5 Rappers Kanye West Should Also Sign to G.O.O.D. Music

April 21, 2012 - 3:16 pm by VIBE

The stars aligned and music gods answered our prayers the other day when it was announced that legendary rapper Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest fame would be signing to Kanye West's imprint G.O.O.D Music via Def Jam. After seeing them rock the stage together last year at the 2011 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Fest, it was clear that this was a match made in hip-hop heaven. We're expecting great things from Tip's debut album, scheduled for next year, as this is one of those power moves that fits both musically and business-wise.

After the shock wore off and the cheers quieted down at the office, we at VIBE decided to throw together a list of 5 other rappers that Kanye might consider signing (and in one case re-signing). Trust us 'Ye: Follow our list, and you will single-handedly take over the rap game further than you already have!—Keenan Higgins

G.O.O.D. Music

(Re-Sign) Common

We're not exactly sure why Common decided to part ways professionally with G.O.O.D Music and head over to Warner Music Group with producer No I.D., but he should make his way back home soon! He was one of the original signees alongside R&B crooner John Legend! There's a certain chemistry that Common and Kanye share, almost like older/younger brother. While we know that there's no hard feelings between the two—and they'll surely work together again musically—it doesn't seem right now having Com officially part of the team.

Talib Kweli

We were actually shocked when we realized Talib Kweli wasn't on G.O.O.D Music already. He fit so well on the College Dropout track "Get 'Em High." Also, could you imagine a new Black Star album with Mos Def—a current G.O.O.D. Music artist himself—with the three of them in the studio producing? Pure musical madness!

Lauryn Hill

Here's a little musical triva for ya: Did you know that Lauryn Hill was the original choice for "All Falls Down"? Kanye used a sample of her song "Mystery Of Iniquity" and wanted to use her vocals from that song on his song, but couldn't get the sample cleared. R&B singer Syleena Johnson went on to record the chorus, and did a pretty damn good job too! However, we all know that song would've been out of this world if Kanye could've pulled off that collabo. Now that he's no longer a newbie on the hip-hop scene, and Lauryn is slowly stepping back to the mic, maybe he can make that officially happen this time while also getting her long awaited second album a release date!

Busta Rhymes

Yeah, we know Busta Rhymes is already signed to YMCMB. It's just...we're not exactly sure how to feel about it. While we love our boys over at Young Money—shoutout to Drizzy & Wayne!—Busta seems to embody more of that off the wall production that Kanye drops time and time again. Besides, don't act like we didn't seen Busta in the studio recently cooking up something nice with Yeezy and the crew!

André 3000

Now this one would be gold, better yet platinum! While we still await another Outkast album, André 3000 would do great things as a solo artist on G.O.O.D. Music. Dre and Ye's styles, both musically and fashion-wise, are a perfect union. We imagine something more colorful than Kanye's Graduation album cover and Andre's "Hey Ya" music video combined. Damn, now that we think about it, this could be really good music—no pun intended!

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