The Best Multi-Feature Rap Songs of All Time
Graphic by Michael Loya
By: Alex Wojcik
Collaboration between artists in rap has been one of the most prevalent elements of the genre’s growth. Rappers regularly splurge hundreds of thousands of dollars for vocal tracks from colleagues, often with the intention to increase the dynamics and diversity of a track and to reach new audiences that follow their featured artists. On occasion, artists take this ability to a new extreme, inviting multiple artists to join in on their track, creating some of the most exciting moments in hip-hop. Here are a few that I find to be the best.
“327” by Westside Gunn and Joey Bada$$ (feat. Tyler, the Creator & Billie Essco)
Best Verse: Billie Essco
Westside Gunn’s most popular song follows his standard format for songwriting: one of the hardest beats you’ve ever heard with his trademark ad-libs flooded throughout. Gunn, Joey, and Tyler rap about being at the top of the fashion realm and flexing the wealth their respective success has brought them. All of the verses are great, but Billie Essco’s subtle, melodic hook takes top prize as he sets a lavish scene of sitting front row at a fashion show next to the likes of designers like Don C and Nigo.
“1Train” by A$AP Rocky (feat. Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson & Big K.R.I.T)
Best Verse: Joey Bada$$
Despite LONG.LIVE.A$AP being Rocky’s debut studio album, the 23-year-old New Yorker was still able to put together an Avengers-level collaboration with some of the most prolific faces in alternative rap. Joey’s narrative verse about escaping the drug dealing lifestyle his friends are still stuck in is a sheer work of genius. Bars like “Don’t sell rocks, seen the spectrums through the prisms” are incredible displays of lyricism. However, Joey does anything but carry the song, as the Hit-Boy beat is layered with top-tier verses from all of the featured artists.
“ETA” by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes & Anderson .Paak
Best Verse: Snoop Dogg’s Hook
Who knew a song made for a video game could bang so hard? Dr. Dre trades verses with his former protégé, Anderson .Paak, and Busta Rhymes over a classic sample beat that sounds like a b-side track from The Chronic. The track also includes one of Snoop’s best hooks since the 90s, recognized in his own verse, “Gold medallion flow, only second to the Nile.” “ETA” is easily one of the best cuts in Dre’s limited-but-stacked solo discography.
“Picture Me Rollin’” by 2Pac (feat. Danny Boy, Syke & C-PO)
Best Verse: 2pac
One of his many songs about his hatred toward the criminal justice system, “Picture Me Rollin’” is like a postcard from 2Pac to all of those who tried to hold him down during his time in jail. He calls out the DA and others that worked on his case, asking if they can see him all the way at the top. With boasting verses from fellow California rappers Syke and CPO plus a solid hook from Danny Boy, it’s easy to say that this is one of the most underrated “first day out” songs in rap history.
“Two Words” by Kanye West (feat. Mos Def, Freeway & The Boys Choir of Harlem)
Best Verse: Kanye West
Ye proves his lyrical abilities on what is one of the most poetic tracks in his discography and collects two of the greatest lyricists of all time to help his case. The group organizes their bars according to the song title, for example, Mos Def’s opening bars “Two words: United States, no love, no breaks / Low brow, high stakes, crack smoke, Black folks / Big Macs, fat folks, ecstasy capsules / Presidential scandals, everybody move.” Add on a Michael Jackson sample with a hook from The Boys Choir of Harlem, and it’s easy to see why “Two Words” is one of Ye’s most creative works–even more impressive given that it is on his debut album.
“PTSD” by G Herbo (Juice WRLD, Lil Uzi Vert & Chance the Rapper)
Best Verse: Chance the Rapper
Despite having the strangest collective of rappers out of any track on this list, the features work surprisingly well on G Herbo’s breakout track, “PTSD.” Chance’s verse shines as he writes about his childhood innocence amid Chicago’s crime scene, G Herbo also provides a deep verse about his experience growing up in Chicago, and Juice’s hook is one of his best vocal performances.
“King’s Dead” by Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake
Best Verse: Kendrick’s hook and outro
Originally made for the Black Panther soundtrack, TDE partners Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock teamed up with Future and James Blake to create a Grammy-winning banger. At no surprise, Kenny’s work is the highlight of the track, as he takes on the opposing personas of King T’Challa and his foil, Killmonger, as the song transitions through its beat change. Future’s verse is also great, as he further proves that he is one of the most versatile rappers in the game.