When great artists collaborate to make music the results can be amazing, especially when the artists come from different genres, and such collaborations are becoming more popular than ever. (These are the most iconic music duos in history.)
To compile a list of the very best musical collaborations, defined as those that hit No. 1 and stayed on the charts the longest, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the Billboard Hot 100 charts for every week going back to Aug. 11, 1958, when the ranking began.Though we looked back more than 60 years, all but one of the 25 songs listed here dates from the 21st century.
Our list also reveals that rap artists are particularly keen to explore new ways to make music. One signal example is “Old Town Road,” a monster crossover hit for Lil Nas X and country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. For more on this duo, see the most popular hit singles of the 21st century.
Click here to see musical collaborations that hit No. 1 on the charts
The No. 1 collaboration here, though, is “Party Rock Anthem” by music duo LMFAO, featuring British singer Lauren Bennett and American music producer GoonRock. It reached No. 1 in 2011 and was on the charts for a whopping 68 weeks.
We, found Love
> Artist: Rihanna, featuring Calvin Harris
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 41 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: Nov 12, 2011
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Rockstar
> Artist: Post Malone, featuring 21 Savage
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 41 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: Oct 28, 2017
We Are Young
> Artist: Fun, featuring Janelle Monáe
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 42 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: March 17, 2012
Rockstar
> Artist: DaBaby, featuring Roddy Ricch
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 42 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: June 13, 2020
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Yeah!
> Artist: Usher, featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 45 weeks
> Peaked at number 1:, feb 28, 2004
Give Me Everything
> Artist: Pitbull, featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack, and Nayer
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 45 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: July 9, 2011
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Shallow
> Artist: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 45 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: March 9, 2019
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Old Town Road
> Artist: Lil Nas X, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 45 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: April 13, 2019
Havana
> Artist: Camila Cabello, featuring Young Thug
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 46 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: Jan 27, 2018
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Blurred Lines
> Artist: Robin Thicke, featuring T.I. and Pharrell Williams
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 48 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: June 22, 2013
Just Dance
> Artist: Lady Gaga, featuring Colby O’Donis
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 49 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: Jan 17, 2009
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Moves Like Jagger
> Artist: Maroon 5, featuring Christina Aguilera
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 49 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: Sept 10, 2011
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Thrift Shop
> Artist: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, featuring Wanz
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 49 weeks
> Peaked at number 1:, feb 2, 2013
I Like It
> Artist: Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 51 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: July 7, 2018
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See You Again
> Artist: Wiz Khalifa, featuring Charlie Puth
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 52 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: April 25, 2015
Cheap Thrills
> Artist: Sia, featuring Sean Paul
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 52 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: Aug 6, 2016
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Closer
> Artist: The Chainsmokers, featuring Halsey
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 52 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: Sept 3, 2016
Despacito
> Artist: Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, featuring Justin Bieber
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 52 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: May 27, 2017
Girls Like You
> Artist: Maroon 5, featuring Cardi B
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 52 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: Sept 29, 2018
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Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse)
> Artist: Post Malone and Swae Lee
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 53 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: Jan 19, 2019
Uptown, funk!
> Artist: Mark Ronson, featuring Bruno Mars
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 56 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: Jan 17, 2015
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Dark Horse
> Artist: Katy Perry, featuring Juicy J
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 57 weeks
> Peaked at number 1:, feb 8, 2014
Smooth
> Artist: Santana, featuring Rob Thomas
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 58 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: Oct 23, 1999
Somebody That I Used To Know
> Artist: Gotye, featuring Kimbra
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 59 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: April 28, 2012
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Party Rock Anthem
> Artist: LMFAO, featuring Lauren Bennett and GoonRock
> Time on Billboard Hot 100: 68 weeks
> Peaked at number 1: July 16, 2011
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