Photos: Unexpected musical collaborations
Apparently the ex-Disney star’s recent penchant for twerking caught the attention of a man who likes to turn heads himself. Cyrus reportedly bailed on her own MTV Video Music Award after-party to help the Chi-City rapper remix his single, “Black Skinhead.” (Associated Press / Getty Images)
Here’s a compilation of some of music’s oddest pairings. You decide whether they were hits or misses.
Taylor Swift’s ‘Red’ tour briefly donned an R&B hue when the country-pop-megastar invited Jennifer Lopez onstage to sing “Jenny from the Block.” Introducing the track as her childhood favorite, Swift traded lines with J. Lo, strutting into a past when her hairbrush was her microphone. (Christopher Polk / Getty Images)
In 2009, Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo set out to try something new and the result was a Weezer/Weezy collaboration. “Can’t Stop Partying” features typical party anthem lyrics over a darker, alt-rock chord progression. (EPA / Getty Images)
The “King of R&B” charted new territory with an official remix of French indie rock band Phoenix’s newest single, “Trying to Be Cool.” Kelly and Phoenix first took audiences by surprise at Coachella 2013, dotting “1901” with the melody of “Ignition.” (Getty Images / EPA)
Singer-songwriter Garth Brooks dropped his country music chops to cover Kiss’ “Hard Luck Woman” with the band. Though Brooks lives in the mainstream pop realm, Kiss is said to be one of his earliest musical influences, evidenced by his rock-inspired theatrics during live shows. (Associated Press / Getty Images)
Irish rock band U2’s wildly popular song “One” got a 2005 revamp featuring the multiplatinum R&B diva Mary J. Blige. Blige’s effortless riffs and emotionally charged interpretation of the verses added vigor to a hit that has graced many “greatest songs” lists since its release. (Aaron Harris / Associated Press)
In a moment just as political as it was unexpected, rapper Eminem invited openly gay singer-songwriter Elton John onstage at the 43rd Grammy Awards to perform “Stan,” in response to the barrage of criticism slung at the emcee over his lyrics and alleged homophobia. (Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press)
Soulful songstress Alicia Keys opened the 2008 Grammy Awards ceremony with Frank Sinatra’s 1950s tune “Learnin’ the Blues,” using archival footage of the influential singer to pull off a duet. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Better known for cracking jokes, Eddie Murphy did have golden moments as a musician, including a collab with the “King of Pop.” His ‘90s single “Whatzupwithyou” features Michael Jackson during the height of his career and a psychedelic music video -- peace symbols, clouds, the works. (Bruce W. Talamon / Associated Press)
