Ratatat's Best Rap Remixes

Only recently did the electronic-alternative rock group Ratatat start attracting worldwide attention.  After touring with Vampire Weekend and appearing on Kid Cudi's album The Man on the Moon: The End of Day (download link) on the tracks "Alive" as well as the wildly-popular "Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)," it is clear that the Brooklyn-based duo is here to stay.  Yet, where did these guys come from?

The band Ratatat: Evan Mast (left) and Mike Stroud

After meeting at Skidmore College, Mike Stroud and Evan Mast did not begin working together immediately.  Their debut eponymous album was released in 2004.  Ratatat has also released three studio albums, entitled Classics, LP3 and LP4, which were released in 2006, 2008 and 2010 respectively.  All three of them came with the help of XL Recordings.  However, the pair has also dabbled within the rap world.  

Ratatat has also released, without the help of a major label, two additional rap-oriented albums: Ratatat Remixes Vol.1 and Ratatat Remixes Vol. 2.  Vol. 1 came out in 2004 with the second volume coming out three years later.  These albums are most pertinent to this blog.  On the albums, the duo does a fantastic job of blending hip-hop artists with their own electro-rock sound.  The albums feature samples from well-known songs by the likes of Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G. Kanye West and Bun-B.  However, many of the tracks that receive the least attention, are some of Ratatat's best work.

If you're interested in downloading some the Remix Vol. 2, check out their page.

Here is a list of my favorite Ratatat remixes of hip-hop songs:

1. "Alright" by Memphis Bleek

2.  "Party and Bulls**t" by The Notorious B.I.G. 

3. "Sunshine" by Jay-Z

4. "Diamonds" by Kanye West

5. "Allure" featuring Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G.