The 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards are right around the corner! As one of the biggest music award shows for K-Pop and Asian music, MAMA includes special guests from all over Asia as well as Western/International artists. These special guests are voted to represent their respective countries and are often awarded as the best artist from their country. MAMA often puts on grand collaboration stages between the K-Pop stars and the special invited guest artists. Not too long ago, Mnet revealed the latest lineup of special guests, and this year the legendary Janet Jackson will be gracing the stage for MAMA 2018. With the award ceremonies only days away, we are looking back at some of the best collaboration stages that this award show has put on!

CL, Will.i.am, & apl.de.ap

In 2011, Will.i.am and apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas were invited and awarded special recognition for their music for MAMA in Singapore. CL of 2NE1 has been known to be good friends with the group, and it comes as no surprise that they would share a stage together. Performing their hit song, “Where Is The Love?,” CL took on former-member of the Black Eyed Peas, Fergie’s, parts, bringing a hot collaboration for 2011. CL has featured on different tracks with the Black Eyed Peas, most recently on the track titled “Dopeness” off their Masters of The Sun album. She even made an appearance in their music video as well! It goes to show how strong their friendship has become, with both CL and the Black Eyed Peas still keeping in contact.

PICK ME: The Power of Girl Groups

There has never been such a massive stage filled with female idols until last year during MAMA. Japanese girl group AKB48 and K-Pop girl groups Weki Meki, fromis_9, PRISTIN, Idol School Class 1, and solo artist Chungha came together to perform several songs. Most notably their collaboration stage was to I.O.I/Produce 101 Season 1’s smash hit, “Pick Me.” As Japan’s largest girl group and the first time that MAMA had been hosted in Japan, AKB48’s presence was one not to miss. This performance was also followed up with the announcement of Produce 48, which was recently aired this year. Despite its large-scale stage, the vast amount of girl power on this stage was incredible and makes this a stage to remember! Also, if you haven’t gotten yourself into the world of AKB48 and their large lineup of members, you’re in for a treat at how beloved this group is to Japan. They are a group you should keep an eye on!

John Legend, Tiffany, & Chen

Closing out this week is throwing it back to MAMA 2014, where John Legend was also honored that night for “International Favorite Artist.” Albeit a very short collaboration stage together, EXO’s Chen and Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany opened up for John Legend by performing “Green Light,” before the artist took up the stage himself. John Legend then followed up by performing his hit song “All of Me.” At the time, MAMA was one of the few occasions where you could see idols performing and standing on stage with widely popular Western artists. Despite the shortness of the collaboration, it is still momentous to see K-Pop idols and artists like John Legend sharing the stage together.

Stay tuned for next week as we highlight some more memorable collaboration stages as we prepare for the 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards!