2019’s 10 Weirdest Music Collaborations
Billie Eilish and Michael Scott from The Office... really?
When two artists get together to make a track, it is often a pairing proposed by the label as a good fit to benefit both parties' latest projects. But sometimes these collaborations are just plain weird, whether a young artist wants to recruit an unexpected influence, or an older artist needs a younger voice.
It was strange enough seeing Sting and Shaggy releasing a full reggae album last year, but 2019 has proved a fruitful one for unlikely music collaborations. Global megastar Ed Sheeran released a full album of collaborations with features including Eminem and 50 Cent, for crying out loud!
We've had Lil Dicky recording a charity single featuring everyone from Kevin Hart to Leonardo DiCaprio. LOVER saw a shock return to Taylor Swift's country roots recording with The Dixie Chicks. We've even had to cringe at a Justin Bieber song again, when he provided a few additional lines to Billie Eilish's Bad Guy.
But it is the cross-genre and cross-generational combinations where things get really weird. This year has undisputedly had some of the weirdest music collaborations. Here's ten of 2019 most unlikely pairings in pop.
10. Post Malone, Ozzy Osborne And Travis Scott - Take What You Want
Take What You Want is a rap-rock track that is worth a repeat visit, taken from Post Malone’s third album Hollywood’s Bleeding. Post Malone developed as a musician through rock, so it isn’t too much of a surprise to have a guitar punch into a trap beat. But featuring an ageing metal legend from Birmingham on one of the biggest albums of the year is a commendable feat.
While we’re finding it hard to believe that there are people on social media who haven’t heard of the former Black Sabbath frontman, Ozzy Osborne’s headline-making appearance is more than just a novelty. Opening with “I feel you crumble in my arms down to your heart of stone,” the lyrics wouldn’t feel out of place in an Osborne song.
Post Malone has said in interviews that the collaborative process was Osborne’s favourite thing he has worked on since Sabbath’s final show in 2017. The song also features Sicko Mode performer Travis Scott. Take What You Want is the second time Post Malone and Travis Scott have also collaborated on a track, and with Osborne it makes this team-up all the more weirder.