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BTS and Megan Thee Stallion

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In principle, rap and K-pop aren’t speculated to work collectively. One style thrives on storytelling and bars, the opposite on choreography and sheer perfectionism. Nevertheless, in observe, crossovers between the 2 classes have produced among the most enjoyable, chart-dominating music in the previous couple of years.

The collaborations have birthed profitable remixes like BTS enlisting Megan Thee Stallion for an up to date tackle “Butter” or Stray Children hopping on Lil Durk’s Grammy Award-winning “All My Life.” And there are greater than sufficient authentic hits to select from, too, be it Jung Kook’s collaborations with Latto and Jack Harlow on “Seven” and “3D,” respectively, or the magic JENNIE and Doechii made on “ExtraL.”

That mentioned, the true check for just about all of those joint efforts aren’t merely gross sales or numbers, however who left a mark. Under, Rap-Up picked out 11 rap and Ok-pop crossovers that are not simply noteworthy for bringing collectively totally different cultures, however for truly delivering on the musical promise of their formidable pairings.

There’s been loads of discourse round Doechii since her breakout, however one factor followers and critics each can agree on is that she will rap over something. Living proof: her visitor verse on JENNIE’s “ExtraL.” The refrain, wherein the 2 chant, “Do my, do my girls run this, girls run this?” lets you understand instantly it’s a girls’ anthem. Paired with a video directed by Cole Bennett, the monitor finds Doechii — aka Miss Push-My-Pen, as she calls herself — cementing the message that she’s not going anyplace.

2. on the road by j-hope that includes J. Cole

As one of many stronger cuts from J. Cole’s checklist of collaborations, “on the road” sees j-hope staff up with the Dreamville Data founder over a comparatively easy, but completely suited lo-fi beat. To be utterly sincere, if it weren’t for the BTS member’s preliminary verse, most listeners may’ve pegged it as J. Cole’s personal document. Over what’s maybe one among his longest visitor appearances of 2023, the “No Position Modelz” hitmaker will get introspective about “promoting prepare of thought” and debating when to lastly “hand over the crown.” On condition that BTS spent practically a decade brazenly praising J. Cole, calling the collaboration a full-circle second doesn’t even start to seize it.

3. Seven by Jung Kook that includes Latto

There’s actually no higher match for Jung Kook’s “Seven” than Latto, who actually has an album referred to as 777 and has been tying her title to the fortunate quantity for years. The track could also be wrapped in that shiny synth-pop typical of the Ok-pop style, however the lyrics themselves are about being there to your associate seven days every week, each emotionally and positively bodily. “Seven days every week, seven totally different sheets / Seven totally different angles, I could be your fantasy,” Latto raps in reference to her earlier hit “Massive Vitality.”

As with something she does, the Atlanta expertise’s character shines by way of so clearly that it’s not possible to not see the track precisely for what it turned: the monitor that made her the primary rapper to hit No. 1 in 2023. And sure, we have been midway by way of the 12 months when she broke Hip Hop’s dry spell.

4. Zero (Remix) by NewJeans that includes JID

JID’s earlier smash hit with Think about Dragons, “Enemy,” already hinted that he was made for moments like these. That’s, quietly sitting again in a pop document till it’s time to ship one thing loopy. NewJeans enlisted the Dreamville signee for a remix of “Zero,” and unsurprisingly, he matched their power for a very timeless piece of Ok-pop. Was it technically a Coke Studio collaboration? Certain. Does that take something away from the track? Not even a bit of.

5. Technique by TWICE that includes Megan Thee Stallion

“Do you want that? / Once I smack it and also you watch it bounce proper again?” Megan Thee Stallion asks in TWICE’s “Technique.” The reply is a powerful sure. The track marked their second collaboration following “Mamushi (Remix),” and judging by the power of the Ok-pop group’s title monitor alone, their STRATEGY EP ended up being one of many Houston rapper’s several highlights in 2024.

6. TOO MUCH by The Child LAROI, Jung Kook and Central Cee

“TOO MUCH” is proof that some collaborations can solely exist due to the web. Australia’s The Child LAROI linked up with South Korea’s Jung Kook and London hitmaker Central Cee for a standout minimize off his debut LP, THE FIRST TIME. The collaboration is actually three artists from totally different components of the world bringing three utterly distinct skills to an apparent world smash.

7. All Night time by IVE that includes Saweetie

Now we’re speaking! Individuals like to joke that Saweetie makes “retail music” — that means the sort of tracks you’d hear whereas purchasing on the mall — and fortunately, that’s precisely the lane the place Ok-pop shines brightest. So, when the West Coast staple joined forces with IVE for “All Night time,” the consequence was a bop tailored for purchasing sprees at Without end 21 or H&M.

8. Guess You Wanna by BLACKPINK that includes Cardi B

Enjoyable truth: Cardi B had a “really hard” time holding her verse clear on BLACKPINK’s “Guess You Wanna.” In the end, she gave us, “I guess you should you make me sweat, I am going to nonetheless be on fireplace,” which, all issues thought-about, isn’t a nasty compromise. The collaboration was nice for lots of causes, however principally as a result of it gave us a completely realized Cardi B linking up with JENNIE, ROSÉ, LISA and JISOO simply earlier than they ascended to solo world superstars.

9. Pivot by HEYOON that includes Armani White

Armani White, who broke out in 2022 for “BILLIE EILISH.,” doesn’t do something midway. So, when he joined HEYOON on “Pivot,” followers knew they have been in for one thing particular. The monitor additionally marked the South Korean singer’s first solo launch after departing Now United. With everybody wanting to see what she’d ship subsequent, the collab turned out to be one of many smoothest, most sensual Ok-pop and rap crossovers we’ve heard shortly.

10. FXCK UP THE WORLD by LISA that includes Future

On her solo debut, Alter Ego, LISA launched listeners to 5 characters, and should you wanted proof that Vixi was by far among the best, simply press play on “FXCK UP THE WORLD” with Future. The ATL Jacob-produced solo model was already good, particularly for Ok-pop’s requirements, however the Atlanta rapper injected some further charisma. “I secured one other bag / Skateboard LVP,” he dished out in reference to Pharrell. “Chopped the ‘Rari, chopped it to a ‘vert / I safe the Lamb’ chop first.” Plus, let’s acknowledge the sheer restraint it should’ve taken for Future to make it by way of with out cursing.

11. Neva Play by Megan Thee Stallion that includes RM

Megan reunited with BTS — or RM, anyway — on “Neva Play,” one of many first singles from MEGAN: ACT II. If anybody nonetheless doubted the Houston Hottie’s otaku standing, she dropped references to Road Fighter’s Hadouken and “Dragon Ball” characters Bulma and Chi-Chi. To not point out, the pair introduced in Carl Jones, the artistic power behind “The Boondocks” and her upcoming anime collection, to assist deliver the track’s visuals to life.