Theoretically, there was so much that could go wrong with Watch The Throne, the huge hip hop collaboration that united Jay-Z and Kanye West. I mean, two huge egos releasing an album of “luxury rap” that boasts about ‘mo money, ‘mo problems in the wake of a huge global economic crisis? On paper, that sounds pretentious and a surefire failure.

But, then again, we are talking about Jay-Z and Kanye: two of the biggest and most creative minds in hip hop today with a bromance so strong, the egos actually work together.

And while they are tearing a Maybach apart in their video for “Otis”, and bragging about all their material wealth, there is still a sense of shock on songs like “Niggas in Paris”, almost like “I’m wearing Gucci??? What???” Meanwhile, they also deal with the two-faced haters who are waiting for their downfall on tracks like “Why I Love You”.

But, it’s not all bravado here. There are moments of fragility and uncertainty on “New Day”, a song to their unborn sons, and of perseverance in times of adversity on “Murder to Excellence”.

And for anyone who thinks hip hop can’t be art, take on listen to “H.A.M.”, which features a full symphony and opera singers. It’s a masterpiece designed or the clubs.

If you were two of the biggest names in hip hop with millions at your disposal, what would you do? Well, act like a big kid of course.

That's what Kanye West and Jay-Z are doing in their simple, but fun, video for "Otis", off their excellent collaborative album Watch The Throne. 

The two guys seem downright giddy as they trick out a Maybach, take girls on a joyride, and mug in front of fireworks. 

I enjoy this video so much, not only because it seems like Jay and 'Ye are having a blast, but also because it kind of goes against the typical hip hop video template. I mean, this video looks like something that would come out from a young rock band, doesn't it?

Check it out! And be sure to check out the album, which is brilliant.

British MC Theophilus London has been impressing me. I mean, I'm no hip hop head, but I recognize good music when I hear it, and Theo (can I call you Theo?) has been making music that sounds different from the norm, somehow managing to take retro sounds and make it fresh.

After slowing things down with a jam that could have come straight from my father's record collection, he's going hard in his new single "Last Name London", with a pulsing bassline and a relentless synth drum.

What makes it even cooler is the accompanying video that looks like a Nike ad from the 90s. In an era where it's all about swag, I love that he gives a little nod to one of the biggest status symbols from back in the day. Right down to the basketball dunks and the girls jumping rope.

While it's definitley not the first time this has been done, I have to give props to the Beastie Boys and Spike Jonez for taking the whole toys-in-music-videos genre to the next level. I mean, this is pretty much what I would do every Saturday morning from the age of 9-14. Yes, I played with my action figures till I was 14. 

Anyway, "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win", featuring my fave, Santoigold, has it all. Assisinations attempts, snowmobile gun chases, zombies, sharks, helicopter fights, submarine attacks, and a Yeti.

Basically, I don't even know what the song really sounds like, but I love this video.

Lupe Fiasco's latest single "Out Of My Head" featuring Trey Songz has the earmarks of being a summer jam. A bouncy, synth-driven beat, sentimental love lyrics and a video with a hot girl.

Speaking of the hot girl, it seems in the video that he keeps seeing the same hot girl everywhere he goes. Um, aren't there meds for that? But, in the end, it turns out hot girl is actually his girlfriend and he was just so in love with her, he kept seeing her everywhere, making his bad day a good day.

Um, aren't there meds for that?

Sometimes musical collaborations are nothing more than an industry gimmick. But, in a few instances, collaborations can be an example of a perfect symbiotic relationship for talented musicians.

Rye Rye is an up-and-coming MC from Baltimore who is a getting a lot of attention from critics and in-the-know music lovers. And, in preparation for her debut album Go! Pop! Bang!, she's proving her musical cred by not only getting Robyn to rework her hit "Be Mine!", but also turning the sad pop song into a slow R&B jam with a new narrative, named "Never Will Be Mine".

And what's in it for Robyn? Well, while she is an indie pop music darling and a gay icon, she isn't exactly getting any airplay on North American mainstream channels. Which is a huge tragedy. So, with Rye Rye moving on up in the States, this is a surefire way to get some exposure to the masses. Whether that translates to more North American fans remains to be seen.

I don't think it bares repeating that I love artists who blend two genres of music together.

While Example, from England, isn't the first to fuse rap with dance music, the way he does it is pretty unique. Not only is he rapping over top very European beats, but he also starts singing with a very 80s baritone that reminds me of New Order. That's amazing in my books.

Check out the lead single "Changed The Way You Kissed Me", from his upcoming third album, Playing In The Shadows.