From Kanye West to Nicki Minaj: Katy Perry's biggest collaborators explored
Katy Perry teamed up with industry juggernauts like 21Savage, Doechii, JID, and Kim Petras for her seventh studio album 143. Releasing on September 20, 2024, the album takes inspiration from her motherhood and bears themes of love and empowerment.
Although the lead single Woman's World has gained some popularity, the album has mostly received negative reviews from critics. However, guest collaborations have worked wonders for Katy Perry throughout her career.
Her discography over the years has featured stars like Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, and Snoop Dogg. These collaborations have allowed her to explore new avenues and provide an exciting spin to her works.
Biggest collaborations of Katy Perry explored
Here is a list of the most iconic Katty Perry collaborations that have always produced something greater than the sum of their parts.
Katy Perry dropped If We Ever Meet Again with Timbaland in 2009
One of Katy Perry's earliest high-profile collaborations was with Timbaland for the song If We Ever Meet Again, which was released on December 1, 2009.
He was one of the go-to producers when Katy Perry started her career in the first decade of the 21st century. In his career, Timbaland worked with stalwarts like Justin Timberlake, Madonna, and Nelly Furtado and had a pivotal role in their success.
If We Ever Meet Again peaked in the charts in the Czech Republic, and New Zealand while entering the top ten in countries like Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Perry collaborated with Snoop Dogg in 2010
The next year, she released California Gurls with famous rapper Snoop Dogg. Released on May 7, 2010, the song garnered positive reviews from critics and peaked the Billboard Hot 100 chart for six consecutive weeks.
Missy Elliott and Kanye West were her biggest collaborators in 2011
In 2011 Katy Perry made Last Friday Night and ET in collaboration with Missy Elliott and Kanye West, respectively.
Produced by Dr. Luke and Max Martin, Last Friday Night dropped on June 6, 2011, and was one of the most viral singles from Perry's third studio album, Teenage Dream. Interestingly, the first version of the song was released without the part containing Missy Elliott. Once she was added to the track, it became a chartbuster overnight and sales were boosted by 25%.
The song also made Perry the first female solo singer to have five number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart from a single album.
Coming to ET, Kanye West's lyrical addition catapulted the song to become one of the most popular singles from Teenage Dream. Released on February 11, 2011, the single also featured inputs from Perry's longtime collaborators Dr. Luke, and Max Martin, and from the pop icon Ammo.
Katy Perry joined voices with ex-boyfriend John Mayer and rapper Juicy J in 2013
On August 12, 2013, Katy Perry collaborated on the song Who You Love with her then-boyfriend, John Mayer. This 2013 country-themed ballad bears testimony to the romance that was brewing up between Katy Perry and John Mayer at that time. Released as the third single of John Mayer's studio album Paradise Valley, the song gained widespread popularity.
One of the key features of Who You Love was the music video directed by Sophie Muller. The video featured many real-life couples and has racked up 49 million views on YouTube.
In 2013, Perry also collaborated with American rapper Juicy J and they made Dark Horse for Perry's 2013 album Prism. The song was a concoction of trap music, hip-hop, and pop-rap with an undertone of electropop. It was written in collaboration with Perry's collaborators Dr. Luke, Max Martin, Cirkut, and Sarah Hudson.
Since its release on December 17, the song reached the top ten in almost 20 countries, peaking at 1 in countries like Canada, Poland, the United States, and the Netherlands.
Nicki Minaj and Skip Marley were her prime collaborators in 2017
Perry collaborated with Nicki Minaj on the single Swish Swish on May 19, 2017, which went on to become one of the best dance hits in Perry's career. However, the song got mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the general vibe of the track, others criticized its lyrics.
She also partnered with Bob Marley's grandson Skip Marley in Chained to the Rhythm in February 2017. Released as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Witness, the song is politically surcharged with themes ranging from awareness to exploitation.
Chained to the Rhythm peaked in the charts in Poland and Hungary and reached the top five in countries like Canada, Hungary, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
In 2019, Perry dropped 365 with Zedd
One of her more recent collaborations happened with German musician and producer Zedd in 365. Releasing on Valentine's Day in 2019, the song became a modest hit across the world, reaching number one in countries like Bulgaria and Israel.
For her contribution to music, Katy Perry was recently honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, popularly known as the Vanguard Award at the 2024 MTV Music Awards.
