MusicRadar

Shatner + Rollins: "illogical" says Mr Spock

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The love-in between Coldplay and Jay-Z continues, and while their friendship is certainly genuine, MusicRadar is sure this is one of music's most unlikely collaborations.

Or is it?

A quick rummage through the dustbin of modern music history shows that there are many more instances in music of highly unlikely friends.

1. Eminem / Elton John: Stan

"Hate fags? / The answer's yes" rapped Eminem on Criminal, which led many observers to suggest Eminem just might be homophobic. Indeed, gay and lesbian groups were infuriated with Elton John when the singer defended Eminem.

"Let the Boy Georges and the George Michaels of the world get up in a twist about it if they don't have the intelligence to see his intelligence," John decreed.

The gay lobby went madder still when the duo's 2001 Grammys duet went down in history, with Sir Elton later saying Eminem was on a par with Jimi Hendrix and Mick Jagger. A queer episode, no mistake.

2. Burt Bacharach / Dr Dre: Go Ask Shakespeare

Dr Dre and Burt Bacharach: "Yo, this one's for my homies!" "Yes Burt, mine too."

The writer of Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head and all-round easy listening king doesn't look very bling, but Bacharach rolls tight with hip-hop uber-producer Dr Dre. "He gave me some drum loops, bass patterns and said, 'Play with it, see what you come up with,'" says Bacharach of Dre's co-work on his 2005 album At This Time, including the standout track Go Ask Shakespeare.

And it ain't over, mofos. BB later added: "I told Dre if he ever wanted me to do strings for him on his album, I'd love to do it. He's a good guy".

Fast-forward to 2008, and Dre is getting piano lessons from Bacharach for his next album. Whatever they're smokin', we like it!

3. Lil' Kim / Phil Collins: In The Air Tonight

Lil' Kim: You're lucky Phil Collins doesn't 'dress' like this

2001's Urban Renewal has to be the maddest album ever, featuring a selection of hip-hop stars giving out some street love to Phil Collins. Thus the unlikely sounds of Sussudio reworked by Wu-Tang Clan's Ol' Dirty Bastard and I Don't Care Anymore crooned by Kelis. Then there's an approved sample of Collins himself, 'duetting' with the saucy Lil' Kim on In the Air Tonight.

Sadly, the album charted in Germany only, at Number 3. Which could stymie plans for Lil Wayne to cover Collins' Brother Bear soundtrack.