Music often brings together unexpected partnerships, creating tracks that surprise fans and push genre boundaries. Here are some of the most unusual musical collaborations that made history:
1. Aerosmith & Run-DMC - “Walk This Way”
In the ‘80s, Aerosmith and Run-DMC teamed up to blend rock and hip-hop in a way no one saw coming. Their collaboration on “Walk This Way” became a huge hit and opened the doors for more genre-crossing music.
2. David Bowie & Bing Crosby - “Little Drummer Boy”
This Christmas classic from 1977 is memorable not just for the song, but for the strange pairing of rock icon David Bowie and crooner Bing Crosby. Their rendition became an unexpected holiday favorite and remains iconic today.
3. Elton John & Eminem - Grammy Performance of “Stan”
In 2001, Elton John joined Eminem on stage to perform “Stan” at the Grammys, surprising fans due to their vastly different styles and a surprise for the music industry, which had labeled Eminem as homophobic due to his provocative lyrics. This collaboration became legendary, symbolizing an unexpected alliance in the music world.
4. Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus - “Old Town Road”
This hit blended country and hip-hop, topping the charts and becoming a viral sensation. With Billy Ray Cyrus lending country credibility to the track, the collaboration blurred genre lines in a way that resonated globally.
5. Wyclef Jean & Kenny Rogers - “The Gambler (Remix)”
Wyclef Jean brought country legend Kenny Rogers into the hip-hop world, remixing the classic song “The Gambler.” This odd duo showed that country and hip-hop could mix, even if the result was a bit unconventional, and years before Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus.
Bonus: Michael Jackson & Freddie Mercury + a llama 🦙 - The Unreleased Collaboration
In the early ‘80s, Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury worked together on several songs that were never officially released due to scheduling conflicts and other challenges. Tracks like “There Must Be More to Life Than This” and “State of Shock” were partially recorded, with Mercury’s unique voice blending with Jackson’s iconic sound. Although these collaborations never saw a full release, a few recordings and demos have surfaced, giving fans a glimpse of what could have been. This collaboration remains one of the most intriguing “what ifs” in music history, uniting two of the greatest performers of all time.
One reason often mentioned is that Jackson brought his pet llama, Louie, to the studio, which surprised and even irritated Mercury. This, along with scheduling conflicts and other creative differences, led to the project being abandoned.
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