Posted February 8, 200718 yr Pop music is not a forgiving genre In the mid-1990s, as a backlash against the alternative rock trend dominated by bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, teen pop rushed into the public spotlight on the backs of such stars as Britney Spears and groups like the Backstreet Boys. Their songs were mediocre but their charm was powerful, and through the early part of the 21st century, it seemed like their careers were bulletproof. Today, Ms. Spears is a press pariah and the Backstreet Boys are just a memory. If they attempt to reclaim their past glory — which Ms. Spears will do later this year with an album she's working on right now — they will no doubt be doused with a generous dose of skepticism and ridicule. But Mr. Timberlake took serious action when he embarked on his solo career. He paired himself with hip-hop producers Timbaland — whose portfolio includes collaborations with rappers Jay-Z and Missy Elliott — and Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes, who has also worked with Jay Z. and the rapper Ludacris. Despite the seemingly simple formula — pair yourself with a respected producer and watch your stock soar — not all teen stars have succeeded with it. JC Chasez, Mr. Timberlake's former team member in *NSYNC, released "Schizophrenic" in 2004, on which he collaborated not with hip-hop stars, but with popular electronica producers Basement Jaxx, Rip Rock, and others. The album flopped, not so much because of Mr. Chasez's tinny voice, but because his synth-filled house music did little to entice hip-hop's mainstream audience. As Mr. Chasez would probably admit, Mr. Timberlake is a much better musician and decision-maker. He was a perfect match for Timbaland and the Neptunes, who capitalized on his ability to mimic the vocal styles of singers like Michael Jackson and Prince. The video for "Cry Me a River," from 2002's "Justified," crackled with Mr. Timberlake's effortless dancing and anguished lyrics. But is Mr. Timberlake's musical talent and taste in producers the only reasons for his extraordinary success? Some critics have wondered aloud why Mr. Timberlake has been embraced by Top 40 radio and by black-dominated hip-hop. The answer is not as controversial as they might hope. Hip-hop welcomes a diverse array of stars with open arms. Veteran rappers Jay-Z and Diddy both released major comeback albums to popular and critical success despite a sense in the hip-hop community that they had little left to contribute to music. Bow Wow, who used to be known as Lil Bow Wow, began performing at age 8. Last year, at 18, he released the single "Fresh Azimiz," which instantly appeared on mixtapes and hip-hop radio. The white rapper Paul Wall has found great success on the Houston hip-hop scene, and Cypress Hill, that funloving Latino hip-hop troupe, has always been remembered as a quality performing group. Mr. Timberlake is lauded as being a superman in the music industry, especially after releasing his second album, last year's "Future-Sex/LoveSounds," to high acclaim. But it's not necessarily his talent that has kept him afloat thus far. Rather, it's the fact that he aimed himself at the right audience. Mr. Timberlake would likely have found initial success had he stuck with the *NSYNC formula, but he found lasting power at hip-hop's door. His new audience is a welcoming one: Just rap or sing well, no matter who you are or what your back catalogue sounds like, and there will be a career for you.
February 8, 200718 yr Just like Madonna, and before her Michael Jackson, it's all about who you surround yourself with. Work with the coollest producers and you, yourself, are cool.
February 8, 200718 yr Author Just like Madonna, and before her Michael Jackson, it's all about who you surround yourself with. Work with the coollest producers and you, yourself, are cool. well maybe.... ;)
February 8, 200718 yr I don't think BSB care about being cool or the 'in' thing anymore. They just enjoy working as a group and making music for the fans. If they only cared about that, they would have stopped after the relatively unsuccessful 'Never Gone'. As long as we get music from them, I really don't care if they are 'cool' or not. They are still undoubtedly on of the most talented boyband of the modern era...in terms of singing ability if nothing else. Edited February 8, 200718 yr by Delta Fan Mel
February 8, 200718 yr Author I don't think BSB care about being cool or the 'in' thing anymore. They just enjoy working as a group and making music for the fans. If they only cared about that, they would have stopped after the relatively unsuccessful 'Never Gone'. As long as we get music from them, I really don't care if they are 'cool' or not. They are still undoubtedly on of the most talented boyband of the modern era...in terms of singing ability if nothing else. Amen to that :lol:
February 8, 200718 yr Pop music is not a forgiving genre In the mid-1990s, as a backlash against the alternative rock trend dominated by bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, teen pop rushed into the public spotlight on the backs of such stars as Britney Spears and groups like the Backstreet Boys. Their songs were mediocre but their charm was powerful, and through the early part of the 21st century, it seemed like their careers were bulletproof. Today, Ms. Spears is a press pariah and the Backstreet Boys are just a memory. If they attempt to reclaim their past glory — which Ms. Spears will do later this year with an album she's working on right now — they will no doubt be doused with a generous dose of skepticism and ridicule. But Mr. Timberlake took serious action when he embarked on his solo career. He paired himself with hip-hop producers Timbaland — whose portfolio includes collaborations with rappers Jay-Z and Missy Elliott — and Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes, who has also worked with Jay Z. and the rapper Ludacris. Despite the seemingly simple formula — pair yourself with a respected producer and watch your stock soar — not all teen stars have succeeded with it. JC Chasez, Mr. Timberlake's former team member in *NSYNC, released "Schizophrenic" in 2004, on which he collaborated not with hip-hop stars, but with popular electronica producers Basement Jaxx, Rip Rock, and others. The album flopped, not so much because of Mr. Chasez's tinny voice, but because his synth-filled house music did little to entice hip-hop's mainstream audience. As Mr. Chasez would probably admit, Mr. Timberlake is a much better musician and decision-maker. He was a perfect match for Timbaland and the Neptunes, who capitalized on his ability to mimic the vocal styles of singers like Michael Jackson and Prince. The video for "Cry Me a River," from 2002's "Justified," crackled with Mr. Timberlake's effortless dancing and anguished lyrics. But is Mr. Timberlake's musical talent and taste in producers the only reasons for his extraordinary success? Some critics have wondered aloud why Mr. Timberlake has been embraced by Top 40 radio and by black-dominated hip-hop. The answer is not as controversial as they might hope. Hip-hop welcomes a diverse array of stars with open arms. Veteran rappers Jay-Z and Diddy both released major comeback albums to popular and critical success despite a sense in the hip-hop community that they had little left to contribute to music. Bow Wow, who used to be known as Lil Bow Wow, began performing at age 8. Last year, at 18, he released the single "Fresh Azimiz," which instantly appeared on mixtapes and hip-hop radio. The white rapper Paul Wall has found great success on the Houston hip-hop scene, and Cypress Hill, that funloving Latino hip-hop troupe, has always been remembered as a quality performing group. Mr. Timberlake is lauded as being a superman in the music industry, especially after releasing his second album, last year's "Future-Sex/LoveSounds," to high acclaim. But it's not necessarily his talent that has kept him afloat thus far. Rather, it's the fact that he aimed himself at the right audience. Mr. Timberlake would likely have found initial success had he stuck with the *NSYNC formula, but he found lasting power at hip-hop's door. His new audience is a welcoming one: Just rap or sing well, no matter who you are or what your back catalogue sounds like, and there will be a career for you. Thanks to Justin's producers he does manage to make good music as a solo artist, however I hated *NSYNC so I think we have to give the credit to Timbaland mainly for Justin's change in genre, without having such an established producer on his records he would have probably failed to pull it off.
February 8, 200718 yr Hmm... it's a pretty interesting reading but it's being harsh on Britney. I think we should wait and see what she comes up with.
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