Believe vs. Justified: Battle of the Justins
There are three things you can count on. Death, taxes, and Justin Bieber’s recently dropped studio blockbuster Believe will be the no. 1 album in the country by next week. The Biebs—who is currently out on a frantic sold-out world tour (he just performed in front of more than 300,000 fans in Mexico; that’s Michael Jackson levels, y’all)—is currently dominating talk on the pop culture landscape. But how does the omnipresent Canadian 18-year-old measure up to Justin 1.0?
There was a time when Justin Timberlake was in Bieber’s shoes. After departing multi-platinum boy band N’ Sync, Timberlake was looking to make his transition to more mature musical surroundings. Just as Believe was trumpeted as Bieber’s step into adulthood, in 2002 Timberlake’s Justified was viewed as the then 21-year-old’s “serious” statement. And he didn’t disappoint. Backed by R&B and hip-hop studio visionaries the Neptunes and Timbaland, Timberlake offered the modern day blueprint on how to survive teenybopper purgatory.
With that said, VIBE picked five standout songs from both Believe and Justified to see how their respective introductions to manhood measure up. It’s Justin vs. Justin. Who wins? Read on.—Keith Murphy (@murphdogg29)
There was a time when Justin Timberlake was in Bieber’s shoes. After departing multi-platinum boy band N’ Sync, Timberlake was looking to make his transition to more mature musical surroundings. Just as Believe was trumpeted as Bieber’s step into adulthood, in 2002 Timberlake’s Justified was viewed as the then 21-year-old’s “serious” statement. And he didn’t disappoint. Backed by R&B and hip-hop studio visionaries the Neptunes and Timbaland, Timberlake offered the modern day blueprint on how to survive teenybopper purgatory.
With that said, VIBE picked five standout songs from both Believe and Justified to see how their respective introductions to manhood measure up. It’s Justin vs. Justin. Who wins? Read on.—Keith Murphy (@murphdogg29)
“Boyfriend” (Bieber)
It starts off like a Dirty South strip club banger. Booty claps; $20 bills cascading down to the floor; stripper pole gymnastics. The Biebs’ first single off Believe was hailed as his much-anticipated step into young adulthood. But this is a Justin Bieber song after all. Which means it never goes beyond PG-13. Still girls, he’s swagged-out and wants to take “you places you ain’t never been before.” Heavy on hooks and charm.
“Like I Love You” ft. the Clipse (Timberlake)
Timberlake’s opening big boy single after N’ Sync. And like Bieber there were questions on whether he could transition beyond his kiddie beginnings. “Like I Love You” smashed any notions of boy band inspired stumbles. The Neptunes produced track, with its sparse acoustic drums and guitar workout, featured ‘hood-praised tandem the Clipse. And Timberlake’s falsetto comes off like a man that knows what he wants and how to get it.
Better Justin: We give this first one to Timberlake. No doubt Bieber shows some maturity, albeit forced at times. But could you ever imagine a brazen line like, “Funny how a few words turned into sex” uttered on a Justin Bieber record?
It starts off like a Dirty South strip club banger. Booty claps; $20 bills cascading down to the floor; stripper pole gymnastics. The Biebs’ first single off Believe was hailed as his much-anticipated step into young adulthood. But this is a Justin Bieber song after all. Which means it never goes beyond PG-13. Still girls, he’s swagged-out and wants to take “you places you ain’t never been before.” Heavy on hooks and charm.
“Like I Love You” ft. the Clipse (Timberlake)
Timberlake’s opening big boy single after N’ Sync. And like Bieber there were questions on whether he could transition beyond his kiddie beginnings. “Like I Love You” smashed any notions of boy band inspired stumbles. The Neptunes produced track, with its sparse acoustic drums and guitar workout, featured ‘hood-praised tandem the Clipse. And Timberlake’s falsetto comes off like a man that knows what he wants and how to get it.
Better Justin: We give this first one to Timberlake. No doubt Bieber shows some maturity, albeit forced at times. But could you ever imagine a brazen line like, “Funny how a few words turned into sex” uttered on a Justin Bieber record?
“All Around The World” ft. Ludacris (Bieber)
Okay, this is not exactly the funk. But it’s Euro funk. “All around the world, people want to be loved…they’re no different than us,” Bieber croons. And Luda adds some toughness to a song that is more than a guilty pleasure.
“Rock Your Body” (Timberlake)
One of the infamous Neptunes tracks reportedly turned down by the late King of Pop Michael Jackson is glorious. It’s Off The Wall era MJ. It’s cocky. It’s dance inducing. It’s classic.
Better Justin: Timberlake. Like we said, you can’t beat sick nods to the Gloved One.
Okay, this is not exactly the funk. But it’s Euro funk. “All around the world, people want to be loved…they’re no different than us,” Bieber croons. And Luda adds some toughness to a song that is more than a guilty pleasure.
“Rock Your Body” (Timberlake)
One of the infamous Neptunes tracks reportedly turned down by the late King of Pop Michael Jackson is glorious. It’s Off The Wall era MJ. It’s cocky. It’s dance inducing. It’s classic.
Better Justin: Timberlake. Like we said, you can’t beat sick nods to the Gloved One.
“Right Here” ft. Drake (Bieber)
Mellow tracks with turntable scratches usually add up to a disaster waiting to happen. But this Hit-Boy-produced collaboration with Drake actually works. The Young Money prince adds his brand of finely tuned Emo lyricism (“Wish that you knew all that I do to make this thing go right”) to a record that has hit written all over it.
“Señorita” (Timberlake)
When you want to exhibit sexiness you simply incorporate a Latin-fueled groove and some sweaty organs. It’s flat out soulful. And Timberlake’s infectious call-and-response is still money a decade later.
Better Justin: Musically “Señorita” is superior. But on the emotional scale, Mr. Baby takes this one. You simply believe the young kid is in love. The Biebs wins.
Mellow tracks with turntable scratches usually add up to a disaster waiting to happen. But this Hit-Boy-produced collaboration with Drake actually works. The Young Money prince adds his brand of finely tuned Emo lyricism (“Wish that you knew all that I do to make this thing go right”) to a record that has hit written all over it.
“Señorita” (Timberlake)
When you want to exhibit sexiness you simply incorporate a Latin-fueled groove and some sweaty organs. It’s flat out soulful. And Timberlake’s infectious call-and-response is still money a decade later.
Better Justin: Musically “Señorita” is superior. But on the emotional scale, Mr. Baby takes this one. You simply believe the young kid is in love. The Biebs wins.
“As Long As You Love Me” ft. Big Sean (Bieber)
Another emotional vocal performance from Bieber. Mammoth beat and synths. Somewhere you know some 15-year-old girl is crying her eyes out when she hears Bieber sing, “As long as you love me we could be starving, we could be homeless, we could be broke…” Cue tears.
“Cry Me A River” (Timberlake)
The greatness of this song is two-fold. Start with Timberland’s brilliantly ominous production. And then add “Cry Me A River’s” now legendary back-story. Coming off a nasty breakup with pop vixen Britney Spears, the cryptic title speaks for itself.
Better Justin: We were tempted to give it to Bieber off of sheer sincerity. But then Big Sean had to go and drop that silly, pedestrian line, “I don’t know if this makes sense, but…you my Hallelujah!” Really, dog?
Another emotional vocal performance from Bieber. Mammoth beat and synths. Somewhere you know some 15-year-old girl is crying her eyes out when she hears Bieber sing, “As long as you love me we could be starving, we could be homeless, we could be broke…” Cue tears.
“Cry Me A River” (Timberlake)
The greatness of this song is two-fold. Start with Timberland’s brilliantly ominous production. And then add “Cry Me A River’s” now legendary back-story. Coming off a nasty breakup with pop vixen Britney Spears, the cryptic title speaks for itself.
Better Justin: We were tempted to give it to Bieber off of sheer sincerity. But then Big Sean had to go and drop that silly, pedestrian line, “I don’t know if this makes sense, but…you my Hallelujah!” Really, dog?
“Die In Your Arms” (Bieber)
Yes, that’s a throwback hip-hop break-beat underneath ‘70s bubblegum soul. “I’m going to make you believe, girl!” Bieber screams. We believe him.
“Last Night” (Timberlake)
Vintage Neptunes sound complete with a Fender Rhodes keyboard flirting with the chorus. “Are you happy girl? That you nearly broke my heart in a piece or two…” Timberlake’s falsetto is working with some urgent background vocals from Pharrell.
Better Justin: “Last Night” is good. But it’s standard Neptunes. Bieber edges out Timberlake by pulling off a nod-propelling song that simply makes you smile.
Yes, that’s a throwback hip-hop break-beat underneath ‘70s bubblegum soul. “I’m going to make you believe, girl!” Bieber screams. We believe him.
“Last Night” (Timberlake)
Vintage Neptunes sound complete with a Fender Rhodes keyboard flirting with the chorus. “Are you happy girl? That you nearly broke my heart in a piece or two…” Timberlake’s falsetto is working with some urgent background vocals from Pharrell.
Better Justin: “Last Night” is good. But it’s standard Neptunes. Bieber edges out Timberlake by pulling off a nod-propelling song that simply makes you smile.
Winner: Overall, Timberlake proves to be too much for Bieber. But most of that credit should go to Justin T’s early solo producers. You can’t front on Max Martin’s hit-making credentials. But it will be interesting to hear what the vastly talented Bieber can do when a producer is able to take advantage of his musicianship (he plays both guitar and drums). His Justified is waiting in the wings, but Believe is a good appetizer.
