The Six Most Unstoppable Collaborations in Music

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Un-freakin'-stoppable.

By: Drew Ailes
Roosevelt and Churchill. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Marvel and Capcom. Ghostbusters and Hi-C. Throughout history, there have been some truly incredible collaborations that have forever altered the course of humanity. But what about the memorable music combos when two brilliant music artists collide, shooting through the galaxies of both pop and rock? To celebrate the fantastical joint-effort between Too $hort and Lady Gaga that was announced on the red carpet of the 2013 VMAs, we've compiled a list of the six most unstoppable alliances in music.

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6. Carlos Santana & Eric Clapton (Cream)

Boy oh boy! When Carlos Santana steps in front of the camera wearing his signature brown beanie hat and famous green and orange t-shirt, you know it's going to be a ripper! The dude at 0:09 in the sunglasses knows it! The chubby kid in the Gilligan-hat at 0:14 knows it! Everyone knows it! Listen to that roaring crowd and notice the reverence they have for the great Carlos Santana when he busts out those yellow maracas. A new take on an old classic – Santana and Clapton don't just knock it out of the park, they shatter the mental scoreboard of every single would-be-attendee that couldn't make it to that packed-to-the-gills festival. For more proof of sonic perfection of the two geniuses, check out “The Calling” off of Santana's 1999 hit record, Supernatural.

5. Carlos Santana & Chad Kroeger (Nickelback)

I've always felt like Carlos Santana was one of the most genuine artists out there. He gives so much to his fans, always willing to go toe-to-toe with the greats for the sake of pure art. He's worked with great, lasting, and prolific artists like Christian rap/metal band, P.O.D. and famous successful rapper, Everlast. To show how much integrity he possesses, Santana also collaborated with one of the most earnest and respected figures in the last thirty years: Chad Kroeger from Nickelback.

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4. Carlos Santana & Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)

It's the monster mash all over again when the two most respected mummies in rock serenade you with this emotional tour-de-force. Try not to get too jealous when megahottie Steven does that “let me show you how to play pool by rubbing my body against yours” thing at the 2:06 mark. And don't miss the 2:02 mark where Santana looks like he's having an orgasm while being abducted by aliens. Rock on, brother!

3. Carlos Santana & Gavin Rossdale

If only Marc Bolan was alive to see such a stellar performance! Rossdale's flimsy and wispy voice fits perfectly over Santana's smooth, sexy, and constant guitar shredding. Between the Bush frontman's energetic shuffling and the confident walking back and forth of our Latin hero, it's nearly impossible to tell who the winning performer is in this display of pure, raw, sexual energy. Fast forward to the three minute mark to witness some of the most stunning chemistry ever shared between two rock & roll legends!

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2. Carlos Santana & Rob Thomas

I quit a job working at a warehouse called IKON Office Solutions back in 1999 because they just wouldn't play this song enough. I went and asked my boss, Bill Hogan, to re-hire me and to play the song an additional twelve times every day but he just stood there, shaking his head, and used those shiny motorcycle boots of his to walk right back into his office to his little putting green. All I wanted was the sensual Spanish flavor of Carlos Santana's irresistible riffing matched with the croon of our modern-day Sinatra, Rob Thomas. But I guess it was just too much passion and intensity for a guy like Bill to handle.

1. Paula Abdul & MC Skat Kat (Animated Cat)

The finest musical pairing ever recorded – the musical equivalent of a fine Cabernet with a porterhouse steak. Except when you watch the video you sort of think Paula Abdul wants to have sex with an animated cat. Oh well. Did you know that MC Skat Kat ended up doing an entire album? Did you know that I only failed three drug tests during my 2001-2002 probation?

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