By definition, a mashup seamlessly blends two or more songs by overlaying the vocal track of one song over the instrumental track of another. Technological innovation over the years has enabled ingenious music producers to mashup unlikely musical genres. While we all agree some genres like R&B, Rap, and Country are a mashup made in heaven, most of us couldn’t imagine a Country-Rap mashup on the Billboard Hot 100. Then Lil Nas X topped the Billboard Hot 100 with his Country-Rap hit “Old Town Road.” This maligned genre is increasingly popular, with tons of exciting collaborations between rappers and Nashville stars.
Mashups are influenced by social, economic, and technological evolution. However, some people are already resisting this inevitable process claiming that new mashups will redefine all musical genres forever. These claims don’t acknowledge that a mashup only overlays instrumentals over vocals. It uses the whole track or specific sections and doesn’t attempt to hide the genres of mashed-up music. Additionally, new forms of remixing have delivered some of the best musical genres. Bob Dylan’s electric guitar gave us folk-rock and soul music was born when Ray Charles’ gospel influences mashed up with Delta blues. Mashups represent a shift in society. We should embrace it rather resisting. As fanatic mashup lovers, we all have a list of weird genre mashups we’d like to see.
Here are the top 3 most interesting genre mashups we’d like to see:
1. Trap Music x Alternative Music
Also known as Southern Hip Hop, Trap is defined by incredibly fast hi-hats and an extensive booming 808 bass. It has triplets in the beats and the lyrics. Pioneered by producers like Metro Boomin, Trap has expanded and splintered over the years into several distinct but closely related subgenres. There are also so many Alternative Music vocalists with unique characteristics and vocal prowess. When it comes to potential Trap x Alternative Music mashup, there is a limitless supply of beats and contenders for the vocals. Can you imagine blending warm and bouncy Trap beats with the powerful voice of Dolores O’Riordan of the Cranberries? Just like in “Zombie,” Dolores’ wails and thick Irish accent can make even the slowest trap instrumentals feel urgent and panic-inducing. But is Trap x Alternative Music mashup possible?
We can only envision this interesting mashup based on how other alternative music lead singers have performed in genres like rap. For example, Gwen Stefani’s poppy voice as part of the alternative band No Doubt added texture to the album “Tragic Kingdom.” Then she collaborated with EVE in the hit “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” and took home her first Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002. The trick is to match the right trap beats with the perfect alternative music vocalist. For example, slow trap beat/instrumentals with Alanis Morissette’s texture-rich voice can deliver an interesting mashup. Or, an intense trap beat with Chris Cornell’s melancholic baritone and volcanic screams. Trap Beat/Instrumental with an Alternative Music lead singer on vocals is the most interesting genre mashups we’d like to see.
2. Afrobeats x Jazz
Afrobeats and jazz have a long history, with several cross-overs. Born in New Orleans, jazz defined American music for over 100 years. Its syncopated rhythms and exuberant melodies grabbed the attention of music fans. In 1917, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band released the first jazz record and attracted a new generation into the music scene. Beboppers revolutionized jazz in the 1940s. But this lightning-fast improvisation splintered the genre into the melodic “cool jazz” and a funkier “hard pop,” led by Art Blakey and others. This is where Afrobeats comes in. Art Blakey’s swingy drumming style influenced the renowned Nigerian drummer Tony Allen. In the mid-1960s, Allen joined Fela Kuti, and they blended the swinging virtuosity of American jazz with the exuberant pulse of jùjú from West Africa. They attained a danceable blend that we know today as Afrobeats. The connection between Jazz and Afrobeats makes it one of the most intriguing mashups we’d like to see. Can you imagine the perfect instrumental mashup of the two genres?
It would be interesting to see an Afrobeats instrumental with jazz horn solos in the forefront. A swingy Afrobeats instrumental with haunted-house keyboards, twitchy guitar, and a cascade of intricate drumming in the background. Then mashup with jazz horn solo from maestros like Louis Armstrong or Miles Davies in the forefront. The contrast between Afrobeats’ throbbing guitars and thumping drums and sections of crisp and expertly curated arrangements of jazz horn solos would be interesting. It can redefine both genres once more.
3. EDM x Blues
It would be interesting to see a mashup of EDM instrumental with blues lead singer and lyrics. But is it possible? EDM (Electronic Dance Music) and the blues seem so far away. EDM instrumentals are defined by robotic beats and heaving bass from turbo-charged bangers. Its digitized sounds arouse instant and physical release of emotions, which contrast with relaxed contemplation induced by the blues. EDM and the blues mashup would be interesting to experience because there is a huge generational gap between the two genres. EDM exploits visuals like lasers, making it the party soundtrack of choice for thrill-seeking Millennials and the post-Instagram generation. Synth riffs, the “drop” build-up that sends dancers into a frenzy, and lasers define euphoric EDM raves. Unlike EDM, the blues is emotionally loaded with powerful lyrics conveyed by smoothing vocals of the lead singer. You can feel their pain based on your experiences with love. So, is EDM x Blues mashup possible?
We all remember the madness induced by Lil Jon’s “Turn Down For What” with EDM beats by DJ Snake. Can you imagine contemporary blues artists like Joe Bonamassa or Eric Clapton singing along to hyper EDM beats? We can hope for young and talented blues artists like Christine Ingram, Marcus King, Tal Wilkenfeld, and DD Dumbo to make this exciting mashup a reality. For example, DD Dumbo innovatively married African desert blues and Tuvan melody by blending his guitar and vocals with Tanzanian ilimba. It is refreshingly unique, like other new blues from upcoming artists. Innovative young blues singers can deliver an interesting EDM-Blues mashup. It might entice Millennials and Gen-Z who love EDM to listen to the blues.
Bottom Line
While some genres may seem incompatible, nothing is impossible with 21st-century technologies, innovation, and human ingenuity. Trap and Alternative Music, Afrobeats and Jazz, and EDM and Blues are the top 3 most interesting genre mashups we’d like to see. Whether you’re a blues artist, Afrobeats producer, jazz instrumentalist, or EDM sound engineer, the Bass Parlour mobile app can help you find and connect with musicians of all genres, to create the mashup of your dreams.
About Bass Parlour App
Bass Parlour App allows you to find, connect, and collaborate with skilled artists from different genres. You can handpick artists, producers, instrumentalists, and audio engineers to deliver your unique mashup, complete music projects, and promote upcoming projects. With Bass Parlour App, you have access to top music talent needed to create the next big mashup and club banger.