It’s safe to say that we were stuffed with a fistful of releases early on in the year that warmed our hearts and fed our speakers. With Hip-Hop being the most popular genre in the world right now, collaborations between artists are on the rise.
R&B and Hip-Hop artists have always supported each other to some extent and have given us some great music. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best R&B/Hip-Hop collaborations of 2018 so far:
1. Kendrick Lamar – All The Stars (Feat. SZA)
The track is one of many fantastic songs featured on the soundtrack for the monster hit film Black Panther. A stylistic departure for Lamar, the song is highly melodic, with lush sweeping synths and orchestration, set to a captivating dance beat. Both of their vocals are mesmerizing and powerful on this track.
2. Cardi B – Ring (Feat. Kehlani)
Cardi B released her debut album Invasion of Privacy a couple weeks ago with critical acclaim In addition to the album’s previously shared singles, it includes songs with SZA, Chance the Rapper, Kehlani, YG, J Balvin, and Bad Bunny. It also features last year’s mega-hit “Bodak Yellow,” “Bartier Cardi” (featuring 21 Savage), “Drip” with Migos, and “Be Careful.” The track “Ring” with Kehlani is full of old school R&B vibes with soothing vocals that makes the song standout on its own.
3. Tinashe – Faded Love (Feat. Future)
Tinashe reconnected with Future, who delivers a unfocused verse that makes the pair’s first collaboration a strong one. “Faded Love” is a single from Tinashe’s recently released album Joyride. The song was released with a vertical music video that follows Tinashe dancing through a warehouse. Future does not make an appearance in the video though.
4. Chloe x Halle – Happy Without Me (Feat. Joey Bada$$)
Sisters Chloe and Halle Bailey released their debut album The Kids Are Alright, wowing many with impressive chemistry and an undeniable charm. Joey compliments the pair’s voices as he raps seamlessly throughout his bars. Although the entire album is worth listening to, this track is understandably one of the stand-outs from a splendid debut.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOzcoZYZu1g
5. Justine Skye – Know Myself (Feat. Vory)
Fresh off the release of her ULTRAVIOLET album earlier this year, songstress Justine Skye returned this past Valentine’s Day with the song “Know Myself,” assisted by Louisville-bred Vory. The song flows very nicely and is probably one of Justine Skye’s best tracks so far. “I’m stuck in my ways and it’s all because of women,” Joey sing-raps. “Tried to steal my own mind away for meditation / We been through it all girl but still we livin’ / You tried to steal my own heart away, I know you feel me.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i95H7FKc-o
6. Kirko Bangz (Feat. Chris Brown) – Date Night (Same Time)
Kirko Bangz impacted the music scene in a big way with ‘Drank In My Cup’ back in 2011 but since then, has struggled to find a similar hit. Kirko is now signed with 300 Ent and prepping the release of his long awaited debut album. He joined forces with Chris Brown on the the single “Date Night (Same Time)” a few months back and the two worked together like magic.
“Red bottom bitch/Baby popping shit/They know that I’m rich/I’m tryna fuck the clique/Girl don’t play no games/You know just what you came to/Heard they with this shit/So fuck it, let me bring my main too,” Kirko spits in the opening verse for the track.
