2019’s 10 Weirdest Music Collaborations
1. Lil Nas X And Everyone - Old Town Road, F9mily (You & Me), Rodeo
It was a matter of months ago that a low-on-funds Lil Nas X stayed at his sister’s place trying to make a living from music. Now his story reads like a movie. The rapper had the biggest song of 2019, with the longest run at the top of the charts in US history. All from collaborating with Billy Ray Cyrus, who himself had to hit-back at critics labelling him a one-hit wonder.
It was smart recruiting the Achy Breaky Heart singer when the Billboard Country Chart deemed Old Town Road “not country enough”. No doubt Lil Nas X knew Cyrus foremostly from his Disney Channel days, rather than his early '90s spell in the pop limelight.
Wise moves from Lil Nas X’s camp continued with recognising the viral power he held. The Atlanta rapper then proceeded to pair with just about everyone for further remixes of Old Town Road. Diplo, Young Thug, RM from K-pop sensation BTS, and The Yodel Kid Mason Ramsey gave the song a longer life. Cardi B and Blink-182’s Travis Barker also featured on his 7 EP released in July.
Kooky collaborations can be a stroke of marketing genius, but being known for it is something to make a career out of. Genre-blending Lil Nas X proved this year that he is here to stay. But let’s just compose ourselves a little. The biggest song of 2019 would be a collaboration featuring a teen rapping with Hannah Montana’s Dad. Who’d have thought it?