genre crossover collabs
[Photos by: deadmau5/Drew Ressler, Gerard Way/Pat Loika, Post Malone/Tore Sætre, Ozzy Osbourne/YouTube]

Top 10 genre-crossing collabs we didn’t see coming

Collaborations have been a part of the music community since the very beginning, with crossover collabs being the hardest to accomplish successfully.

Blending two unique sounds in a tasteful manner has been proven difficult, but we’ve combed through and narrowed it down to 10 of our favorite genre-bending collaborations. Check out the list below!

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1. Bring Me The Horizon – “nihilist blues” (feat. Grimes)

Bring Me The Horizon gifted us with the unique track “nihilist blues” on their experimental dark-pop album, amo. Frontman Oli Sykes and Grimes can be heard over the synth-pop, electronic-rock ballad. The British metalcore act are continuing to add to their pop resume with their latest collaboration with Halsey, noting that their amo sound and pop influence are here to stay. 

2. Linkin Park and Jay-Z – Collision Course

2004’s Collision Course was the Linkin Park and Jay-Z collaborative EP (yes, you read that correctly) that no one expected. These acts who sit on top of two different genres came together to create a six-track release that featured “Numb/Encore,” which was a mashup of “Numb” by Linkin Park and “Encore” by Jay-Z. The track went on to win Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2006 Grammy Awards, as it blended two songs that were already well-loved to form a Jay-Park masterpiece. 

3. deadmau5 –  “Professional Griefers” (feat. Gerard Way)

Electronic music producer deadmau5 recruited My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way for 2011 track, “Professional Griefers” off the former’s sixth full-length, Album Title Goes Here. Although it varies from most of Way’s work, it still seems right up his alley due to his well-known love for David Bowie, offering a different experience for the MCRmy.  

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4. Alice In Chains – “Black Gives Way To Blue” (feat. Elton John)

“Black Gives Way To Blue” can be found on the 2009 Alice In Chains album of the same name. The song hears the classic grunge-meets-heavy-metal Alice In Chains sound mixed with glam-rock prince Elton John on piano in honor of the band’s late singer Layne Staley, who attended a John concert as his first ever. 

5. Taylor Swift – “ME!” (feat. Brendon Urie)

This Taylor Swift track can be found on the singer’s latest album, Lover. Brendon Urie is credited as a songwriter on the pop anthem that jumped 98 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 between its first and second week, becoming the biggest jump in that chart’s history. However, this Pretty. Odd. pairing may not be as shocking to those who already knew that Swift was a former scene kid at heart.

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6. Weezer – “Can’t Stop Partying” (feat. Lil Wayne)

Having been previously released in demo form on frontman Rivers Cuomo’s Alone II, Weezer released “Can’t Stop Partying” on their seventh full-length, Raditude. The new version has a more rap-focused sound with an added twist in the bridge from Lil Wayne

7. Post Malone – “Take What You Want” (feat. Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott)

“Take What You Want” is a hit from Hollywood’s Bleeding, courtesy of Post Malone and the Prince Of Darkness. The song was yet another home run for Malone on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the first appearance from Ozzy Osbourne in the top 10 in over 30 years. Posty revealed Ozzy claimed “Take What You Want” is his favorite thing he’s done since his Black Sabbath days. 

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8. Beyoncé – “Don’t Hurt Yourself” (feat. Jack White)

“Don’t Hurt Yourself” was written and performed by Beyoncé and Jack White for her sixth full-length, Lemonade. The track that samples rock legends Led Zeppelin’s “When The Levee Breaks” was nominated for Best Rock Performance at the 59th Grammy Awards, which opened the door for talks about the wide umbrella that is the rock genre. This bluesy track hears a new side to the pop queen that we just can’t get enough of.

9. REZZ – “Falling” (feat. Underoath)

Canadian DJ REZZ teamed up with one of her favorites, the drummer/clean vocalist of Underoath for their fiery collab track, “Falling.” The song hears Aaron Gillespie reaching notes like never before on top of an electric EDM blend. This unique track appeals to all thanks to Gillespie’s vocals and REZZ’s insane mixing skills, offering us an experience that requires replays.  

10. BTS – “Boy With Luv” (feat. Halsey) 

“Boy With Luv” can be found on the sixth EP from BTS, Map Of The Soul: Persona. The visual for the K-pop jam featuring Halsey became the most-viewed online music video in 24 hours with over 78 million views, and for good reason. This track helped Map Of The Soul: Persona climb to the best-selling album ever in Korean history, with Halsey’s appearance pulling in unsuspecting fans of all ages.

What’s your favorite genre-bending collab? Let us know in the comments below!