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Home • News

Beauty and the Beat

Beauty and the Beat
By Essence · Updated October 29, 2020
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01
“Empire State of Mind”

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys perform onstage during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on September 13, 2009 in New York City.

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02
“Fly”

Nicki Minaj and Rihanna are prepping to set the charts on fire with their song “Fly” from “Pink Friday.”

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03
“Can’t Knock the Hustle”

Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige represent R&B Hip Hop to the fullest. “Can’t Knock the Hustle” is one of the best collaborations of our time.

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04
“Your All I Need”

Mary J. Blige and Method Man remixed the classic hit “Your All I Need to Get By” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

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05
“Rainy Days”

The Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige and Ja Rule perform “Rainy Days.”

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06
“Always On Time”

J Rule and Ashanti on stage at the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on September 23, 2009 in New York City.

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07
“You Got Me”

Erykah Badu and The Roots make soulful music on this roots meets rap and R&B mix.

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08
“Oh”

Ciara and Ludacris got it crunk with the club banger “Oh.”

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09
“Bonnie & Clyde ’03”

Beyonce and Jay-Z make beautiful music with their classic collabo “Bonnie & Clyde ’03.”

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10
“Day Dreaming”

Perfect combination: Jill Scott and Lupe Fiasco make soulful music with their duet “Day Dreaming.”

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11
“Candy Shop”

50 Cent and Olivia create sweet music with the suggestive and sexy candy shop.

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12
“You Won’t See Me Tonight”

Riding a Latin beat, Aaliyah and Nas mixed the melody of R&B with the rock hard beats of hip hop.

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13
“Put it in a Love Song”

R&B titans, Alicia Keys and Beyonce collaborated on Keys’ song “Put it in a Love Song.”

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14
“If I Ruled the World”

Lauryn Hill and Nas created an anthem with a hard beat and a Caribbean rhythm on the “If I Ruled the World.”

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15
“H.A.M.”

In an epic collaboration, Kanye West and Jay-Z are pulling together their talents for a duet album called, “Watch the Throne.”

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16
“Fantasy”

Sampling the Tom Tom Club, Mariah Carey and rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard created a surprising hit with “Fantasy.”

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17
“One More Chance”

Faith Evans gospel tinged voice was the perfect balance to The Notorious B.I.G.’s syrupy sound and lyrics.

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18
“Live Your Life”

Rihanna and T.I. perform “Live Your Life”onstage at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.

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19
Puff Daddy, Faith Evans, & 112-I’ll Be Missing U
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20
Ghostface & Mary J. Blige -All That I Got Is You
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21
“You and Me”

Kelly Price and LL Cool J make a classic New York hip hop song rocking R&B and rap with “You and Me.”

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22
Jay-Z & Mya – The Best of Me (Remix)
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