The new teen idols

Years from now when today’s teen-aged girls look back on who their crushes were at this time, two names that would surely crop up would be Nick Jonas and Justin Bieber. It always seems better to have two of the same sort for a generation as the rivalry adds to the excitement among fans. Remember how it was with Shawn Cassidy and Leif Garrett back in the ’80s. But no matter where they come from, they are usually young, cute and wholesome and they make hit tunes. 

Given how popular they are nowadays, I am truly hoping Jonas and Bieber would also mature into seasoned, attractive musicians in the future. Think Paul McCartney or Justin Timberlake. And I must say, like those two years ago, Jonas and Bieber are shining lights for the beleaguered music industry. Admit it, their success as multi-media artists and their potentials for greatness brighten the pop music scene.

For now though let us leave such serious thoughts to us, who must think of the music business and who will never be 16 again. I would much rather think of these two adorable boys and find out why their pubescent fans think that Jonas and Bieber are the cutest, sweetest sounding examples of male pulchritude in the entire world.

Who I Am by Nick Jonas and the Administration. Nick is the youngest Jonas Brother. With siblings Kevin and Joe he made big hits out of Burnin’ Up, Tonight, SOS and When You Look Me In The Eyes. Kev and Joe are out of the picture for the moment though, because Nick is now all revved up for his solo set for which he composed all the songs. He might just make it big on his own. I can already hear a hit or a lot more with his Rose Garden, Vesper’s Goodbye, State of Emergency and Who I Am. 

Nick is only 17 years old but check out how his songs talk about the American presidency. There is a Rose Garden in the White House. It is the president who announces a State of Emergency and what about Olive And An Arrow and Conspiracy Theory. Very political. Listen some more and you might just find out how In The End, Last Time Around, Tonight and Stronger (Back On The Ground) relate to the presidency and the White House.

Songs like those show how serious Nick is with his music. He does not seem to like the sort of music that teens usually want. Just like what he did with his brothers in the Camp Rock movie. But while his themes might be heavy, he also knows how to come up with hook-laden melodies. This kid knows his way around the business. Take note that this boy was already on Broadway when he was only seven years old. He was nine when he wrote and recorded his first composition, Joy To The World (A Christmas Prayer). He is now also the first Jonas to break away, albeit temporarily from the trio. I am not waiting for the new JB album to come out. But this early I am already wondering what Nick will do for his second.

My World by Justin Bieber. Billboard has him on its cover and calls the current state of affairs regarding his popularity Biebermania. This means only one thing, Bieber is not only a big enough star, he is also worth a lot of money. Billboard is a trade magazine. And he can really sing. That was why he was assigned Lionel Richie’s part in the Haiti version of We Are The World. That really caught me by surprise. And he is only 16 years old.

Bieber comes from Ontario, Canada. He plays the guitar, piano, drums, trumpet and writes songs. The cuts Down To Earth and Bigger in his first CD are his originals. Unlike most of today’s tween idols, Bieber did not get his break from Disney or Nickelodeon. He got his career going by posting his videos on YouTube. The response was tremendous. By the time he was 13, he has a label deal with no less than R&B great Usher.

That is why he has the cut First Dance featuring Usher in his album My World. This is the CD, which also has all his early hits. Take note that these came about one after the other, even before this album was released. The songs are One Time, Favorite Girl, One Less Lonely Girl and Love Me. Justin’s next take, My World 2, which was released only a few weeks ago has Somebody To Love, Runaway Love, Up, Eenie Meenie featuring Sean Kingston, U-Smile and the ubiquitous Baby, featuring another R&B star, Ludacris and which is selling really big worldwide.