The Alt Black

Hey, everyone, we all know that 2016 has been another year for great music. Chance the Rapper released his third mixtape Coloring Book, that has gotten him seven Grammy nominations, which is a first for an independent artist. Beyonce released Lemonade, Frank Ocean released Blonde, and PJ released Rare.  We can all appreciate the albums that have come out this year, but we can’t forget that 2016 also brought us a handful of covers from a handful of artists.

                                                                   Tory Lanez

Controlla Remix

Earlier this Summer,  the Toronto native put his West Indian spin on Drake’s song Controlla. The remix received much love for its authentic patwa sound and overall wavy feel. During an interview with the Breakfast Club, Lanez said that he is Jamaican by association and that he is actually Bayesian. The song was released as a single and can be found with through the following link.  Link to the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCvfwqccoXw

2. Boyce Avenue ft.Sarah Hyland

The Chainsmokers Closer

Boyce Avenue is no stranger to covering songs, in fact for their latest cover collaborations album they have enlisted the voice of Sarah Hyland. Hyland is best known for her role as Haley on the television series Modern Family. Fans were pleasantly surprised to hear her voice on the popular radio hit Closer, by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey. Since the release of the song, The Chainsmokers have received a Grammy Nomination for three Grammys, Best New Artist, Best Dance Recording, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Link to the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsptdUFthWI

Nicki Minaj

Black Beatles Remix

Mike-WiLL Made-It! Back again with another cover, Nicki Minaj covered the song that went viral, Black Beatles by rapping duo Rae Sremmurd. Minaj released this track in response to the success of duo’s hit song. Minaj posted this to her Instagram account:

“Cuz 2 Lil black kids got the NUMBER 1 RECORD IN THE COUNTRY& I’m soooooo happy for Mike Will.”

In the song, Minaj gives homage to the duo by shouting out their previous hit No Flex Zon, calls out the president-elect on his opinions on immigrants, and it wouldn’t be Nicki if she didn’t make a verse coming for other female rappers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hSw2Qyc-aU

4. Panic! At The Disco

Bohemian Rhapsody

Panic! At The Disco is a staple in modern day alternative/rock music, and they have further cemented themselves by flawlessly covering Queen’s classic song, “Bohemian Rhapsody”. The band covered the song for the soundtrack of Suicide Squad. If you haven’t heard this cover yet the link will be below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT1t4jVmv7E

5. J.Cole

Rapping over Bryson Tillers “Deja Vu”

Earlier this week, J.Cole’s long-awaited fourth studio album, 4 Your Eyes Only dropped.  J.Cole is being hailed as one of the most real rappers in the game because of his no holds bar lyrics. One track on the album, “Deja Vu” shares the same beat as “Exchange” a track from Bryson Tillers album T R A P S O U L. The incident is less about the artists and more about the producers of the track. The way I see it is, you have two ways to view the song now.