ARTIST: OneRepublic feat. Busta Rhymes
TITLE: “Apologize (Remix)”
WEB DEBUT: Feb. 20, 2008

ONE-LISTEN VERDICT: You already know how you feel about wuss rockers (and now charting R&B stars) OneRepublic and their remorseless, Timbaland-produced smash. (And possibly unintended Phil Collins tribute.) Unsurprisingly, a ragga-tinged rapper best known for growling like a dungeon dragon sounds pretty silly-assed (and not in the good way) dropping broken-hearted rhymes over Timbaland’s milquetoast piano. (Not to mention this world-class groaner: “As sweet as a cup of peppermint tea can be, it can still taste bitter.” Someone give the dear a hug, already.) But perhaps this wackness is the unfortunate result of Busta picking the wrong backing track on which to bare his soul? For his next mixtape, we suggest the newly emotional Mr. Rhymes let rip over the intro to a truly deserving song, a classic recognized by sensitive dudes of all stripes:

WHERE TO FIND IT: Nah Right, who probably wants everyone to know he’s just doing his job.