and , who had two of the top grossing tours of 2013, stop at Denver’s Pepsi Center just days apart this week. With radio-friendly hooks, love-centric lyrics and expensive productions, itap easy to dismiss the two — who even toured together in 2007 — as cut from the same cloth. Here’s what makes them different.
The hip-hop impact:
Justin Timberlake: Working with producer Timbaland, Timberlake’s solo career has been clearly shaped by R&B and hip-hop. His albums “FutureSex/LoveSounds” and “The 20/20 Experience” became open canvases for rapper guest spots.
Pink: She’s evaded mainstream pop’s co-opting of hip-hop and doesn’t often collaborate with rappers. Her latest music steers toward dance-focused, four-to-the-floor beats and rock-influenced instrumentation.
Contrasting evolutions:
Pink: Pink’s debut, “Can’t Take Me Home,” had a strong R&B feel, with funky bass and drum lines and soulful vocal gymnastics. Today, Pink plays more with classic rock vocals. She plows through sometimes wrenching lyrics with raw strength instead of dips and climbs.
Justin Timberlake: Remember, just for a second, Timberlake’s years with ’Nsync. The boy band’s teen pop — a dance and ballad-heavy sound — gave way to Timberlake’s falsetto, clever vocal delivery and soulful phrasing (i.e. classic R&B)
Performing influences:
Pink: With her vocal power and husky texture, Pink’s biggest influence is Janis Joplin.
Justin Timberlake: Timberlake’s singing style draws draws comparisons to Michael Jackson. His timing, delivery, even his flourishes recall the late legend.
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