5 Breakout Songs From Ex-Boy Band Members

Boy bands are a mainstay in popular music. Sadly, the success that boy bands have doesn't last forever, and often a breakout star tries to utilize the boy band's fame to launch a career as a solo artist. Here are some of the most popular songs from these newly solo artists.

1. Zayn Malik, "Pillowtalk"

One Direction's success since their inception in 2010 was incredible. They've sold hundreds of millions of albums and won countless awards.

So, when Zayn Malik decided to leave One Direction in early 2015, it was like you could hear all 27 million of their Twitter followers collectively gasping from shock. It didn't take too long for Zayn to uncover his personal own plans for world domination: a R&B solo career.

"Pillowtalk" is that R&B slow jam that you never knew you needed. When I heard it the first time, I was surely taken aback.

It's completely different from One Direction's bubblegum pop sound in the best way possible. And, the video has an unique artistic vibe that I appreciated fully. Will Zayn become the next Justin Timberlake? Only time will tell.

2. Justin Timberlake, "Like I Love You"

The boy band battle in the 90's was vicious. You were either a Backstreet Boys fanatic or an *NSYNC devotee. Despite this controversy, *NSYNC dropped some great singles that will surely influence boy bands of the present and future.

But, when the band went on a "temporary hiatus" in 2002, Justin Timberlake was the first member to embark on a solo career, releasing his first solo album "Justified" in late 2002.

Justin Timberlake's breakout solo career is arguably one of the most successful ones ever. Everything Timberlake touches turns to gold, from his music albums all the way to his acting career. And, "Justified" was the first project that showcased Justin's Midas touch.

3. Omarion, "Touch"

B2K was one of my absolute favorite groups growing up.

But, it was pretty obvious to see who the breakout star would be.

"Touch" is a classic. The video's iconic, and it showcases some incredible choreography from Omarion and the lead girl. It's a video that everybody's got to see at least once.

4. Nick Jonas, "Who I Am"

I clearly remember when the Jonas Brothers ruled the world.

They were taking over Disney Channel with countless singles, sold-out music tours, movies, and television shows. And, unlike some other music that came out of the Disney Channel powerhouse, their music was actually really good.

"Who I Am" showed sparks of Nick Jonas' solo star power, and was released as a side project when the Jonas Brothers were still intact. It still has the same pop rock type of sound that the Jonas Brothers did, but with Nick's voice in the forefront. Who could have predicted that Nick Jonas' sound would shift so abruptly in the recent years with R&B crossover records like "Jealous" and "Chains"? But, without "Who I Am," we may never have seen how bright Nick's spotlight can shine.

5. Jesse McCartney, "Beautiful Soul"

My biggest guilty pleasure music group from the early 2000s must have been the boy band Dream Street. I still, as an adult, listen to their cutesy songs all the time. What you may not have known is that ex-Disney star Jesse McCartney was a huge part of that group.

McCartney had a pretty big solo career following his time in Dream Street. This song, "Beautiful Soul" was what introduced him to the masses as a true solo star in 2004. Ever since then, he's released four studio albums and has had quite a successful acting career. Personally, I still remember him as the cute kid with the high-pitched singing voice on Dream Street.

Boy bands will always be around to steal the hearts of teenage girls worldwide. I wonder what type of talent the next generation of boy bands will bring?