The 50 greatest duets of all time
Can two truly become one? For years singers and rappers have (mostly) put ego aside to find out. Duets hold a storied place in our music and culture - two performers with their own identities, their own followings, and their own baggage coming together for a performance that transcends all those things. Such is the form and spirit of a great duet. In making our list, we struggled with the rules, we looked past countless songs performed by duos because they didn't quite match our criteria: no performers primarly known as a pair, no mere guest verses on another person's record (with one or two notable exceptions) - strictly songs where the interplay between two people is integral to the song's narrative arc. That said, there's no EPMD, no Ike and Tina, no Mickey & Sylvia. At the same time, no Lil Wayne or Ludacris guest 165. Herewith a host of unique and extremely blissful unions from performers who, for a few spine-tingled minutes, showed what it's truly like to be as one. 30. "I'll be there", Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz
The Backstory: A number one hit on the pop single chart for the Jackson 5 in 1970, it was a vocal showcase for a then 12-year-old Michael. Carey ambitiously updated the song, sharing duties with backup singer Lorenz. Key Moment: Mariah's got five octaves, but when Lorenz dives into his verse with exultant "Oh"s and the backing choir follows his lead, it sets the song in motion. 13. "Fantasy", Mariah Carey and Ol' Dirty Bastard
The Backstory: It wasn't until beauty Mariah Carey found the lyrical beast that her career reached ridiculous heights. "Fantasy" shipped Mariah to the 'hood. It also brought ODB into suburban girls' bedrooms. Key Moment: The pinnacle comes when Mr. Brooklyn Zoo proclaims, "Me and Mariah / Go back like babies with pacifiers." (Vibe)
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