MusicJune 17, 2025
R
By Ryan Edwards
5 min read

Why Zara Larsson and Tate McRae Joint Album Could Transform Pop Partnerships

Why Zara Larsson and Tate McRae Joint Album Could Transform Pop Partnerships
Why Zara Larsson and Tate McRae Joint Album Could Transform Pop Partnerships
Photo: C-Tribe
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Zara Larsson and Tate McRae might be teaming up for a collaboration marking a bold shift from one-off collabs to deeper creative partnerships. With both artists still in career ascension, their potential project challenges old-school industry norms, highlights the power of female collaboration, and raises the stakes for what pop duos can achieve in the TikTok era

Speculation around a collaboration between Zara Larsson and Tate McRae gained serious traction following Larsson’s recent remarks at Capital’s Summertime Ball. While speaking to The Sun, the Swedish pop star revealed she wouldn’t be joining McRae on stage during the Miss Possessive Tour, but then dropped a far more intriguing hint.

“That’s unfortunately not going to happen. But maybe in the future, maybe we’ll get like this on tour,” she said, crossing her fingers. Then came the reveal:
“Maybe we’ll get a joint album. Who knows? But I do love her a lot and I think she’s incredible.”

The two artists are currently professionally linked—Larsson is the opening act for McRae’s North American tour dates—and personally, with Larsson confirming that she recently saw McRae in Stockholm and praising her as “incredible.”

Why this potential pop collaboration feels different from others

Unlike the tactical one-off collaborations that have dominated streaming charts for years, a full-length project between established solo artists with distinct musical identities represents a different kind of creative risk—and potential reward.

What makes this collaboration particularly interesting is that both artists are currently in their ascendancy, not using each other as career lifelines. They're both bringing substantial individual momentum to the table.

This timing diverges from the typical collaboration playbook, where established artists pair with emerging talent or where fading stars combine forces to generate renewed relevance. Larsson recently enjoyed global success with her fourth album Venus, while McRae's Think Later cemented her transition from TikTok phenomenon to mainstream pop contender.

What happens when two distinct pop identities merge

The artistic tension that makes this potential collaboration fascinating stems from the contrast between the artists' established personas. Larsson has built her brand on confident dance-pop bangers with feminist undertones and crystalline production. At the same time, McRae has carved out territory with vulnerable lyrics, dance-inflected arrangements, and a slightly edgier sonic palette.

The question becomes whether their joint effort will represent a true artistic synthesis or alternate between their established styles – a distinction that separates memorable collaborations from forgettable ones.

How female pop partnerships are reshaping industry power dynamics

This potential collaboration emerges against a backdrop of increasing female solidarity in pop music, with artists increasingly opting for cooperation over the competitive narratives that dominated previous eras.

The success of unexpected pairings, such as Charli XCX and Billie Eilish's surprise EP last year, demonstrated how female artists combining forces can create both critical acclaim and commercial success while challenging industry expectations about how women in pop should interact.

The old model was built around manufacturing rivalries between female artists. What we're seeing now is women in music recognizing that collaborative power often translates to greater creative control and improved negotiating positions with labels and streaming platforms.

If Larsson and McRae's project materializes as a true co-created album rather than a collection of features, it could represent another significant step in this evolution of female artistic partnership.


Will TikTok turn this collaboration into a cultural moment

Both Larsson and McRae have demonstrated mastery of TikTok's ecosystem, with McRae's career largely launching through the platform and Larsson successfully leveraging it to revitalize her global presence.

Fan accounts are already creating theorized tracklists and concept visuals despite having virtually no confirmed details about the project. The hashtag #ZaraTate has garnered over 15 million views on TikTok in just a few days, with users creating speculative dance routines inspired by imagined collaborations and debating potential artistic directions.

This pre-release digital enthusiasm highlights how the modern pop collaboration exists as much in the realm of fan-created content as in the actual music, something both artists seem keenly aware of based on their strategic social media breadcrumbs.

As the music industry continues reconciling artistic authenticity with commercial imperatives, Larsson and McRae's potential joint album raises a compelling question: Can two established solo artists with distinct identities create something together that transcends what either could accomplish independently, or will commercial pressures and artistic compromise dilute what makes each unique?

The answer might reveal whether pop music's collaborative future will prioritize genuine artistic synthesis or merely double the marketing power behind essentially solo creations.

Tags

Zara LarssonTate McRaepop collaborationjoint albumfemale artistsmusic industryTikTok reactionpop music evolutionartist partnerships2024 music trends

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