busta Rhymes’ breakout moment, who at just 19 years old made a name for himself. Then came the remix. The drums? Sharper. The bass? More pronounced, plus six total MCs! Busta Rhymes’ verse was also extended and somehow goes harder than the album version. The remix also featured Leaders of the New School members and a newcomer named Hood (who was reportedly murdered just before his big break), making the remix feel more like an anthem than just a studio cut.
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