New Music Biz Trend?

It's been a while since we've seen any true collaborations where two semi-rivaling artists get together and make a good song. In urban music that is. (No, all the compilation hip-hop remixes don't count. They're not even in the studio together). And by rival, I don't mean "beefin'". I just mean two artists w/ the same core fan base. Brandy & Monica "The Boy is Mine". Whitney and Mariah "When You Believe". Yes, I'm showing my age (or lack thereof) by only naming '90s collabos, but what do I look like commenting on music from before my time?

Last week, we got the first whiffs of the Beyoncé and Shakira partnership on "Beautiful Liar". I'm sure most of you wouldn't say that they have the same exact core audience, but you can't deny they're both heavyweights seeking the championship in the That's-One-Sexy-Mutha-Fucka circuit. While that song isn't even finished climbing the charts to the top (where it will eventually fall in the next few weeks, mark my words), Omarion goes and recruits Usher for his "Ice Box" remix. I know right? I was like...what happened to Da Brat? This one is a much closer match. While Usher's last album shot him up beyond superstar sex symbol status and into we're-gonna-be-tellin-our-grandchildren-about-him calibur, there's no denying that Omarion is probably the true heir to the Usher Jr. throne. (Sorry Chris.)

That being said, who's next? Jay-Z is on a Nas track. Can we hear Fantasia and J. Hud throw 4.5 minutes of sonic ecstacy our way? Fergie and Nelly Furtado? Keyshia Cole and Mary J. Blige (a hoodrat's anthem)? Bow Wow and Li'l Romeo? Okay I just wanted to make you say "what the fuck???" on that last one. On that note, I'm out of here. Look out for the next classic collabo.


History-making music is now. Keep your ears open.