Never Say Never – The Remixes
Encyclopedia
Never Say Never: The Remixes is the second remix album by Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber
. Released on February 14, 2011, the album accompanies the release of his film, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
. The album includes remixes of several songs from his first album, My World 2.0
, featuring guest appearances from Jaden Smith
, Rascal Flatts
, Usher
, Chris Brown, Kanye West
, Raekwon
, and Miley Cyrus
. In addition a new track is also included. The Jaden Smith-assisted "Never Say Never
", originally the theme song for The Karate Kid
, was re-released as the album's lead single
on January 25, 2011. 600,000 copies have been sold worldwide as of 2011.
, presumably for his second studio album. In an interview with WSIX, lead singer Gary LeVox
said "[Justin] asked us to do a duet with him on his next record. It's actually a really good song! The kid is really talented. He plays five or six different instruments really well." Bieber also confirmed the collaboration in-the-works on Twitter
. Also a conversation on Twitter, American R&B
singer Chris Brown and Bieber revealed that they were also working together on new music.
In early January 2011, it was rumored that Bieber was planning to release an album to accompanying the release of his 3D biopic-concert film, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
. On January 6, 2011, Bieber's manager Scooter Braun
held a live chat with fans, stating that new music should be expected from the singer around Valentine's Day. Just after winning a Golden Globe award for the "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" from the film, Burlesque
, on January 18, 2011, songwriter Diane Warren
confirmed that she was had just completed a song, "Born to Be Somebody" to included on album to support Bieber's new film. Warren said "It's a beautiful song. That's a good age difference between Cher and Justin – 40 years!" Additionally, singer-songwriter
Ester Dean
confirmed she worked on the project for Bieber's film.
On January 31, 2011, the official announcement of a musical counterpart to the film was revealed, and that it would be released on February 14, 2011, the Monday following the film's opening weekend. The album was said to contain the previously released Jaden Smith collaboration and theme song to The Karate Kid
, "Never Say Never
", as well as the remix of his single "Somebody to Love
", which features mentor Usher
. A previous intentionally-leaked remix of Bieber's "Runaway Love", which was produced by Kanye West
, featuring himself and Wu-Tang Clan
member Raekwon
was also added to the album. New contributions came from Rascal Flatts and Chris Brown adding parts to "That Should Be Me" and "Up", respectiveley. A live version of Bieber performing "Overboard" alongside fellow pop singer Miley Cyrus
on his My World Tour
at Madison Square Garden
is included as a track. The Diane Warren-penned "Born to Be Somebody" is a previously unheard track on the album stating that you are born to be this or that, whatever you want to be, you are Born to Be Somebody.
Sabrina Cognata of WXRK gave the album a positive review, saying the album "legitimizes the teen dream", writing, "The album may only have seven tracks, but what it lacks in size it makes up for with panache." Cognata appreciated the album's mixture, stating "the album actually has something for all walks of life and not just Beliebers." She highly complimented the Kanye West remix, commenting "Justin Bieber isn’t exactly known for being “hard” so the juxtaposition between really edgy hip-hop artists remixed with his bubble gum pop presents an interesting audio voyage that appeals to more than his core audience."
, opening with over 165,000 copies sold. It marked Bieber's second time at the pole of the chart, after debuting at number one with his first studio album, My World 2.0
in March 2010. It was also Bieber's fourth consecutive top ten release on the chart, following My World 2.0, and My World (2009), and My Worlds Acoustic
, which peaked at numbers five and seven, respectively. All four of Bieber's albums appeared in the top forty of Billboard the week Never Say Never – The Remixes debuted, with making Bieber the first artist since American country singer Garth Brooks
in January 1993 to have four albums in those positions on the chart. Likewise, the album was the first remix album in almost a decade, with Jennifer Lopez
's J to tha L-O! The Remixes led for two weeks in February 2002. In its second week, the album fell to number two with 102,000 copies sold. With My World 2.0
jumping from number eight to five that week, Bieber is the first artist to have two albums in the top five since he himself achieved it in April 2010. The album sold 676,000 as of July 2011.
Justin Bieber
Justin Drew Bieber is a Canadian pop/R&B singer, songwriter and actor. Bieber was discovered in 2008 by Scooter Braun, who came across Bieber's videos on YouTube and later became his manager...
. Released on February 14, 2011, the album accompanies the release of his film, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never is a 2011 3-D documentary/concert film centering on singer Justin Bieber. It was released in the United States and Canada on February 11, 2011.-Plot:...
. The album includes remixes of several songs from his first album, My World 2.0
My World 2.0
My World 2.0 is the latter of two-part debut studio album from Canadian singer Justin Bieber, and is his first full studio release. The album is the follow-up to the first platinum certified half of the album, which was released on November 17, 2009, via Island Records, and 2.0 was first released...
, featuring guest appearances from Jaden Smith
Jaden Smith
Jaden Christopher Syre Smith is an American child actor, rapper, songwriter, dancer, and the son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. He is the elder brother of singer Willow Smith...
, Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts is an American country music band that originated in Columbus, Ohio, United States of America. Since its inception, Rascal Flatts has been composed of three members: Gary LeVox , Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney...
, Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
, Chris Brown, Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Raekwon
Raekwon
Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
, and Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus
Miley Ray Cyrus is an American actress and pop singer-songwriter. She achieved wide fame for her role as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana....
. In addition a new track is also included. The Jaden Smith-assisted "Never Say Never
Never Say Never (Justin Bieber song)
"Never Say Never" is a song by Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber. The song serves as the theme song for The Karate Kid , and features rap interludes from the film's star, Jaden Smith. It was originally a risque demo with sexual lyrics performed by American singer Travis Garland, it was...
", originally the theme song for The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid (2010 film)
The Karate Kid is a 2010 American martial arts film and remake of the 1984 film of the same name. Directed by Harald Zwart, produced by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, the film stars Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan...
, was re-released as the album's lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
on January 25, 2011. 600,000 copies have been sold worldwide as of 2011.
Background
In late December 2010, Bieber stated that he was collaborating with American country band Rascal FlattsRascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts is an American country music band that originated in Columbus, Ohio, United States of America. Since its inception, Rascal Flatts has been composed of three members: Gary LeVox , Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney...
, presumably for his second studio album. In an interview with WSIX, lead singer Gary LeVox
Gary LeVox
Gary LeVox is the lead vocalist of American country trio Rascal Flatts. His stage name literally means "The Voice", a name he lifted from the studio-console label for his lead-vocal track....
said "[Justin] asked us to do a duet with him on his next record. It's actually a really good song! The kid is really talented. He plays five or six different instruments really well." Bieber also confirmed the collaboration in-the-works on Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
. Also a conversation on Twitter, American R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singer Chris Brown and Bieber revealed that they were also working together on new music.
In early January 2011, it was rumored that Bieber was planning to release an album to accompanying the release of his 3D biopic-concert film, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never is a 2011 3-D documentary/concert film centering on singer Justin Bieber. It was released in the United States and Canada on February 11, 2011.-Plot:...
. On January 6, 2011, Bieber's manager Scooter Braun
Scooter Braun
Scott Samuel "Scooter" Braun is an American talent manager. His acts appear on two record labels, Raymond-Braun Media Group and Schoolboy Records. The most prominent artist Braun represents is Justin Bieber, who is signed to Raymond-Braun Media Group...
held a live chat with fans, stating that new music should be expected from the singer around Valentine's Day. Just after winning a Golden Globe award for the "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" from the film, Burlesque
Burlesque (film)
Burlesque is a 2010 musical film directed and written by Steven Antin and starring Christina Aguilera and Cher. The film was released on November 24, 2010 in North America....
, on January 18, 2011, songwriter Diane Warren
Diane Warren
Diane Eve Warren , is a US songwriter. Her songs have received six Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, including one win and seven Grammy Award nominations, including one win. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001...
confirmed that she was had just completed a song, "Born to Be Somebody" to included on album to support Bieber's new film. Warren said "It's a beautiful song. That's a good age difference between Cher and Justin – 40 years!" Additionally, singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Ester Dean
Ester Dean
Ester Renay Dean is an American singer and songwriter, and record producer signed to Zone 4 Records/Interscope Records. She is most notable for her dual appearance on Rio: Music From The Motion Picture and her 2009 US hit single "Drop It Low", which featured singer Chris Brown...
confirmed she worked on the project for Bieber's film.
On January 31, 2011, the official announcement of a musical counterpart to the film was revealed, and that it would be released on February 14, 2011, the Monday following the film's opening weekend. The album was said to contain the previously released Jaden Smith collaboration and theme song to The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid (2010 film)
The Karate Kid is a 2010 American martial arts film and remake of the 1984 film of the same name. Directed by Harald Zwart, produced by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, the film stars Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan...
, "Never Say Never
Never Say Never (Justin Bieber song)
"Never Say Never" is a song by Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber. The song serves as the theme song for The Karate Kid , and features rap interludes from the film's star, Jaden Smith. It was originally a risque demo with sexual lyrics performed by American singer Travis Garland, it was...
", as well as the remix of his single "Somebody to Love
Somebody to Love (Justin Bieber song)
"Somebody to Love" is a song performed by Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber. The song served as the second single from his album, My World 2.0. It was written by Bieber along with Heather Bright and The Stereotypes, and produced by the latter. The song was originally recorded as a demo by...
", which features mentor Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
. A previous intentionally-leaked remix of Bieber's "Runaway Love", which was produced by Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, featuring himself and Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
member Raekwon
Raekwon
Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
was also added to the album. New contributions came from Rascal Flatts and Chris Brown adding parts to "That Should Be Me" and "Up", respectiveley. A live version of Bieber performing "Overboard" alongside fellow pop singer Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus
Miley Ray Cyrus is an American actress and pop singer-songwriter. She achieved wide fame for her role as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana....
on his My World Tour
My World Tour
The My World Tour is the debut concert tour by Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber. It is Bieber's first concert tour which supports his two-part debut album My World and My World 2.0. The tour was officially announced on March 16, 2010, a week before My World 2.0 was released...
at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
is included as a track. The Diane Warren-penned "Born to Be Somebody" is a previously unheard track on the album stating that you are born to be this or that, whatever you want to be, you are Born to Be Somebody.
Reception
Critical reception
Margaret Wappler of The Los Angeles Times positively reviewed the album, giving it three out of four stars, commenting that the "most savvy quality" of the set was "how many aspects of the pop spectrum it effectively tickles while never corrupting the purity of Bieber’s enthusiasm, both cartoon-like and genuine." Wappler also complimented how it satisfied multiple demographics, collaborating with Jaden Smith and Miley Cyrus on the teen spectrum, and Kanye West and Raekwon "to secure street cred with the cool kids," while having "innocence to neutralize whatever sex appeal they court."Sabrina Cognata of WXRK gave the album a positive review, saying the album "legitimizes the teen dream", writing, "The album may only have seven tracks, but what it lacks in size it makes up for with panache." Cognata appreciated the album's mixture, stating "the album actually has something for all walks of life and not just Beliebers." She highly complimented the Kanye West remix, commenting "Justin Bieber isn’t exactly known for being “hard” so the juxtaposition between really edgy hip-hop artists remixed with his bubble gum pop presents an interesting audio voyage that appeals to more than his core audience."
Commerical performance
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, opening with over 165,000 copies sold. It marked Bieber's second time at the pole of the chart, after debuting at number one with his first studio album, My World 2.0
My World 2.0
My World 2.0 is the latter of two-part debut studio album from Canadian singer Justin Bieber, and is his first full studio release. The album is the follow-up to the first platinum certified half of the album, which was released on November 17, 2009, via Island Records, and 2.0 was first released...
in March 2010. It was also Bieber's fourth consecutive top ten release on the chart, following My World 2.0, and My World (2009), and My Worlds Acoustic
My Worlds Acoustic
My Worlds Acoustic is the first remix album by Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber. It was released on November 26, 2010 and was initially sold exclusively at Walmart retail stores and Sam's Club...
, which peaked at numbers five and seven, respectively. All four of Bieber's albums appeared in the top forty of Billboard the week Never Say Never – The Remixes debuted, with making Bieber the first artist since American country singer Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks
Troyal Garth Brooks , best known as Garth Brooks, is an American country music artist who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart...
in January 1993 to have four albums in those positions on the chart. Likewise, the album was the first remix album in almost a decade, with Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
's J to tha L-O! The Remixes led for two weeks in February 2002. In its second week, the album fell to number two with 102,000 copies sold. With My World 2.0
My World 2.0
My World 2.0 is the latter of two-part debut studio album from Canadian singer Justin Bieber, and is his first full studio release. The album is the follow-up to the first platinum certified half of the album, which was released on November 17, 2009, via Island Records, and 2.0 was first released...
jumping from number eight to five that week, Bieber is the first artist to have two albums in the top five since he himself achieved it in April 2010. The album sold 676,000 as of July 2011.
Track listing
Note:- "Runaway Love" contains interpolations from "Freek'n YouFreek'n You"Freek'n You" is a song by American R&B group Jodeci recorded for their third album The Show, the After Party, the Hotel . The song was released as the first single for the album in 1995.-Track listings:CD, Maxi-Single...
(Remix)" by JodeciJodeciJodeci is an American band, whose repertoire includes R&B, soul music, and new jack swing. The group consists of two pairs of brothers from Hampton, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina: Cedric & Joel Hailey and Donald & Dalvin DeGrate, all respectively known by their stage names: K-Ci & Jojo,...
and "C.R.E.A.M." by the Wu-Tang ClanWu-Tang ClanThe Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
.
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
16 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
1 |
| French Albums Chart | 71 |
| German Albums Chart | 72 |
| Italian Albums Chart | 20 |
| Mexican Albums Chart | 8 |
| Scottish Albums Chart | 20 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
17 |
| US Billboard 200 | 1 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification |
|---|---|
| United States Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... |
Platinum |