Great Artists Who Broke Away From Their Music Group And Decided To Go Solo And Never Looked Back
Musical groups like N'SYNC and Destiny's Child, among many others, were wildly successful during their reign. One thing that almost all music groups have in common is that they have lead members. It's rare for no one to be designated as the lead vocalist or frontman/frontwoman of the rest. We're thinking of Justin Timberlake, Fergie, and many more. These leaders often veer off on their own and end in extended careers. Here are some of the artists who went solo and found more success independently than with their groups.
She's Fergalicious
Fergie used to be the only female member of the Black Eyed Peas group. The Black Eyed Peas made a countless number of hits together, and Fergie was the glue that held them together. Will.i.am was also a vital member of the group, but Fergie had more of that "it" factor.
She parted ways with the band in 2006 as she released her solo album, The Dutchess. Since then, Fergie has married Josh Duhamel, had a kid and started her own clothing line.
The West Coast's Finest, Ice Cube
Ice Cube is more than a rapper who used to be in the most polarizing rap group, N.W.A. Ice Cube has turned himself into a walking icon. Many, if not most, fail to make it to 25 years old where Ice Cube is from (South Central L.A.).
N.W.A. was a groundbreaking group that shattered the status quo and completely shook up America, let alone the music industry. Now, focusing on his brand, Ice Cube is massive in the movie scene with classics such as Friday, Are We There Yet?, And Boyz in the Hood. He also has started the 3 VS. 3 basketball league The Big Three that pits former NBA stars against each other.
It's In The Air Tonight
There isn't much Phil Collins hasn't accomplished as a musician. The former Genesis band member was an amazing part of a group, but you can't knock Phil Collins, the solo artist.
He's in an exclusive group as far as music goes. He's one of the only three artists in the world who have sold over 100 million albums, both in a band and as a solo artist. Play "In The Air Tonight" to get yourself in the mood to do something epic.
Pharrell Is Out Of This World
For those who aren't familiar with Pharrell Williams' track record, it's your lucky day. Well before he was making hits like "Happy" and "Get Lucky," Pharrell was a member of the producing team The Neptunes. He branched out but still keeps close to them.
He is now a multi-Grammy Award-winning artist who has produced numerous massive hits. He has worked with the biggest artists in the music industry and is a staple in the entertainment world. His wife is a fashion model which makes sense because he also is a style icon.
They Don't Call Her The Queen For Nothing
When you look up "legendary" in the dictionary, you'll find a pretty cool definition. When you search for "mythical," then you'll see an image ofBeyoncé in all her glory. There hasn't been another woman who has achieved quite what the former Destiny's Child star has.
She's been named one of the most powerful women in the world by Forbes, most influential by Time, and has received countless Grammy awards. The mother of three and wife to Jay-Z is worth half a billion as well. She should always be the last act because whoever follows her is going to have a tough time.
She Ain't No Holler Back Girl
Gwen Stefani made quite the name for herself as the frontwoman for No Doubt. But it is true that good things don't always last forever. During a hiatus from the group, she released her solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004.
Good then became great at that point. Gwen Stefani teamed up with the likes of Pharrell Williams and made classic hit singles and won Grammy Awards. Stefani also has a very successful clothing line. There's no doubt she is doing well as a solo artist.
Sisqo Left And Did It On His Own
Sisqo left the group Dru Hill in 1999 to become a solo act. It's not like Dru Hill wasn't pretty successful together, they had plenty of chart-topping songs like How Deep Is Your Love for example, which peaked at number three on the U.S. Billboards.
When the year 2000 came around, Sisqo's single Incomplete hit number one on the charts and it looked as if going solo was the correct move for the former boy band member.
Here's A Real Stinger
Sure, the Police were a spectacular band. Their accolades and music speak for themselves, especially if you were around during their winning years. That doesn't take away from the solo success that Gordon Sumner, or Sting, accumulated.
He started his journey in 1985 and never looked back. Sting has racked up a number of awards and is often viewed as a living musical icon. Fans equally appreciate his solo days as well as the time when he was in the band.
The Legend, Ms. Hill
The Fugees are a timeless group in the hip-hop community. Now you might be wondering why Lauryn Hill would go solo if that were the case. Because she's that much better on her own. After the group split in 1997, Hill went on to release The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill a year later.
Nearly every song on that album is a classic and listening to it front to back will take you on a euphoric journey. She hasn't released another album since then, but the music community accepts that her single record stands out as one of the best.
Lachey Was Here To Stay
98 degrees means it's hot outside. It also indicates a former band that Nick Lachey used to be a part of. You could argue that every member of that group was a heartthrob, but Lachey was the favorite. They released three albums together, and after the third, Lachey came out with a solo project, Soul0,in 2003.
All the other members began to focus on other projects, and Lachey ended up giving his fans three more albums. The group did reunite in 2013 for a tour and new album, but it was clear Lachey was a one-man wrecking crew by that point with all his other ventures.
Not Your Ordinary Doc
From a tough area in Los Angeles just like his great friend Ice Cube, Dr. Dre has cemented himself as one of the top moguls in all of music. The former N.W.A. rapper and producer went solo and made an empire all by himself as a result.
Starting his own record label, Aftermath, he found artists such as Eminem, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar (all platinum selling artists). Let's not forget about his super popular Beats By Dre headphones. Whether it's producing hit records or making huge deals, Dr. Dre is completely fine doing things solo.
Omarion Dances To His Own Tune Now
B2K had the potential to be something special had they not let outside issues infiltrate their brotherhood. But understandably, sometimes some things are unavoidable. This left lead singer Omarion no choice but to take the high road and do things on his own.
With singles like "Icebox" and "Touch," Omarion proved to be fully capable of handling things without the help of the others. He had dance moves for days, and his voice has a nice soft finish to it. Omarion is easy to listen to and super fun to watch perform.
The Highly UniqueBjörk
Not so many are familiar with Björk. She is an Icelandic singer who used to be in the poppy group Sugarcubes, a sweet name for a delightful group of people. One thing thatBjörk is known for is the introduction of electronica music in the mainstream.
You could safely say Lady Gaga got her style inspiration from Björk. She has exciting fashion decisions when she is out in public. Her actions match the outfits as well, as she likes to act kooky.
The King Of Pop
When discussing the best artists ever to live, Michael Jackson has to be in your conversation. In a list revolving around solo acts who broke free from their group, Jackson needs to be included no matter what.
Jackson was in the Jackson Five with his brothers until 1971. He would release his first solo album Off the Wall which featured tracks like "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock With You." The only thing that could stop him was his untimely death.
Care to Cher
Who could forget the timeless pair of Sonny & Cher? Cher grew to prominence in the '70s alongside her hubby Sonny Bono. As high as they were, it wouldn't be until Cher went solo that her career really started to fly.
Being in the game for more than six decades can bring you a ton of awards and accomplishments. If we tried to list them all, you'd be reading more than you asked for. The best part, Cher is still going strong.
Ricky Martin Has Been Doing This For Years
The year Ricky Martin became a teenager, he began his music career. Little does everyone know, however, Martin didn't start out as a solo act. He was in the group Menudo back in 1984. Since he was so young, the touring and experience overall was great for his development as an artist.
But soon, the lifestyle became too hectic and Martin had to leave the group. That's when he released some solo projects and sparked the Latin Pop scene when he performed at the Grammys in 1999. As of 2018, Martin has released ten albums.
The Man With Two First Names, George Michael
What's cooler than having two first names? Being George Michael is. The '80s and '90s proved to be Michael's last years with the group Wham. Their lead singer bailed and came out with his solo album Faith in 1997.
The record was a massive success as it sold more than 20 million copies. That's a huge deal for an artist's first project, especially after leaving a popular group. Sadly for the music world, Michael died on Christmas Day in 2016. When he died, he had sold over 80 million records as a solo artist.
JT Brought Sexy Back
Justin Timberlake is probably the epitome of a lead singer. Or at least he was until N'SYNC decided to call it quits. Timberlake had other plans in mind, and he has been executing them masterfully ever since.
Since releasing his first solo album, Justified, Timberlake has gone on many world tours, shut down two Super Bowl performances (one on accident) and gracefully stepped into the world of acting. He is married to the love of his life Jessica Biel and doesn't plan on slowing down anytime soon.
No Longer A Commodore
"Come to me my Cinderella. Straight to my wishing well and. You're the one I'll always cherish!" The legendary Lionel Richie just wants his "Cinderella" to come with him. He had people "Dancing On The Ceiling" once he departed the Commodores.
As a solo act, he went on to grab two Grammys, including one with another artist featured on this list for the song "We Are The World" with Michael Jackson. You might have that song stuck in your head now.
Hall of Famer Rod Stewart
You might only know Rod Stewart's career as a solo artist. That isn't surprising. It was way back in the '60s when Stewart was a member of the Jeff Beck Group, then Faces, then the Dimensions, Long John Baldry, and finally the All Stars. He signed a solo contract in 1964.
Stewart is a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and for a good reason. He is a Grammy and Brit Award winner and voted by Q Magazine as number 33 on the Top 100 Greatest Singers of all time list. Rolling Stone ranked him at 59 on their version of the list.
