Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop' & 8 Examples of Female Pop Stars Recruiting Hip-Hop Producers

Before Miley & Mike WiLL, there was Britney & the Neptunes and Nelly & Timbaland. We explore the pop-rap history.

As big a single as the recently released "We Can't Stop" looks to be for Miley Cyrus -- debuting at No. 11 on this week's Hot 100 chart, an excellent showing for a pop star who has been off the radar for the better part of three years and completely re-invented her image in the interim -- it's just as significant of an accomplishment for its producer: Michael Williams, better known as Mike WiLL Made It. Over the past two years, Mike WiLL has become the biggest hit-maker in hip-hop, his swirling synths and spacious soundscapes (along with the "Eardrummers!" and "Mike WiLL Made It" vocal samples that sign each of his singles) becoming unavoidable on rap radio. Lil Wayne's "Love Me," Juicy J's "Bandz a Make Her Dance," 2 Chainz' "No Lie"... you name a big song from the last two years in club-ready hip-hop, and chances are that it bore Mike WiLL's signature.