Classic: Riot

I'm a Wyclef stan. While on The Score he pretty much just made me laugh with his crazy off-kilter and free barely-rhyming. But I loved it. While Pras was off ... um ... doing whatever he was doing every third verse and Lauryn was redefining the art of intrinsic rhyming, Clef played the role of the court jester who obviously had skills, yet seemed bored with any and all semblance of convention. And once the Fugees split, he's been on an absolute tear ever since in regularly providing his fans with new product.

Wyclef Jean - Riot (feat. Serj Tankian & Sizzla)

He's got six (and soon to be seven) solo albums to go with the two and a half Fugee records. And I proudly own a physical copy of every one of them. His latest offering from '07 was The Carnival, Vol. II and he capitalized on all his amazing music connections with this one. Don't hold me to it, but I'd say Clef's got a better collaborative posse than Wayne, Akon, or any other hip hop artist out there. Besides collaboing with those two titans I just mentioned, do these names mean anything to you: T.I., Shakira, Paul Simon, Mary J. Blige, Chamillionaire, Norah Jones, will.i.am, or Raekwon? That's just this one album ...

But this "Riot" song specifically, that's what kills me. I'm an undercover System of a Down junkie and I think Serj has one of the greatest voices in all of history. And when two musical geniuses come together like this who are 100% different stylistically and still produce a classic product, it makes me very, very happy. It should make you feel like that, too.

... but do take my word for it.

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Classic: Do You Like the Way

Carlos Santana is the most relevant ancient musician ever. No shots, but his one guitar setting is probably the most distinctive, recognizable sound in music today. Every time you hear that high pitched wah ... yup. That's Santana.

And it's even better when you factor in that your favorite musician has prolly collaboed with him before. Or multiple times if you're a big fan of Shakira, Lauryn Hill, or Nickelback. And in the vain of some of the greatest collaborations ever, I present you with Santana shredding like a Mexican cheese greater over my two favorite soul singers of all time. Even if one only raps her part.

Santana - Do You Like the Way (feat. Lauryn Hill & Cee-Lo)

Ms. Hill is fierce on the mic regardless of the subject or backdrop provided. And Cee-Lo at the top of his lungs is a wonder for the world to be hold. I think I might even like the live version better, though. It has all the grittiness intact that makes the song even more ridiculously soulful and perfect. And just completely by the way ... Lauryn is absolutely sexy in this video.



... put 'em both together and you got yourself a super spork.

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