7 Best Musical Crossovers Ever
6. Linkin Park & JZ - Numb/Encore
A union between whiny teenage angst nu-metal troupe Linkin Park and mainstream rap superstar Jay Z was probably anathema to fans of both. Whilst on the one hand, devoted followers of the para-metal band baulked at their alt darlings teaming with a hyper-manufactured pop prince, fans of Mr. Z turned their nose up on the basis of finding Linkin Park a bit, well, gash. (Their opinion, not ours).
Nevertheless, both parties were astute enough to see money in the project, not to mention mileage. Instead of just releasing a one-off collab. track, the two seemingly diametrically opposed groups put together an entire album of peculiar East Coast nu-metal hip hop.
Easily the most proficient part of their magnum opus is Numb/Encore - the only song from the album to be released as a single. Whilst still possessing all the usual lamentations of Linkin Park, the band's usually naff rapping is replaced by, well, an actual rapper.
The track rose to number fourteen in the UK charts, and also curiously peaked at the top spot in Ireland. Rap rock clearly popular in Blackrock.