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Alternative rock has never been afraid to cross genres. Over the years, rock bands have teamed up with rappers, pop stars and other artists to create songs that probably shouldn’t work on paper… but somehow absolutely do.
Here are 10 collaborations that helped prove it:
1. Linkin Park & Jay-Z – “Numb/Encore”
Rock and hip-hop officially collided when Linkin Park and Jay-Z combined “Numb” and “Encore.” The mashup became a massive international hit and won the Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
2. Aerosmith & Run-D.M.C. – “Walk This Way”
This 1986 collaboration is one of the most important rock/hip-hop crossovers ever. Run-D.M.C.’s version of Aerosmith’s song introduced the track to an entirely new audience and helped bring rap further into the mainstream.
3. Evanescence feat. Paul McCoy – “Bring Me to Life”
Amy Lee’s vocals plus 12 Stones singer Paul McCoy created one of the most recognizable alternative rock songs of the 2000s. The song was a worldwide hit and won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance.
4. Seether feat. Amy Lee – “Broken”
Before Amy Lee was singing “Bring Me to Life,” she teamed up with Seether for this emotional rock ballad. The song became one of Seether’s biggest hits and remains a staple of 2000s alternative rock.
5. Queen & David Bowie – “Under Pressure”
Technically more classic rock than alternative, but impossible to leave off a list like this. Two legendary voices came together for a song that has influenced generations of rock and pop artists.
6. The Smashing Pumpkins & Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea – “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” live collaborations
Alternative rock has always been about musicians crossing paths, and major artists frequently brought unexpected guests into their performances. The result? Some seriously memorable live collaborations.
7. Tom Petty & Stevie Nicks – “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”
Tom Petty’s Southern rock style and Stevie Nicks’ unmistakable voice made this 1981 collaboration an instant classic. It became Nicks’ first solo single and reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
8. Nine Inch Nails & David Bowie – “I’m Afraid of Americans”
Bowie teamed up with Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor for a darker industrial-rock collaboration. The remix became particularly associated with the alternative scene of the late ’90s.
9. Iggy Pop & Kate Pierson – “Candy”
The B-52’s singer joined Iggy Pop on this 1990 alternative rock hit. The unexpected pairing gave Iggy one of his biggest solo chart successes.
10. Fall Out Boy feat. John Mayer – “Beat It”
Fall Out Boy took on Michael Jackson’s classic and brought John Mayer in for the guitar solo. It was a perfect example of how 2000s pop-punk bands could pull older rock and pop influences into their own sound.
Alternative rock has always been about experimenting. And some of the best collaborations happened when artists stopped worrying about staying in one genre and just made something cool together.
