20 Collaborations Between Idols and Western Musicians You Didn’t Know About

1.  Gallant, Epik High‘s Tablo, and Eric Nam – “Cave Me In”

Gallant’s and Eric Nam’s smooth vocals flow effortlessly into Tablo’s rap in this easy-listening track.

 

2. G-Dragon and Missy Elliott – “Niliria”

Veteran rappers G-Dragon and Missy Elliott blew fans away when they performed this high-energy hip-hop track at K-Con USA in 2013. G-Dragon based the song off of a Korean folk song called “Nilliliya”. He and Missy Elliott also collaborated on another track, “Chugalug,” which was never released.

 

3. EXO‘s Chanyeol, Far East Movement, Marshmello, and Tinashe  – “Freal Luv”

Chanyeol paired up with these experimental hip-hop artists to produce this trippy, sensual track. In it, Chanyeol raps in both Korean and English.

 

4. SHINee‘s Taemin and Bruno Mars

Taemin and Bruno Mars never meet in person, but that didn’t stop them from crossing borders with this collaboration. Fans of both artists will fall in love with the song’s funky yet timeless beat.

 

5. f(x)‘s Amber and SUPERFRUIT

Amber and SUPERFRUIT show of funky-fresh they can be in this tropical, electro-pop track.

 

6. PSY and Snoop Dogg – “Hangover”

You know all about “Gangnam Style”, but have you heard Snoop Style? PSY and Snoop Dogg’s collab has a pulsating, techno beat and an unrelenting barrage of synth sounds you’ll either love or hate.

 

7. Black Eyed Peas and CL  – “Where Is the Love?”

At the 2011 MAMA, CL preformed Black Eyed Peas’ smash hit “Where Is the Love?” with its original artists. She rapped entirely in English as her 2NE1 members cheered her on.

 

8. JYJ, Kanye West, and Malik  – “Ayyy Girl”

Now here is a collab no one was expecting! In 2010, JYJ released this collab as the first single for their English-language debut album, The Beginning.

 

9. Skillrex, Diplo, BIGBANG‘s G-Dragon, and CL  – “Dirty Vibe”

American producers Skrillex and Diplo teamed up with G-Dragon and CL to create “Dirty Vibe”, a fast-paced rap mixed with Skrillex and Diplo’s intense, dubstep beats.

 

10. 4Minute and Skrillex – “Hate”

American producer Skrillex combined his EDM skills with 4Minute’s gorgeous vocals and powerful rapping.

 

11. Wonder Girls and Akon  – “Like Money”

Wonder Girls’ 2009 hit single “Nobody” made many artists sit up and take note. One of these artists was Akon. He and Wonder Girls teamed up three years later to create this fun, futuristic English track.

 

12. BIG BANG‘s G-Dragon, Baauer, and M.I.A – “Temple”

When it comes to western collabs, G-Dragon is one of K-Pop’s kings! He has recorded tracks with several international artists, including “Harlem Shake’s” Baauer. M.I.A and G-Dragon show off their individualistic styles in Baauer’s “Temple”.

 

13. 2NE1 and Will.i.am – “Take The World On”

Like the title says, 2NE1 and Will.i.am take on the world together in this fun and spacey house tune.

 

14. Far East Movement, Hyolyn, and Gill Chang – “Umbrella”

In 2016, Far East Movement crossed musical borders again to create this collaboration with Hyolyn and producer Gill Chang. Hyolyn’s melodic singing will make you feel like you’re floating away in a dream.

 

15. Timbaland and Eric Nam – “Body”

Eric Nam joined forces with American producer Timbaland for “Body”, a bouncy, English-language pop track. Eric Nam’s confesses his attraction to a woman through the song’s smooth, sexy lyrics.

 

16. Ricky Martin and Red Velvet‘s Wendy  – “Vente Pa’ Ca”

This is a collab no one knew they wanted. Who would have expected to hear Ricky Martin’s crooning vocals mixed with Wendy’s sultry voice? The end result is a smooth, Latin track that will have you dancing all night long!

17. RM & Warren G  – “P.D.D.”

Most BTS fans know the “MIC Drop” Steve Aoki remix by heart, but newer fans may not be as familiar with one of BTS’s other American collabs, “P.D.D” or “Please Don’t Die”. RM and Warren G produced this track together after meeting on BTS’s variety show, American Hustle Life.

 

18. Kris Wu and Travis Scott  – “Deserve”

Former EXO member Kris Wu and American rapper Travis Scott dropped this English-language, trap track in October 2017. Fans of trap or hip-pop will love bouncing along to “Deserve’s” bouncy bass line.

 

19. DEAN and Eric Bellinger  – “I’m Not Sorry”

DEAN and American singer Eric Bellinger have nothing to apologize for in this catchy, hip-hop dance track. It’s impossible not to move along to “I’m Not Sorry’s” vibrant, club beat!

 

20. J.Y. Park, Conan O’Brien, Steven Yeun, and 15&‘s Jimin – “Fire”

J.Y.P. and…Conan? Not the collab most people were expecting! “Fire” features upbeat vocals from J.Y.P and Jimin, but the music video is bursting with stars, including TWICE and Wonder Girls. Conan O’Brien got a K-Pop makeover in the video, but he may want to stick to his day job…