Will I Am Justin Bieber That Power Official

For will.i.am, it was the last roar of the "superstar DJ" era before the tropical house and deep house wave washed over pop radio.

Ten years later, it’s easy to lump this track into the "vintage EDM-pop" folder. But stepping back into the collaboration between and a teenage Justin Bieber reveals a song that was a perfect time capsule of the early 2010s—and a major turning point for both artists. will i am justin bieber that power

The true star power of the track, however, reveals itself when Bieber enters the mix. By 2013, Bieber’s voice had dropped significantly from his "Baby" days. He possessed a lower register that gave his delivery a soulful weight. On "That Power," he isn't singing a ballad; he is belting out a pop-rock melody over a dance beat. For will

So, the next time you need a boost of energy before a workout, a job interview, or a night out, queue up will.i.am and Justin Bieber’s Turn the volume up, and remember: That power is your own. The true star power of the track, however,

Lyrically, “#thatPOWER” isn't deep—and that’s the point. It’s a mantra for the dressing room before a big game or the shot of adrenaline before a night out.

Enter will.i.am. As the creative engine behind The Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am had perfected the art of the "stadium pop" hit. Tracks like "I Gotta Feeling" and "Boom Boom Pow" had defined the late 2000s. As a solo artist, his brand was inextricably linked to futurism, technology, and heavy auto-tune. He was looking for a vehicle to launch his solo album, #willpower , and he needed a hook that could bridge the gap between club culture and Top 40 radio.