07/05/2011
Justin Bieber Doing NKOTB? Jim Jonsin Reveals Ideas
Producer says he would like to help Biebs channel New Kids on the Block, New Edition and Kelly Rowland.
By Rob Markman
Justin Bieber
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images
Multi-platinum producer Jim Jonsin has some interesting plans for when he gets in the studio with Justin Bieber. No, he won't be coupling the teen-pop sensation with B.o.B, but rather he will try to capture the vibe of NKOTB.
"For Bieber, I think I want to reach back to New Edition, those days," Jonsin initially said before referencing another 1980s Boston-bred boy band. "I want to try to do something like that — 'Please Don't Go Girl,' New Kids on the Block — because the girls would go crazy. Maybe not that song, but something that feels like that: little bit of soul, R&B, but pop as well."
While the track pre-dates the 17-year-old Bieber by about four years, "Please Don't Go Girl" was the first single from NKOTB's sophomore album, Hangin' Tough, and ultimately put the group on the map. The ballad, which featured Joey McIntyre as the lead vocalist, drew comparisons to New Edition's 1983 single, "Is This the End" — not surprising considering both acts were founded and produced by Maurice Starr.
It isn't all about the '80s however: Jonsin also would like to produce something more modern for JB as well, using Kelly Rowland as a reference. "And then I'd love to put him on something like that 'Motivation' type of track," he said of the hit Rowland single he helped create. "Just a hard beat that he could sing something super slick [on]."
Jonsin admits that, at first, he didn't know what to make of Justin, but thanks to the Biebs' "Never Say Never" film, the hitmaker has a newfound respect for the young star. "When I watched the movie with my 8-year-old daughter, I was floored and inspired at who he was as a person. He's a good kid, he's a philanthropist, he's a good role model," Jonsin said. "I have a newfound respect for the young man, and I'm honored to work with him."
Who would you like to hear Justin Bieber channel on his next album? Share your ideas below!
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Justin Bieber Passes Michael Jackson's Box-Office Record
'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' has outgrossed MJ's 'This Is It' in U.S.
By Gil Kaufman
Justin Bieber in "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
Michael Jackson may have dubbed himself the King of Pop, but the late icon didn't hold the box-office crown for long. Less than a year after the posthumous MJ documentary "This Is It" became the most successful concert-themed film in U.S. history, Justin Bieber is poised to snatch the mantle.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" has earned $72.2 million in domestic box office so far, passing Jackson's $72.1 million haul. And while Bieber has racked up those impressive numbers in just six weeks, he's got a long way to go before he laps the global receipts for the MJ doc.
"This Is It" has grossed $189.1 million overseas for a global total of $261.2 million. Music films don't typically play well overseas, and THR noted that "Never Say Never" has grossed a more modest $10.8 million overseas so far, with Paramount executives predicting that it could top out around $20 million internationally.
The impressive U.S. numbers were likely goosed by the re-release of the film recently with 40 additional minutes of bonus footage from director Jon M. Chu. Bieber still has a little way to go to climb the list of the top-grossing documentaries of all time. "Never Say Never" is currently stalled out at the #3 position, around $5 million behind "March of the Penguins," according to Box Office Mojo, and well short of the all-time record held by Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," which has taken in $119.1 million to date.
Bieber set off a classic MJ-style fan frenzy a few weeks ago when he visited Liverpool, England, for his world tour. And just a week later, he posed with his new wax figure at London's Madame Tussauds, checking off another item on the list of milestones to an MJ-like career.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsPrince William & Kate Middleton: Dragon Boat Race Rivals
They?ve been having a blast on their tour of Canada, and earlier today (July 4), Prince William and Kate Middleton were spotted competing on opposite sides in a dragon boat race at Prince Edward Island.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were welcomed with a traditional Mi?kmaq smudging ceremony, meant to cleanse the spirit, before embarking on the fun-filled adventure.
Then, Will and Kate were given the task of directing their dragon boat teams as they raced to cross a lake in the Canadian province - with Will's squad ending up pulling off the victory before he offered his wife a consolation hug.
The day before, the Royal newlyweds visited Quebec?s Freedom of the City Ceremony during which Kate gave an indication that she and Will were keen to have kids.
Local resident David Cheater told press, ?When I wished her and William well with starting their own family she said, ?Yes, I hope to.??
Prince William and Kate are set to pay a visit to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories followed by two days in Calgary before they head south to the USA where they?ll spend a pair of days in Los Angeles.
Beyonce Surprises Fans At Harlem Target
Retail giant, meanwhile, promises that video exclusive for deluxe edition of 4 will be ready soon.
By Jocelyn Vena
Beyonce surprises fans at Target in Harlem on June 30th
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
While traipsing the globe to promote 4, Beyoncé stopped by New York City's Harlem Target on Thursday to say hello to some of her young fans.
As the store celebrated its one-year anniversary, kids from the local Boys and Girls Club danced their hearts out onstage to Beyoncé's new track "Countdown." In the middle of the song, B took the stage and gave them a big group hug before letting them continue their routine.
"I'd like to thank the Boys and Girls Club for coming out. I hope y'all had fun learning the choreography to 'Countdown' today," she told the crowd, in footage posted on Rap-up.com. "I hope you guys enjoy the new album 4."
Beyoncé had a little bit of a commercial reason to show up at the Target store: The deluxe version of 4, which is set to debut at #1 on the Billboard albums chart, is available exclusively at the retail giant. But since the disc's release on Tuesday, fans have complained that some Targets didn't stock enough copies, and the promised exclusive video can't be accessed yet.
"Honestly, day one sales were fantastic for us, especially on the deluxe edition," John Butcher, Target's vice president of entertainment, told The Hollywood Reporter, assuring fans that Sony was delivering more CDs soon.
As for the promised exclusive director's cut of B's "Run the World (Girls)" video, Butcher explained that the clip wasn't quite ready for public consumption, but it should be ready shortly. "Beyoncé's team is still finalizing aspects of the content, and they just didn't want [it] to be released until it was perfect," he said. "We could have forced something through that wasn't right — it was our prerogative to do so — but we didn't want to do it. We certainly don't want to disappoint our guests. We believe they'd rather have the right content and wait a couple days than get something that wasn't going to be very special."
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