Music collaborations bring together artists from different genres and styles to create something new and exciting. They blend the voices, rhythms, and production styles to make magic that resonates with the listeners.
In this blog post, we'll take a look at 21 of the best music collaborations of all time, from Kanye West and Rihanna's All of the Lights to Imagine Dragons and Lil Wayne's Believer.
Plus, we've handpicked a Spotify playlist so you can listen to all the hits while reading about each one.
From pop and hip-hop to rock and country, these collaborations have made a lasting impact on the music industry and continue to inspire musicians today.
So, let's dive in and celebrate some of the greatest music collaborations in history.
Our Playlist
You can listen to all the best musical collaborations in our hand-picked Spotify Playlist.
Otherwise, read on to learn more about some of the biggest music collaborations of all time!
Reviewing 21 of the Best Music Collaborations Of All Time
Without further ado, let's dive into some of the best musical collaborations throughout music history, connecting genres and superstars.
1. All Of The Lights by Kanye West feat. Kid Cudi & Rihanna
"All of the Lights" is a high-energy, brass-heavy track that features contributions from Kid Cudi and Rihanna. The collaboration is a prime example of Kanye West's ability to bring together talented artists and blend their styles seamlessly into a cohesive whole.
Cudi's haunting vocals provide a fitting counterpoint to Rihanna's soaring chorus, while West's hard-hitting verses anchor the track. A staple from the beautiful dark twisted fantasy album.
2. Numb / Encore by JAY-Z & Linkin Park
"Numb/Encore" brought together two iconic acts from very different genres, with JAY-Z and Linkin Park collaborating to create a mashup of their respective hits.
The result was a seamless blend of JAY-Z's hard-hitting rap verses and Linkin Park's signature rock sound. The collaboration was a commercial and critical success, winning a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
3. Antisocial by Ed Sheeran & Travis Scott
"Antisocial" sees Ed Sheeran team up with Travis Scott to create a moody and atmospheric track that showcases both artists' unique talents. Sheeran's emotive vocals blend seamlessly with Scott's autotuned rapping, while the sparse beat and haunting melody create a sense of tension and unease.
4. Forever by Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Eminem
"Forever" is an epic collaboration featuring four of the biggest names in rap. Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem each deliver hard-hitting verses over a pounding beat, with the track serving as a showcase of their respective skills.
The collaboration was a commercial success, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
5. Broadway Girls by Lil Durk (feat. Morgan Wallen)
"Broadway Girls" is one of the more surprising musical collaborations between rising rapper Lil Durk and country star Morgan Wallen. The track sees Durk deliver introspective verses over a guitar-heavy beat, while Wallen provides a melodic chorus that adds a touch of country flavor to the mix.
The collaboration showcases the ability of both artists to cross genre boundaries and experiment with their sound, impressing fans of both musicians.
6. Creepin' by Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage
This collaboration brings together three heavyweights of their respective genres, with Metro Boomin providing a hauntingly hypnotic beat, The Weeknd delivering his signature falsetto croon, and 21 Savage adding his gritty streetwise flow. The result is a dark and moody track that showcases the unique talents of each artist.
7. Bad Blood by Taylor Swift & Kendrick Lamar
This unlikely pairing resulted in a high-energy pop/hip-hop track that became an instant hit. Taylor Swift's catchy hooks are complemented by Kendrick Lamar's hard-hitting verses, resulting in a song that's both fun and empowering. The two artists also collaborated on a memorable music video that featured a star-studded cast.
8. Good For You by Selena Gomez & A$AP Rocky
Selena Gomez's sultry vocals are perfectly complemented by A$AP Rocky's laid-back rhymes on this collaboration. The song's minimalist production allows the two artists' voices to shine, while the lyrics detail a relationship that's both passionate and complex.
9. Close To Me by Ellie Goulding, Diplo, & Swae Lee
This collaboration combines Ellie Goulding's ethereal vocals, Diplo's eclectic production, and Swae Lee's signature melodic style. An incredible music world connection, as the result is a catchy and upbeat track that's perfect for dancing.
The music video, which features Goulding dancing in a mirrored room, adds to the song's dreamlike quality.
10. The Way I Are by Timbaland, Keri Hilson, D.O.E
This upbeat collaboration features Timbaland's signature production style, with Keri Hilson's smooth vocals and D.O.E's energetic rapping. The song's catchy chorus and infectious beat make it a classic party anthem, and one of my personal favorite throwback songs.
11. Run This Town by JAY-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West
"Run This Town" by JAY-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West is a powerful collaboration that showcases the individual strengths of each artist. Rihanna's soaring vocals on the chorus provide the perfect contrast to the hard-hitting rap verses of JAY-Z and Kanye. The song's haunting instrumentation and production also make it a standout track.
12. Irresistible - Remix by Fall Out Boy, Migos & Zaytoven
The remix of Fall Out Boy's "Irresistible" featuring Migos and Zaytoven is an unexpected but exciting collaboration. Migos adds their signature ad-libs and trap-style verses to the song, while Zaytoven's production gives it a new energy. The collaboration brings together different genres and styles to create a fresh take on an already popular song.
13. Believer by Imagine Dragons (feat. Lil Wayne)
Imagine Dragons and Lil Wayne is a unique pairing that works surprisingly well. Lil Wayne's verse adds an edgier rap element to the song, while the rock-inspired instrumentation and Imagine Dragons' powerful vocals make it an anthemic track.
The collaboration showcases the versatility of both artists.
14. One Thing Right by Marshmello & Kane Brown
"One Thing Right" by Marshmello and Kane Brown is a country-EDM crossover that seamlessly blends the two genres. Brown's smooth vocals on the chorus and Marshmello's upbeat production create a catchy and memorable song. The collaboration demonstrates the potential for different genres to come together in unexpected but successful ways.
15. my ex's best friend by Machine Gun Kelly & blackbear
"my ex's best friend" by Machine Gun Kelly and blackbear is a moody and introspective collaboration that explores the complexities of relationships. The song's dark production and haunting vocals create an emotional atmosphere, while the lyrics delve into the pain of heartbreak and loss.
The collaboration allows both artists to showcase their unique styles and create something powerful together.
16. NO BYSTANDERS by Travis Scott (feat. Juice WRLD & Sheck Wes):
"NO BYSTANDERS" is a high-energy trap song that features the late Juice WRLD and rapper Sheck Wes. The track is from Travis Scott's third studio album, "Astroworld," and is known for its catchy chorus and heavy bassline.
The collaboration between the three rappers resulted in a song that is perfect for a wild party or concert, as the lyrics encourage the audience to get hyped and participate.
17. Praise The Lord by A$AP Rocky (feat. Skepta)
"Praise The Lord" is a grime-influenced rap song that features A$AP Rocky and British rapper Skepta. The track is from Rocky's third studio album, "Testing," and is known for its minimalistic beat and catchy hook.
The collaboration between Rocky and Skepta highlights the international reach of hip-hop and showcases how different cultural influences can merge to create something unique.
18. I'm On One by DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne
"I'm On One" is a rap anthem that features DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne. The track is from Khaled's fifth studio album, "We the Best Forever," and is known for its braggadocious lyrics and smooth production.
19. Baby by Lil Baby & DaBaby
Baby by Lil Baby & DaBaby: "Baby" is a trap banger that features Lil Baby and DaBaby. The track is from Lil Baby's second studio album, "My Turn," and is known for its repetitive but infectious chorus and hard-hitting beat. The collaboration between the two rappers showcases their unique styles and chemistry, making it a popular song for fans of both artists.
20. GATTI by Pop Smoke & Travis Scott
"GATTI" is a trap song that features the late Pop Smoke and Travis Scott. The track is from Pop Smoke's posthumous album, "Meet the Woo 2," and is known for its ominous beat and haunting vocals. The collaboration between the two rappers resulted in a song that is a testament to Pop Smoke's influence on the modern rap scene, and how his unique sound has influenced many artists in the genre.
21. Champions by Kanye West (feat. Gucci Mane, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott, Yo Gotti, Quavo, Desiigner)
"Champions" is a collaborative track by Kanye West featuring Gucci Mane, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott, Yo Gotti, Quavo, and Desiigner. The song was released in 2016 and it features each artist delivering powerful verses about their success and accomplishments.
The song's epic beat and memorable hook helped it to become a popular anthem for those who are striving to achieve greatness. This collaboration brought together some of the most talented and successful artists in the industry, and it is a testament to their ability to work together to create something truly special.
Honorable Mentions
Lastly, let's show love to a few more musical collaborations that deserve at least a mention. I don't have time to write about every major influential collaboration ever, so I'll list a few more that were wildly successful.
Say Say Say by Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
Under Pressure by Queen & David Bowie
Cold Heart by Elton John & Dua Lipa
Still D.R.E. by Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg
Turks by NAV & Gunna (feat. Travis Scott)
Come and See Me by PARTYNEXTDOOR (feat. Drake)
Get Lucky by Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams
While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles (feat. Eric Clapton)
Don't Matter To Me by Drake & Michael Jackson
We Paid by Lil Baby (feat. 42 Dugg)
In Conclusion
In conclusion, music collaborations bring together artists from different genres and styles to create something new and exciting. The blending of voices, rhythms, and production styles often makes magic that resonates with the listeners.
The collaborations featured in this post have made a lasting impact on the music industry and continue to inspire musicians today. Click here to listen to the music discussed!
Until next time!