Home • News Beauty and the Beat Beauty and the Beat By Essence · Updated October 29, 2020 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. Getty Image 02 “Fly” Nicki Minaj and Rihanna are prepping to set the charts on fire with their song “Fly” from “Pink Friday.” 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. Getty Image 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. Getty Image 05 “Rainy Days” The Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige and Ja Rule perform “Rainy Days.” Getty Image 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. Getty Image 07 “You Got Me” Erykah Badu and The Roots make soulful music on this roots meets rap and R&B mix. 08 “Oh” Ciara and Ludacris got it crunk with the club banger “Oh.” Getty Image 09 “Bonnie & Clyde ’03” Beyonce and Jay-Z make beautiful music with their classic collabo “Bonnie & Clyde ’03.” Getty Image 10 “Day Dreaming” Perfect combination: Jill Scott and Lupe Fiasco make soulful music with their duet “Day Dreaming.” Getty Image 11 “Candy Shop” 50 Cent and Olivia create sweet music with the suggestive and sexy candy shop. Getty Image 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. Getty Image 13 “Put it in a Love Song” R&B titans, Alicia Keys and Beyonce collaborated on Keys’ song “Put it in a Love Song.” 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.” 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.” 16 “Fantasy” Sampling the Tom Tom Club, Mariah Carey and rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard created a surprising hit with “Fantasy.” Getty Image 17 “One More Chance” Faith Evans gospel tinged voice was the perfect balance to The Notorious B.I.G.’s syrupy sound and lyrics. 18 “Live Your Life” Rihanna and T.I. perform “Live Your Life”onstage at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. Getty Image 19 Puff Daddy, Faith Evans, & 112-I’ll Be Missing U 20 Ghostface & Mary J. Blige -All That I Got Is You 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.” 22 Jay-Z & Mya – The Best of Me (Remix)