Top 25 Latin/Hip-Hop Collaborations (From Worst To Best)
See who made the cut.
Over the last 20 years, pop culture has witnessed the progression of Latin music ascend to new heights, particularly in hip-hop. Artists and producers alike have gone from sampling salsa rhythms on songs by Jerry Rivera to spitting in Spanglish and dancing bachata.
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Legends like Cypress Hill opened up the floodgates for Latino rappers in the early ‘90s, while producers like The Beatnuts and MCs like Big Punisher, Fat Joe and Cuban Link continued to champion the movement throughout New York City, especially in Spanish Harlem and The Bronx.
After reggaeton blew up in the 2000s, mainstream artists all but resisted hopping on the instant smash hits and immediate chart-toppers. Superstar duos like Wisin Y Yandel have cut records with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Chris Brown, and 50 Cent. Colombian singer Shakira, who's worked with Beyoncé, Rihanna and Lil Wayne, could produce an elaborate EP of her culturally diverse hits alone.
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Considering the aforementioned is unlikely to happen, here are 25 of the biggest Latin/Hip-hop crossover collaborations of the past two decades. From worst to best…
25. Wisin Y Yandel ft. Eve “Quisiera Saber”
Glad Eve moved onto better things, because this particular collabo wasn’t the brightest moment of her career. The former Ruff Ryder was the sole female MC to be featured on Wisin Y Yandel’s 2007 album Los Extraterrestres. The only good thing to come from it all was the Latin Grammy they received for the LP in 2008. Great for these guys, not so much for the Philly spitter.
24. Hector El Father ft. Jay Z – “Here We Go Yo”
Here’s a nostalgic reminder of a time when Jay Z wanted to invade the Latin market. When Latino duo Hector y Tito disbanded, Hector El Father signed under Jay Z’s international label Roc La Familia along with N.O.R.E. Hector and Hov’s only collaborative effort appears on his label debut Los Rompe Discotekas. While the idea of Jay Z on a Latin record sounds novel, hearing the track will instantly make you understand why it’s at the bottom of the list.
23. Big Pun, Ricky Martin, Cuban Link & Fat Joe – “Livin’ La Vida Loca Remix”
The late Big Pun was all about la familia. So when he tracked down Ricky Martin, he wanted to deliver his own version of the fellow Boricua’s breakthrough U.S. single “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” Along with the Menudo singer, Pun recruited Cuban Link and Fat Joe to throw down verses on the remix.
22. Prince Royce ft. Snoop Dogg – “Stuck On A Feeling”
Prince Royce got broke into the Latin music world making bachata hits. For his English crossover album, Royce broke down all existing barriers by linking up with Uncle Snoop for the lead single off his Double Vision LP. Royce goes back and forth between English and Spanish on the upbeat track, while Snoop proves he can still spit a quick 16, perfectly fit for radio.
21. Voltio ft Notch & Lloyd Banks – “Chevere”
20. OMI ft Nicky Jam – “Cheerleader Remix”
19. Bone Thugs & Wisin Y Yandel – “Wanna Ride”
18. Plan B ft LDA, Trina & Trick Daddy – “Frikitona Chosen Few Remix”
17. NORE ft. Big Mato, Fat Joe, LDA, Chingo Bling, Lumidee, Lil Rob, Nina Sky – “Mas Maiz”
16. 50 Cent & Wisin Y Yandel – “Mujeres In The Club”
15. Rihanna & Shakira – “Can’t Remember To Forget You”
14. Farruko ft Sean Paul – “Passion Whine”
13. Don Omar ft. Fabolous & Swizz Beatz – “Dale Don Dale (remix)”
12. Puff Daddy & La India – “Senorita”
11. Shakira, Lil Wayne & Timbaland – “Give It Up To Me”
10. Bodega Bam ft. Joell Ortiz & Tego Calderon – “My Name Is Pt. 2”
9. R. Kelly & Wisin Y Yandel – “Burn It Up”
8. Zion ft Akon – “The Way She Moves”
7. Shakira ft Wyclef – “Hips Don’t Lie”
6. Don Omar ft. Fat Joe, N.O.R.E & LDA – “Reggaeton Latino Remix”
5. Joell Ortiz ft. Emilio Rojas, Chris Rivers & Bodega Bamz – “Latinos Pt 2”
4. N.O.R.E. ft Big Mato, Daddy Yankee, Gemstar & Nina Sky – “Oye Mi Canto”
3. Beyoncé & Shakira – “Beautiful Liar”
2. Romeo ft. Drake – “Odio”
1. Angie Martinez ft. Cuban Link, Big Pun, Domingo, Sunkiss – “Live At Jimmy’s”
