Hip-hop bursts at the seams with imitators. If it was convenient to devise an original style or image that strikes a connection with the masses and spawns platinum plaques, everyone would do it. Granted, some rappers naturally sound alike without trying. Still, the monkey see, monkey do” attitude that’s become commonplace in hip-hop is inexcusable. Here are 12 rappers that will make you swear you were listening to someone else.
Lil Zane (Sounds Like: 2Pac)
If imitation is the highest form of flattery, then 2Pac is the most flattered MC of all time. Zane made his debut at a time when everyone and their dog thought they needed to sound like Pac to make it in the music industry. How this Popsicle of a song, replete with Zane’s blatantly unoriginal flow, managed to reach No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 is a mystery.
Guerilla Black (Sounds Like: Notorious B.I.G.)
Guerilla Black mastered Biggie’s style down to his flow and even his unique lisp. Coincidence? If you believe that, then I should let you know that I’m having Sasquatch over for dinner tonight.
Dona (Sounds Like: Foxy Brown)
If you closed your eyes and listened to Dona, you’d swear you were listening to Foxy Brown. Her vocal inflection, rhyme structure, and braggart lyrics are eerily similar to Fox Boogie’s. The proof, they say, is in the pudding. So, take a listen for yourself. Here’s Dona on “Respect Me,” off Cormega’s Legal Hustle LP.
S-On (Sounds Like: Ol Dirty Bastard)
ODB is a rare breed as far as MCs go. His style is damn near inimitable, but S-On managed to pull it off…to an extent, anyway. The biggest similarity between S-On and Ason is energy — both rappers attacked every track with the same ferocity. If you don’t remember S-On, check out some of his collaborations with DJ Honda.
Asher Roth (Sounds Like: Eminem)
Say what you want about Asher Roth’s talent bla bla bla, there’s no denying that he sounds like Eminem. And no, it’s not just the voice. It’s the flow, style, delivery, etc. He addressed this issue on the song “As I Em.”
Ja Rule (Sounds Like: DMX)
I know it’s hard to imagine it now that they’ve squashed their beef, but there was once a time when DMX and Ja Rule hated each other’s guts. At the height of the DMX/Eminem/Busta Rhymes vs Ja Rule/Murder Inc feud, X couldn’t be caught dead on a song with Ja. He even complained that Ja bit his style. Let’s just say that they were both blessed with the same chicken-bone-stuck-in-my-throat raspy voice.
Angelous (Sounds Like: Jay-Z)
I’ve heard many people do vocal impressions of Jay-Z: comedians, rappers, etc. But no one has ever mimicked Jay’s voice as accurately as Angelous. That Angelous actually tried to launch a rap career by sounding like the most recognizable voice in hip-hop is laughable. Here’s a sampling of Ange’s undeniably “original” flow:
Jo Synsysta (Sounds Like: Redman)
Jo Synysta had considerable skill but he could never really get his music career off the ground, no thanks to that uncanny vocal resemblance to the great Reggie Nobles. Jo appeared on Erick Sermon’s debut LP, No Pressure & “Under The Sun” w/Terminator X. Here’s a sample:
Justin Warfield (Sounds Like: Q-Tip)
Justin Warfield was on his way to an illustrious hip-hop career. Then, he stumbled, fell, and landed on a Q-Tip. Warfield later realized that his voice is better equipped for singing and now makes a living as a vocalist/guitarist for the gothic rock group She Wants Revenge.
Nicki Minaj (Sounds Like: Lil Kim)
When Nicki Minaj first popped up, many people dubbed her the 2nd coming of Lil Kim. And for good reason. No, it’s not so much the voice, but the image strikes a familiar chord. Nicki admits to being a Jay-Z fan as a teenage girl, but I’m willing to bet that she also admired Jay’s fellow BK native Lil Kim. Nicki is every bit the sassy and sexy femcee that Kim was (is?) and she’s never been reluctant to flaunt her looks.
Diddy (Sounds Like: His Ghostwriters)
It’s no secret that Diddy employs ghostwriters. Skillz, Nas, Sauce Money, The Game, and Aasim are just a few of the writers who have “collaborated” with Diddy. You can pretty much tell who’s behind some of his songs, because Diddy often assumes the vocal identity of his ghostwriters. Don’t believe me? Listen to this song from Press Play and try to guess the lyricist behind Diddy’s words:
Diddy – The Future | (Windows) | (Real)
Honorable Mention:
Shyne (Sounds Like: Notorious B.I.G.)
I didn’t put Shyne on the list because, unlike Guerilla Black, Shyne Po didn’t go out of his way to sound like his Brooklyn brethren. Shyne raps in a style that’s all his, yet his voice is unmistakably similar to Biggie’s. As you’ve probably heard, the Belize-born MC is behind bars awaiting the INS’ decision on his immigration status. Diddy has been telling anyone who cares to listen that he spoke to Shyne on the phone, a claim which Shyne denies. Maybe Diddy was talking to Guerilla Black the whole time.
[Thanks to Dart, Andrew, and Jaap for the assist]
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