Some collaborations throughout the past couple decades in music are almost impossible to believe. Superstar meets superstar and what is produced is, without fail, outstanding. I feel that some of these iconic crossovers have been forgotten in recent years or have been overlooked all together, so this is a gentle reminder. I wanted to find songs that would make you think, “Woah, I can’t believe those two legends came together. Wild.”
“Me Against the Music” — Britney Spears feat. Madonna
The Queen of Pop meets the Princess of Pop in this oh-so-important crossover from Spears’ 2003 album “In the Zone”; that same year the two pop powerhouses would share a kiss during a performance on the VMAs. “Me Against the Music”, lost in the backlog of Spears’ music and overshadowed by megahit “Toxic” from the same album, is one of my favorites from her catalogue.
“Beautiful Liar” — Beyoncé & Shakira
In this R&B meets Flamenco collaboration between legends Shakira and Beyoncé, the two sing about an unfaithful lover: “It’s not worth our time/ We can live without them/ Just a beautiful liar.” The music video features the two songstresses, nearly identical with big hair, black ensembles, and hip-shaking choreography.
“Backseat” — Charli XCX feat. Carly Rae Jepsen
Indie-pop badass Charli XCX and synth-pop darling CRJ (of “Call Me Maybe” infamy) come together for the first track on XCX’s 2017 mixtape, “Pop 2”. The combination of these two would make any self respecting gay man dissolve into a pool of tears. The result? Pure greatness.
“Hey Girl” — Lady Gaga feat. Florence Welch
On her most recent album “Joanne”, Lady Gaga took on a new sound — folk with a country influence — but she didn’t completely shed her 80s synth sound, dance pop roots. Gaga and Welch (of Florence and the Machine) combine their talents in a Bowie-inspired, feel-good track about the beauties of female friendship.
“Lust for Life” — Lana Del Rey feat. The Weeknd
The mystiques that surround indie artists Lana Del Rey and The Weeknd go hand in hand — their similar sounds are smokey, sultry, and dark. “Lust for Life” is the pair’s opportunity to enjoy life. “There’s no more night/ Blue skies forever,” Del Rey croons; their sound is just as smokey and sultry as we’ve come to expect.
“Take Care” — Drake feat. Rihanna
Drake and Rihanna, the couple who only need two names, have been on and off for years — it all may be rumours but I’d like to live in a world where Drake and Rihanna can find happiness together. “Take Care” is our opportunity to revel in the magic these two superstars create when they come together — smooth, soft, almost sad. We love it.
“Where Is the Love?” — The Black Eyed Peas feat. Justin Timberlake
The chorus of one of the most popular Black Eyed Peas songs, unbeknownst to most people, is sung by Justin Timberlake. A song that we could all heed in today’s climate, the R&B foursome and Timberlake create an anthem for a better world — one without hurt or violence and with better music.
“The Boy Is Mine” — Brandy & Monica
The ‘98 mid-tempo R&B track from songstresses Brandy and Monica was used by the young artists to combat rumours that the two had a rivalry. In doing so they created one of the best songs from the 1990s, in which they fight over the affection of a man. It spent weeks at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 and remains pivotal to the landscape of music from the ‘90s.