Best Solo Efforts by Ex-Boybanders
Many boyband members fade into obscurity after their glory days are over (only to reappear to shill hair care for men products.) Some may have a couple of hits and then burn out. Very few go on to have fruitful and long lasting solo careers. Below is my list of the best solo efforts put forth by ex-boyband members. I utilized my memory of their impact on pop culture at the time, the ability to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, and just how good the song was.
Justin Timberlake - “Cry me a River” (2002)
After *N Sync went on a permanent hiatus in 2002, Justin Timberlake released his first solo album Justified. Arguably one of his best solo songs to date, “Cry me a River” supposedly details the demise of his and Britney Spears relationship. JT being the petty betty that he is, even went as far as casting a Britney Look-alike in the video…as well as including a figurine of her well known back tattoo. The song reached a peak of #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 2003. JT continued to enjoy success as solo artist with FS/LS & The 20/20 Experience as well as being a guest host on SNL.
JC Chasez - “Blowin’ Me Up (With Her Love)”(2002)
Ex *N Sync member, JC Chasez, also tried his hand in the solo world with his debut single “Blowin’ me Up (with her love)”. The song reached a peak of #35 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was also featured on the Drumline soundtrack. The video featured a very enthusiastic Tara Reid as the love interest (she was also rumored to be dating JC at the time). He released 2 more singles “Some Girls” and “A.D.I.D.A.S”, but ultimately decided to step away from the spotlight. Many fans argue that JC’s sound was a bit ahead of its time.
Ricky Martin - “Livin La Vida Loca” (1999)
Former Menudo standout, Ricky Martin, stole the show at the 1999 Grammy awards with his song “The Cup of Life”. The most memorable of his solo songs, “Livin La Vida Loca” reached a peak of #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Ricky Martin paved the way in the late 90’s for Spanish speaking artists such as Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, and Paulina Rubio. Ricky also had success with “Shake your Bon Bon” & “She Bangs”.
Jordan Knight - “Give it to You” (1999)
Jordan Knight’s solo debut “Give it to You” was a raunchy departure from the bubblegum pop that his fans were used to hearing from New Kids on the Block. The song reached a peak of #10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was a fan favorite on MTV’s TRL. Jordan never recreated the success of his first single, but he continues to tour and make music with NKOTB.
Omarion - “Ice Box” (2006)
Former B2K member, Omarion had already enjoyed a moderate hit “Touch” with his first album, O. His sophomore album, 21 featured the hits “Ice Box” and “Entourage”. “Ice Box” reached a peak of #12 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Omarion has had several hit singles since including “Speedin’” and his most recent “Post 2 Be” featuring Jhené Aiko and Chris Brown.
Bobby Brown - “Every Little Step” (1989)
Bobby Brown left New Edition in 1986 and released his debut album King of Stage to little fan fair. For his sophomore album Don’t be Cruel, Brown enlisted the talents of Babyface and Teddy Riley. “Every Little Step” reached a peak of #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album also included hit singles “Don’t be Cruel” and the #1 “My Prerogative”. Bobby Brown was also featured on the Ghostbusters II soundtrack with “On My Own”. Bobby Brown’s success fizzled in the early 90’s due to his drug use and mental health issues, but not before enjoying one last success with “Humpin’ Around”.
Nick Lachey - “Whats Left of Me” (2006)
Former 98 degrees band member, Nick Lachey, became a reality TV star after marrying Jessica Simpson in 2003. Their show “Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica” was one of MTV’s most popular programs and made them a household name. But in late 2005, they announced their divorce and true love was dead. Nick channeled his pain and frustration from the separation into his sophomore album “What’s Left of Me”. The title track reached a peak of #6 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Nick Lachey eventually married his music video co-star, Vanessa Minnillo, in 2011.
Robbie Williams - “Millennium” (1998)
Ex Take That member and bad boy, Robbie Williams, has enjoyed a fruitful solo career. The most iconic single “Millennium” features Robbie as a James Bond type figure. This video received heavy radio play in the states and reached a peak of #77 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Robbie followed this massively popular song with the weird and disgusting music video for "Rock DJ". Robbie recently signed with Sony music and is working on his next solo album.
Jesse McCartney - “It’s Over’” (2008)
Fresh off his stint with Dream Street, Jesse McCartney released his first solo single “Beautiful Soul” in 2004. He followed with his biggest hit “Leavin’” in 2006. Although “It’s Over” is not his most popular song, it is by far his best. The song reached a peak of #62 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Jesse continues to work behind the scenes writing songs for current popular artists, wearing Uggs, and guest starring in episodes of Law + Order: SVU.
Nick Jonas - “Jealous” (2014)
Nick Jonas, formerly of the Jonas Brothers, broke out onto the scene as a solo artist in 2014 with his debut single “Chains”. His follow up single “Jealous” became his highest charting song that reached a peak of #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Nick is also enjoying a flourishing acting career with roles on Scream Queens & Kingdom. He currently is about to embark on a nationwide tour with Demi Lovato and release his next album Last Year Was Complicated.
HONORABLE MENTION
Marques Houston - “Clubbin’” (2003)
After the disbanding of Immature, the band’s lead singer Marques Houston ventured out on his own solo career. His first single “That Girl” didn’t gain much traction. “Clubbin’” reached a peak of #39 on the US Billboard Hot 100 with the help of the Joe Budden feature on the track. Marques has found more success as an actor with his role as Roger in Sister, Sister and You Got Served.
SOURCE: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11
VID SOURCE: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.11
and none for BSB or Zayn.
Justin Timberlake - “Cry me a River” (2002)
Click to viewAfter *N Sync went on a permanent hiatus in 2002, Justin Timberlake released his first solo album Justified. Arguably one of his best solo songs to date, “Cry me a River” supposedly details the demise of his and Britney Spears relationship. JT being the petty betty that he is, even went as far as casting a Britney Look-alike in the video…as well as including a figurine of her well known back tattoo. The song reached a peak of #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 2003. JT continued to enjoy success as solo artist with FS/LS & The 20/20 Experience as well as being a guest host on SNL.
JC Chasez - “Blowin’ Me Up (With Her Love)”(2002)
Ex *N Sync member, JC Chasez, also tried his hand in the solo world with his debut single “Blowin’ me Up (with her love)”. The song reached a peak of #35 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was also featured on the Drumline soundtrack. The video featured a very enthusiastic Tara Reid as the love interest (she was also rumored to be dating JC at the time). He released 2 more singles “Some Girls” and “A.D.I.D.A.S”, but ultimately decided to step away from the spotlight. Many fans argue that JC’s sound was a bit ahead of its time.
Ricky Martin - “Livin La Vida Loca” (1999)
Former Menudo standout, Ricky Martin, stole the show at the 1999 Grammy awards with his song “The Cup of Life”. The most memorable of his solo songs, “Livin La Vida Loca” reached a peak of #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Ricky Martin paved the way in the late 90’s for Spanish speaking artists such as Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, and Paulina Rubio. Ricky also had success with “Shake your Bon Bon” & “She Bangs”.
Jordan Knight - “Give it to You” (1999)
Jordan Knight’s solo debut “Give it to You” was a raunchy departure from the bubblegum pop that his fans were used to hearing from New Kids on the Block. The song reached a peak of #10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was a fan favorite on MTV’s TRL. Jordan never recreated the success of his first single, but he continues to tour and make music with NKOTB.
Omarion - “Ice Box” (2006)
Former B2K member, Omarion had already enjoyed a moderate hit “Touch” with his first album, O. His sophomore album, 21 featured the hits “Ice Box” and “Entourage”. “Ice Box” reached a peak of #12 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Omarion has had several hit singles since including “Speedin’” and his most recent “Post 2 Be” featuring Jhené Aiko and Chris Brown.
Bobby Brown - “Every Little Step” (1989)
Bobby Brown left New Edition in 1986 and released his debut album King of Stage to little fan fair. For his sophomore album Don’t be Cruel, Brown enlisted the talents of Babyface and Teddy Riley. “Every Little Step” reached a peak of #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album also included hit singles “Don’t be Cruel” and the #1 “My Prerogative”. Bobby Brown was also featured on the Ghostbusters II soundtrack with “On My Own”. Bobby Brown’s success fizzled in the early 90’s due to his drug use and mental health issues, but not before enjoying one last success with “Humpin’ Around”.
Nick Lachey - “Whats Left of Me” (2006)
Former 98 degrees band member, Nick Lachey, became a reality TV star after marrying Jessica Simpson in 2003. Their show “Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica” was one of MTV’s most popular programs and made them a household name. But in late 2005, they announced their divorce and true love was dead. Nick channeled his pain and frustration from the separation into his sophomore album “What’s Left of Me”. The title track reached a peak of #6 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Nick Lachey eventually married his music video co-star, Vanessa Minnillo, in 2011.
Robbie Williams - “Millennium” (1998)
Ex Take That member and bad boy, Robbie Williams, has enjoyed a fruitful solo career. The most iconic single “Millennium” features Robbie as a James Bond type figure. This video received heavy radio play in the states and reached a peak of #77 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Robbie followed this massively popular song with the weird and disgusting music video for "Rock DJ". Robbie recently signed with Sony music and is working on his next solo album.
Jesse McCartney - “It’s Over’” (2008)
Fresh off his stint with Dream Street, Jesse McCartney released his first solo single “Beautiful Soul” in 2004. He followed with his biggest hit “Leavin’” in 2006. Although “It’s Over” is not his most popular song, it is by far his best. The song reached a peak of #62 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Jesse continues to work behind the scenes writing songs for current popular artists, wearing Uggs, and guest starring in episodes of Law + Order: SVU.
Nick Jonas - “Jealous” (2014)
Nick Jonas, formerly of the Jonas Brothers, broke out onto the scene as a solo artist in 2014 with his debut single “Chains”. His follow up single “Jealous” became his highest charting song that reached a peak of #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Nick is also enjoying a flourishing acting career with roles on Scream Queens & Kingdom. He currently is about to embark on a nationwide tour with Demi Lovato and release his next album Last Year Was Complicated.
HONORABLE MENTION
Marques Houston - “Clubbin’” (2003)
After the disbanding of Immature, the band’s lead singer Marques Houston ventured out on his own solo career. His first single “That Girl” didn’t gain much traction. “Clubbin’” reached a peak of #39 on the US Billboard Hot 100 with the help of the Joe Budden feature on the track. Marques has found more success as an actor with his role as Roger in Sister, Sister and You Got Served.
SOURCE: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11
VID SOURCE: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.11
and none for BSB or Zayn.