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. The Context: Peak #willpower By 2013, will.i.am was fully committed to his solo electronic career. Coming off the massive success of “Scream & Shout” with Britney Spears, he was leaning hard into stadium-filling, four-on-the-floor beats. His album #willpower was designed to dominate the charts, and he needed a young, untouchable co-pilot.
The music video is a fever dream of Roman centurions, CGI pyramids, and dance battles. It doesn’t make sense, but you can’t look away. It screams "2013." Looking back, “#thatPOWER” serves as a bridge. For Justin Bieber, it was a step toward the more mature electronic sounds he would explore later on Purpose (think “Sorry” and “Where Are Ü Now”). It proved his voice could sit comfortably over a heavy club beat. will i am justin bieber that power
Next time you need a boost on a Monday morning, put on “#thatPOWER.” Close your eyes. And for three minutes, believe you have the power of the beat in your hand. Ten years later, it’s easy to lump this
If you were anywhere near a radio, a gym, or a summer pool party in 2013, you remember the drop. The synth stabs. The robotic vocals. The sheer, unstoppable energy. Coming off the massive success of “Scream &
Then, will.i.am takes over with his signature quirky bridge, and finally... The heavy, filtered electro-house beat that sounds like a robot learning to feel joy. The Cultural Impact: The Hashtag Era Let’s talk about the title: #thatPOWER .
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.
This song arrived at the exact moment when hashtags were migrating from Twitter to real life. will.i.am famously renamed the track to include the symbol. It felt silly then, and it feels nostalgic now. It captured the "hustle culture" of the early 2010s—manifesting success, posting about it, and owning your moment.