Have you ever tried mixing chocolate sauce with popcorn? Or glazed your burger with peanut butter? For most people, these combos might sound weird.
Musicians also experiment with strange combos in some of the songs they release. Usually, they do this by merging two different styles to create something new and unusual to our ears. Although those around them might be skeptical at first, these songs often go on to top charts and billboards around the world.
#1 Lil Nas X: Cowboys and Hip-Hop Collide
Do you remember the song called Old Town Road? It was a catchy tune that revolved around cowboy hats and horses. But Lil Nas X did something unusual with this song. He infused country music (think guitars and farm songs) with hip-hop (punchy beats and rap) all at once.
Most people had never heard a combo this unique before, so it wasn’t surprising that it took a while to gain traction. But guess what? When it finally got airplay, teens and adults vibed to it and put it on repeat.This song was so great that it stayed as #1 on the Hot 100 chart for 19 weeks in a row.
#2 Billie Eillish: Big Beats Get a Rendezvous With Whispers
If you’ve heard Billie Eilish sing, you’ll know her style is different from other pop and hip-hop stars. She doesn’t belt out notes. Rather, she often sings in an audible whisper. And here’s where things get interesting. Her sounds come over electronic beats, making them sound as though they came from a spooky movie scene.
#3 Post Malone: The Rockstar Who Raps
Post Malone has all the physical attributes of a top rockstar. He’s got long hair and tattoos on his face and body. But when he sings, all you hear are soft melodies paired with occasional raps. While he uses the rock guitar as a foundation for his beats, he blends in a country vibe, hip-hop sounds, and a hint of pop music.
His song Circles sounds like a chill pop tune perfect for date nights, while Rockstar hits like a pure hip-hop track. Post Malone doesn’t settle for one style;. He mixes several and ensures they sound great to both his ears and those of his fans. He’s that detailed.
DID YOU KNOW: Post Malone is one of the most successful artists in the world. On Spotify alone, he’s gotten over 53 billion streams. This is an evidence to the fact that many people appreciate his mixed sounds.
#4 Bad Bunny: Reggaeton’s Handshake With Everything
Bad Bunny is a musician from Puerto Rico who delivers Spanish rap. His career started in reggaeton, a music style featuring bouncy Caribbean beats that make you want to move your body in different ways.
But he didn’t stop there. Today, you’ll hear Bad Bunny songs that combine reggaeton with jazz, rock, punk, and a hint of traditional Puerto Rican music. If you’re listening to a Bad Bunny track, it might feel like a love song with soft beats at one moment, and just moments later, you’ll hear electronic guitars screaming in the background.
#5 Jack White: Blues From the Future
Jack White is a fan of blues music, especially from the 1920s and ’30s. But rather than just appreciating their sound and keeping a similar tone in his songs, he takes things a step further. Jack White uses the vintage sounds and amps them up using modern rock equipment. And if they don’t sound a little otherworldly, the song isn’t complete.
Jack is part of The White Stripes, a duo with Jack as the singer and Meg White on drums, creating loud and powerful music. This band is known for mixing messy garage rock with buttery-smooth, soulful classic blues. The result of this combo? Music that sounds both new and old at the same time.
Why Mixing Sounds Is A Tool of Success
The five artists we’ve mentioned are proof that rules were meant to be broken. They didn’t play it safe. Instead, they integrated their own style and succeeded. And that’s what makes music beautiful. When artists combine things that seem alien, uniqueness begins..