Top 5 Folky Covers of Rap & Hip-Hop Songs

It's officially a trend: acoustic, folk, and bluegrass bands can't stop covering rap and hip-hop songs. Here are five of the best examples making the rounds on YouTube.

1. "Hey Ya"

Mat Weddle of Obadiah Parker beautifully, soulfully covers Outkast's "Hey Ya":

After the jump, check out "Baby Got Back," "Straight Outta Compton," "Bust a Move," "Gin and Juice," and a special bonus track!

2. "Baby Got Back"

Jonathan Coulton covers Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Baby Got Back":

3. "Straight Outta Compton"

Jay Brannan covers Nina Gordon's cover of NWA's "Straight Outta Compton" (WARNING: a good bit of swearing in this one):

4. "Bust a Move"

Jerry Chapman & His Acoustic Herbivores cover Young MC's "Bust a Move":

5. "Gin and Juice"

The Gourds cover Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice" live at Bumbershoot (WARNING: occasional swearing in this one):

If you want to catch the end of the extended "Gin and Juice" jam, here it is.

6. BONUS: "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros"

Not a cover, but pretty awesome nonetheless. Flight of the Conchords perform their folky rap battle "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros":