Just a few days after Kaytranada dropped the insane remix of TLC’s classic Diggin On You, our fav Canadian producer is back again, this time with a collaboration titled Sweet F’in Love with the sublime Alicia Keys. If you follow Kay deeply, though, you’ll know that the tune was actually hidden deep within his mixtape 0.001%, released late last year.
As you’d expect, it’s a match made in heaven, with each of these soulful artists tangling their sounds brilliantly together. While the beat has a classic Kaytranada groove, it does have a different sound, chopping interestingly down-tempo jazz keys and flipping it into a smooth bopping instrumental as he his keeps true to his sample-based roots. Combine this with his brilliantly swinging drum line and signature wobbling bass, and we’re in a total trance, topped by Alicia Keys’ vocals, which soar effortlessly over this beat. As she repeats the softly sung line, “sweet, sweet f-in’ love”, flexing her dynamic and sultry vocal range, it just leaves us wanting more and more – you’re probably gonna spin this one a couple times on repeat.
Interestingly enough the tune was actually posted on Keys’ husband, Swizz Beat’s Soundcloud page, but details into whether he had anything to do with the production is scarce.
In the meantime, take a listen to the pair’s incredible tune below!
Image: HW&W
BADBADNOTGOOD – Lavender ft. Kaytranada
Now, we’re not saying that Dungeons and Dragons was the reason Will Byers ended up in The Upsidedown in Stranger Things, but the video for BADBADNOTGOOD‘s collab with Kaytranada isn’t exactly helping the case. Lavender is the second video to come off the back of this year’s album IV and centres around a D&D campaign gone horribly wrong. Seemingly all hope is lost after a shady as hell Dungeon Master shackles the band to their chairs and even a holographic Kaytranada can’t rescue them when they’re forced into a game of Russian Roulette.
Thankfully, when the pizza (food of Gods and basement nerds alike) arrives, they have time to poison his drink, leading him to a gruesome and bloody death. Honestly, all the kidnapping and death could have been avoided if they’d just gone with John Dempsey -a far more legit-seeming Dungeon Master 4 Hire whose infomercial runs at the end of the clip- instead of some dude whose ad was stapled to an electrical pole.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AJOqx6_UKQ
Emeli Sandé – Garden
The video for Scottish singer Emeli Sandé utterly dreamy track Garden is, as expected following the track’s October release, exquisite and ethereal. Set on the grounds of a resplendent estate in the country-side, the clip has Sandé, along with an entourage that includes featured artists Áine Zion and Jay Electronica surrounded by greenery and shrouded in mist and smoke as Sandé distinct, hypnotic, haunting vocal refrain echoes throughout. Speaking about the song, which she says is her favourite on the album, Sandé said it was “an expression of freedom and passion, two important parts of life, which I hadn’t really explored until a few years ago.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqlf9FAKPRc&feature=youtu.be
All Our Exes Live In Texas – Tell Me (Live)
Heartache personified is a song called Tell Me by Sydney’s All Our Exes Live In Texas. So poignant is the song –a one-sided conversation between two former lovers– that the folk quartet didn’t need to make use of an overly conceptual music video. Instead, the live clip consists of a stage, beautiful soft lighting and places all the focus on the raw emotions of rejection and longing brought to life through the swaying group harmonies and poignant instrumentation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xTyQu6iz68
Alicia Keys, Blended Family (What You Do For Love) ft. A$AP Rocky
Following the release of her latest album Here, Alicia Keys has returned to her heartfelt sound with second single, the beautiful Blended Family. With a laid-back guitar driven beat, Keys’ tone glides beautifully over the track, only to be contrasted by a similarly sincere verse from A$AP Rocky. The video too continues this genuine feel, exhibiting people and families as they laugh and interact, not to mention the chemistry that Alicia Keys and Rocky show in the video; feel good is an understatement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbGm5f5PR2o
A Tribe Called Quest, We The People…
After releasing their final album just two weeks ago following the passing of the legendary Phife Dawg, A Tribe Called Quest have now continued their incredible takeover with visuals for We The People… It couldn’t have come at a more better time; with America split in two ahead of the recent presidential election, Tribe’s empowering track has been given an equally powerful clip. Fronted by the group’s surviving members, along with collaborator Busta Rhymes, the pioneers broadcast their conscious message to a sea of supporters. Of course there is a touching tribute to Phife, which showcases through the video, proving while they may be one man down, Tribe’s spirit will continue to break down barriers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO2Su3erRIA
Spring King, City
The sequel to their incredible last clip Detroit, Manchester’s own Spring King are back with an equally hilarious video for City. The clip follows characters Roderick and Penelope in an 80s inspired European dating show, as they stumble through a number of hilarious dating scenarios and situations, from bumper carts to roller-skating. As funny as it is, in the end it’s the explosive tune that keeps you watching, with jangly riffs and throat scorching sing-alongs, Spring King know how to rock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgwm9wrbL7Y
Bassnectar, TKO ft. Rye Rye & Zion I
After releasing his tenth studio album back in June, Cali’s dance king Bassnectar has returned with a powerful clip for this heavy single TKO. A genre defying mix of glitch, electronic and hip-hop, the gritty synth driven banger features both rap verses alongside a smooth hook from collaborators Rye Rye and Zion I. Bassnectar has always been known for pushing the boundaries with his music videos, and this was no different. An incredible mix of lo-fi and futuristic twangs, the clip is a testament to modern visual effects and editing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kekmipvfZ2I
Washington, Saint Lo
After releasing her last album back in 2014, there’s been quite a wait for fans of Megan Washington, but luckily, her newest video lives up to expectations. Written in LA, the track builds upon her relaxed electronic style, with her voice soaring smoothly over the wavy instrumental beneath. Playing along an equally powerful, experimental video, no doubt we can’t wait to see what Washington has next up her sleeves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40S9VeTrYA0
Words by Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh and Martin McConnell
Image: ATCQ
With the bite and grit of a woman scorned, Lady Gaga’s comeback single was released last week to much fanfare – mostly because Kevin Parker and Mark Ronson co-wrote and produced it. Though the song itself has received mixed feedback from critics and fans alike (a lot of people seem to be overlooking the fact that it is Gaga’s song and will be on her upcoming fifth album when they screech “less Gaga! More Kevin!” but I digress), it’s a clever career move for all involved. The Tame Impala mastermind recently told Triple J about his thought process when the offer first came up: “It was amazing, really really good. One of those life/career-defining times. It started out sort of like a career move. Like, ‘I’ll get in on that.’ But it quickly became something so personal and so meaningful for everyone involved. I’m just happy it’s all out in the open now. Now I can not tell secrets anymore.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB94lvJbETE
And he isn’t the only one. A pop collaboration of such a magnitude can breathe new life into a career, boost a newer artist into the spotlight, bring two (or more!) distinctive voices together, help one make the transition from boy/girl band into solo super stardom. Or, it can fail miserably and fizzle out. Here, we take a look ten other life/career defining (for better or for worse) pop collaborations of recent memory – from Gaga to Gwen, there have been a few.
Bang Bang – Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDdjwpPM3Y
A Lady Marmalade for the 2010s, Bang Bang had it all. The seasoned, jazzy vocals of Jessie J’s are bolstered by those of the current princess of pop, Ariana Grande. However perhaps the most important element of all, and something that could be considered a genre all it’s own, the track features what is known as Nicki’s Verse. Once again, Minaj steals the show, to the tune of a wildly energetic rhythm and immediately infectious earworm riff.
Lady Marmalade – Lil’ Kim, Christina Aguilera, Mya & Pink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puKhmJEIw3I
You can’t mention Bang Bang without Lady Marmalade, the last great multi-female pop-rap collab. Originally released in 1974, it was always intended to be performed by a vocal ensemble. However, upon featuring on the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, it this version will forever endure as The One when it comes to pop collabs. Having sat at no. 1 for five weeks after its release, you would have thought it was written with no one other than Christina Aguilera, Mýa, Pink and Lil’ Kim in mind.
The Boy is Mine – Brandy & Monica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va1Y6uAgNJY
So iconic was this Brandy and Monica collaboration that it’s recently been given the sample treatment along with Destiny’s Child. Nothing beats the original though: two fierce as fuck women in what at first seems to be a girl-hating anthem but turns out to be an exposé of a good for nothing, two timing cheater. Honestly, with the way their voices work together on The Boy Is Mine, it’s a wonder Monica and Brandy didn’t release an entire album together, Then again, too much of a good thing may have meant have taken away some of the shine.
Telephone – Lady Gaga & Beyoncé
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBsypHzF3U
Kevin Parker isn’t the only major artist who saw an opportunity in collaborating with Lady Gaga. This 2010 hookup resulted in one of the biggest, most important pop collaborations of both artist’s careers. Originally written by Gaga for one Britney Spears, the song was released as part of Gaga’s Grammy nominated album The Fame Monster the year before Bey dropped 4. It pushed Beyoncé into a new light, everything from her double time verse to the masterpiece of a music video were highly calculated moves that helped her build upon the Sasha Fierce attitude while bringing together two pop powerhouses who might have otherwise seemed to be on opposing sides of the genre.
My Boo – Usher & Alicia Keys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPgf2meEX1w
Originally left off the final track listing to the record, My Boo was leaked online along with three other previously unreleased tracks from Usher’s 2004 the album before being added to the expanded version of Confessions. Having previously collaborated with Alicia Keys on If I Ain’t Got You, producer Jermaine Dupri wanted to tap further into the musical relationship between two of the biggest names in r&b and pop at the time and to say it worked out well would be an understatement. It went on to be the fourth single from the album and was the highest debut of them all, coming in at number twenty nine upon its release.
Where Are Ü Now – Justin Bieber, Shrillex & Diplo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nntGTK2Fhb0
Justin Bieber, Pop’s comeback kid of 2015 knows a thing or two about collaborations. He’s worked with Queen Nicki and his 2015 album featured Big Sean, Halsey and Travi$ Scott to name but a few. Commercially however, one of the biggest standout pop collabs of the past year came from his partnering with Shrillex and Diplo for the second single from the duo’s debut album. The song blew up airwaves (including a brief moment where Justin Bieber was actually aired on triple J) before it went on to be included on Bieber’s Purpose. Officially marking his return, Where Are U Now almost singlehandedly reintroduced the world to the slick, new, adult Biebs that went on to cultivate an entire new generation of fans.
California Gurls – Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F57P9C4SAW4
Snoop has had his fair share of collabs – we could have made a list with his alone. However, of recent memory, his appearing on Katy Perry‘s California Gurls sticks out as one of the most wtf collaborations conjured up by executives somewhere no doubt. Still, something about it worked because it earned Perry her second US no. 1 hit and Snoop his third as it went on to reach the top spot in ten other countries and received a Grammy nod.
Suit & Tie – Justin Timberlake & Jay Z
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsUsVbTj2AY
Marking the end of his musical hiatus, Suit & Tie was the first single off Justin Timberlake’s 20/20 Experience – a critically acclaimed commercial juggernaut of an album that sparked a near two-year tour. The Jay Z-featuring Suit & Tie surpassed Timberlake’s own record for the most sales in its first week, with the slightly out of time beat and hazed-out drawl of a song sticking around as the hit of what seemed to be the entire year.
Dilemma – Nelly & Kelly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WYHDfJDPDc
Off Nelly’s album 2001 Nellyville and the lead single from Kelly Rowland’s debut solo album, Simply Deep, released later the same year, this track won the duo a Grammy award. While Rowland’s career hasn’t reached the heights of her fellow child of destiny, Beyoncé, this was the track that showed her to be much more than essentially a featured backup singer for Bey’s. While Beyoncé has her plethora of collaborations and Michelle sings the Lord’s praise in her new career as a gospel singer, neither can stake claim on Dilemma, practically the most enduring collaboration track of the early 2000s with a (now meme-worthy) video to go along with it. I.C.O.N.I.C.
Let Me Blow Ya Mind/and Rich Girl – Gwen Stefani & Eve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt88GMJmVk0
During her early-mid-2000s peak, Eve was nothing short of a collab-extraordinaire. But if there was one partnership that proved to be a cut above the rest, it was when she hopped on a track with No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani. Off Eve’s sophomore album, Let Me Blow Ya Mind gave us the first insight into what was truly a match made in pop heaven (or maybe it was hell, because that video was badass AF for the time, even if you did wonder what happened to Gwen’s car once Dre broke the duo out of jail). They followed it up three years later on Stefani’s debut solo album, the Dr Dre produced track Rich Girl. While it was fun and easy enough to go along with, the song (a last minute addition to Stefani’s Love. Angel. Music. Baby) didn’t come anywhere near reaching the bar set with let Me Blow Ya mind.
Image: Consequence of Sound