What is the purpose of crediting records when two singers collaborate in recent years by putting 'vs', e.g., Britney Spears vs Snoop Dogg?

Zap_Rowsdower

I'm struggling to find a source, but part of its etymology in music stems from live music competitions between DJs, emcees, etc, such as Scribble Jam. In that usage, it really was a contest or a "battle"-- in the usage you are refering, it's generally a bastardization of the meaning. I'll see if I can find more. Nov 25 07, 5:33 PM

Zap_Rowsdower

The usage of "vs." was likely influenced by DJ vs. DJ mixes (e.g. "DJ Cheese Vs. Chad Jackson," "Whiz Kid Vs. Jazzy Jeff") from turntablists competitions in the 80s: http://www.pedestrian.info/PedestrianHistoryofTurntablism.pdf A link to a modern DJ competition featuring "vs." line-ups: http://www.djoust.com/Web/DJoust/News.aspx The usage in a collaboration is a bastardization (unless it comes from a mix of a contest) and is just another way of saying (in your example) "Britney Spears & Snoop Dog" or "Britney Spears (feat. Snoop Dogg)" Nov 25 07, 5:49 PM

satguru

Very odd how a scratching contest can end up, via I think a record made of two djs doing their thing into a general term for two artists playing together. Seems like the marketing guys were involved as they are the only ones who decide the titles. Very strange. Nov 29 07, 7:38 PM