In the wide world of music, cross-genre collaborations can often be a roll of the dice. While some end up feeling forced or gimmicky, others surprise fans and critics alike by creating something unexpectedly brilliant. Rap and rock may seem like opposing forces — rebellion meets rhythm, angst meets attitude — but when the chemistry is right, magic happens.
You’ve heard about Linkin Park and Jay-Z’s Collision Course, but there are plenty of other rap/rock collaborations that pushed boundaries and actually slapped. Let’s dive into the strangest — yet most successful — musical mashups that defied logic and expectations.
1. Run-D.M.C. & Aerosmith – “Walk This Way”
No list of rap/rock collaborations would be complete without the OG that started it all. In 1986, Rick Rubin, co-founder of Def Jam Records, had a radical idea: have Run-D.M.C. remake Aerosmith’s 1975 hit “Walk This Way.”
At first, the Queens rap trio wasn’t into it. They thought the idea of reworking a white rock band’s song was corny. But the resulting track didn’t just work — it exploded. The reimagined “Walk This Way” hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reignited Aerosmith’s career while propelling hip-hop into the mainstream.
It was strange, bold, and it absolutely slapped.
2. Limp Bizkit & Method Man – “N 2 Gether Now”
In the late ’90s, Limp Bizkit was at the forefront of nu-metal, fusing heavy guitar riffs with hip-hop flows. But when they teamed up with Method Man from the Wu-Tang Clan for “N 2 Gether Now,” fans weren’t sure what to expect.
Produced by DJ Premier (yes, really), this track was a rare case where the raw energy of Fred Durst and the lyrical precision of Method Man worked in sync. It was chaotic, gritty, and yet somehow cohesive. It’s one of those tracks that aged surprisingly well and earned both camps some cross-genre cred.
3. Korn & Nas – “Play Me”
Korn is known for their aggressive, unsettling sound — not exactly what you’d pair with introspective rap. But in 2003, on Take a Look in the Mirror, they brought Nas into the fold for “Play Me,” a track that many didn’t see coming.
Nas’s sharp verses layered over Korn’s brooding instrumentation turned this track into an underground gem. It’s eerie, confrontational, and compelling. While it never charted as a single, fans of both artists have since dubbed it one of the more underrated collabs in either catalog.
4. Tech N9ne & Serj Tankian – “Straight Out the Gate”
Tech N9ne has never shied away from experimentation, but his 2013 track “Straight Out the Gate” featuring Serj Tankian of System of a Down was a bold fusion of styles.
The operatic grandeur of Serj’s chorus combined with Tech N9ne’s rapid-fire verses created a dramatic, almost cinematic vibe. The song is intense, multilayered, and unlike anything else out there. It’s the kind of collab that makes you ask, “Why hasn’t this happened more often?”
5. Travis Barker & Yelawolf – “Push ‘Em”
Travis Barker, best known as the drummer for Blink-182, has always had one foot in hip-hop. His collaboration with Alabama rapper Yelawolf on “Push ‘Em” is an explosive mix of punk drums and aggressive bars.
The track feels like a riot — a high-energy, in-your-face anthem that leans into both artists’ strengths. Yelawolf’s cadence complements Barker’s frenetic drumming, making it one of the most electric rap/rock tracks of the 2010s.
6. Public Enemy & Anthrax – “Bring the Noise”
When Public Enemy’s politically charged anthem “Bring the Noise” got a rework with metal band Anthrax in 1991, the results were loud, fast, and shockingly effective.
The collaboration was more than just a musical mashup — it was a statement. It challenged stereotypes about both genres, bringing together audiences who rarely crossed paths. Chuck D’s commanding delivery over Anthrax’s thrashing guitars created a raucous call to arms that still resonates decades later.
7. The Roots & Cody Chesnutt – “The Seed (2.0)”
Okay, this one leans more rock/funk than straight-up metal, but it’s too good to ignore. “The Seed (2.0)” is a reimagining of Cody Chesnutt’s original track, infused with the impeccable musicianship of The Roots.
Black Thought’s rhymes, paired with Chesnutt’s raw vocals and crunchy guitar riffs, created a genre-bending hit that felt both vintage and futuristic. It’s one of those rare tracks that feels effortless despite the strange blend of influences.
8. Post Malone & Ozzy Osbourne – “Take What You Want”
When Post Malone released “Take What You Want” in 2019, featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott, people didn’t know what to make of it. What business did the Prince of Darkness have on a trap-pop record?
Turns out, a lot.
Ozzy’s haunting vocals on the hook, Travis Scott’s autotuned interlude, and Post’s emo-trap style somehow blended into a radio-ready banger. The guitar solo alone — courtesy of Andrew Watt — is enough to silence skeptics. It reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and proved that age and genre are just numbers.
9. Lil Wayne & Kevin Rudolf – “Let It Rock”
In 2008, Cash Money Records was dominating hip-hop. So when Kevin Rudolf, a rock-leaning producer and guitarist, dropped “Let It Rock” featuring Lil Wayne, the unexpected combo turned heads.
The track combined thumping rock production with Weezy’s signature swagger, resulting in a massive hit that soundtracked everything from NFL games to high school proms. It was strange. It was loud. It slapped.
10. Beastie Boys & Kerry King (of Slayer) – “No Sleep Till Brooklyn”
The Beastie Boys were known for their punk roots and love of experimentation. On Licensed to Ill, they took it to another level by bringing in Slayer guitarist Kerry King for “No Sleep Till Brooklyn.”
King’s aggressive shredding added an authentic metal flavor to the track, creating a beastly blend of party rap and headbanging energy. It was cartoonish and chaotic in the best way possible — the Beastie Boys at their genre-defying finest.
11. Zack de la Rocha & Run the Jewels – “Close Your Eyes”
Zack de la Rocha, frontman of Rage Against the Machine, rarely makes guest appearances — but when he does, he brings fire. His collaboration with Run the Jewels on “Close Your Eyes (And Count to F***)” is a perfect storm of revolution and rage.
The track’s ferocity is unmatched. Killer Mike and El-P’s politically charged verses pair seamlessly with de la Rocha’s explosive bridge. It’s a sonic Molotov cocktail — angry, loud, and impossible to ignore.
12. Kid Cudi & Dot da Genius (WZRD)
While not a single collaboration, WZRD — a rock project by Kid Cudi and producer Dot da Genius — was a surprising pivot from the rapper known for moody, introspective hip-hop.
Songs like “Teleport 2 Me, Jamie” and “High Off Life” leaned hard into grunge and alternative rock, with Cudi singing over guitar-heavy tracks. Critics were divided, but fans appreciated the vulnerability and ambition. It was weird, raw, and undeniably bold.
Why These Odd Pairings Worked
So what makes these strange rap/rock collaborations hit the mark when others fall flat?
1. Authenticity
The artists involved weren’t faking it. Whether it was Nas going dark with Korn or Serj Tankian lending operatic drama to Tech N9ne, the emotion felt real.
2. Respect Between Genres
The best collabs weren’t about jumping on trends — they were about mutual admiration. Artists who respected each other’s craft created better, more cohesive music.
3. Risk-Taking
Let’s face it — these weren’t safe plays. They were experiments. And sometimes, creativity thrives on the edge of chaos.
Final Thoughts
The marriage of rap and rock has produced some of the most memorable — and unexpected — musical moments in modern history. While some pairings might raise eyebrows on paper, the tracks listed above prove that genre lines are meant to be crossed.
In a time when streaming makes genre fluidity more accessible than ever, we may just be entering a new golden age of boundary-pushing collaborations. So here’s to the weird, the wild, and the wonderful — the strangest rap/rock collabs that actually slapped.