Music has always been a fluid and evolving art form, breaking barriers between genres and creating unexpected yet iconic crossover hits. Some songs have successfully blended styles, appealing to multiple audiences and redefining the music industry. These genre-defying tracks often introduce listeners to new musical elements and cultures, making them more than just chart-toppers—they become timeless anthems.
Crossover hits can emerge when rock meets hip-hop, country merges with pop, or classical influences shape electronic music. These fusions expand an artist’s reach, often leading to record-breaking success. But what are the most significant crossover hits? Below, we explore some of the most groundbreaking songs that have blurred genre lines and reshaped modern music history.
1. “Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus (Country and Hip-Hop)
Few songs have defined the term “crossover hit” like “Old Town Road.” Originally released as a hip-hop track with country undertones, it quickly gained traction on social media before being removed from the Billboard country charts for not being “country enough.” However, the addition of Billy Ray Cyrus on the remix solidified its country’s credibility while maintaining its hip-hop roots.
This blend of trap beats and country storytelling created an unstoppable phenomenon, leading the track to break the record for the longest-running No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on top for 19 weeks. The song’s viral success on platforms like TikTok and its ability to engage fans from both hip-hop and country audiences made it one of the most successful genre-blending tracks in history.
2. “Smooth” – Santana ft. Rob Thomas (Rock and Latin Pop)
In 1999, Santana and Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty joined forces to create “Smooth,” a track that seamlessly blended Latin rock and pop. With Santana’s signature guitar work and Thomas’s sultry vocals, the song became an instant classic.
“Smooth” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks and won three Grammy Awards, proving that a fusion of rock and Latin music could appeal to a global audience. The song’s infectious rhythm, combined with elements of salsa and bluesy rock, introduced mainstream listeners to Latin-inspired sounds, paving the way for future cross-genre collaborations.
Smooth – Santana ft. Rob Thomas (image via Getty)3. “Wake Me Up” – Avicii (Electronic Dance Music and Folk)
Swedish DJ and producer Avicii revolutionized the music industry with “Wake Me Up,” a song that seamlessly combined EDM and folk elements. Featuring vocals by Aloe Blacc, the track opened with an acoustic guitar and soulful lyrics before transitioning into an explosive electronic drop.
Upon its release in 2013, “Wake Me Up” became a global sensation, topping charts in more than 20 countries. The song demonstrated how electronic music could incorporate organic instruments and storytelling lyrics, appealing to both dance music lovers and folk-pop audiences. Avicii’s bold experimentation set a precedent for future genre-blending efforts in mainstream music.
Avicii’s “Wake Me Up”(image via Getty)4. “Numb/Encore” – Linkin Park & Jay-Z (Rock and Hip-Hop)
One of the most iconic crossover collaborations of all time, “Numb/Encore” was part of the 2004 mash-up album Collision Course, merging the sounds of nu-metal band Linkin Park and rap legend Jay-Z. By combining the haunting piano melody of “Numb” with Jay-Z’s razor-sharp flow from “Encore,” the track created an unforgettable fusion of rock and hip-hop.
The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, proving that rock and rap could coexist in a powerful and commercially successful way. The success of Collision Course also paved the way for future artists to experiment with cross-genre collaborations, demonstrating that blending two seemingly opposite styles could lead to musical innovation.