20 American Guest Spots On Australian Rap Songs

Whether calculated attempts to garner extra sales, genuine creative endeavours of like-minded musicians or simply the chance to get their favorite MC on a song with them, the legacy of Australian hip-hop tracks with features from American rappers is certainly interesting, if not always entirely successful. Here are twenty notable examples, listed in chronological order for your enjoyment and/or mirth.

Back when this was recorded, the only way an Australian artist could get a feature from an overseas guest was if they managed to get them into the studio while they were touring. While it restricted the number of cameo opportunities, it's almost always preferable to have the verses recorded in person - unless of course the feature MC is in the middle of a week-long bender! Fortunately, the late Pumpkinhead was always a consummate professional.

Since Prowla and Jase produced 'Protocol,' the first single from Boston duo 7L & Esoteric back in 1997, it was only a matter of time until they returned the favour. This cut from the Prowl's final solo album, Lonewolf,  proved to be a worthy addition to both MC's respective rosters.

While this was technically a Thirstin Howl and Rack-Lo project produced and released through Australian-based label Class-A, it still counts by virtue of an appearance by local lad Clinic. This ode to shoplifting fly, luxurious garments was given a remix by Melbourne stalwart Prowla for the 12" release and remains as one of the more accomplished international collaborations from this country.

The combination of notorious criminal/author/comedian Mark Brandon 'Chopper' Read and Brooklyn gore aficionado Necro makes sense on paper, and thanks to the fact that Uncle Chop Chop sticks to the outro and performing the hook, it proved to be the highlight of his Interview With A Mad Man hip-hop album.

Utilising a lush M-Phazes beat, Royce Da 5'9" delivers an effective brag rap verse free of any references to Australian wildlife, which suggests that he just might have knocked this one out during a busy 'work for hire' day in the studio.

While Saigon was still struggling with the powers that be at Atlantic Records, who he'd signed with three years previous and still hadn't released his debut album, he kept himself busy on the mixtape and feature circuit, recording this spot for Phrase's Talk With Force LP. It's quite possible that Sai made the common mistake of confusing Australia with the U.K., as he includes the British slang 'twat' in his verse. Points for trying though.

Recorded during one of his regular tours to Australia, Masta Ace raps over a scratch hook taken from his own 'Good 'Ol Sound' in this update to the original, unreleased 'This Is How Hip-Hop Is Supposed To Sound.' The crew upped the ante on their next LP, The Quickening, by getting Large Professor to produce the title track.

Underground west-coast favourite Planet Asia connected with Obese Records owner Pegz for this track from his third solo album, Burn City, riding a lush string, guitar and horn loop from The Dramatic's 1978 song, 'The Devil Is Dope.'

When Melbourne trio Art of War connected with Canadian producer Sin, the result was two compilations featuring everyone from Cam'Ron to D-Block to Bizzy Bone. Cop It In Ya Grill Vol. 3 included this song with Weezy on the hook, which is easily the most surprising feature on this list.

Having previously worked together on LC's 'Murderous Metaphors,' former Arsonists member Q-Unique delivered a strong showing for this follow-up to For The Term of His Natural Life's lead single. Referencing the classic rap albums and MCs that inspired him, Q reminds us that he 'graduated from the true school as an honor-roll student.'

Considering the local chart success of this trio, consisting of lead MC N'fa and veteran graff artists DJ Peril and his brother Kemstar, the choice of Bay Area underground rapper Motion Man (best known for his work with Kool Keith and Kutmasta Kurt) was an unusual inclusion for 2003's Consistency Theory LP. Just a couple of weeks ago, the crew returned to the scene with this energetic track featuring the Wu-Tang legend, who's more than comfortable working with live instrumentation in recent years.