The Best Pop/Rap Collaborations of 2014

The lines between genres continued to blur this year, making for some worthy earworm tunes.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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The lines between pop and rap music have blurred over the last decade or so, making for some pretty great records that deliver on commercial appeal. Who could forget Eve linking up with Gwen Stefani for "Let Me Blow Ya Mind," Katy Perry and Kanye West joining forces on "E.T.," or B.o.B breaking bread with Bruno Mars on the chart-topping earworm of a tune, "Nothing on You"? These are all great moments in pop/rap history.

This year was no exception, with artists like Iggy Azalea, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, and Ed Sheeran mixing with their musical counterparts. From Iggy's "Fancy" to Sam Smith's "I'm Not the Only One," these are The Best Pop/Rap Collaborations of 2014.

Ariana Grande f/ Iggy Azalea “Problem”

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Producer: Max Martin, Shellback, Ilya, Peter Carlsson

Album: My Everything

Label: Republic

Ariana Grande opened up her sophomore album campaign with “Problem,” an up-tempo pop track that won us over with its groovy melody and a distinct saxophone loop to boot. The record is playful in approach, yet also displayed a maturation taking place with Ariana, a theme that runs deep on My Everything. Iggy Azalea plays her part by capping off an already stellar performance with a few rhymes about kicking her beau to the curb. It doesn’t hurt that Iggy line-checks the G.O.A.T. in the process: “I got 99 problems but you won't be one.”

HAIM f/ A$AP Ferg “My Song 5”

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Producer: Ariel Rechtshaid, HAIM

Album: N/A

Label: Polydor

HAIM’s 2013 record “My Song 5” received a fashionable upgrade this year when A$AP Ferg sprinkled his Harlem prose over the rock-tinged backdrop. “Can you handle the truth? I don’t think you can/Jealous ’cause I’m working with this female band,” he raps with a nonchalant delivery, before getting into the thick of his verse that plays on the breakup theme introduced by the sister trio. A pleasant surprise from two artists who have a lot to offer in their respective lanes.

Jason Derulo f/ Snoop Dogg “Wiggle”

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Producer: Ricky Reed

Album: Talk Dirty

Label: Warner Bros./Beluga Heights

Uncle Snoop has laid claim to several pop/rap hits in his lifetime—Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” and “Buttons” from the Pussycat Dolls should ring a bell. His major contribution in 2014 was on Jason Derulo’s “Wiggle,” a booty shaking dance-pop record that tastes like bubblegum. You can’t deny the warbling melody, nor Snoop’s lyrical efforts on keeping his significant other satisfied. “Shake what your mamma gave you, misbehave you/I just wanna strip you, dip you, flip you, bubble bathe you.”

Mark Ronson f/ Mystikal “Feel Right”

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Producer: Mark Ronson

Album: Uptown Special

Label: Sony

Mystikal lowkey mounted a comeback in 2014, thanks to his musical connect with…Mark Ronson? ’Tis true, with the veteran New Orleans native gliding across the dance floor on “Feel Right,” a funky pop record that reproduces a ’70s vibe and enough quotables to keep Mystikal’s name buzzing in the streets. “Grabbing at my pants, she trying to pull it out my pocket/Don't yank on the motherfucker so hard, you're gonna pull it out the socket.” How’s that for lyrical imagery?

Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj “Bang Bang”

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Producer: Max Martin, Rickard Göransson, Ilya

Album: Sweet Talker

Label: Lava/Republic

This year’s elite anthem for the ladies came in the form of “Bang Bang,” a provocative posse cut that delivers one sexual innuendo after another over a vibrant backdrop, all the while displaying just how major Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj have become. #NoDisrespectToJessieJ, but you almost forget she’s supposed to be the lead act on this track. Still, she holds her own on a song that is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category, naturally.

Sam Smith f/ A$AP Rocky “I'm Not the Only One (Remix)”

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Producer: Jimmy Napes, Steve Fitzmaurice

Album: N/A

Label: Capitol

Tears of the lonely hearted streamed from London to Harlem when Sam Smith linked up with A$AP Rocky for the remix of “I’m Not the Only One.” Smith is all gloom throughout his soulful performance, as he mourns a relationship he thought was pure, before opening space for Rocky to spit that real: “My momma said that we need love/Till I found out life's a bitch with no prenup.” Rocky capitalized on an otherwise quiet year, while Smith earned a little street credit through the collaboration.

Ed Sheeran f/ Rick Ross “Don't (Remix)”

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Producer: Rick Rubin, Benny Blanco

Album: x

Label: Asylum/Atlantic

Ed Sheeran’s upbeat tale of heartbreak, “Don’t,” was probably the last thing you’d expect Rick Ross to jump on. Thankfully, the chemistry between the two goes down smooth like a bottle of Belaire Rosé, with the Carol City MC sharing his street exploits over the acoustic, two-four handclap melody. “See it my way or see me at the top/Built an empire, bitch, off a nickel rock.” All Ross has to do now is explain to Sheeran’s beloved fan base what a nickel rock is.

Jennifer Lopez f/ French Montana “I Luh Ya Papi”

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Producer: Detail, Cory Rooney

Album: A.K.A.

Label: Capitol

Over a 15-year period, Jennifer Lopez has seamlessly switched between genres, playing up her strengths in pop, hip-hop, and R&B. Her latest album, A.K.A., continues this legacy, with J. Lo showing off her Bronx roots with the French Montana-assisted “I Luh Ya Papi.” The record is inherently pop thanks to a catchy 808-dance beat, and French balances this out with his laidback flair on the microphone.

Nicki Minaj f/ Skylar Grey “Bed of Lies”

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Producer: Alex da Kid, Kane Beatz, TODAY, Breyan Isaac, JMIKE

Album: The Pinkprint

Label: Young Money/Cash Money/Republic

Nicki Minaj laid out her painful breakup with her longtime boyfriend, Safaree, on “Bed of Lies,” an emotionally charged record that pulls away the veil and shows Nicki at her most vulnerable. “Couldn't believe that I was home alone, contemplating/Overdosin', no more coastin', no more toastin' over oceans,” she raps over a gloomy backdrop, trying to wrap her head around how someone she loved could be so selfish. And Skylar Grey delivers her single best performance OF ALL TIME. There is no disputing this. Call her Rihanna-lite, but if you don’t get chills hearing her on the hook, you’re not human.

Iggy Azalea f/ Charlie XCX “Fancy”

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Producer: The Invisible Men, the Arcade

Album: The New Classic

Label: Island

Of course we had to include “Fancy,” and why not? It only spent seven consecutive weeks at No. 1, went multi-platinum, and effectively jump-started two solo careers in the process. The record is anchored by Charli XCX’s infectious hook, while Iggy Azalea found her place in rap, to wit, an Aussie straddling the line between hip-hop and pop. And while we don’t see Iggy winning a NAACP Image Award anytime soon, she’ll certainly make due with the impending Grammy or two coming her way in 2015.

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