This is a sick article. Talk about some major breaks on this list where not having it placed with the originally intended artist worked out in their favor!
Here’s an excerpt:
“Rock Your Body”Turned Down By: Michael JacksonRecorded By: Justin Timberlake
Imagine, if you will, that Michael Jackson’s final album was comprised of Neptunes-produced bangers like “Rock Your Body” instead of the uneven fare of 1999’s “Invincible.” And imagine that Justin Timberlake’s solo debut was not blessed with tracks like this ubiquitous dance-starter. MJ passed on “Rock Your Body,” and a number of other “Justified” songs, before the tracks went to JT, sending us into an alternate pop universe that still resonates today.
“…Baby One More Time”Turned Down By: TLCRecorded By: Britney Spears
This is one denial that seemed to work out for all parties involved: Max Martin’s pop track was originally offered to TLC for their “Fan Mail” album, but the R&B group rejected the song, which eventually served as Spears’ debut single. Without “…Baby One More Time,” Spears perhaps does not arrive in such a huge way; meanwhile, TLC packed “FanMail” with hits like “No Scrubs” and “Unpretty,” and the album was eventually nominated for album of the year at the Grammy Awards.
“Gold Digger”Turned Down By: ShawnnaRecorded By: Kanye West
“Gold Digger” became one of Yeezy’s biggest hits to date, but would the Jamie Foxx-assisted “Late Registration” jam topped the Hot 100 if it had been recorded by Chicago rapstress Shawnna? After she passed on the beat, West rewrote the hook to accommodate a male perspective, and struck, er, gold.
