The Internet can’t get enough of the Billy Ray Cyrus-assisted remix of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road.” The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer became a fan of the viral sensation, and in early-April, the duet hit streaming services. “Baby’s gotta habit, diamond rings, and Fendi sports bras/ Riding down Rodeo with my Maserati sports car,” the country superstar croons over the twangy-trap beat.
It’s clear that the twosome has an obvious hit on their hands, but this isn’t the first time hip-hop and country artists have proven to be a match made in music heaven. It’s not even the first time country trap has gotten love (Young Thug‘s “Family Don’t Matter” off Beautiful Thugger Girls incorporates country elements). In no particular order, here are some collaborations that made us holler “yee-haw” long before the horses were in the back.
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Lil Nas X Feat. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road”
Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X proved they are a force to be reckoned with when they released the remix of the 2018 song, “Old Town Road.” The song continued to climb the Billboard charts after the publication initially removed the track from their country chart.
Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly – “Cruise”
“Cruise” hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart. It was a bonafide hit no matter how you spin it. The country-pop duo and the “Ride Wit Me” rapper performed the track together at the American Music Awards in 2013.
Nelly feat. Tim McGraw – “Over and Over”
Nelly has a knack for working with country superstars. His hit with Tim McGraw, “Over and Over,” is perfect evidence of that. The song, featured on the St. Louis MC’s 2004 album Suit, peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Snoop Dogg feat. Willie Nelson – “Superman”
This is probably the most perfect pairing in the bunch, given Nelson and Snoop’s affinity for marijuana. Outside of their love of MJ, the two have a few other things in common. In the track, they sang about living their lives the best they can, despite not being “Superman.”
Jason Aldean feat. Ludacris – “Dirt Road Anthem (Remix)”
Ludacris hopped on fellow Georgia-born musician Jason Aldean’s 2011 track, which is reportedly the best-selling male country song in digital history. Outside of the remix, the song is actually classified as a country-rap song, since Aldean spits a few bars of his own.
Coolio feat. Kenny Rogers – “Hustler” AND Wyclef Jean feat. Kenny Rogers – “Pharoahe Monch Dub Plate”
Who knew Kenny Rogers had so many fans in hip-hop stars? The “Gangsta’s Paradise” rapper put his own spin on the classic country track “The Gambler” and enlisted the Country Music Hall of Famer for his version. Wyclef Jean also collaborated with Rogers, and used “The Gambler” as a sample in “Pharoahe Monch Dub Plate.”
Taylor Swift feat. T-Pain – “Thug Story”
Taylor Swift (or T-Swizzle) put an auto-tuned spin on her hit song “Love Story” for her hosting stint at the 2009 Country Music Awards. In the skit, the country-turned-pop singer and the Florida musician rapped about how despite baking cookies and still living with her parents, Swift is as gangsta as they come.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=6mFFBFYQYSs
KFL feat. Tammy Wynette – “Justified And Ancient”
British electro-group KLF collaborated with the late Tammy Wynette for the 1992 dance track “Justified And Ancient.” It was a worldwide hit, peaking at number one in six countries and at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=H7_ajdd99CM
Meghan Linsey feat. Bubba Sparxxx – “Try Harder Than That”
Rapper and occasional country star Bubba Sparxxx contributed to country star Meghan Linsey’s 2014 song, which featured both of them in a barn area, crooning and rapping while sitting on hay bales. It doesn’t get much more country than that.
B.o.B feat. Taylor Swift – “Both Of Us”
Swift hopped on B.o.B’s “Both Of Us,” which was a single off of his 2012 album, Strange Clouds. The song peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the video has amassed over 50 million views on YouTube.
Colt Ford Feat. Run-DMC – “Ride On, Ride Out”
In what we’d classify as “hick hop,” Colt Ford and legendary rap duo Run-DMC collaborated on Ford’s 2010 LP, Chicken & Biscuits.