Is this the beginning of the end for BTS?
In June, the South Korean sensations released a career-spanning anthology, “Proof,” and announced they would be taking a break while working on solo projects. And on Friday, J-Hope became the first BTS member to release a solo album, “Jack in the Box.”
The 10-track LP – which, at 22 minutes, is less than some EPs – finds the 28-year-old artist, born Jeong Hoseok, rapping to darker and bolder beats than you might expect from the band of “Butter” boys. And just to prove he’s gone from bubblegum to badass, he even drops the F-bomb on the latest album “Arson,” the fiery video of which also arrived on Friday.
“I burned it all / And I wanted it all,” J-Hope raps over an eerie, almost sinister undercurrent.
Obviously, with the more punchy hip-hop of “Jack in the Box” — which finds J-Hope flipping between English and Korean — he wants to set his old BTS image on fire.
But the track with perhaps the greatest potential for success, “= (Equals Sign),” takes J-Hope back into more pop territory, delivering a message of “coming together” with echoes of the Black Eyed Peas hit and from Justin Timberlake “Where Is the Love”. ?”
Although J-Hope will make history as the first South Korean artist to headline a major US festival when he rocks Lollapalooza on July 31, the jury is still out on whether he can pull a punch. Timberlake and become a solo superstar.
Here we look back at the successes (Harry Styles) and failures (Nick Carter) when the boy-banders went solo.
SHOTS
Michael Jackson
MJ set the pattern for going from boy band to solo idol when he left behind his brothers in the Jackson 5 and ascended the King of Pop throne with the consecutive blockbuster ‘Off the Wall’. ” from 1979, “from 1982” “Thriller” and “Bad” from 1987. did before.
Styles Harry
The former One Direction idol still sings the group’s biggest hit, “What Makes You Beautiful,” at his concerts. But following winning a Grammy for his first No. 1 single, “Watermelon Sugar” in 2020, and now topping the charts – for the ninth week and counting – with “As It Was”, he’s a solo phenom topping the charts. 15 (!) shows at Madison Square Garden starting August 20.
Justin Timberlake
Although he was recently dragged for bringing daddy moves to the “Beat Ya Feet” dance, JT didn’t miss a beat when he said “Bye Bye Bye” to ‘N Sync and hello stud- solo dom with hits such as “Cry Me a River”, “Rock Your Body” and “SexyBack”. We even forgive him for 2018’s “Man of the Woods.”
Bobby Brun
When Brown was kicked out of New Edition, he wanted revenge on his former bandmates. And with “Don’t Be Cruel,” his 1988 hit solo album, he certainly showed them what he might do when exercising his own prerogative. And though he never came close to that same success once more, only releasing two more solo albums, Brown remains the biggest star to come out of NE.
Ricky Martin
The only true solo sensation to come out of Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, Martin helped lead the Latin-pop crossover movement with his 1999 hit “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” while also producing a string of Spanish-language hits over the years. . Now, however, Martin is embroiled in a row with his 21-year-old nephew, Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, who has accused him of domestic abuse – allegations the singer has denied.
MIXED
Nick Jonas
The youngest Jonas Brother made a sexy solo splash in 2014 with his hit “Jealous,” but since then his biggest hit is back with the JoBros on their 2019 #1 single “Sucker.” And he’s also made other moves to maintain relevance as an actor and coach on “The Voice.”
LACK
Nick Carter
Twenty-five years following releasing their debut album in the United States, the Backstreet Boys have failed to produce a single solo star. Carter seemed most likely to succeed without BSB with 2002’s “Now or Never,” but it turned out to be the first of three forgettable solo albums. Still, Backstreet is back — and going strong — on tour this summer, with their “DNA” hike at Jones Beach on Saturday.
Nick Lachey
Releasing his debut solo album, “SoulO,” at exactly the same time as his reality show with then-wife Jessica Simpson, “Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica,” which premiered on MTV in 2003, Lachey mightn’t have have a better time to get out of 98 degrees. But her solo career quickly took the path of their marriage.
Jordanian knight
As with Backstreet Boys, it’s surprising that no member of New Kids on the Block has managed to find a respectable measure of solo success. For many, Knight would have been the choice to take that step (by step) to solo stardom, but it had all been downhill since his self-titled debut in 1999. Still, he’s holding his own with NKOTB on the Mixtape Tour this summer.
Ange Ashley Parker
Do you remember O-Town? We barely did either. Angel hailed from the group of guys formed on MTV’s “Making the Band” and reached No. 12 on the pop charts in 2006 with his first solo single “Let U Go”, produced by hitmakers Max Martin and Dr. Luke. Respectable, yes, but it was the one and only half-highlight of his solo recording career.
