10 of the Biggest EDM and Hip-Hop Crossovers

From Kanye West to A$AP Rocky, these are some of the biggest hip-hop crossovers in EDM.

Hip-hop and electronic music have shared a beautiful relationship over the years with either genre frequently taking inspiration from the other. We've seen some of the biggest names in both worlds join forces and create absolutely massive collaborations that dominate the airwaves. 

While this list is by no means exhaustive, in honor of this wonderful fusion, we've selected some of the biggest hip-hop and EDM crossovers around to put in the spotlight once again.

"Babylon" - Ekali & Denzel Curry

When Ekali teamed up with Denzel Curry on "Babylon," heads immediately turned. The Canadian producer is no stranger to success in the hip-hop world as he was featured on Drake's 2015 mixtape If You're Reading This It's Too Late. The finished product is a well-crafted blend of Curry's aggressive vocal delivery on top of some futuristic trap from Ekali that immediately sets a dance floor off.    

"El Chapo" - The Game & Skrillex

Skrillex lent his production talents to The Game for his 2015 album The Documentary 2.5. For "El Chapo," the legendary West Coast rapper laid down bilingual vocals while Skrillex added some of his special flair alongside co-producers Mr. Bangladesh and Nastradomas. The single and album were a critical and commercial success. The former was certified Gold and the latter reached the top of the Billboard charts.

"Dance wiv Me" - Dizzee Rascal ft. Calvin Harris & Chrome

An early entry in Calvin Harris' staggering collection of commercially successful tunes, "Dance wiv Me" saw him join forces with the grime superstar Dizzee Rascal and Chrome for a funky dance floor filler. The track was a smash hit in the U.K. and was Dizzee Rascal's first #1 single. It would also go on to become one of the top 15 selling singles in the U.K. in 2008, a precursor to the artists' continued success. 

"Smoke & Retribution" - Flume ft. Vince Staples & Kučka

The second single off of Flume's Grammy-winning Skin LP saw the future bass icon incorporate the vocal talents of Vince Staples and Kučka with an experimental, sprawling tune. The glitchy synth on top of the hard-hitting drums brings out the best in the two vocalists as the record quickly became a fan favorite in Flume's sets. The trio would eventually reunite for a live performance at Coachella in 2016.

"Do Or Die" - Flux Pavilion ft. Childish Gambino

Right before Childish Gambino released his breakout album Because the Internet, he joined forces with Flux Pavilion for a collaboration titled "Do Or Die." The track highlights both artists’ talents as the actor and hip-hop superstar provided some of his clever lyrics over some U.K. bass from the dubstep pioneer.

"Kingpin" - RL Grime ft. Big Sean

The EDM trap titan RL Grime has more hip-hop crossovers than most producers have songs. With his hip-hop-heavy annual Halloween mixes and collaborations with some of the hottest artists in the game, it made perfect sense that Big Sean would join him on his album VOID. The dark trap sound RL Grime (real name Henry Alfred Steinway) cooked up meshed perfectly with lyrics from the Detroit hip-hop star on one of Steinway's largest collaborations to date.

"200 MPH" - Bad Bunny ft. Diplo

International superstar Bad Bunny recruited EDM renaissance man Diplo for the vibey "200 MPH." With Diplo's worldly sound, Bad Bunny's reggaeton-infused Latin trap shines and creates a laid-back yet easily danceable song. In addition to the collaboration, the duo released an outrageous music video featuring the artists riding jet skis and using a giant backside as a trampoline.

"REDLIGHT" - NGHTMRE & A$AP Ferg

A$AP Ferg has worked with a number of EDM stars like Skrillex, Yellow Claw, Lost Kings and more over the years, but his collab with NGHTMRE might take the cake. "REDLIGHT" saw A$AP Ferg rip through a bassy backdrop provided by the Gud Vibrations co-creator and unleash a behemoth of a hip-hop crossover.

"Wild for the Night" - A$AP Rocky ft. Skrillex & Birdy Nam Nam

In 2013, A$AP Rocky, Skrillex, and Birdy Nam Nam released a track that would dominate the airwaves in both the EDM and hip-hop worlds. In the massive blending of two realms, A$AP Rocky's dual vocals would transform the two EDM acts' song "Goin' In" into a gargantuan record that would end up going double Platinum in the U.S.

"Stronger" - Kanye West & Daft Punk

Paying homage to Daft Punk's "Harder Better Faster Stronger," Kanye West's "Stronger" would end up becoming one of the biggest releases of 2007. The track would go on to reach the top of the charts and win a Grammy award and surprise the crowd at the event ceremony with a performance with West. The rapper would later reunite with on the French dance music trailblazers for a couple of songs on his 2013 album Yeezus. 

source https://edm.com/features/biggest-hip-hop-crossovers