Unexpected Features That Are Actually Good
Have you ever been surprised by reading the feature list on a song of an artist that had a completely different style than the collaborator? Or just didn’t look right at first? I think it’s safe to say we’ve all been there a couple of times. The outcome can either be okay, mid, or bad, with no musical chemistry whatsoever. But sometimes the song happens to be great, leaving all previous judgment to the side. In this article we will be focusing on the ones that happened to exceed expectations. From all levels of the music industry, mainstream, underground, old & recent.
1. Travis Scott - Maria I’m Drunk (feat. Justin Bieber & Young Thug)
If you couldn’t already tell, the reason this is on the list is because of Justin Bieber. Right now it wouldn’t be as much of a shock, but back in 2015 when JB was still mostly known for being a teen heartthrob, it was something that stood out, and it was the foundation for him to work with more rappers in a way that wasn’t “cringe.”
2. Kendrick Lamar - XXX ( feat. U2)
It’s a slight appearance on a song packed with beat variations. Towards the last switch, U2 has a hook participation with a very calm feel and instrumentation that later is complemented by Kendrick’s rap verse perfectly, later ending with the hook again.
3. Lil Candy Paint - 22 (feat. Bhad Bhabie)
This is a recently released remix to a song he had alone. Bhad Bhabie may have tapped into a sound that would help her become a part of the new underground wave, because this song is going viral everywhere right now thanks to her.
4. Kidd G - Teenage Dream 2 (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)
Kidd G is an up and coming country artist that has a new fresh approach to the genre. This led to a feature with Lil Uzi, an artist most of us know and love. Uzi brought a trendy sound to Kidd G’s song, but kinda playing into the country vibe as well, making a worthy song.
5. Playboi Carti - Fell In Luv (feat. Bryson Tiller)
At the time, Carti a new rapper on the rise with a laid back lazy sound that wasn’t understood and very criticized at first, collabing with established mainstream R&B artist Bryson Tiller was something that might’ve thrown people off at first. As time has passed, it has aged well like fine wine, becoming a classic.