kennyhoopla, dominic fike, nova twins, phoebe bridgers
[Photos by KennyHoopla/Alex Mackowiak, Dominic Fike/YouTube, Nova Twins/Spotify, Phoebe Bridgers/David Lee via Wikimedia Commons]

15 artists who would crush a collab on blink-182's next record

When blink-182 announced the collaborations for their upcoming album, the message-board grumblings were loud. The additions seemed too mainstream for a band who often mocked pop culture. 

On the other hand, making a play at distant fanbases can only help the scene. If Pharrell fans turn back to blink-182, maybe they’ll get a taste for, say, touring mates Neck Deep or any of the incredible crews across the nation. Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus, maybe without the fame they deserved, spent the past few years lifting alternative acts into the spotlight. They have paid it forward better than anyone.  

Read more: Here are 10 of the most unexpected collabs to come from 2020

For that reason, it’d be nice to see a few more young, alternative artists featured on the upcoming album. Some scene staples wouldn’t hurt, either. Here’s what we are thinking. 

KennyHoopla 

The alternative scene’s flashiest young name earned attention through his Barker collab “ESTELLA//.” We’re pretty sure every college DJ in the country spins that track. Now it’s time to give KennyHoopla a shining moment on an actual blink album. Plus, he may be a rare artist who can match Matt Skiba’s edge. 

Phoebe Bridgers

The “Motion Sickness” singer turned heads with her electric Saturday Night Live debut, smashing a guitar to accompany the chaotic nature of “I Know The End.” It might be the most punk-rock thing we’ve seen on a national stage in years. Bridgers’ voice would be a great complement to the baritone vocals of Hoppus. 

Avril Lavigne 

The pop-punk princess rarely crossed paths with blink-182 during her heyday. They often shared the MTV spotlight, and Avril Lavigne regularly covered “All The Small Things.” But fans were never gifted with a catchy collab or a stadium-filling co-headlining tour. Barker recently shared a studio with Lavigne, though. Could that hint of a future collab between the megastars?

Dominic Fike

Dominic Fike’s collabs are his bread and butter. The alternative hip-hop hybrid has already partnered with giants such as Halsey and Paul McCartney. Adding blink would be another impressive feather in his cap. He vibes like blackbear but with the edge of the punk scene. And Fike seems to attract a crowd, performing as part of the Fortnite concert series last year. 

Billie Joe Armstrong 

At long last, two pop-punk titans collide. This collab is decades in the making, years after blink-182 joined Green Day on the Pop Disaster tour. Now it’s time for Billie Joe Armstrong to appear on a blink-182 album. Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley, Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glorys Jordan Pundik would also be acceptable. Honestly, just throw in Paramore’s Hayley Williams and make it a medley. 

Claud

Claud’s soft croon calls for a low-key collab with someone huge. blink-182 would be the perfect pairing. Maybe a comparable track to the uber-popular “death bed (coffee for your head),” with Hoppus’ fast-talking “The Party Song” style or a sequel to the +44 piece “Make You Smile. Claud’s gentle voice would complement harsher alternative vocalists.

K.Flay 

The Chicago native owned 2017 with her album Every Where Is Some Where, dominating alternative audio sources while earning stage time at the biggest festivals. K.Flay‘s edge is sharp. Her style fits the blink-182 mold, and they probably share an audience. The pair fits perfectly like, to quote Rob Schneider’s character in Big Daddy, “lamb and tuna fish.”

Patrick Stump 

A lifelong blink-182 fan, Patrick Stump wrote for the band’s comeback album, California. Vocally, he’d pair perfectly with Hoppus. His high-pitched, booming vibrato jells with Hoppus’ deep, rich tone. More significantly, blink-182 and Fall Out Boy’s shared fanbases would go nuts over the pairing. It’s uncommon for pop-punk giants to join forces. This would be a real treat, with an added bonus if Pete Wentz joins in on bass. 

Lil Nas X 

If there’s one hip-hop star who fits the blink-182 mold, it’s Lil Nas X. He’s already achieved a shocking mainstream success, and his background is in alternative music. Plus, his “devil shoes” stunt offended moms (and all these people) across the world. Maybe blink will add a bonus track featuring Lil Nas X to the new album. 

POORSTACY

POORSTACY’s collab with Barker absolutely kills. In a long list of great pairings with the legendary drummer, it might come out on top. POORSTACY is the rare artist who matches Barker’s energy. His raw emotion resembles Skiba’s in his early Alkaline Trio days. POORSTACY oozes emo blues and would do the famous “Where are you?” line in “I Miss You” justice.

Maggie Lindemann

Have you heard this cover of “Just A Girl”? Get this young star on the stage at Riot Fest. Maggie Lindemann’s talent is immeasurable. Bringing her on any blink-182 track would only enhance it. More significantly, it gets one of alternative music’s rising singers in front of a much-deserved audience. She has even worked with Travis Barker on a reimagining of her song “Friends Go.” She’s not just a gifted musician, but thank the pop-punk gods, clearly loves the scene.

DE’WAYNE

DE’WAYNE instantly ups the ante on any album. His energy and skill are next level. Stylistically, DE’WAYNE is unlike blink; more hip-hop than rock, more about the beat than the bass. But his ethos is very blink—colorful and tenacious. He can be playful and punchy in the same verse, making you think and laugh simultaneously. That’s also blink-182 at their best. 

Nova Twins

Nova Twins scream early European punk rock. They are the Sex Pistols in contemporary clothes. It’s the kind of music Skiba, Hoppus and Barker probably grew up listening to. Nova Twins drop the bells and whistles, letting raw emotion drive the wheel. It’d be fun to see this throwback duo join blink-182, blending prime pop punk with the old-school vibes. 

Milo Aukerman 

The blink boys share a common love for the Cure and Descendents. After all, their Untitled album featured Robert Smith. Fans would swoon over an appearance from the legendary Milo Aukerman, who still sings like he did in his heyday. Milo goes to college? No. Milo goes blink. 

Tom DeLonge

We read your mind. Skiba shined on NINE, but many blink fans still long for Tom DeLonge to reunite with Hoppus and Barker. DeLonge might feel the same way, teasing that they’ll rock out when the time is right. Hoppus helped fan the flames with this throwback tweet, and then there’s the bonkers (yet completely believable because it’s blink) story about DeLonge naked FaceTiming with Barker. Maybe, eventually, someday we’ll see a reunion. A full album is probably unlikely. But don’t be surprised if DeLonge finds his way on a blink track or appears with his old pals at Riot Fest or Lollapalooza.