The Power of Music Collaborations
Music collaborations bring artists together to create something special. When they team up, they often reach more people, try new styles, and make songs that stick with us. Collaborations help artists connect with new fans and explore sounds they might not usually try on their own. While some, like Adele, have found success without many collaborations, most artists benefit from working with others to take their careers to the next level and create songs that everyone loves.
Looking at the charts and awards, it’s clear that collaborations often outperform solo songs. Working together lets artists combine their strengths, leading to songs that might not have been made otherwise. The list below shows how collaborations have shaped the music industry and helped artists grow in their careers.
1. Empire State of Mind" - Jay-Z, Alicia Keys (2009)
"Empire State of Mind" is a timeless classic that captures the spirit of New York City. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys created a perfect mix of hip-hop and R&B, and the song became an anthem for the city. It won two Grammy Awards and remains a defining moment in both artists' careers.
2. "Love the Way You Lie" - Eminem, Rihanna (2010)
"Love the Way You Lie" became a major success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks. The song was praised for its portrayal of a troubled relationship, and its music video quickly gained over a billion views on YouTube. The collaboration also earned multiple Grammy nominations, further solidifying its influence in the music industry.
3. "Stereo Hearts" - Gym Class Heroes, Maroon 5 (2011)
"Stereo Hearts" combined Maroon 5’s pop melodies with Gym Class Heroes’ rap verses, climbing to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was well-received for its catchy hook, driven by Adam Levine's vocal performance. Rolling Stone mentioned how the track effectively blended elements of both pop and hip-hop, making it a favorite across different audiences.
4. "Beauty and a Beat" - Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj (2012)
"Beauty and a Beat" was a popular song that many remember well from when it was released. The music video, shot on a GoPro, captured the fun and carefree vibe of a summer pool party. It’s easily one of Justin Bieber’s top 5 songs. Nicki Minaj's feature proves that her presence can turn any track into a success.
5. "Bang Bang" - Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj (2014)
"Bang Bang" was a major moment for all three artists, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song highlighted Jessie J’s vocal talent, giving her well-deserved recognition. For Ariana Grande, it marked one of her biggest releases since leaving Nickelodeon, alongside "Problem" featuring Iggy Azalea, solidifying her transition into mainstream music. Nicki Minaj's verse helped her branch further into the pop scene, showcasing her ability to cross genres. The collaboration boosted all their careers and became a defining track in their discographies.
6. "Can't Remember to Forget You" - Shakira, Rihanna (2014)
Shakira and Rihanna’s "Can’t Remember to Forget You" quickly became a global success, reaching the top 10 in several countries. Its music video drew over 1 billion views on YouTube. The Guardian praised the collaboration, stating, "Shakira and Rihanna's chemistry is undeniable, making this one of the most memorable pop duets of the year."
7. "See You Again" - Charlie Puth, Wiz Khalifa (2015)
"See You Again" became a global success, especially due to its connection to the Furious 7 movie and the tribute to Paul Walker. The emotional depth of the song helped it become one of the most-streamed tracks of the year and played a big role in launching Charlie Puth’s career. The music video has since gained over 6 billion views on YouTube, making it one of the platform’s most watched videos of all time.
8. "Sicko Mode" - Travis Scott, Drake (2018)
"Sicko Mode" was a great party starter that topped the Billboard Hot 100 and was one of the year’s biggest tracks. It was also a key highlight on Travis Scott’s album Astroworld, which debuted at No. 1 and earned widespread acclaim. The song won Best Hip-Hop Video at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards, further showcasing its success.
9. "Shallow" - Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper (2018)
"Shallow," from the movie A Star Is Born, became an instant success and one of the most awarded songs in recent years. It topped charts all over the world, won an Oscar for Best Original Song, and earned multiple Grammys. The song highlighted Lady Gaga’s incredible voice and Bradley Cooper’s surprising musical talent, making it a remarkable moment in both of their careers.
10. "Señorita" - Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello (2019)
This single brought together the talents of Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello winning the award for Best Collaboration at the MTV Video Music Awards. Its steamy music video also helped the song gain massive popularity, with nearly 2 billion views on YouTube.
11. "Save Your Tears (Remix)" - The Weeknd, Ariana Grande (2021)
The remix of "Save Your Tears" featuring Ariana Grande became one of the biggest tracks of 2021. The Weeknd and Ariana have proven to be a great duo, with previous successful collaborations like "Die For You (Remix)" and "Love Me Harder." Every time they team up, fans eagerly anticipate the result. Their live performance of "Save Your Tears" was vocally stunning, showcasing how well their voices blend together.
12. "Guess" - Charli XCX, Billie Eilish (2024)
When I saw the teaser for "Guess," featuring Billie Eilish, my jaw dropped. With both Charli XCX and Billie Eilish releasing extremely successful albums this year, this collaboration feels even more special. The song quickly became a fan favorite, especially when fans reacted to Billie’s line, "Charli likes boys but she’d know I’d hit it." The music video, with its cool direction and on-brand style for Charli, gained over 50 million views on YouTube in just the first week.
13. "Die with a Smile" - Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars (2024)
Bruno Mars is known for his ability to release music, disappear for a while, and then come back with another hit—just like Frank Ocean. His recent collaboration with Lady Gaga, "Die with a Smile," already has millions of streams and is climbing the charts. This is the collaboration we didn’t know we all needed.
Producer Collaborations
Collaborations aren’t just between artists—they often involve producers who bring their unique vision to a project, shaping some of the biggest hits we know today.
Ryan Tedder has been behind many successful songs, such as Beyoncé's "Halo," Leona Lewis's "Bleeding Love," and OneRepublic's "Counting Stars." Recently, he worked with Tate McRae on her unreleased track "It's Ok I'm Ok," which she debuted live at Madison Square Garden, and her #1 song "Greedy."
Benny Blanco is another powerhouse producer who has influenced hits like Justin Bieber’s "Love Yourself," Kesha's "Tik Tok," and his own track "Eastside" with Halsey and Khalid. His work has helped elevate these songs to global success.
Jack Antonoff has played a major role in shaping modern pop, with key tracks like Taylor Swift’s "Out of the Woods," Lorde’s "Green Light," and "August" from Swift's Folklore album. He also contributed to Sabrina Carpenter's latest album, "Short n Sweet."
These producers show how crucial collaboration behind the scenes can be, turning great ideas into unforgettable hits.
Music collaborations, whether between artists or with producers, do more than just bring together different talents—they create opportunities for artists to grow, try new things, and reach new levels in their careers.
Written By ~ Anisha Putcha