The 2011 Remix Report Card, Vol. 2
"All Of The Lights (Remix)" by Kanye West featuring Lil Wayne, Big Sean & Drake
The original is a giant glittery turd so in a way all this has to do to be an improvement is to not reprise Kanye's stupid fucking "I hold my head" line or anything, although he's kind of not even on this remix and supposedly will be adding a verse, I dunno. Wayne hasn't been a truly welcome presence on remixes in a long time, but he brings a certain comfort and confidence to the beat that the other guys lack, Big Sean in particularly just flailing and outright ignoring the beat. Drake's attempt at a kind of doubletime flow is hilariously pathetic but as his verse wears on he sounds convincingly pissed off, which is kind of a refreshing change of pace from his usual barely conscious droning.
Best Verse: Lil Wayne
Overall Grade: C-
"Lay It Down (Part II - A Tribute to the Legends)" by Lloyd featuring Patti Labelle
This is one of those songs that has multiple official remixes, and in the last edition I already covered the one with R. Kelly and Jeezy, but this one seems to be more high profile (there's a third with B.o.B. but fuck even listening to that). This one is nice for both including and acknowledging Labelle, who was sampled on the original, as well as paying tribute to Teena Marie, but really the best part of this is that Lloyd sings the chorus a little different and finds a much better take on the melody that isn't all shrill and annoying like on the original.
Best Verse: n/a
Overall Grade: B+
"Wet (G-Mix)" by Snoop Dogg featuring Jim Jones and Shawty Lo
I was just giving props to the original version of this song last week, but what the fuck kind of remix lineup is this? It would've been considered wack even in 2008 back when these 2 assholes had careers. Shawty suddenly biting Gucci Mane's whole flow really transparently at least has some entertainment value, though.
Best Verse: Shawty Lo
Overall Grade: F
"Welcome To My Hood (Remix)" by DJ Khaled featuring Ludacris, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, Mavado, Twista, Birdman, Ace Hood, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Bun B, Game & Waka Flocka Flame
7 minutes? Seriously? The "I'm So Hood" remix was a nice moment, but every attempt Khaled makes at recapturing it is worse than the last, and this one is basically Miami water torture. Golf clap to Luda for cramming a Charlie Sheen reference into his last bar. As usual T-Pain dropping verses on remixes is better than any hook he does lately. I thought a Twista remix verse could never be boring but even he can't rescue this. It's always hilarious when Khaled raps but his verse here doesn't top the "All I Do Is Win" remix. Ace Hood is increasingly weirdly kinda not bad? I think this beat just has an awkward groove or BPM, barely any of these guys sound natural or comfortable trying to flow on it. Waka batting cleanup is kinda dope, I guess.
Best Verse: T-Pain
Overall Grade: D
The original is a giant glittery turd so in a way all this has to do to be an improvement is to not reprise Kanye's stupid fucking "I hold my head" line or anything, although he's kind of not even on this remix and supposedly will be adding a verse, I dunno. Wayne hasn't been a truly welcome presence on remixes in a long time, but he brings a certain comfort and confidence to the beat that the other guys lack, Big Sean in particularly just flailing and outright ignoring the beat. Drake's attempt at a kind of doubletime flow is hilariously pathetic but as his verse wears on he sounds convincingly pissed off, which is kind of a refreshing change of pace from his usual barely conscious droning.
Best Verse: Lil Wayne
Overall Grade: C-
"Lay It Down (Part II - A Tribute to the Legends)" by Lloyd featuring Patti Labelle
This is one of those songs that has multiple official remixes, and in the last edition I already covered the one with R. Kelly and Jeezy, but this one seems to be more high profile (there's a third with B.o.B. but fuck even listening to that). This one is nice for both including and acknowledging Labelle, who was sampled on the original, as well as paying tribute to Teena Marie, but really the best part of this is that Lloyd sings the chorus a little different and finds a much better take on the melody that isn't all shrill and annoying like on the original.
Best Verse: n/a
Overall Grade: B+
"Wet (G-Mix)" by Snoop Dogg featuring Jim Jones and Shawty Lo
I was just giving props to the original version of this song last week, but what the fuck kind of remix lineup is this? It would've been considered wack even in 2008 back when these 2 assholes had careers. Shawty suddenly biting Gucci Mane's whole flow really transparently at least has some entertainment value, though.
Best Verse: Shawty Lo
Overall Grade: F
"Welcome To My Hood (Remix)" by DJ Khaled featuring Ludacris, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, Mavado, Twista, Birdman, Ace Hood, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Bun B, Game & Waka Flocka Flame
7 minutes? Seriously? The "I'm So Hood" remix was a nice moment, but every attempt Khaled makes at recapturing it is worse than the last, and this one is basically Miami water torture. Golf clap to Luda for cramming a Charlie Sheen reference into his last bar. As usual T-Pain dropping verses on remixes is better than any hook he does lately. I thought a Twista remix verse could never be boring but even he can't rescue this. It's always hilarious when Khaled raps but his verse here doesn't top the "All I Do Is Win" remix. Ace Hood is increasingly weirdly kinda not bad? I think this beat just has an awkward groove or BPM, barely any of these guys sound natural or comfortable trying to flow on it. Waka batting cleanup is kinda dope, I guess.
Best Verse: T-Pain
Overall Grade: D
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