+1 (aka Honorable Mention): The Roots, “Burnin’ and Lootin'”
The 1999 tribute LP Chant Down Babylon wasn’t a covers album so much as a compilation of MCs (Rakim, Busta Rhymes, Krayzie Bone) and Neo-soul folks (Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill) rapping and singing along with Bob’s original masters. Among the participants was none other than the Roots, who contributed a version of “Burnin’ and Lootin.'” If nothing else, this track is notable for being the only Roots track that starts out with “Jah! Rastafari!”
…Meanwhile, Americana string band Old Crow Medicine Show’s folky version of “Soul Rebel” from the syndicated radio show, Prairie Home Companion, is pretty great. It would have landed pretty high on our list if we’d ever heard of it before today. Some great vocals on this one…