MANILA, Philippines - With his much anticipated concert happening full steam ahead tonight at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, Bieber fever sears Manila and even accomplished and credible local talents agree that rare factors came into play in making Justin Bieber this generation’s definitive teen idol worldwide.
Singer, theater actor and talent manager Audie Gemora finds it interesting that Bieber’s break happened in and through cyberspace. Though Gemora notes that every generation has its own teen icon tracing the trend from the time of Elvis Presley down to the last decade’s boy bands such as Westlife and Boyzone the Canadian superstar had to contend with the most competition when he got discovered in 2008; literally millions on the Internet back then and millions more by the minute. For Bieber to maintain his success will be the true test of his talent, Gemora adds.
Bossa Nova singer Sitti thinks Bieber’s charm helped open doors for him. She emphasizes, however, that in the music business, there’s more to making hit records and building a career than having a disarming smile and a smart haircut. She considers Bieber lucky to have his discoverer and mentor Usher, and the latter’s “incredible team who planned and marketed everything for Bieber perfectly.” Sitti believes that like every new talent, there were probably people who doubted Bieber in the beginning, yet his support network “believed and stood by him,” which spelled all the difference between success and failure.
Champ and Richard Poon, either of whom was part of a band before going solo, laud Bieber for his oozing confidence onstage.
R&B recording and concert artist Kyla herself known in local music biz as having one of the best pipes says that at the heart of Bieber’s success is his “nice” sounding voice. She says it helps that Bieber is a good dancer, too; a plus point to people his age and fit for the pop genre his music falls under. As a musician, the Filipina respects Bieber for his ability to play a variety of musical instruments, a skill that not every singer can boast of.
For balladeer Christian Bautista, Bieber connects to his audience because of the latter’s “honesty” as artist. Bautista adds that the teen superstar is lucky to be “guided” by R&B biggie Usher, who has clinched both commercial and critical acclaim in a career that already spans years. The Pinoy singer is sure that what happened to Bieber is “fate;” that he was at the right place at the right time and with the right people and the right songs. To maintain his success, Bautista advises Bieber to keep having the right outlook in life.
Hip-hop artist and ASAP Rocks mainstay Young JV points out that Bieber came on the scene at a time when someone like him was needed. The rapper credits the international star for doing catchy music. He says that Bieber’s age is just right for his niche.
Among Justin Bieber’s hits are Pray, Baby, Never Say Never, One Time and Favorite Girl.
Justin Bieber My World Tour in Manila with special guest Poreotics is presented by Smart with official TV partner TV5; major sponsors: Bench, SM Mall of Asia, FOX, Star World, Music Management International and AEDI; special thanks to: EDSA Shangri-La Manila, SM Supermalls, Tiger22 and Black Fleet; media partners: Manila Bulletin, The Philippine Star, Business World, Nickelodeon, Candy, Total Girl, K-Zone, Ok! Magazine, Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, Magic 89.9, RX 93.1, Mellow 94.7, 99.5 RT, 103.5 WOW FM, Y101 Cebu, Wild FM Davao 92.3, Philstar.com and Yahoo! Philippines.