Chris Cornell, best known as the frontman of Soundgarden and later Audioslave, made a marked departure from his rock roots with his 2009 solo album Scream, produced by hip-hop and R&B producer Timbaland. Despite the album being widely regarded as a commercial and critical misstep, Cornell insisted it fulfilled a lifelong musical ambition, reflecting his desire to explore his voice beyond the screams and riffs that defined his earlier career.

Cornell moved through several distinct musical phases after Soundgarden's initial split, including the introspective solo record Euphoria Mourning and the unexpected pairing with Rage Against the Machine's instrumentalists in Audioslave. For Scream, he teamed up with Timbaland, a producer known for his work with artists like Missy Elliott, resulting in a sound far removed from his grunge origins. Cornell later defended the record, saying his younger self "would love it" and that it authentically captured vocal styles and melodies he had admired throughout his life, even as he anticipated backlash from longtime rock fans.