Singer Robin Thicke poses backstage at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles
Singer Robin Thicke poses backstage at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles Reuters


Robin Thicke is spreading the love, giving his brother in blue-eyed-soul props for adding to the success of his most recent hit.

During a recent interview with New York radio station Hot 97, the soul singer credited Justin Timberlake's recent return to a more R&B- and soul-influenced sound as a factor in helping increase the reach of his own music.

"He actually helped me a lot because his sound went more R&B and soulful and that's what I've been doing my whole career, so it really opened up a door," said Thicke.

"Him and I grew up with the same influences -- Michael Jackson, Prince, Marvin Gaye," he added. "We were both white kids who grew up in the hip-hop generation, so I think it's natural we're going to have some similarities."

Timberlake recently released his new album, "The 20/20 Experience," after seven years of hearing no new music from the artist.

Thicke has remained a visible fixture in the modern R&B scene, but his newest single "Blurred Lines" marks one of the more successful songs of his career.

Though he usually pushes a more serious sound, Thicke is looking forward to the lighthearted feel of the project.

“This is the least personal album I’ve made by far,” he told Hot 97. “I’ve really always really tried to be a serious, brooding artist and dig deep, and talk about my pain and insecurities and stuff. This time I didn’t want there to be any of that negativity. There’s still some depth on it, but its much more fun.”

The song has already claimed the top spot on the UK singles chart as well as the Billboard Hot 100 chart reports Digital Spy.

Thicke's album of the same name will be released on July 9.