Over the past two decades, collaborations have become a significant aspect of pop music. At any time, about three of the top ten singles feature a guest artist, while another three are collaborations. These collaborations, also known as “features,” are similar to having a featured artist on a track. This raises the point of our article: featured artists.

Who are the artists with the most featured song credits? The artists with the most featured song credits include T-Pain, E-40, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Nate Dogg, Busta Rymes, 2 Chainz, Bun B, Lil Wayne, and Snoop Dogg. These artists have featured credits ranging from about 200 to over 500.

There are several reasons why features are popular in music. They can add star power to a song, give it a different vibe for a verse, or help an older artist gain credibility with younger audiences. In this article, we will determine the most prolific featured artist by counting their credited guest appearances. Here is our top ten list:

1. T-Pain

Approx. total: 197

T-Pain is widely known for popularizing the use of autotune in mainstream music, using it to create a distinct sound. This has made him a highly sought-after collaborator by other artists. Some of his most famous collaborations include The Lonely Island, Jamie Foxx, and Flo Rida, among many others. For a time, it seemed like T-Pain‘s vocals were featured in nearly every song.

2. E-40

Approx. total: 200

E-40 is a highly productive rapper and entrepreneur who consistently releases multiple albums yearly. He runs a record label and even has his own brand of beer. Additionally, he has also been featured in numerous other artists’ songs. His most notable appearances are on Lil Jon‘s “Snap Yo Fingers” and Big Sean‘s “I Don’t **** With You.” Additionally, he has also worked extensively with underground artists.

3. Kendrick Lamar

Approx total: 206

At just 30 years old, Kendrick Lamar has already released four highly acclaimed albums and has been featured on many other artists’ songs. However, his collaborations are varied and diverse, ranging from ASAP Rocky and Birdman to Taylor Swift, Sia, Alicia Keys, Imagine Dragons, and even Dido.

4. Jay-Z

Approx total: 229

Jay-Z has not only built an impressive collection of music, but he has also lent his vocals to various songs by other artists. His most notable collaborations include “Umbrella” with Rihanna, “Suit and Tie” with Justin Timberlake, and “Crazy in Love and Drunk in Love” with his wife, Beyonce.

5. Nate Dogg

Approx total: 241

Before his untimely death in 2011, Nate Dogg was known for his smooth, show-stealing choruses. He released several albums, but he is still most famous for his guest appearances. He has appeared on songs like Warren G’s “Regulate,” Eminem’s “Shake That,” and 2Pac’s “Thugs Get Lonely Too.”

6. Busta Rhymes

Approx total: 254

Busta Rhymes is known for his rapid-fire rapping style, which has made him a popular choice for guest appearances. His most notable collaborations include “Don’t Cha” by the Pussycat Dolls, “Look at Me Now” by Chris Brown, and “Rumble in the Jungle” by Fugees. Throughout his career, Busta has also made frequent guest appearances with A Tribe Called Quest. And he has collaborated with a variety of other artists, including Lil Wayne, Method Man, and Puff Daddy/P Diddy.

7. 2 Chainz

Approx total: 274

2 Chainz, whose real name is Tauheed Epps, gained fame as one half of the duo Playaz Circle. The duo is best known for its collaboration with Ludacris. In 2011, Epps adopted the name 2 Chainz. He has since made guest appearances on tracks by Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Steve Aoki. He is probably best known for his feature on Jason Derulo‘s song “Talk Dirty.”

8. Bun B

Approx total: 280

Bun B is not a household name in the United States, but he is a cult hero in the rap scene and widely respected by his peers. As a result, he is often sought out for collaborations with other artists. Bun B has appeared on songs by Big Sean, Drake, Usher, Linkin Park, and The Game, as well as many up-and-coming and lesser-known rappers.

9. Lil Wayne

Approx. total: 430

Wayne’s career began at 15 when he joined the Hot Boys. He landed his first feature on a song in 1999 at 16. Despite his busy schedule and an eight-month prison stint in 2010, Wayne has managed to make guest appearances on 430 songs by other artists. These include tracks by Birdman, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Kanye West, and even rock bands like Fall Out Boy and Weezer. In 2013, Wayne also collaborated with Paris Hilton, but he may want to forget that experience.

10. Snoop Dogg

Approx total: 583

Snoop’s career began with a guest appearance on the Dr. Dre song Deep Cover in 1992 and he has continued to make guest appearances on other artists’ songs ever since. We estimate that he has made 583 guest appearances to date, most of which are with fellow rappers like Dre, 2Pac, Ice Cube, and Wiz Khalifa. However, he has also appeared on songs by The Pussycat Dolls (twice), Katy Perry, Eddie Murphy, Anna Kendrick, and even 80s teen icon Corey Feldman. In short, if you need a laid-back rap verse for your song, regardless of the genre, Snoop is the man to call.

Top featured artists – honorable mentions

Other prolific artists with featured song credits not mentioned above include Kanye West, Justin Bieber, and Drake. West has been featured on over 150 songs by other artists, including collaborations with Jay-Z, Drake, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber. West is known for his unique style and provocative lyrics, making him a highly sought-after collaborator.

Another artist with a large number of featured song credits is Justin Bieber. Other artists have featured Bieber on over 100 songs, including collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, and Maroon 5. Bieber’s distinctive voice and pop sensibility have made him a popular collaboration choice.

Rihanna is another artist with a large number of featured song credits. She has been featured on over 80 songs by other artists, including collaborations with Drake, Kanye West, and Calvin Harris. Rihanna’s powerful voice and unique style have made her a popular collaboration choice.

Additionally, many other musicians have been featured in many songs by other artists. Some examples include Travis Scott, featured on over 50 songs by other artists, and Chance the Rapper, featured on over 40 songs by other artists.

What does a featured artist do?

The featured artist will contribute to a particular track by recording a verse, adding musical accompaniment, or performing in any other way. In the Hip Hop genre, it is common for artists to write and perform verses for other songs. 

The parties involved usually agree on royalties before the track is released, so the featured artist can be compensated for their work. In some cases, the artists may exchange verses on different songs, allowing both to benefit from the collaboration. 

The rate at which a rapper charges for a guest verse indicates their relevance in the industry. Generally, the more successful the rapper, the higher the rate. For example, DaBaby’s guest verse rate increased from $5,000 to $300,000 within three years. 

Furthermore, a higher price tag for a guest verse also implies higher expectations for the song’s performance, such as increased sales or critical acclaim.

Conclusion

Artists with the most featured song credits are musicians who have been featured on a large number of songs by other artists. Being featured on a song means that the artist has contributed vocals or lyrics to the track, often collaborating with the main artist or group.

Being featured in a large number of songs by other artists can be a sign of an artist’s talent and popularity. It can also be a way for an artist to collaborate with other musicians and reach a wider audience. Whether it’s Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, or any other artists mentioned above, these musicians have made their mark on the music industry through their contributions to other artist’s songs.