When I was in Europe a few Summers ago, I came across a television show on MTV Europe called MTV-Mash, or something to that effect. It was basically a video show which was centered on a series of doctored music videos featuring two oddly-paired songs (and their respective videos) combined, or "mashed," together. You'd see the Cure paired with Nelly and Eminem paired with Shakira, etc. That was my first exposure to the mash-up phenomenon. I was shocked. Mash-up's have become far more prevalent and widespread in the years since then. Some are good and some are terrible, but when it's done right, it's a pretty brilliant form of recycling. It's also probably an enjoyable undertaking for DJ's and people of that ilk.
Peter Axelrad, AKA DJ Axel's, new album Breakin' the Law features a series of fresh mash-up's that are, at their best, very listenable, and at their worst, at least somewhat intriguing. For me, much of the album is a little too similar to last year's Rock Phenomenon mixed-tape by DJ Vlad, which essentially uses much of the same type of material, combining rock samples with rap vocals. Nonetheless, I've decided to post two of my favorites from Axel's collection, courtesy of his official website (you can check out more of the album there). Basically, the first song is here because, in my opinion you just cannot go wrong with a Bob Marley sample, regardless of what you do with it. The second is here because I found it to be the most interesting track of the collection. It combines 50 Cent and Lena Horne, in the process giving both songs a strangely original feel, even though everybody's heard the originals many times before. After all, isn't that what recycling is supposed to be all about?
"Could You Be Kick Pushed and Loved" (Bob Marley vs. Lupe Fiasco) mp3
"Rhythm Inferno" (Lena Horne vs. 50 Cent) mp3
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