For Justin Bieber, good luck comes in threes
Justin Bieber
Katy Perry and Lady Gaga can learn a thing or two about the art of reinvention from the “Beliebers’” pop deity. By exploring new musical horizons and engaging in style-reinventing partnerships with hot-to-trot singers and hip-hop luminaries, Justin Bieber has found a more collaborative—and less solitary—way to keep himself sharp and relevant on the pop music scene.
In fact, Bieber’s current chart-topping singles with DJ Khaled, Luis Fonsi and David Guetta are merely felicitous offshoots of the success of his “experiments” with the talented likes of Post Malone (in the sultry-as-heck “Deja Vu”) that keep the 23-year-old recording whiz productive and on fickle music aficionados’ radar.
Proof? “Despacito” (which means slowly), Bieber’s three-way partnership with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, has been the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for eight weeks now. The single cleverly incorporates irrepressible hooks to dramatize “millennial” themes tackling sexual tension and the subtleties in the complex art of seduction.
Bieber’s success doesn’t end there, however: His other single on the Hot 100 list is “I’m the One,” which is in second place this week. The catchy Autotune marvel, which bowed at No. 1 in May, sees Bieber working with even more collaborators—four! Heard of too many cooks spoiling the broth? Thankfully for Bieber, not in this case.
Sharing the spotlight
Using feisty braggadocio to convince a girl why she should choose one over the others, the song sees the former child prodigy sharing the spotlight with DJ Khaled, Chance the Rapper, Quavo and Lil Wayne.
The song is culled from this week’s No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart, “Grateful,” DJ Khaled’s star-studded 10th studio collection that also features guest appearances from the formidable likes of Jay Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Nicki Minaj and Drake.
But, as they say, good luck always comes in threes. So, hot on the heels of “Despacito” and “I’m the One” is Bieber’s winsome third collaboration, this time with French DJ David Guetta (“Titanium,” “When Love Takes Over”). Completing the songs his avid Beliebers can sing about is “2U.”
In the electronic dance track, which has already figured prominently on the US Hot Dance Electronic Songs (No. 4) and Billboard Hot 100 (No. 16) charts, no mountain is too steep for Bieber as he sings his ode to a woman who’s worth the chase and time she demands. Should the girl in question “belieb” and fall for his effusive flattery? Let’s ask Selena Gomez.
The 23-year-old pop superstar was only 17 when he first serenaded his Filipino fans at the SM Mall of Asia in 2011.
Will he sing “Despacito,” “I’m the One,” “2U” and “Deja Vu,” along with his chart-topping solo hits like “Love Yourself,” when he performs at the Philippine Arena on Sept. 30? Let’s watch the show and find out, shall we?
