With compilations like Punk Goes Metal and Punk Goes Pop, we have a plethera of covers at our disposal here at EnterTheShell.com. Thanks to Punk Goes Crunk, we have this gem in an Ol’ Dirty Bastard cover.
Though I don’t necessarily agree that Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s “Got Your Money” featuring Kelis should be classified as “crunk,” it’s still a kick-ass jam. I mean, how can you deny the infectious (albeit irrational) mindset that made ODB so awesome? The beat gets you moving as it should since The Neptunes produced Nigga Please, ODB’s second solo album that the song comes off of. A simple drum beat is used along with a couple of soul claps and all that is mixed in with some slow synthesizers. This has got to be one the most simple beats that makes you want to dance your ass off!
They lyrics are totally ODB, with lines like “You can call me dirty/and then lift up your skirt/and you want some of this dirty/God made dirty, dirt bust ya ass!” and “I don’t have no trouble with you fucking me/But I have a little problem with you not fucking me.” With weird and unpredictable voice inflections, the song only solidifies the fact that ODB was bat-shit crazy but we wouldn’t have had him any other way!
Now, when someone who doesn’t belong in the rap genre tries to pull it off, it can either be hit or miss. Dynamite Hack pulled it off, but does Say Anything?
I really don’t know! This cover has me so confused! The music itself is simple in Say Anything’s version of “Got Your Money” as well, despite the fact that they are a full band. What’s heard the most is the bass line and soul claps. Musically, the two versions are pretty much the same except for some really heavy synths in Say Anything’s version.
Lead singer of Say Anything Max Bemis is known for writing witty and sarcastic lyrics, so I think this song totally fits him. He’s playing that sarcastic role very well as he rambles through ODB’s classic. He even changes it up a bit, adding his name and name dropping Cisco Adler. Perhaps out of fear, Bemis substitutes “N-word!” every time, well, the N-word is used. It sounds really cheesy at times but I think that’s on purpose … I hope. What saves this version is that Say Anything aren’t taking themselves too seriously. Bemis recreates some of the same unpredictable crazy voice inflections that can be found in ODB’s version. I think what helps is that Bemis probably relates to Ol’ Dirty Bastard, seeing as they both have a history of mental instability.
Say Anything makes a valiant attempt, I suppose. But nothing beats Ol’ Dirty Bastard!