Fantasy K-Pop Collab: 2PM + Ne-Yo

Back in March 2011, American R&B superstar Ne-Yo responded to a fan on Twitter who asked what Asian artists the singer would like to collaborate with saying his top choices were 2PM, 2AM, Rain, and Jay Park. Aside from Jay Park being the sole opening act for Ne-Yo's Seoul concert two years ago, little progress has been made in making these collaborations a reality.

Therefore, this week Fantasy K-Pop Collab puts the American singer in a hypothetical collaboration with JYP Entertainment's popular boy band, 2PM.

To begin with, it is worth noting that the guys of 2PM already have experience with Ne-Yo's music. They have previously covered his famous single “Because of You” staging it with dance choreography and splitting the vocals up among the different members giving them all an opportunity to showcase their R&B singing abilities.

We are already on the right track here. In terms of composing and lyrics, 2PM and Ne-Yo have a lot in common – solid beats, soulful vocal tones, and songs that exude harmony and sex appeal.

When Ne-Yo released his fifth full-length album, R.E.D., last year, he spoke out about dabbling in dance music in addition to his usual R&B style. He criticized the dance pop genre for not including meaningful lyrics and said in an interview with the Associated Press, “I told myself if I'm going to do this dance music or electronic or techno or whatever it is, I need to do it from a standpoint of making mine stand out from everybody else's, meaning a Ne-Yo dance record is going to have some kind of depth in the lyrics because the lyrics is who I am.”

R.E.D. was conceptualized as a dance-pop/R&B hybrid album, which is much in line with a typical 2PM release. It shows Ne-Yo's ability to fuse different styles while using his strong voice to reinforce the songs' meaning and beats.

In July 2012, the second single from the album, “Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)” was released and the synthpop track was considered a crossover from R&B to mainstream pop.

2PM have been branded as a mature vocal group, staying away from the 'pretty boy' image common among their contemporaries. All six members are accomplished singers and dancers and the group incorporates elements of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic dance beats to their music.

“Give it to Me” was released on 2PM's second full-length Korean studio album Hands Up and the song was used in promotions for the film Blind. Junho wrote and composed the track and it incorporates elements of 90's and early 2000's American R&B with a nice tempo and simple dance beat.

Like Ne-Yo, and as evidenced by “Give it to Me,” the guys of 2PM have experience with self-composing their songs, in addition to working with some of the best and most respected composers and producers in the world. While their lyrics may have not yet reached the deep and meaningful level Ne-Yo is shooting for, a collaboration between the two acts may be the push they need.

Such a collaboration would likely focus on harmonies. As a solo singer, Ne-Yo doesn't often have the opportunity, save for collaborations, so show off his ability to incorporate many harmonies in his songs – and that is one skill that the boys of 2PM have down, particularly in their ballad and R&B style tracks.

Additionally a 2PM/Ne-Yo collaboration would want to play up the dance beat, making it more marketable in both the US and Korea. The choreography needn't be too involved, as the focus would undoubtedly be on the voices of the singers.

JYP Entertainment has announced that 2PM will be making their official comeback next month and that promotional activities will be worldwide, with expected appearances in the United States, Europe, and Japan. The six-member group definitely has the ability to make it in the American pop music scene and separating themselves from the rest of the pack by having such a high-profile collaboration with Ne-Yo would certainly add to their appeal. Ne-Yo also could stand to increase his international promotions and 2PM certainly has the Asian market cornered.

Aside from being mutually beneficial for both parties, a 2PM/Ne-Yo collaboration would undoubtedly be darn good music. So when JYP Entertainment's sextet makes their way to the US later this year, looking into finally fulfilling Ne-Yo's collaborative dreams might be something worth their while.