“Feat” in music typically means “featuring” and refers to a guest artist who collaborates on a track. This guest usually performs a specific part like a verse or chorus, adding a unique element to the song.
Key takeaways
- Meaning: “Feat” signifies a guest artist’s contribution to a track.
- Roles: Guest artists often perform verses, choruses, or specific segments.
- Collaboration: Featuring allows blending of different musical styles and audiences.
- Popularity: Featured artists can enhance a song’s reach and impact.
- Terms: Similar terms include “with” or “vs” for collaborations.
Definition of ‘Feat’ in Music
Written as ‘feat’ or ‘ft.’, the term is short for “featuring” and points to a guest artist’s performance on a song. You will most often spot it in credit lists, where it flags a collaboration that brings in another artist to add their own flavor to the track.
- Usage: ‘Feat’ or ‘ft.’ means “featuring” and is used to credit guest appearances.
- Credit Lists: Often seen in album tracklists to denote collaborations.
- Role: Guest artists contribute to specific sections like verses or choruses.
Examples of Songs with Featured Artists
Featuring guest artists in songs has significantly boosted the success and appeal of many tracks. These collaborations often bring diverse talents together, creating memorable hits that resonate with a wide audience.
A featured credit can also push a song into the record books. The Billy Ray Cyrus remix of “Old Town Road” sat at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 straight weeks in 2019, the longest run any single has managed in the chart’s history.
| Song | Main Artist | Featured Artist | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Old Town Road” | Lil Nas X | Billy Ray Cyrus | Provided a country vibe to the chorus |
| “Monster” | Kanye West | Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, and Bon Iver | Brought unique verses, making the song iconic |
| “Clarity” | Zedd | Foxes | Performed the emotional vocals |
Different Contexts and Similar Terms
Beyond ‘feat,’ music credits use a handful of other terms and abbreviations, each carrying its own meaning. Knowing what they signal makes it easier to see exactly how each artist shaped a given track.
- VS: ‘Vs.’ stands for “versus” and usually signifies a competitive or contrasting collaboration between two artists.
- RMX: ‘Rmx’ means “remix” and is used when an existing song is altered, often featuring additional artists or producers.
- With: ‘With’ indicates a less formal collaboration, similar to ‘feat,’ but without the prominent guest artist credit.