Cameo Kings: R&B's 25 Best Featured Guests

R&B stars who often make another artist's song a hit.

Cameo Kings: R&B's 25 Best Featured Guests  - Want a song that tops the charts? That seduces? That makes you cry? Holler at your friendly neighborhood R&B star. Soul singers are often the go-to featured guest for other musicians looking to make a splash. Check out our list of the top 25 cameo kings (and queens) — the R&B stars who are most likely to make another artist's song a hit with both critics and the charts. —Alex Gale  (Photos from left: Mike Flokis/Getty Images, Rob Loud/Getty Images,Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

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Cameo Kings: R&B's 25 Best Featured Guests - Want a song that tops the charts? That seduces? That makes you cry? Holler at your friendly neighborhood R&B star. Soul singers are often the go-to featured guest for other musicians looking to make a splash. Check out our list of the top 25 cameo kings (and queens) — the R&B stars who are most likely to make another artist's song a hit with both critics and the charts. —Alex Gale (Photos from left: Mike Flokis/Getty Images, Rob Loud/Getty Images,Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Photo By Photos from left: Mike Flokis/Getty Images

Echoes of Silence - That same month, The Weeknd released his third free project, Echoes of Silence, which was once again hailed by critics and a rapidly growing number of fans. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)

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25. The Weeknd - The Weeknd sneaks onto this list not for jumping on every Tom, Dick and Harry's song but because he's curated his collaborations carefully and made them count: Drake's "Crew Love," Wiz Khalifa's "Remember You" and Juicy J's "One of Those Nights" are all standouts. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)

24. Jeremih - Aside from his own hits, "Birthday Sex" and "Down on Me," Jeremih's smooth falsetto has made a mark on the charts and airwaves via tracks for Wale ("That Way"), Meek Mill ("Amen") and others.   (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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24. Jeremih - Aside from his own hits, "Birthday Sex" and "Down on Me," Jeremih's smooth falsetto has made a mark on the charts and airwaves via tracks for Wale ("That Way"), Meek Mill ("Amen") and others. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

Failed Solo Missions - With Justin Timberlake’s hugely successful solo career, it’s easy to forget that he started out as frontman of the pop boy band 'NSYNC. Despite that group’s record-breaking commercial achievements — including releasing two of the best-selling albums of all time — Justin’s success on his own was by no means guaranteed. Just check out these other musicians who went solo and stumbled.  (Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

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23. Justin Timberlake - Considering his solo success, it's surprising Justin's cameos aren't more of an automatic home run, but he killed it on Snoop Dogg's "Signs" and Timbaland's "Give It to Me." (Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

22. Charlie Wilson - Don't front on Uncle Charlie from the Gap Band. He's given assists on numerous bangers from Snoop Dogg ("Signs"), Kanye West ("See Me Now"), UGK ("Quit Hatin' the South") and others.   (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)

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22. Charlie Wilson - Don't front on Uncle Charlie from the Gap Band. He's given assists on numerous bangers from Snoop Dogg ("Signs"), Kanye West ("See Me Now"), UGK ("Quit Hatin' the South") and others. (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)

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21. Trey Songz - Trey Songz caught the ladies' attention on Drake's "Successful," Lupe Fiasco's "Out of My Head" and J. Cole's "Can't Get Enough." (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)

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21. Trey Songz - Trey Songz caught the ladies' attention on Drake's "Successful," Lupe Fiasco's "Out of My Head" and J. Cole's "Can't Get Enough." (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)

20. John Legend - John Legend helped classics by Rick Ross ("Rich Forever"), Common ("They Say") and of course his Grammy Fam Kanye ("Blame Game") get lifted.    (Photo: Rob Loud/Getty Images)

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20. John Legend - John Legend helped classics by Rick Ross ("Rich Forever"), Common ("They Say") and of course his Grammy Fam Kanye ("Blame Game") get lifted.  (Photo: Rob Loud/Getty Images)

19. Faith Evans - Faith Evans's sweet soulful voice blessed timeless songs by Diddy ("I Miss You"), A Tribe Called Quest ("Stressed Out") and, of course, her late husband the Notorious B.I.G. ("One More Chance").  (Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET)

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19. Faith Evans - Faith Evans's sweet soulful voice blessed timeless songs by Diddy ("I Miss You"), A Tribe Called Quest ("Stressed Out") and, of course, her late husband the Notorious B.I.G. ("One More Chance"). (Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET)

18. Akon - After helping Young Jeezy land a hit with "Soul Survivor," Akon gave some extra muscle to songs by 50 Cent, Pitbull and many more.  (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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18. Akon - After helping Young Jeezy land a hit with "Soul Survivor," Akon gave some extra muscle to songs by 50 Cent, Pitbull and many more. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Frank Ocean

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17. Frank Ocean - Like fellow member of R&B's vanguard The Weekend, Frank Ocean doesn't collaborate often, but when he does the results are incredible — namely The Throne's "No Church in the Wild" and "Made in America." Ocean's also sang on songs by Tyler, the Creator and Odd Future, of course. (Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

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Miguel Sizzles - Miguel, R&B's prince, took the stage to open the Soul Train Awards Weekend Live in Concert at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. (Photo:  Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for Centric)

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16. Miguel - Miguel and his falsetto soar up this list thanks to his recent work with J. Cole, Talib Kweli and, last but not least, Wale, who landed a No. 1 with "Lotus Flower Bomb." (Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for Centric)

Wild and Free - If you’re on the fence about rocking a voluminous, picked-out Afro, we’re pretty sure Erykah will help tip the scale in favor. She’s absolutely breathtaking in this look, especially when paired with a bold, berry lip.   (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images for BET)

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15. Erykah Badu - Erykah has been a go-to collaborator for rappers since the '90s, lending her beautiful voice to songs by The Roots, Rick Ross and Common. (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images for BET)

Electric - Alicia Keys takes the stage at the Monster Cable party at CES (Cosumer Electronics Show) at the Paris Ballroom inside the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. (Photo: Judy Eddy/WENN.com)

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14. Alicia Keys - From Drake's "Fireworks" to Jay-Z 's first No. 1 hit, "Empire State of Mind," Alicia has put in serious work as an A-list featured guest. (Photo: Judy Eddy/WENN.com)

On Point - In his signature baseball hat, Ne-Yo set the crowd into a soulful frenzy performing material from his recently released album, R.E.D. (Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Centric)

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13. Ne-Yo - Ne-Yo has had quite a run as a chart-dominating hook man for both rappers and other singers, helping take songs by Pitbull, Keri Hilson and even Rihanna to the Top 10. (Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Centric)

12. Beyoncé - Sorry, Beyhive. Beyoncé's track record as a featured artist for Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga and, naturally, Jay-Z, though impressive, doesn't come near her immaculate discography as a lead artist. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

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12. Beyoncé - Sorry, Beyhive. Beyoncé's track record as a featured artist for Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga and, naturally, Jay-Z, though impressive, doesn't come near her immaculate discography as a lead artist. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

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11. Sleepy Brown - Sleepy Brown has too many classics to his name to not make a strong run on this list. Aside from his batch of timeless Outkast collabos ("Player's Ball," "The Way You Move"), the Dungeon Family singer has also laced bangers for Ludacris and Jay-Z. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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11. Sleepy Brown - Sleepy Brown has too many classics to his name to not make a strong run on this list. Aside from his batch of timeless Outkast collabos ("Player's Ball," "The Way You Move"), the Dungeon Family singer has also laced bangers for Ludacris and Jay-Z. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

10. Kelly Rowland - Believe it: Kelly Rowland's run as a featured artist — which includes songs like Trina's "Here We Go" and dance DJ David Guetta's "When Love Takes Over" — is more impressive than Beyoncé's.  (Photo: Mike Flokis/Getty Images)

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10. Kelly Rowland - Believe it: Kelly Rowland's run as a featured artist — which includes songs like Trina's "Here We Go" and dance DJ David Guetta's "When Love Takes Over" — is more impressive than Beyoncé's. (Photo: Mike Flokis/Getty Images)

Usher - While creating dance hits this year, Usher received a nod for Best R&B Performance for sticking to his R&B roots on his sensual track "Climax."(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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9. Usher - Usher's track record as a top-of-the-list featured artist includes Diddy's "I Need a Girl (Part One)," David Guetta's "Without You" and Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You (Remix)." (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Magic Man - Cee Lo Green hypnotizes the crowd alongside Flo Rida, Kirko Bangz and B.o.B live onstage at the "R You On The List" tour at Bank United Center in Miami. (Photo: Johnny Louis/WENN.com)

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8. Cee-Lo - Cee Lo's raspy voice is one of rap's go-to featured instruments, spotlighted on fan favorites from Common ("A Song for Assata"), Diddy ("Everything I Love") and his old Dungeon Family homies Outkast ("Liberation").  (Photo: Johnny Louis/WENN.com)

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7. Chris Brown - Chris Brown's hitmaking prowess has made him an in-demand guest star for 2 Chainz ('Countdown"), Bow Wow ("Shortie Like Mine") and Big Sean ("My Last"). (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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"One More Try" - Mimi has always credited her success to God, and she takes you to church on this cover of George Michael's 1987 ballad. But while the original is already amazing, Mariah's remake is over the top, bringing the traditionally one-leveled track to a multi-dimensional sonic explosion that only the Diva of Pop can deliver.

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6. Mariah Carey - Mariah Carey's five-octave range and record-breaking chart domination have given a commercial leg up to Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes and other Hall of Fame rappers. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment)

5. T-Pain - T-Pain's much-imitated robotic Auto-Tune was seemingly on every hip hop and R&B hit for a while, from Kanye West's "Good Life" to Chris Brown's "Kiss Kiss" to Flo-Rida's "Low."  (Photo: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

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5. T-Pain - T-Pain's much-imitated robotic Auto-Tune was seemingly on every hip hop and R&B hit for a while, from Kanye West's "Good Life" to Chris Brown's "Kiss Kiss" to Flo-Rida's "Low." (Photo: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

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4. Rihanna - Rihanna may be the surest bet for a chart-topping collaborator right now, helping T.I. ("Live Your Life"), Eminem ("Love the Way You Lie") and Jay-Z ("Run This Town") land some of the biggest hits of their career. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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3. Nate Dogg - The late, great Nate Dogg's legend only grows in the years after his untimely death. His run as a hip hop hookman is impeccable, highlighted by his earliest work with Snoop Dogg, his classics wth Warren G and Tupac a few years later and a strong early 2000s run with 50 Cent, Fabulous and others. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Fiesta, Fiesta - R. Kelly takes the stage to perform during day two of the 2013 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)

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2. R. Kelly - R. Kelly's choir-boy voice and chart-topping résumé have landed him roles on classics by Biggie ("F-----g You Tonight") and hits by Diddy ("Satisfy You") and even Cassidy ("Hotel"). (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)

Mary J. Blige  - This year marked the 20th anniversary of the queen of hip hop soul's debut...and she still reigns as heavily, grabbing yet another nomination for Best Female R&B/Soul Artist.   (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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1. Mary J. Blige - The queen of hip hop soul reigns over our list thanks to truly timeless turns with Jay-Z ("Can't Knock the Hustle"), Method Man ("I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By") and Ghostface Killah ("All That I Got Is You"). No other R&B singer is messing with that run of classic guest appearances. Bow down. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)