minneapolisgenius said:

I guess it's a sarcastic reaction on all the numerous P/JT-comparison threads .
.
.
.
[Edited 9/16/06 6:28am]

I have a feeling if Justin was selling less, getting no airplay, and had nothing to do with Janet Jackson a lot of people would be kinder to him on this forum

His new album is great for what it is. I don't think he's procclaming himself as the new MJ/Prince musically. Though image wise, his MJ schlick with Like I Love You on his last album was fucking annoying.

The one thing that Justin said that was annoying to me though was his statement, "if i don't help move pop music forward than who will?" Well for starters Nelly Furtado just released a decent pop album also using Timbaland as key producer. I'm sure the mainstream wouldn't suffer without Justin.

That being said we can't put Prince and Justin in the same package obviously. Prince is at the point in his career where he doesn't need any hits or radio play to prove anything. Not that he ever did, he was always a brilliant musician with or without his success.
But Justin's very livelyhood in the music industry relies on whether his song goes to #1 and his album sells 700k opening week.

jayaredee said:

Hi dude!! How are ya??

For me, even though I wasn't happy with Justin over the Super Bowl thingie, I just have never been one of his fans. I never like NSync either. I just feel like Justin is not creative but more contrived, ya know? I appreciate that Justin does honor his idols (Prince being one of them), but it's more about putting together something that sells--in some ways similar to Janet being ultimately concerned about sales.

There is nothing wrong with that though. In fact, I now view Janet as a secondary artist or sorts even though a large part of her "products" are legendary . She's a legend for sure, and a GREAT performer/entertainer but I'm not so sure about an artist in the purist sense of the word. I think she was more innovative early on, but really that may have been more of Terry and Jimmy's influence--and dare I say even Rene's just bringing sort of message to the forefront.

I sort of look at Justin in the same way even below someone like Janet--maybe even more like an American Idol type of "performer" at this point in time. Unfortunately though, Justin's music AND persona just don't appeal to me personally.(I've never been a fan of his looks either ) But that doesn't mean the guy isn't good at what he does. Obviously, he has a lot of fans. So there are tons of people who would definitely disagree with me.
[Edited 9/16/06 6:53am]

Isel said:

Hey babe. I'm great.

Honestly I think Justin was a dick for abandoning Janet when she was being slaughtered by the press and I understand her and her fans position.

I too would take Janet over Justin anyday. Give me "Control" over any of Justin's material. Janet is always bashed for her singing voice, but her output of albums and tours has shown she's not only in it with the best of them, but above most current pop stars. Though as I've said, I'm not really impressed by her latest singles.

Justin is definately processed, no doubt about it. Which is why I hate how he's going around pulling the "i'm a great innovative artist" shit like he is in his latest interviews. He certainly knows his musical history and respects the greats, but that doesn't add to his credibility as an artist as he thinks it does.

But yeah, there's no way he's in Janet's league. I don't expect him to be though. I just take his work for what it is.

I'm just saying I believe a lot of the hating on Justin in this forum has less to do with him "ripping off Prince" than it does with being frustrated that Prince isn't getting his due in the media light. And I certainly can relate to that. Prince had a lot of potential hits on 3121. But radio is ageist, and need to play artists that help push their advertisments.

PS, Justin sure brings sexy back (at least to the TOP charts, a place Prince can only reach by tricking the charts) and has a GREAT live band.

~grin~

Just know I myself do not care about charts, I always think it funny that people judge a person's musical worth by their ability to be in the charts.

Most of the artists I love will never be on those charts and maybe that is why I like them so. But I am not blaming people to be sell outs if they DO rock those charts.

I sure do love my pop songs, from the first Sugababes hit to Justin TImberlake's stuff. I just hate it when people slag him off for being succesful, then comparing him to Prince, wtf?

I blame people's need to put everything in nice corners to make info easier to process. But the truth is that Justin did not call himself a MJ or Prince wannabe; he is just inspired by these people's music.

We kinda forget Prince was labeled a young Stevie Wonder with his first two albums and a new Rick James with his third. I hope the record co's give TImberlake some time and space to grow.

Love,

Justin

Love,

Justin