I’ll be honest at the front of this article: I’m a HUGE fan of Karmin. I’ll also be honest in saying that I don’t know how to start this article. Karmin delivers on every single cover they do, and it is delightful to see them still regularly creating covers even when they’re making their own music. So, I wanted to visit some of the covers Karmin has absolutely nailed in the past few years.
Bitch Better Have My Money
This Rihanna song has a “love it” or “hate it” reputation by most people. It’s an aggressive song, both lyrically and beat-wise. So when Karmin took it on as a cover, they put a playful spin on it. With a revamped melody and heavy beat, “Bitch Better Have My Money” took on a completely different sound from the crafty minds of Nick and Amy.
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That Old Black Magic
If you’re anything like me, you hadn’t heard much of Frank Sinatra’s “ That Old Black Magic” throughout your lifetime. It’s one of those very old-timey songs, and one that isn’t slipped in with the classics. Most of the younger generation today knows of Frank Sinatra, but it isn’t something that’s playing from their phones. When Karmin did a remix cover, they almost completely revamped the song. The chorus melody stayed the same, but they replaced the verses with new ones that consist of Amy rapping. The song also took up a new, snazzy beat to create a spunky remix cover everyone can enjoy.
Baby It’s Cold Outside
Although this is described as a holiday cover, Karmin’s spin of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” puts a dark, distinctive spin on their version of the song. I’ll admit I’ve listened to this cover outside of the holiday season and haven’t felt a bit of guilt for it. It’s safe to say no one has come close to performing this classic Christmas song in the way Karmin did. It’s originality and peculiar sound makes this one of Karmin’s most creative covers ever.
Walkin’ On The Sun
Subtly is key in this cover. Originally done by Smash Mouth, “Walkin’ On The Sun” is one of Karmin’s simpler covers, but it still keeps the creative juices flowing. This cover specifically shows that when Karmin goes to make a cover, they aren’t moving without purpose. They want their covers to be fun, not just for their fans but also for themselves. Not a lot changed from the original, but their cover is definitely a Karmin cover. Every cover Karmin does receives love and fun, and that is prominent within this cover.
Riverbend
The ultimate mood music. Karmin’s cover of “Riverbend” completely changes the pace, style, and meaning of the original song from Pocahontas. I believe this song is very moody and situational, but it is perfect for when you are in those conditions. The fact that Amy sang this and they posted it without editing or tweaking it is incredible, and it really shows off the raw talent of Karmin as a duo.
No Flex Zone
Watsky and Karmin team up to create an unforgettable remix cover of “No Flex Zone”. Rewriting their own verses to completely redoing the chorus, Karmin and Watsky make this song their own. This again shows off where Karmin shines with inspiration from other artists, and it is impressive to see how creative they can get with that inspiration.
Panda
Fans of the original song might not approve, but this cover was one of Karmin’s most popular covers as of recent months. “Panda” creates a parallelism to Karmin’s first breakout cover, “Look At Me Now” by how they put their subtle, imaginative twist on a popular rap song. This cover really goes back to the roots of what Karmin wanted to be when starting out on this journey, and it shows that Karmin wants to keep that sincerity as they continue to grow as an artist.
