The secret to producing a hit song may be the beat, or the chorus, or possibly even the timing of its release. But sometimes the secret is as simple as the person you get to feature on the song – especially if they’re one of these 15 go-to artists who everyone and their mama has had on their track at one point or another.
Lil’ Wayne
For a while there it seemed like the equation for a hit song equaled random person plus Lil’ Wayne. His name dominated airwaves and music charts, and he was easily regarded as the best rapper of the time – if only because he was the busiest. Now Lil’ Wayne has decreased the number of guest appearances he makes, though his collabos are still super successful.
Miguel
If you need a soulful R&B sound on your track then the go-to artist is definitely Miguel. The Southern California native has provided his smooth voiced sound to darn near everybody these days – Mariah Carey, J. Cole, Wale, and many others.
WENN
Pharrell Williams
Pharell Williams isn’t just the go-to guy for producing music, he’s also the go-to guy for being featured on music – naturally. To date, Pharrell has lent his vocals to hundreds of songs by various artists in all genres – some of his most successful guest appearances being on Snoop Dogg’s Drop It Like It’s Hot and of course Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines. For him to produce, you might have to agree to let hims sing a line or two.
WENN
Timbaland
Like Pharrell, Timbaland is a music producing maven. But don’t think that means his featured vocals aren’t just as valuable. Timbaland has been featured on smash hits by artists like Aaliyah, Nelly Furtado and 50 Cent. You know that raspy tenor when you hear it.
WENN
2 Chainz
2 Chainz and his, well… two chains, have forged a very successful solo career out of guest appearing on a number of top artists’ songs, like Kanye West’s Mercy and Nicki Minaj’s Beez In The Trap. He’s also worked with Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Drake, R. Kelly, Robin Thicke, and about 75 other people.
WENN
Pitbull
Pitbull is Mr. Worldwide for a reason – it seems like every song he touches is a universal hit. Remember his collabos with Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias and Usher? Yup, all hits.
WENN
Missy Elliott
For over two decades Missy Elliott has both sung and rapped on hits like Is That Yo Chick, 1,2, Step, and most recently Fantasia’s Without Me.
WENN
Snoop Dogg/Lion
Let’s be real, Snoop hasn’t dropped a really successful album since Tha Doggfather. But he still remains relevant for two reasons: his status as a cultural icon and his success as a featured artist. Thus far, Snoop has appeared on everything – including hip hop, r&b and even pop hits.
Nate Dogg
Before his passing in 2011, Nate Dogg had not only built a super successful solo career, he had also become a top featured artist as well. In the ‘90s Nate appeared on songs by rappers like Tupac, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre; and in the 2000’s he appeared on top hits by Ludacris, 50 Cent, Eminem and many, many more.
Image Source: WENN.com
Drake
With as many hits as Drake has under his belt, it’s no wonder he’s featured on so many artists’ songs. From The One by Mary J. Blige to Poetic Justice by Kendrick Lamar, Drake (like his mentor Lil’ Wayne) has become known for making a good song great by just appearing on it.
WENN
Ludacris
Luda’s done very well as a solo artist, but it seems he’s done equally well as a featured artist. Not only does he have an ability to make songs hot by rapping on them (One Minute Man, Oh), he also seems to spit his best rhymes on collabo joints too.
Sakura/WENN.com
Rihanna
When Rihanna was on the come up, she guest appeared on seemingly everything with everybody – TI, Eminem, Jay Z, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj. Now, her guest appearances are less frequent, though she’s definitely still a hit-maker — and makes exceptions for A$ap Rocky.
WENN
Akon
Singer, songwriter and producer Akon doesn’t even have to release any of his own music to be successful. The man has been featured on over 300 songs, more than 35 of which have topped music charts in the US and abroad. Some of the famous folks Akon has collaborated with include icons like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, and newcomers like Kat Deluna and Alexandra Burke.
WENN
T-Pain
T-Pain may have been clowned for his vocals – or lack of them – but back in the mid 2000’s it seemed like any song you put Teddy Bend-Her-A** down on was a guaranteed hit. The rapper/singer was featured on everything from I’m So Hood to Shawty, and you know those were the joints.
WENN
Diddy
Ok, so maybe Diddy’s not as much of a go-to artist as some of the others, but he has been featured on quite a few hits over the years. And like Ludacris, Diddy’s collabo rap abilities are noticeably stronger than his solo ones.
