Oct 27

Squeaky Clean: The 8 Best Hip-Hop Clean Versions That Were Better Than The Album Version

You can’t call yourself a real DJ if you aren’t rock parties with nothing but clean versions (the PG parties also usually pay the most). But the problem is that the clean/radio version has become a lost art. Too many artists either don’t make a clean version or just lazily blank or, worse, let the first vowel of the curse word play before they scratch it out (which totally negates the edit). Thus, I thought it would be a good idea to remind you of how great radio versions used to be.

2Pac feat. Danny Boy – I Ain’t Mad At Cha (1996)

Death Row Records was always known for not going the lazy route and always recorded alternative lyrics instead of mere bleeps and silence. The instrumental on this is also slightly tweaked and sounds a lot cleaner. Pac’s last verse is completely different from the album version and is one of his best verses of all-time. This video is also special because it was released on the Thursday (September 19, 1996) after his death.

B.G. – “Cash Money Is An Army” (1999)

This is one of those cases where I don’t even know why they thought that the original album version’s chorus was acceptable. I remember being extremely disappointed when I got the album, Chopper City In The Ghetto, and hearing how awful the original chorus was. The original’s chorus sounds very lazy and awkward. The video version however is very catchy.

Snoop Doggy Dogg feat The Dramatics & Tha Dogg Pound– “Doggy Dogg World” (1994)

Once again Death Row made a dope song even better. I always loved the trumpet breakdown on Snoop’s verse when he originally says “you think you got the bomb because I rolled you a joint.” They also shortened Kurupt’s verse. Although I love how he was spitting absolutely dope lyrics, in a party setting it drags the song down.

Tela feat. Eightball, MJG & Jazze Pha – “Sho Nuff” (1996)

Suave House also made dope radio edits that were often more popular. This one’s radio chorus was so catchy that it made it an undeniable radio hit.

King Tee – Dippin (1994)

The original to this was a very dark and grimy east coast sounding track. Thankfully, for the video he went with smooth G-Funk track. This is the song and video that still has me wanting a 1964 Impala with switches.

Snoop Dogg – Sensual Seduction(2008)

A simple swapping of words turns this song into a song that even your grandparents can vibe to.

Juvenile feat Mannie Fresh & Lil Wayne – Back That Thang Up (1999)

The clean version of this ensured that this sound could forever be played at barbecues every. Juvie & CMR went and re-recorded alternate words and it takes nothing away from the song. The best part of this is that Lil Wayne added his famous “wobble de wobble de” on this version and not the album version.

T.I. – “What You Know” (2005)

This is the granddaddy of them all and the song that basically ended Lil Flip’s career as a mainstream artist. Something about that “loaded AYE OHHHHH” that gets you hype. I don’t think there is a person alive who doesn’t say the clean version’s chorus even if the album version plays.