A new series, “MTV Ultimate Mash-Ups,” hopes to capitalize on the craze, in which computer users “mash” together songs to produce surprising new results. The series premiere at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday features Jay-Z rapping with Linkin Park.

Recorded live at West Hollywood’s Roxy Theatre, the artists create some unlikely combinations, such as Jay-Z’s cocky “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” with Linkin Park’s rage-filled “Lying From You.” The show also features footage of the musicians rehearsing in the studio. A combination CD/DVD of the performance will be released Nov. 30.

Like downloading, mash-ups have been popular with music fans but not with the music industry. After DJ Danger Mouse released an album mixing Jay-Z with The Beatles, he received a cease-and-desist order from EMI, which owns The Beatles’ recordings.

Still, mash-ups regularly appear online, and San Francisco radio station Live 105 has even begun airing them. One favorite is “Faint Britney,” which mixes Linkin Park’s “Faint” with Britney Spears’ “Toxic.”

“I don’t believe in sectioning off music,” Jay-Z said at a screening of the new show. “You’ll catch me listening to Sarah McLachlan.”