We know that music brings people together. And at times, it’s gone out of its way to do so. Musicians continually experiment with their craft and attempt to push boundaries. Still, there are instances when we end up questioning their better judgment – especially when it comes to unusual collaborations. But there are exceptions when artists have proved us wrong – where even the strangest pairings have defied all odds to work. We’ve put together a few collabs that initially raised an eyebrow but then realized that they become insanely successful.
Nelly and Tim McGraw – Over and Over
Who could’ve seen this one coming? Nobody believed it when the collaboration was first announced. But the tune was catchy and did massively well worldwide. Hip hop meets country and comes together beautifully despite every possible dissimilarity. Not only did the genres blend beautifully, but so did Nelly’s smooth tones and the signature McGraw drawl and baritone. It remains an iconic moment in cross-genre collaboration.
Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney – Four Five Seconds
Rihanna and Kanye collaborating is a no-brainer. We’ve seen them work together in the past. But bring Paul McCartney to the mix, and it gets interesting! The song became an instant hit. Even though McCartney doesn’t sing, it’s hard to miss his creative direction on the track and backing vocals.
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga – The Lady Is A Tramp
Gaga has incredible vocal chops that often get overshadowed by her generally OTT image. Back then, she was known for provocative lyrics and outlandish costumes. Tony Bennet has always epitomized smooth jazz. Yet when the two paired up for a collab, Gaga’s powerful vocals and Bennet’s music seemed meant to be. The duo later recorded a jazz album together.
The Foo Fighters and Nora Jones – Virginia Moon We know The Foo Fighters for their headbanging, angsty sounds. Norah Jones, by contrast, feels like summer wine and candles. So when the two teamed up for ‘Virginia Moon,’ the world didn’t quite know what to expect. But the track gave off a wonderful feel. Complemented by Norah’s smooth voice, The Foo Fighters made an unusual but successful departure from their usual style.
