Top 5 Hip Hop Collaborations of 2010 by Bea Lesaca

I once saw a t-shirt that read, “Collab or Die.”  At first I wondered what it stood for, but after pondering it for a minute, I realized that the statement was in some ways literal- in terms of careers in the Hip Hop music industry.  When rappers collaborate, there’s an air of purpose that not only promotes creativity but also encourages team work and continued success on a larger scale, and for the right combination of artists it means hitting pay dirt.

In the case of rap, I guess two talking heads are actually better than one then…

Now this train of thought has led me to think of certain Hip Hop collaborations during 2010 that have hit the gold mine and resulted in definite win-win situations.

1. Usher X Justin Bieber

I put this as number one because this relationship is too random to miss. Usher is partially responsible for introducing the music industry to this pop boy soloist, and it looks like he’s doing a damn good job reaching tweens everywhere. Mall rats all over middle America are screaming over Lil’ Biesie- thank you Mr. Raymond. There’s no question, this was a good move for both parties. The young lad gets to learn from one of the best, while gaining credibility. And, Mr. Raymond reaches a younger demo- who are probably unaware of anything R&B.

2.  Akon X Fifa

This is a really good career move for Akon and Keri Hilson because they were played to the max during the Fifa World Cup. Not only did this become a sort of anthem for the year’s football madness  but it also became one that gave due respect to mother Africa.

3. Drake X Lil’ Wayne

Drake’s career locked down when he became intertwined with Lil Wayne. The suits behind Lil Wayne made it a point to fuse this rising star to Weezy, which I think was one of the best career moves of 2010. From a TV star to rap heavyweight (an alternate world Will Smith). Who knew Canada was going to deliver Hip Hop’s newest star.

4. & 5.  Eminem X Rihanna | Eminem X Jay Z

Eminem’s come-back album featured Rihanna (Love The Way You Lie)- one intelligent decision on Mather’s part. Aside from her singing prowess, Rihanna is of course now known for her ordeal with ex  Chris Brown. This song not only helped bring Eminem back in a big way, but maybe even brought more women to the fanbase.

I tied this with Jay Z because of their collaboration on the “Home and Home” tour.  If this isn’t a team titan, I don’t know what is. Hova and Eminem is a match made in touring heaven. Saying that these shows are lucrative for both stars is an understatement to say the least.

Bea writes for HardKnockRadio – The Hip Hop Music Site, where you can check out her latest post on Freestyle Rap Lyrics Through the Years. She is also a contributor to SherwoodMusic.org, where she’s writing on how to play bass guitar.