Music has a way of bringing together the most unexpected voices, blending genres and styles that, on paper, seem worlds apart. Sometimes, these unlikely collaborations produce magic; other times, they leave us scratching our heads. Either way, they’re always fascinating.

In this post, we’re uncovering seven of the most surprising musical collaborations, where artists from different corners of the music world came together to create something truly unexpected.

James Brown & Pavarotti – “It’s a Man’s Man’s World”

The self-proclaimed godfather of soul, James Brown, teams up with operatic legend Pavarotti for a head-spinning clash of styles. Brown’s soulfully gritty tones meet Pavarotti’s soaring, classically trained tenor, creating a performance that is both awe-inspiring and hilariously incongruent.

David Bowie & Bing Crosby – “Little Drummer Boy”

This pairing fuses Bowie’s avant-garde glam persona with Crosby’s comforting crooner charm. The resulting duet is a surreal Christmas classic where two different musical generations are united in front of a lovely log fire.

Paul McCartney & Kanye West – “Only One”

Ever wondered what would happen if a Beatle were to work with the greatest living musician? Well, this did happen…at least in the head of a certain K.West. In this track, McCartney features on Electric Piano and melodic backing elements, successfully managing to inject a Beatles-esque vibe into the song.

Willie Nelson & Snoop Dogg – “My Medicine”

On paper, this one seems like a mighty strange collaboration. West Coast hip-hop legend meets Country Music royalty. Dig a little deeper, and it soon becomes apparent that there is a shared passion that unites these two unlikely characters. The clue is in the title.

Sting & Shaggy – “44/876” LP

This collaboration is built on an actual friendship that developed after Sting wandered into a recording session that Shaggy had booked. They instantly bonded over a mutual appreciation of each other’s music. This eventually led to this full collaborative album, which was met with slight bemusement from some in the industry.

Justin Bieber & Skrillex/Diplo – “Where Are Ü Now”

Teen pop idol Justin Bieber was desperate to reinvent himself as a more credible artist, so he decided to call upon the production services of serial bass frequency troublers Skrillex and Diplo. The resulting collaboration achieved the objective and then some, with this song becoming one of the EDM anthems of the year.

KLF & Tammy Wynette – “Justified & Ancient (Stand by the JAMs)”

The KLF, an eccentric UK electronic duo, scored several massive hits in the early ’90s. Among their biggest was Justified & Ancient, an unlikely collaboration with country music icon Tammy Wynette. In interviews, Wynette admitted she was baffled by the surreal lyrics, largely centred around Moo Moo Land. She, however, embraced the oddity with good humour and, in doing so, enjoyed an unexpected resurgence in her career.

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