My Top 10 Favorite Female Collaborations

#WomensHistoryMonth These legendary collabs prove that when women team up, the music world wins.

There’s just something special about women teaming up on a track. Whether it’s an R&B, Hip Hip or even pop, it’s all good with me. So, let’s talk about MY favorite female collabs—again, this is my opinion…and I would LOVE to hear yours!

1. “I Wanna Be Down (Remix)” – Brandy feat. Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Yo-Yo

This one had to be first. First of all let’s just say…I am a true Brandy fan through and through. I’m one that will argue with you if I evvvva hear ya’ll say Brandy can’t sing…one recommendation…look up Brandy singing in her bathroom. Case closed. This whole tape (yes cassette tape) stayed in my walkman as a sophomore in high school in ‘94. (This is also one of the greatest years for music PERIOD - especially for Hip Hop & R&B.) Brandy was young and new to the game, but this remix? It was a whole statement. She brought in three hip-hop queens—Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Yo-Yo—to spit some empowering verses, and the result was pure gold. R&B and hip-hop came together once again and made absolute magic.
They came together for an epic performance at the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards.

2. “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)” – Lil’ Kim feat. Angie Martinez, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, and Left-Eye

I’m here for this song and this whole video. I can just feel the 90s oozing out of it, from Lil’ Kim and Mary’s platinum hair, Missy’s fingerwaves, to the unforgettable energy that Left Eye brought to the table…(we miss you girl!) When you heard:

“It's ladies' night, what? It must be Angie on the mic…) The Butter P honey got the sugar, got the spice …

…you couldn’t help but get your ass up. Da Brat’s verse? Flawless. I don’t hear Brat getting her flowers enough and I need that to stop NOW. This was the ultimate ladies’ anthem! First of all, IYKYK, you should already feel it as soon as it come on because of Kool and The Gang. (If that went over your head, just look it up.) Lil’ Kim, Missy, Left-Eye, Da Brat, and Angie Martinez all brought their own flavor, making this one of the most fun collabs in hip-hop history. I gotta dust off my old tapes and pop that one in the boombox. Yep, I still got one!

3. “Whatta Man” – Salt-N-Pepa feat. En Vogue

Anything Salt-N-Pepa? Yes please. Salt-N-Pepa brought their signature dopeness while En Vogue’s harmonies made it smooth and soulful. Hot, Cool and Vicious was my first Hip Hop tape I was allowed to have as an 8 year old so they kinda helped raise me. I loved them so much I named my beloved pet gerbils after them…til I found out they really were a boy and a girl when I woke up and heard a baby gerbil squeaking one morning. That’s a story for another day though. And En Vogue? I was straining my vocal cords trying to sing the Hold On intro for a minute so them being on this song solidified it for me. As a 9th grader, it was good to hear a song about celebrating good men…it gave me hope of finding a great one!
“With him I'm never losin' and he knows that my name is not Susan.” (If you don’t know who Susan is, imma need you to look that up.)

4. “The Boy Is Mine” – Brandy and Monica

Listen…when this song came out…I was waaaay deep into Brandy’s second album - Never Say Never…that album has zero skips!! This song had everyone picking sides back in the day, but I didn’t want to due to equal love for Brandy and Monica. Even despite the reported drama on the set…Brandy and Monica’s chemistry was undeniable, and their back-and-forth made for one of the most entertaining (and relatable) R&B duets ever. Hold on, let me clear my throat. “You need to give it up-up-up, had about enough!”

BONUS: Super cute inspiration - Brandy’s daughter, Sy’rai Smith, and Erica Campbell’s daughter, Krista Campbell, put a fresh spin on Brandy and Monica’s on classic 1998 hit giving it a modern twist in celebration of the ‘Wicked’ movie.

5. “Let Me Blow Your Mind” – Eve feat. Gwen Stefani

Eve and Gwen Stefani? It sounds like an unexpected combo, but it worked so well. I was a fan of the Ruff Ryders and loved Eve. I used to sing “Who’s That Girl…and replace “Eve’s That Girl” with “V’s That Girl”😂… and I loved Gwen Stefani from No Doubt and loved singing “Spiderwebs” and “Don’t Speak.” Gwen’s cool, effortless vibe matched Eve’s boss energy perfectly. The beat was hypnotic, the hook was catchy, and the whole song just felt fresh. “Drop your glasses, shake your asses…”

6. “Heartbreak Hotel” – Whitney Houston feat. Faith Evans and Kelly Price

Three of my absolute favorite powerhouses in one song. What can I say besides undeniable. On Whitney’s documentary “Can I Be Me”, Kelly talks about how someone in Whitney’s camp told Kelly to hold back as to not upstage her. Whitney got extremely upset after sensing that Kelly was not giving her all…and ripped her assistant a new one for not respecting Kelly’s talent. I love Whitney for that! And Faith Evans? She is one of my favorites singers of all time. This is the kind of song you listen to when you need to sing your feelings out. Whitney, Faith, and Kelly took heartbreak and turned it into a soulful, emotional masterpiece. Because Whitney meant it when she said… “you said…you'd be here by nine.”

7. “Lady Marmalade” – Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, Pink, and Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott brought together a dream team of divas, and they delivered. PERIOD. She knew the powerhouse voices on this song would be a huge hit. Everyone had their own unique style, but it all blended perfectly into this fiery, fun, and unforgettable collab. I love them all…and…and when Pink sang R&B I was so here for it!
“Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?”

Bonus: Even though it wasn’t an all female collab…Mya and Pink teamed together with Usher and gave one of the best tributes to Janet Jackson ever…but I’ll go into that for another article about my top picks for best award show tributes. But check it out, it’s one of my absolute favorites to watch…Mya and Pink ripped it! (Usher did too!)

8. “Telephone” – Lady Gaga feat. Beyoncé

When two pop queens join forces, you already know it’s gonna be iconic. “Telephone” was high-energy, addictive, and came with a music video that felt like a full-on movie. I’ve been part of the Beyhive since Destiny’s Child (fight me) and Gaga has always intrigued me because she was weird and I love it. Plus I felt like she was an excellent singer and people were sleep on that. Gaga and Bey together? Yes, please. “Stop callin', stop callin', I don't wanna talk anymore!”

9. “When You Believe” – Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston

Two of the greatest voices ever on one song. This track wasn’t just beautiful—it was powerful. People love or hate Mariah for some reason and I have loved her since she first sang…”Treated me kind…..sweet destiny”…back in 1990. (If you don’t know what song I’m talking about…look it up.) The love for Whitney needs no explanation…PERIOD. Mariah and Whitney’s vocals soared, and the message of hope and faith made it even more special. This was a great song from The Prince of Egypt soundtrack. Who doesn’t sing songs from animated films at the top of their lungs? I do! Try it sometime.
“There can be miracles when you believe!”

10. “Missing You” – Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan

This song hits you right in the heart. A tribute to lost loved ones, this collab brought together multiple generations of incredible voices. It comforts me when I think of my parents who have gone on to glory. Plus, it’s on the soundtracks of one of my favorite movies ever, “Set It Off.” That scene when Jada Pinkett is looking back still brings tears. It’s emotional, it’s timeless, and it still gives you a comforting feeling to lift you up.
“Though I’m missin’ you, I’ll find a way to get through.”

What female collab did I miss? What are some of YOUR favorites?