The Knux - Roxanne (buy at Amazon.com)

Personally I’m no big fan of all things hip-hop, but what if you spice it up with a pinch of rock-n-roll? Then you get a wonderful creation by the New Orleans natives The Knux, two sibling rappers that play instruments (keys, horns, guitar, bass and drums) and produce their own music. Al Millio (the younger brother) and Krispy grew up playing in jazz, marching and concert bands.

Handsome Boy Modeling School - Breakdown (buy at Amazon.com)

Two of the most unapologetically eccentric and undeniably skilled producers in hip-hop, Prince Paul and Dan “the Automator” Nakamura came together in 1999 to form Handsome Boy Modeling School. Handsome Boy Modeling School has parodied and acted as a commentary on vain, consumerist, materialistic, and self-absorbed members of upper class society, such as supermodels and people from old money. The pair often satirized upper class snobbery and perceived beauty.