But the reality is often subtler than that—career-wise, each superstar needed something from the other. Often, one act is a bit thirstier than the other. When you encounter one of these mega-duets, you should ask yourself, Who needed this more?

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” scores a third week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Plus, Bad Bunny banks three new top 10s.

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars' "Die With a Smile" secured a third consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart dated Jan. 25, 2025, and Mars is ready to party. "THANK YOU ALL!" he wrote alongside a cheers emoji and a screenshot of this week's top 10 on the chart.

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars ’ “Die With a Smile” notches a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. A week earlier, the ballad about flashing pearly whites just before reaching the pearly gates became Gaga’s sixth Hot 100 leader and Mars’ ninth.

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” scores its third consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. This marks Gaga’s second longest chart-topping reign of her career, tying the three-week run at No.

The Contenders is a midweek column that looks at artists aiming for the top of the Billboard charts, and the strategies behind their efforts. This week, for the upcoming Billboard Hot 100 chart dated Feb. 1, we look at whether the surging quasi-title track from Bad Bunny’s latest will be able to get over the top on the chart.

As his 'Die With A Smile' continues to top the charts, Bruno Mars has teased his next single will feature rapper Sexyy Red.

On Instagram, in response to the song enjoying another week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Mars wrote, “THANK YOU ALL! I’m headed to the studio right now to make a strip club anthem so I can celebrate and properly act up this weekend. Someone please help me get in touch with Sexyy Red!!”

Bruno Mars recently announced his desire to create a “strip club anthem” in collaboration with rising Hip-Hop star Sexyy Red.

Bad Bunny, who had the most-streamed album of both 2022 and 2023, seems to have another potential juggernaut on his hands. But to top the chart this week he had to hold off an unlikely challenger.

The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 17 will recognize Lady Gaga as an innovator and Mariah Carey as icon of the year.