Top 10 Songs by Boy Band Members Who Went Solo

Top 10 Songs by Boy Band Members Who Went Solo

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most outstanding songs released by boy band members who stepped away from their respective groups to carve their own successful pop solo careers.

#10: “Help Me” (2002)
Nick Carter

Nick Carter was still officially a member of the Backstreet Boys when he embarked on his solo career. After the rest of his group decided to exit their management company, The Firm, Carter opted to continue under their management for his own projects. His debut solo single “Help Me” was released in late 2002, as a precursor to the album “Now or Never.” While it retained elements of the Backstreet Boys’ signature sound, “Help Me” was a confident track that showed Carter’s ability to command the spotlight all on his own. The song was met with considerable success globally, although it failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Nonetheless, Carter achieved another minor hit with the album’s third single “I Got You.”

#9: “Livin' la Vida Loca” (1999)
Ricky Martin

Many boy band exiles struggled to achieve success after leaving their groups, but Ricky Martin defied this trend. Martin rose to fame as a member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, which he left in 1991 at the age of 17. His solo career commenced with several Latin American and European hits, but it wasn’t until 1999 that he broke into the U.S. market with his eponymous first English album. The album was preceded by the smash hit single “Livin' la Vida Loca,” whose electrifying rhythm was simply impossible to resist. The song quickly latched on with audiences, soaring to the top spot in several countries including the U.S., UK and Canada, and ushering in the ‘Latin pop explosion.’

#8: “Ice Box” (2006)
Omarion

Since his days with B2K, it was evident that Omarion would pursue a solo career. Following the disbandment of B2K in early 2004, Omarion began crafting his debut album, “O,” which hit shelves in February 2005 and gave him his first hit as a solo artist. His music garnered even more acclaim with the release of his sophomore effort “21,” which introduced singles like “Entourage” and “Ice Box.” The latter, co-written and featuring uncredited backing vocals by Timbaland, reached the top 20 in the U.S., becoming Omarion’s most successful solo track in the country. He has since continued to release music, initially under Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group, and later, under Warner Records.

#7: “Angels” (1997)
Robbie Williams

Singer-songwriter Robbie Williams was the resident bad boy of the ‘90s English boy band Take That. His controversial behavior ultimately led to his departure from the group in 1995. Subsequently, Williams kicked off his solo career, releasing “Old Before I Die,” the first single from his debut album. Though it achieved moderate success in the UK, it was the fourth single from the album, “Angels,” that made Williams a bona fide pop star. With poignant lyrics and impeccable vocals, “Angels” marked Williams’ evolution from enfant terrible to mature artist. It became a hit all over Europe, but didn’t chart in the U.S. until it was released there in 1999, following the success of his track “Millennium.”

#6: “Thong Song” (2000)
Sisqó

R&B boy band Dru Hill gained popularity in the U.S. in the mid-90s, but after one of its members decided to pursue a solo career in 1999, the others followed suit. Among them, only lead singer Sisqó would go on to become a household name, thanks largely to his smash hit “Thong Song.” Released as the second single from Sisqó’s debut solo album “Unleash the Dragon,” “Thong Song” permeated every nook and cranny of the globe, reaching the top ten in over a dozen countries. Its popularity caused sales of the album to skyrocket and paved the way for his next single “Incomplete” to claim the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

#5: “Jealous” (2014)
Nick Jonas

In the late 2000s, the Jonas Brothers were a staple on Disney Channel, where they became teen heartthrobs and amassed legions of fans. However, by the time they began to focus on their solo careers, it was clear who had the potential to stand out on their own. We first got a glimpse at Nick Jonas’ star quality as the leader of the band Nick Jonas & the Administration, but it wasn’t until 2014 that he fully established himself as a solo artist. That year saw the release of his self-titled album, which featured the catchy single “Jealous.” The slick pop track saw Jonas wear his heart on his sleeve, and became his highest-charting solo single in the U.S.

#4: “Pillowtalk” (2016)
Zayn

Before they eventually went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016, One Direction lost one of its members the year before with the abrupt exit of Zayn Malik. Nearly a year after his departure, Malik returned to the music scene, ditching his boy band image for a more edgy look. His debut solo single “Pillowtalk,” embraced a sultry, downtempo R&B vibe, diverging sharply from One Direction’s upbeat pop tunes. “Pillowtalk” was an immediate global smash hit. The song debuted at number one in the U.S. and UK, and also reached the top spot in several other countries. It was a strong debut for Malik’s solo career, although his subsequent releases have struggled to match its initial success.

#3: “SexyBack” (2006)
Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland

If there ever was a gold standard for establishing a solo career after leaving a boy band, it would be Justin Timberlake. Even before NSYNC dissolved in 2002, Timberlake was already gearing up for his solo debut “Justified,” which featured hit singles such as “Like I Love You” and “Cry Me a River”. While the album achieved considerable success, Timberlake’s true transformation into a self-assured and experimental pop artist came with 2006’s “SexyBack.” If his goal was to distance himself from the innocent boy band image, then this was a home run. Timberlake’s influence has extended beyond music into Hollywood, where he not only acts but also contributes music, such as his 2016 chart-topper “Can't Stop the Feeling!”

#2: “Watermelon Sugar” (2020)
Harry Styles

Many boy band members who go solo strive to distance themselves from their group’s sound. But unlike Zayn Malik, his former fellow One Direction-er, Harry Styles embraced a more rock and folk-oriented style. This shift was evident in his debut single “Sign of the Times,” which showcased glam rock influences reminiscent of ‘70s British icons like David Bowie and Queen. Styles fused this new sound with the upbeat pop of his One Direction days on his 2020 hit single “Watermelon Sugar.” Tailor-made for the summer, the song quickly gained traction, topping the U.S. charts and making waves internationally. Styles further solidified his solo career with 2022’s “As It Was,” which became the best-selling single worldwide that year.

#1: “Billie Jean” (1983)
Michael Jackson

Few may know this, but even at the height of Michael Jackson’s fame, he was still an official member of The Jackson 5. The Motown group, which initially consisted of Michael and his brothers, is often hailed as the original boy band. In 1971, Motown launched Jackson’s solo career with his debut single “Got to Be There” and the eponymous album. He released four more solo albums, before delivering his magnum opus “Thriller.” The second single “Billie Jean” topped the charts in the U.S. and several other countries, marking Jackson’s fastest-rising solo hit. It introduced many of Jackson’s iconic elements, like the moonwalk, and contributed to “Thriller” becoming the best-selling album of all time.

Which of these boy band exiles do you wish would reunite with their former group members? Let us know in the comments below.