Top 10 Biggest Music Collaborations of the 1990s
#10: Whatta Man (1993)
Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue
Rap duo Salt-N-Pepa took Linda Lyndells classic soul song, What a Man and updated it for the 90s. With a hook performed by R&B group En Vogue, Whatta Man honors Lyndells original and its infectious chorus while giving it a new look through some great rap verses. But the overall message of the song remains the same, with Salt-N-Pepa tributing the men who are good to them. Its success was so great that it inspired Lyndell to come out of musical retirement and perform What a Man live for the first time. Whatta song.
#9: All for Love (1993)
Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, & Sting
Appropriately, a song made for the Three Musketeers soundtrack was recorded by three giants of the music industry. All for Love is cheesy in the best way possible, with booming piano and guitar chords, lyrics about undying devotion for someone, and the singing talents of the three vocalists. While Adams, Stewart, and Sting all sound great on their own, something special happens when they come together and deliver that soaring chorus in perfect harmony. All for Love topped the charts in multiple countries. In true Three Musketeers fashion, it was a number one for all.
#8: Smooth (1999)
Santana feat. Rob Thomas
Smooth bears the distinct honor of being both the final song to top the Billboard Hot 100 in the 90s as well as the first to top it in the 2000s. For a while, it felt impossible to go anywhere without hearing Matchbox 20 singer Rob Thomas raspy voice over Carlos Santanas hypnotic guitar lines. The rest of Santana give the song plenty of energy as well, with horns and keys adding further pep. Santana's album "Supernatural" won nine Grammys, including Album of the Year. And "Smooth" which won Song and Record of the Year, was undoubtedly pivotal to its success. Years later, its not hard to listen to Smooth.
#7: I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By (1995)
Method Man feat. Mary J. Blige
While this song, a remix of Method Mans All I Need" off his debut album, Tical, is a bonus track, its in no way a throwaway. Based on Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrells Youre All I Need to Get By, it finds the Wu-Tang Clan rapper displaying a more sensitive side. Over RZAs propulsive but romantic production, Method Man raps about how much he loves his partner, while Mary J. Bliges sultry vocals add even more gorgeous atmosphere, especially in the chorus. Winning a well-deserved Grammy, this song is all we need and more. Its definitely different from Meths collab with Limp Bizkit.
#6: The Boy Is Mine (1998)
Brandy & Monica
When you have two female pop artists making waves at the same time, the media is sure to assume theres a rivalry going on. So why not capitalize off their nosiness? The Boy Is Mine was a number-one hit with the tension of a romantic thriller, as both Brandy and Monica lay claim to the same man. The two show off their incredible vocal talents, demonstrating just how formidable they are. We dont know who won this romantic rivalry, but if this was a singing contest, Brandy and Monica would easily tie for first place.
#5: I'll Be Missing You (1997)
Puff Daddy & Faith Evans feat. 112
Ill Be Missing You showcases three artists - Puff Daddy, Faith Evans, and R&B group 112. But the artist with the greatest presence is the one who isnt there at all, at least not physically. A tribute to rapper and Evans husband, the Notorious B.I.G, who had died a few months before, this song is a tender ode to a legend taken far too soon. Sampling The Polices Every Breath You Take in beat and chorus, Ill Be Missing You is emotional and sure to tug at your heartstrings. We may never get the full story behind Biggies death, but this song shows he will never be forgotten.
#4: California Love (1995)
2Pac feat. Dr. Dre
West Coast hip-hop would not be the same without 2Pac and Dr. Dre. So the two joining forces was sure to be an event. California Love, was 2Pacs first song since signing to Death Row Records, and quickly became the stuff of legends. An ode to the state in question, California Love can get a party going in any state or country. Between the G-funk production, 2Pac and Dres intense verses, and Zapp frontman Roger Troutmans vocoder vocals, California Love is more fun than surfing in Malibu. Did anyone else get chills when Dre and Snoop Dogg performed it at the Super Bowl?
#3: Dont Let the Sun Go Down on Me (1991)
George Michael & Elton John
You can chart the course of this song across three decades. First, it was recorded by Elton John for his album, Caribou, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Then George Michael sang it with John at Live Aid in 1985. Finally, a live version of the two performing at Wembley Arena in 1991 went to number one in the U.S., the U.K., and multiple other countries. Dont Let the Sun Go Down on Me is a classic example of a newer artist honoring an older one and creating musical magic together. The audible thrill of the crowd is as crucial to the songs success as the combination of Michael and Johns voices. Were never let down when we hear this song.
#2: One Sweet Day (1995) Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
Though Mariah Carey arguably doesnt need any assistance, shes recorded great collaborations with artists like Jay-Z and Whitney Houston. But her best 90s collaboration has to be One Sweet Day with R&B legends Boyz II Men. A heartfelt song about loss and remembrance, One Sweet Day excels thanks to the vocal power of Carey and the members of Boyz II Men. Setting a then-record for longest run at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, this song speaks to anyone whos ever felt a loss too great to describe. While the healing might never end, you can hold onto hope that youll see them again someday.
#1: Scream (1995)
Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson
When two of the biggest pop stars in the world are siblings, its probably not quite so difficult to arrange a collaboration between them. "Scream," perhaps best remembered for its elaborate music video - the most expensive at the time - is Michael Jackson at his most aggressive. In the song, Jackson angrily goes after the press for how they were covering him, including his only in-song usage of the F-word. Also furthering the intensity is the forceful production and vocal support from sister Janet. While the Jacksons were both superstars in their own right, Scream reminded us of just how talented this family is.
Whats your dream 90s collaboration? Let us know in the comments!
