Justin Bieber’s recent Instagram with singer/rapper/songwriter/producer Future touched off excitement among those more interested in what the Canadian is bringing to the musical table this year, than TMZ’s latest ‘exclusive.’
The 19-year-old captioned the photo, “In the studio making a smash with my bro.”
Also known as Nayvadius Cash, Future has not only written hits for Rihanna (“Loveeeeeee Song”) and girlfriend Ciara (“Body Party”), he’s an artist in his own right with a slew of successful mixtapes under his belt.
Following the release of his major label backed debut album Pluto last April, which went on to yield five Billboard Hot 100 chart singles before a November re-release as Pluto-3D.
Future is currently working on his sophomore album Honest which drops on November 26.
The album is set to feature an array of enormous names — Kanye West, Rihanna, Drake, Snoop Lion, Kelly Rowland, Jeremih, Andre 3000, Ace Hood, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne — with tracks produced by Pharrell Williams, Mike WiLL Made It, DJ Spinz, Sonny Digital, and more.
Future previously said the record will have “more substance, more passion,” showcasing R&B as well as “street bangers.”
Sparking speculation Bieber might feature on Honest the producer seemed optimistic.
“We gon’ work it out,” the 29-year-old told VIBE, reportedly with a smile. “That would be nice.”
The Atlanta electro-wizard elaborated on how their dynamic worked in the studio.
“Justin and I got great chemistry,” he said, before adding,”That was my first time in the studio with him and it went great. We just love making hits. When I work with him, we go straight to the music and get straight to the business.”
The hitmaker noted Justin knew his way around technology and did more than simply lay riffs in a vocal booth.”He had a lot of passion for the music,” Future explained .”He was really on ProTools and was like, ‘Hey man, I love the way you said that part,’ and added a lot of influence into the record.”
Bieber and his manager, Scooter Braun, have talked up his anticipated single “Heartbreaker” and new album — which the pair refer to as a “music journal” — as not just about the music, but also a way for the teen to address what they consider to be a “witch hunt” of current, excoriating press.
Braun also said Justin’s new releases would roll out “a little bit differently” to get his music to fans in a more creative, direct way, which may explain the “Heartbreaker” tease in the singer’s latest fragrance ads.
With a view to that and the prospect of the Jon M. Chu helmed Believe movie’s 2013 touchdown, recent tweets by the trio suggest progress is moving apace.
@scooterbraun love u too man. great talk. nothing is stopping us. #greatness #BELIEVE
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) July 1, 2013
All you @justinbieber fans can relax. You are getting new music this year and next. We just like to do it our way ?
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) August 19, 2013
@jonmchu @justinbieber I think we have a Christmas present for everyone this year. #thetruthwillbetold #believe
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) August 20, 2013
There’s more to his story. #Believe http://t.co/NkGPSuf4vy
— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) August 20, 2013
@scooterbraun @jonmchu only interview of the year. The truth
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) August 20, 2013
Bieber’s upcoming album, mused here , looks likely to feature a strong hip hop element in addition to R&B.
As well as spots on Maejor Ali’s “Lolly,” Asher Roth’s “Actin’ Up,” and his longstanding relationship with Young Money Entertainment artists, Ludacris and Big Sean, Justin has also been mixing it up with Tyler, The Creator, R. Kelly and, of course, Future.
The shape and sound of things to come augurs très different, and no less intriguing.