Desi Influences in HipHop and R&B Tracks

June 12 2009 11:25 PST

To stay on top of their game and give listeners something to talk about HipHop artist have continued to borrow beats from different genres of music, all across the globe. Every now and then, they take a Desi sound and put their own spin on it. Check out some music videos of HipHop and R&B tracks that have a Desi flare. Let us know which one is your favorite.

Up first is Eric Sermon featuring Redman with his track "React" from 2002. This track got a lot of attention and radio airplay and the video looks like a lot of fun. The only issue is the lip synching, these poor girls probably had no idea what they were saying, and I don't even think Eric Sermon and Redman knew what the chorus meant.

From the Indian dancers to the old guy with the flute, Timbaland's video for "Indian Flute" definitely has a Desi influence to it.

Truth Hurts took a little from Lata on this next video. For "Addictive" she sampled "Thoda Resham Lagta Hai" sung by Lata Mangeshkar. I don't think Lata had this in mind when she sang the original song. Judging from the outfits and the set, Bollywood was a major influence on the video.

Up last is our girl MIA with her track "Jimmy." MIA didn't even sample the track from the original song, "Jimmy Adja" from the old school film "Disco Dancer." Rather she just redid the whole song, and did it well. The video's pretty funky with choreographed dancing and weird outfits.