Collaborations are as much a part of music as the microphone.
But recently, it seems like the classic duets have given way to songs featuring a rapper with a singer on the hook. Even though Trey Songz seems to singlehandedly be bucking that trend by dueting with Mary J., Toni Braxton and Ludacris, most of the other young male singers seem to be keeping the mic to themselves these days.
We have a few suggestions for singers who should be getting together simply because we think they could make some classics together. Remember Faith Evans with Kelly Price and Whitney Houston on “Heartbreak Hotel?” What happened to those kind of songs?
Read on for our collabo suggestions.
LADY GAGA, PINK AND RIHANNA. Surprisingly, the comely but strictly R&B pop star Beyonce made us a believer in her “Telephone” duet with Gaga. Honey B managed to showcase a surprisingly edgy side we hadn’t seen before, creating another persona for herself along the way. But let’s admit it – Rih Rih is already edgy, and we just can’t fathom why she and Gaga haven’t hooked up yet for what should be a ridiculously hot song and video. Add Pink to the mix, and you have a threesome that everybody wants to see.
CHRISTINA AGUILERA AND USHER. The best R&B voice outside of R&B, Aguilera has made a few undercover R&B records, although the world considers her a pop singer. The teeny singer with the huge voice needs a gifted singer to work off of, and we nominate Usher. He’s got one of the best voices in black music and, like Aguilera, he’s not afraid to get a little freaky with it. A sexy collabo between the two would make beautiful baby-making music.
LI’L KIM AND RICK ROSS. We still think Rick Ross’ grill breaks windows and makes babies cry, but after his “Super High” duet with Ne-Yo, we have to admit his rap game is on point. Who better for the Teflon Don to make a hot joint with but Li’l Kim? Nikki Minaj ain’t quite ready for the big man, but we think a collabo with Kim could jumpstart her flagging career. We dig the idea of these two together, and hip-hop could use a truly hot male/female duet. C’mon, guys, let’s make it happen.
FAITH EVANS, MONICA AND KEYSHIA COLE with MARY MARY. Remember back in the day when Faith hooked up with Kelly Price and Whitney Houston for “Heartbreak Hotel?” Now, that’s what you call a collaboration. How about combining some of the best pipes in the game? Faith, Monica, Fantasia, Keyshia and Tina and Erica Campbell of Mary Mary. I got the Holy Ghost just thinking about all those great singers together.
If you remember, some of the best multiple collaborations of the last 15 years or so were from soundtracks. Remember when Gerald Levert, Brian McKnight, R. Kelly, Stokley Williams from Mint Condition, Tevin Campbell and every other black male singer from the ’90s got together to do “U Will Know” for the “Jason’s Lyric” soundtrack? How come they don’t do that anymore? (Of course, the ladies did it too for “Panther.”) We’re crossing our fingers that the movie version of Terry McMillan’s new book, “Getting to Happy,” will have a good soundtrack – and maybe an all-female anthem song. Ladies, call your managers, and hook it up!
DRAKE AND SADE. Who else could do a hot song with Drake but Sade? Her mysterious contralto combined with his moody raps would make for a truly interesting combination, and the generational difference would only bring some new audiences to both parties. Since Drake and Sade have …..
