14 Of The Most Epic Old School Meets New School Music Collaborations
From Mary & Elton To Beyoncé & Luther: Epic ‘Old School Meets New School’ Collaborations
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Duets bring out the best in most artists, but there’s something special about it when the collaboration is between a veteran and a newbie in the music game. Recently, Lupe Fiasco posted a picture with Charlie Wilson, letting folks know that that they would be teaming up. It’s just one of many collaborations Wilson has done with rappers and singers (including Kanye West and Snoop Dogg) over the last few years. With that in mind, let’s check out some of the most interesting duets with the veterans and the rookies. What are some of your faves?
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Beyonce & Luther Vandross: “The Closer I Get To You”
2002
//www.youtube.com/v/V4PMSjUbg88?hl=en_US&version=3
Bey’s Dangerously In Love is arguably her best album, and of course, her first solo album. A standout track from it was her duet with the late Luther Vandross, called “The Closer I Get To You.” A super soulful rendition of the original song by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway, the two shared great chemistry and really put a unique spin on it with their powerful voice.
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Toni Braxton & Trey Songz: “Yesterday”
2009
//www.youtube.com/v/3cETtDC59-I?version=3&hl=en_US
In 2009, Trey Songz blew up and right into the mainstream with his third album, Ready. With all the ladies loving him and his notoriety at an all time high, the legendary Toni Braxton teamed up with Trigga Trey for “Yesterday.” The single did big things for both artists, but the big kiss they shared as they performed the song at the 2009 Soul Train awards is what had everyone talking.
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Michael Bolton & Kelly Rowland: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
2013
//www.youtube.com/v/k_SpFkzrKXs?hl=en_US&version=3
Michael Bolton loves to experiment. The legendary singer has collaborated with a lot of people over the years (including rapper Kid Cudi), but one unique and lovable collaboration was his duet with Kelly Rowland. The two will never compare to Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell on the classic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” but their take on the song for Bolton’s album, A Tribute To Hitsville, is easy to love too.
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Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney: “Say Say Say”
1983
//www.youtube.com/v/eyotStPsqLg?version=3&hl=en_US
The ’80s were filled with quite a few killer collabos, but nothing beats Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney’s “Say Say Say” for me. The single was MJ’s seventh hit record of 1983 and broke single records previously held by Elvis Presley, and ironically, The Beatles. Over time, the song has become a classic, but when it was first released, some were skeptical about the duet. What’s there to be skeptical about? If “The Boy Is Mine” didn’t already tell you these two were going to be hitmakers together, “Say Say Say” made it clear.
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Brian McKnight and Justin Timberlake: “My Kind Of Girl”
2001
//www.youtube.com/v/kujSVD-AUpk?version=3&hl=en_US
Brian McKnight’s followup to the very popular Back At One album, was Superhero. The album featured plenty of gems, including the duet, “My Kind Of Girl” with a young Justin Timberlake. This duet was perfect for the two singers, with Justin’s high singing voice and McKnight’s smooth vocals.
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R. Kelly and Justin Bieber: “PYD”
2013
//www.youtube.com/v/0Os-eKGQzpw?version=3&hl=en_US
If you hadn’t heard any of the Music Monday tracks Bieber recently put out, they’re definitely worth checking out. Justin’s “Music Mondays” releases in 2013 introduced us to a more mature Biebs. “PYD (Put You Down)” showed us he wasn’t playing around. He begins the sultry single sounding pretty great, but R.Kelly helps bring the track home with his instantly recognizable vocal abilities.
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Prince and Janelle Monae: “Givin ‘Em What They Love”
2013
//www.youtube.com/v/21X7ALvwN8Y?version=3&hl=en_US
If the guitar intro doesn’t pull you into Janelle Monae’s The Electric Lady album, hopefully this duet will. Monae’s collabo with her musical hero is simply perfect. Their voices come together effortlessly on “Givin Em What They Love.” Prince plays a mean guitar, and we get to see what Monae’s voice can really do. Love it!
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Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett: “The Lady Is A Tramp”
2011
//www.youtube.com/v/ZPAmDULCVrU?version=3&hl=en_US
Tony Bennett’s duets with Amy Winehouse and Faith Hill are worth noting, but his duet with Lady Gaga brings us all back to classic jazz. It’s refreshing to see Gaga outside of her ‘Artpop’ world as she sings along with Bennett, and it comes off as natural. It reminds you that outside of all the over-the-top costumes and performances, Gaga can really sing.
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Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar: “The Recipe”
2012
//www.youtube.com/v/RJc0M4CjmNg?hl=en_US&version=3
Kendrick’s first single to his debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, was the “The Recipe” with mentor Dr.Dre. Since Detox isn’t coming anytime soon, “The Recipe” served as a perfect replacement and a perfect ode to Los Angeles. The single didn’t chart as high as “Swimming Pools (Drank)” or “Poetic Justice,” but it helped us see how good K.Dot is and why we need to ride around in somebody’s lowrider in Cali, ASAP.
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Sade and Jay Z: “The Moon and The Sky (Remix)”
2011
//www.youtube.com/v/adOUY8Ue9LU?version=3&hl=en_US
I’ve always heard from fans of Sade that she shouldn’t work with rappers, but this remix shows that it might not be a bad idea. Jay’s addition to “The Moon and The Sky” remix was a pretty big deal, and it sounded pretty good too. Sade may not work with another rapper again any time soon (sorry Drake), but at least we have one single to hold on to.
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Lauryn Hill and Aretha Franklin: “A Rose is Still A Rose”
1998
//www.youtube.com/v/gtMUQbnT_Lo?hl=en_US&version=3
Lauryn Hill wrote and produced the track “A Rose is Still A Rose” for Aretha Franklin’s 36th (lawd!) album of the same name, and she can be heard lending her vocals to the song as well. It was a great collabo to help Franklin connect with a much younger fan base, and who knew breakups could make you want to dance?
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Kanye & Charlie Wilson: “Bound 2″
2013
//www.youtube.com/v/Ejqm4dBHYRo?version=3&hl=en_US
Oldies and newbies are always around in the world of Kanye West. The rapper has worked with Charlie Wilson for many years and it’s clear that it helps with his singles. While “Bound 2” is a familiar track for new fans of Wilson, the singer has also put his stamp on Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album, and been on three of the rapper’s singles from the weekly “GOOD Friday” music series West launched in 2010.
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Mary J Blige & Elton John: “Deep Inside”
1999
//www.youtube.com/v/Mrk4uJHW-Ec?version=3&hl=en_US
It was fate for the two legendary singers to cross paths. Elton John played elements of his song “Bennie and the Jets” for Mary’s very popular single “Deep Inside,” from the Mary album. The collabo went so well that the singer performed with Elton John the following year at Madison Square Garden. The two sung John’s 1983 hit, “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.” They proved that magic can happen when you blur the lines between Old School and New School acts.
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Wyclef Jean feat. Celia Cruz, Jeni Fujita & Lauryn Hill: “Guantanamera”
1999
//www.youtube.com/v/bYU6lD7bJtM?hl=en_US&version=3
Wyclef Jean’s debut solo album, The Carnival spawned the hits “Gone till November” and the duet “Guantanamera” with the late Celia Cruz. The 1966 classic was given a modern hip-hop feel by The Refugee All Stars introducing Cruz, as well as Wyclef and Lauryn Hill to a completely different audience.
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