War (Original)
slow, sorrowful, haunting blues harmonica, romping chorus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKKMdmPBWRk

Malo
unfortunately this live version from 2006 doesn't really do the original recording justice but in case you've heard it, it's faster, more Santana-esque with clear warm-toned guitar and latin percussion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKKMdmPBWRk

BJ the Chicago Kid w/ Battlecat & Kendrick Lamar
slick lil sample usage in the beginning, great melodic interpolation of original chorus, beat and live instrumentation is of course incredible
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6bTeDMCNns

To add to the discussion
What classic tunes can you name off the top with a similar variance of covers spanning an equally large period of time with as much variation in sound as this example?

Being that War was a Los Angeles band that was as much a part of the Black as Chicano communities this lent itself to being covered in a wider variety of styles and settings. Of course modern R&B often gives nods to the classics of yesteryear but rarely with this much success in retaining original spirit while instilling completely modern style.

Poll question: Your Favorite Rendition of "World is a Ghetto" | Classics w/ 3+ versions

Poll result (5 votes) The Original War Version (3 votes) Vote The Fast Latin Malo Version (0 votes) Vote The Battlecat / BJ Nu-Soul Version (2 votes) Vote Other Obscure Version (0 votes) Vote