Ciara, Kelly Rowland and Justin Timberlake. These artists are among the very best of their generation; each dominating a completely different genre of music. However, they all have one thing in common: the inability to successfully branch out beyond the confines of their primary music markets and into different genres. It seems that unlike international territories, the US music industry remains segregated; governed by unspoken rules regarding race and ethnicity; refusing to allow artists to explore new sounds that do not match established audience perceptions of what they acts “should” be performing.
Indeed, the US music scene remains intent on suppressing the talents of artists; stuffing them into box marked by various stereotypes. For instance, when Ciara first emerged on the charts in 20o4, she was hailed as one of the hottest newcomers in R&B, partially filling the void that was left by the late Aaliyah. From her Hip-Hop-inspired sound to her full-fledged Urban appeal, she easily dominated the R&B charts for most of that year. Yet, Ciara found herself on the receiving end of severe criticism when she indulged in Pop/Dance music on her ‘Fantasy Ride’ LP, with several US critics and DJ’s claiming that she had abandoned her Urban audience in an effort to to appeal to a more “white” following.
Kelly Rowland has encountered a similar backlash in recent years as well. Despite struggling to score a hit after her initial solo smash, ‘Dilemma‘, Rowland seems to have finally found her niche with her new Dance-oriented sound; amassing incredible success in the UK, Europe and Australia. Nevertheless, such triumphs were not reflected in the US, where her 2009 hit, ‘When Love Takes Over’, only peaked at #76 on the Billboard Hot 100. Like Ciara, many of individuals in the US refused to acknowledge her artistic growth and criticised Rowland for abandoning her Urban roots.
Nonetheless, these pressures are not only encountered on the charts. Justin Timberlake had several incredible accomplishments across all formats, especially with his TI-assisted hit, ‘My Love’. However, his music was blatantly ignored by his own peers at the Grammy Awards where they refused to nominate his straightforward Urban recordings in any of the R&B categories; an occurrence many attribute to the colour of his skin.
So, while many many aspects of life in the US are slowly being liberated, the music industry remains an area of tension and unfair categorisation. In light of new reports that even Jennifer Hudson is being forced by industry pundits to rework the Euro-dance sound of her upcoming album and stick to her R&B roots, it is clear that full artistic freedom continues to be subjected to underlying pressures involving race and ethnicity. However, with Rihanna and Beyonce managing to successfully branch out and evade such conflict, there may yet be hope for other acts as well.
![New Song: Nicki Minaj - 'FTCU (Sleeze Mix)' [featuring Sexyy Red, Chris Brown, & Travis Scott]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/nicki-minaj-thatgrapejuice-2024-ftcu-remix-sleeze-sexyy-red-chris-brown-travis-scott-464x260.jpg "New Song: Nicki Minaj - 'FTCU (Sleeze Mix)' [featuring Sexyy Red, Chris Brown, & Travis Scott].")
no its just cause kelly ciara and there music sucks
and face it foghorn was never gonna be big anyway
one trick pony she can only belt and thats it
YEP SO TRUE ! THE URBAN COMMUNITY IN THE USA SEEM TO HAVE SOMETHING AGAINST BLACK ARTIST GOING FOR A MORE MAINSTREAM SOUND. AT THE END OF THE DAY ARTIST CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. SO EXPECTING THEM TO COME OUT WITH THE SAME R&B SOUNDING TRACKS YEAR AFTER YEAR IS UNFAIR.
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its everywhere, people go by the looks
to a certain degree, yes.
beyonce’s latest album, for example, is pretty much pop. but it’s still considered r&b by most.. because she’s black. if kelly clarkson did that album, folks would have no problem calling it a pop album.
Bisssssh you did NOT say Kelly Rowland dominates an area of music? ¬_¬ I love her but she ain’t dominating anything yet
But great for not throwing unnecessary shade at Rihanna though
i agree with Trent! that was an interesting read!
i think Kelly shouldn’t give a f*** this time around even tho BET won’t play a music! MTV will def do it for her again! and the Europeans love her! she will become a diva worldwide..tho her home america is trippin..
Funny thing is Kelly Rowland has way more crossover appeal than Rhianna and Beyonce put together. She a very humble and classy woman with a fun, light and powerful voice. She’s always happy and open and she always handles herself like a lady She’s a great role model for young women. She pulled off when love takes over so well that people thought she was a white woman they had no Idea she was black. She has a whole lot of crossover appeal She’s A well spoken woman she can carry on an intelegent thought provoken interview and she’s out given back. with the right meterial she could sky rockett and I think every knows this.
@Movieman It’s sad thats the only thing you can call Jennifer so it just make you look stupid.
We have to stop putting artist in such little boxes and saying “oh they can only do this” that’s just not what real artist do. Real artist are able to take any genre of music or they should be able to and make it their own and people should be able to enjoy. If the music is good is what really should matter, not what genre they are doing or what you may be used to seeing the artist doing. People may me sick limiting artist to a certain degree. Yes this is the industry today but who says it has to be that way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zudbz4hOcbc
watch that video again. Not one black singer out has been able to pull off something
like that and make it look so genuine.
LETS TALK REEL NUMBAS,BEY BEN N DA GAME SENCE 1993!!
SHE BEN PERFORMIN N WERKIN HARD TOO BECUM DA QUEEN SHE IZ TODAY!!
Y DA T***** CRIS ACT LIKE JUSS CUZ SHE BEN SINGIN FO 10 YEERS DAT MAKE HER A LEGEND?
CRISTINA CALL BE BACK WEN U HAVE 20 GRAMMYS,EVERY SONG N ALBLIM U PUT OWT GITS TOO NUMBA ONE N U HAVE SOLD OWT CONCERTS N MOVIES.
DEN WE CAN TALK.
BEY ACOMPLISH ALL DAT SO BEY IZ A LEGEND NOT U FLOPTINA!!!
YALL MAD?
Let me make a comment before the battles start.
I think there is a ridiculous double standard in the USA. If you are lightskin then you can do pop although most blacks will see it as R&b anyway. If you are a chocolate or darkskin artist your ass better be urban otherwise you will never see the light of day on the radios or television. Its sad as hell.
Here is a perfect example. The song “American Boy” by Estelle was a huge hit internationally. I think had the public saw what Estelle looked like before the song dropped than the song wouldn’t have been such a big hit. And its a shame. Notice after that none of her other songs got any play. And her album was tight! They won’t even play her newest single. SMH
How the f*** do you compare Justin Timberlake to 2 flops like ciara and kelly??? I’m so over this lame ass blog.
Ghetto fab you are so right, I hate that I’m from America.
As far as Ciara not getting any play, I think that has to do with there being too many “black” artists in the game. White America already has their Beyonce and Rihanna so that leaves no place for Ciara. And its a shame because she is just as talented. She can perform just as good if not better than these ladies. She deserves her props.
The black community isn’t exactly innocent either. They are the worst ones with supportin that nonsense. I’ve heard some won’t even listen to the artist unless they look good physically. As if that has anything to do with the music.
@TheYoungLion
How about you stop being so damn stupid and base your opinion on the subject at hand instead of worry about shallow stuff like album sales. We need to start doing age checks on this blog.
@Ghetto Fab…I have to agree with you on the both comments…I have Estelle’s album and it was a very solid album which didn’t go far here in the US really sad because it was really good…Trent this was a good read and these are the types of discussions we should have because it’s clear it’s a problem in the US…now Beyonce earned her right (IMO) because regardless of what ppl may think or say she is a good performer and have talent so her skin complexion really doesn’t whole merit (IMO).
I do think it’s unfortunate how music is not so free an expression and that it’s keeping so many artist stuck in a box. There are so many labels and stereo – types. Artist are catergorized and even when they cross over and have success with a song in a certain genre there is this unspoken rule (like you mentioned) that groups them in these groups . It is confining and it later becomes a matter of these artist sticking to a certain style of music because they cannot branch out or “abandon” their audience. I don’t think it’s anything wrong with continuing to hold on to an element that clearly works for you if your an artist. I just don’t think that the industry heads should dictate to you what your art should consist of. Artist that evolve into something totally new for them should be allowed to incorporate that and embrace it. I agree, that in most cases it may not be wise to lose a piece of yourself that brought you fans, but it’s definitely nothing wrong with finding new heights! What I hate is how black artist suffer from this… It’s crazy how Whitney and Mariah have so many pop hits and sometimes I’ll read about them and see them classified as R&B divas or superstars. Pop is apart of their roots as well. Usher, Toni and Brandy do have more of an r&b styling, but their material crossed over too and it’s odd that I don’t see them spoken of as the r&b/pop … I just think that line that divide us need to be removed. If anything include both those titles when you speak of artist that fit in different catergories and have variety. I’d prefer what you used to see and that was simply letting the dominant one come first. For example, Whitney, Mariah, Janet: Pop/ r&b divas…Brandy , Toni, Usher: r&b/pop such and such… I just think it’s very narrow minded to have these conditions for everything.
Color will always be an issue here in the US in regards to musical acts. The darker you are the less you are appealing to other races, and in the white community if you’re white you are not recognized for urban music. The industry is more about looks than talent, its rarely about the talent…. Beyonce is successful mainly due to her looks, her songs are garbage and her dance moves consists of gyrating and cat calling instead of actual routines, as well as RIhanna.
You know what… At this point, i could care less about the perception of critics, charts, and popularity.. Just like high school, what was popular wasnt always the right thing to do.. I like all the artist you mentioned. and no matter what a fan or hater got to say. It is well known some artists are underrated, and some are overrated. Alot of People (not all ppl) look at the person before they listen to the music, song, album, interviews,music videos, etc… #FAIL.. Music is the ART of SONG… not the art of fashion, not the art of media. Meshing all this things together can be a beautiful thing, sometimes.. Some artists go un-noticed when doin their own thing. But does that make me not go out and buy their album? does that make me not support them because you’re not.?. Does that make me shun away from their music.? Because “media” doesnt like it (or bans it *cough cough*). Heavens no! So therefore i look at the market, primarily. i mean it is very important, but at this particular time in the industry, music isnt like it used to be. Favoritism was NEVER an issue back in the 90s.. #END
I think the problem is music and it factor. When Ciara first came out everything pointed to her being the next huge thing. That first album was huge for her. However, the two following where not so great and had no real single that appealed to the American listener. Kelly Rowland has yet to prove that she can make good music outside of Destiny’s Child. The ONLY hit she had as a “solo” was NOT a solo, it was her featured on a Nelly song. Sometimes she puts out something OK, but she lacks the IT factor. Justin Timberlake IS a superstar. He is one of the biggest artist of our generation. I think it has nothing to do with color lines. I think Janet, Michael, Prince, Beyonce and even Rhianna have proven that no matter the color of your skin you can be successful on the R&B, pop and dance charts. You just have to make music people want to hear, that doesn’t mean it has to be good.
I agree to some extent but don’t usually think about it because it’s just “the way it is.” I remember reading an interview with Santigold and she said she was pissed when she walks in record stores because her album was always classified under R&B because she is a black woman but the music she made wasn’t necessarily R&B. But think of it this way, imagine if rock artists like Green Day or Nickleback tried to cross over to R&B or Hip-Hop? Lol it’s a stretch but I think everyone would vomit in their mouths. Skin complexion plays a huge role in how an artist is perceived/classified.
@AJ i feel you
totally shite article sorry but true!!!
This is a hot topic. I Feel that Kelly And Ciara are very talented artist. yea some of their song or crappy but isn’t some of Rihanna And Beyonce are too. I feel we should embrace all the artist equally and not put one higher than the other. Beyonce is a good Performer but what about Brittney Spears if u youtube it Beyonce copy from her performing skills. Everybody put Beyonce on top but what about jennifer hudson, fantasia , alica keys , moncia and host of other female artist that has talent to. STOP RIDING BEYONCE AND RIHANNA F **KING BACK
hey Trent, get a life, lmao
” Rowland seems to have finally found her niche with her new Dance-oriented sound; amassing incredible success in the UK, Europe and Australia.”
since when an hit can determine an “amassing incredible success”? I just can’t..
@Trent
Please stop trying to make it seem as if Kelly Rowland enjoyed the same type of success as a solo artist as Ci Ci before “Fantasy Ride”. Kelly Rowland is not Ciara. Neither of Kelly’s first two albums had much, if any mainstream success in the US. It wasn’t as if “When Love Takes Over” was the only single of Kelly’s that didn’t chart well in the US. Most of Kelly’s singles, regardless of whether or not they were R&B, weren’t charting well in the US, way before she ever hooked up with David Guetta.
I’m sorry, but maybe TGJ needs to lay off the Kelly hype until she drops a new video or there’s some progress to report on Commander, because Kelly is really going to be up a creek without a paddle if Commander doesn’t smash. Commander’s the only single of her’s that I’ve heard that sounds like it might have legs. And she sure as hell needs something with legs if the lead single is dropping now but the album isn’t coming out until September.
There are other artists that are far more worthy of coverage. Janelle Monae just released “The Archandroid.” Miley Cyrus’ single “can’t be tamed” is like #3 on itunes and she performed live on DWTS. Shontelle’s single is smashing (Barbados represent). I could go on. Meanwhile, you’re so hung on up on Kelly, when in reality, there’s really nothing to report.
I agree if Lady GaGa was to sing Commander it would be A HUGE HIT! But at the same time Ciara flopped because her s*** leaked, lets keep it real. Love, S** Magic, was a moderate hit so she had some steam for her album but she flopped because of leaks. Justin Timberlake isn’t flopping so I don’t know where his name came from. Kelly Rowland can’t be accepted in the USA because she can’t escape DC3 and Beyonce’s shadow. So trent at some extent I agree, but you gotta think about all causes for their failure in the US.
I have no problem with artists doing pop music or integrating it into their albums. My problem is some artists do it because it is popular and want to follow a trend. I’m not against trends but when it becomes redundant, as is this dance/electro music, is when I start to turn away. I mean everybody is starting to do it nowadays (Kelly, Gaga, Christina, Ke$ha, Rihanna supposedly) Yeah I like dance/electro and pop music, however I like R&B too, so when I listen to the radio or get ready to buy music, I will end up buying and listening to the same ish which is what’s happening when all artists make the same type of music. I can give two rats s*** of what color you are, if you have good quality music I will listen. For example, Justin Timberlake. I love Justin Timberlake and it’s truly sad that because he’s white that he can’t be considered as a R&B artist. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE his music! He’s extremely talented and I hope he doesn’t resort to doing pop because of people’s ignorance towards his urban music.
@Reasonable Voice
I actually agree with you. TGJ should simmer down on the Kelly posts or should I say promotion until there is some indication of success. And always wondered why they never reported on Janell Monae??? I love her!!! In addition, they NEVER posted anything about Erykah Badu, who I’m a HUGE fan of. She recently released an album and they didn’t even post her video let alone her song. Smh. Oh yeah, that new Miley Cyrus is a banger!
@Reasonable Voice
you are absolutely right, TGJ rather prefers making 100 posts about Rihanna then to promote some very good artists like Erykah Badu, Tweet, Leela James, Janelle Monae and many more… That’s why Concrete Loop is so much better 😀
It all comes with promotion. You can’t get good sells without lots of promotion. Ciara might get more promotion than Kelly Rowland, but no were near the amount of promo that Rihanna and Buyonce gets. Beyonce might go 2 or 3 times platinum but look at how much money is spent on her numerous videos per album (10 plus videos), numerous commercials, tv appearances, and huge amounts spent in payola to radio/ Viacom. Any artist could be successful if they had that much invested into their effort.
How can you throw Justin in there? His first Album out sold Both Kelly’s and Ciara’s Combined……so please….
Color has nothing to do with it….Micheal was apart of The Jackson 5 and they crossed over not to mention…Patti…Whitney….And soooooooooooo many others…..
Kelly is just lazy as all hell and Ciara needs to stop trying to be pop when she is R&B
Agree w/ @Ghetto Fab and @Team Weezy.
Beyonce is BEYONCE! SHE AN CROSSOVER ARTIST A POP STAR A HUGE ONE LIKE THAT.
WHY BRING THIS UP WAIT KELLY ‘S SINGLE ISN’T DOING WELL ON ITUNES
WAIT WHERE’S ALL THE KELLY FANS TALKING THAT CRAP BEYONCE IS A B**** LET KELLY SHINE
WHERE YOU GUYS AT NOW HELP GET KELLY’S SINGLE UP ON THE CHARTS YOU FAKE ASSES WHERE YOU AT? WHERE YOU AT?
NOW WHO’S TO BLAME ? NOT MATTHEW KNOWLES
NOT BEYONCE
NOT THE MAN ON THE MOON
WHO ARE YOU GOING BLAME NOW ?? WHO WHO WHO WHO?
GET YOUR FAKE ASSES
@ Jasmine
The reason that the Beyonce’s of the world get so much money invested in them is because the money comes back. A record company is NOT gonna pour money into something unless they can double what they put in. As far as promotion goes, you have to be wanted. What sounds better to a magazine Kelly Rowland for your cover or Beyonce? The answer is Beyonce, because they want to sale that magazine. It’s a buisness and it’s hard, but you have to be wanted.
Again another b******* post. Kelly Rowland and Ciara are both flops because their music sucks and does not capture people’s attention, point blank. Stop making excuses for reasons why they are flopping. So pipe down Trent, and Sam please put a leash on your dog!
I don’t really think skin color plays a part in the american music industry that much. The reason Kelly is not doing so well in the US is because she lacks promotion and to be honest, her last two albums were pretty lackluster. The only way kelly can garner attention is if she works with someone else. notice how all her singles that actually did okay have featured someone else? Nelly with Dilemma, Eve on Like This(though i don’t remember it doing so great), and now David Guetta. People will always remember her as “that girl from destiny’s child” and she does nothing to really stand out.
As for Ciara, its pretty much the same thing. I don’t think she did bad because she ‘sold out’. Her last two albums were pretty horrible, though I think the evolution sold pretty well. As someone else said, fantasy ride did leak which hurt her sales really badly. The album didn’t even get much promotion. Hell, i didn’t find out about the album until months later.
@Trent — Wow …!! I don’t know where to begin ….
… K, let me say this — Mainstream music (pop music) is rubbish! It’s NOT real; it lies; it propagates a “Euro-hegemony” that comes-complete with “COLOR-UNCONSCIOUSNESS” – AMONGST BLACK FOLK!
…That said, Pop, Techno, “Euro-music” is soul-less; void: without-form; without-substance. “White music”, eventually “runs-out-of-energy,” it THEN, find-its-way, BACK to “Black Music”, as We are THE MOST musically-expressive and musically-artistic peoples on Planet Earth!
…Trent, you’ll probably disagree, but was-it-not music from/of the-black-folk-of-New- Orleans, “Fathered by Louis Armstrong”, that ‘THE WORLD’ recognized as America’s one-and-only Art form? …Jazz Music?
What I’m trying to say, is that given OUR RECORD of “cultural-ingenuity”, given our “less-than-ideal circumstances”, we’ve made music, that the world, not-only took-notice-of, but also desperately emulated in an homage-and-recognition/acknowledgement of it’s genius!
Be-it: The Caribbean, South America or-here-in the United States of America, OUR-music reinvents itself. “OUR-MUSIC” champions-the-underdog, gives solace-and-warmth, to the disenfranchised and a “voice” to the outnumbered and weary!
I’m saying: “we’re allowed” our musical taste. “WE” needn’t feel, as-though, we’re “limiting ourselves”; “missing-out on anything”; nor feel “ashamed” for-said-choices! We’ve “earned the right” to be the taste-makers, one that, we-OURSELVES, don’t-even recognize.
NO TRENT! …We’re not limiting ourselves; depriving ourselves; nor-are-we, “missing-out-on-anything!”
I’ll leave you with this, the immortal worlds of R.Nesta Marley: “Is I-and-I, who built the cabin; Is I-and-I, who plant the corn …. Didn’t my people before me, s**** for this country, now you look me with your-scorn, then you eat-up, all-my-corn ….chase those Crazy….Chase those Crazies; Chase-those-Crazy Baldheads outta-we-town…!!
X,Y,”and Z” — OUT!
I want to know what are the “crappy” songs that Kelly Rowland has made?
can someone tell me what are the crappy Kelly songs that they have heard?
ONE THING I CAN SAY ABOUT CIARA SHE IS THE BEST DANCER EVER IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS AND A GREAT ENTERTAINER, IT IS THERE LOST IF THEY JUST DON’T GET IT CAUSE CIARA WILL SHINE NO MATTER WHAT SHE DO CAUSE SHE IS A GO GETTER!
Yea , I’m still refreshing this page waiting for an answer.
One of my most favourite and most talented artist is LOREENA MCKENNITT.
She is not a chart topper, but who cares if she has that wonderful music I like?
Trent you should grow up and understand that “#1s” couldn’t make ture happiness or true talent. You still live in your high school years.
I think that people should hear the song first after judge by the colour or single cover. Artists MUST make the music the way they Want and people (fans) have to hear the song by the heart, no by the other pepolpe review or prejudice!!!
@Trent —
I just don’t understand what sort of “disadvantage”, “hindrance” or “handicap” Justin Timberlake NOW, or-has-ever, encountered. If anything, Justin Timberlake and the “pass given him” regarding that “Janet Jackson SuperBowl-Wardrobe-Malfunction incident” Only goes to prove my point: Pop music/Mainstream “culture” propagates a “Euro-hegemony”, where “white-is-right, and-can-do, no wrong!”
…But there-in, lies the truth(s): “YT” will ALWAYS be-envious-of black folk; “YT” will always try to discredit, belittle and marginalize black folk, be-it, in music or any-other form of cultural -expression.
A White Man can “get-with” a black woman, but STILL be a racist and hate black men! He may want to “get-with-her”, not because he likes/loves/lusts-for her, NO! …More-than-likely, he fears black folk. …Bear-with-me, it gets complicated, but I have data and research as reference!
I’ll NEVER support Kelly Rowland! ..At times, I just don’t understand TGJ: wasn’t it Kelly Rowland, who said that Orlando Bloom was the most beautiful man she’s ever seen? …Why am I, as a black man, supporting her? Wouldn’t it seem, at the very least, “sensible”, that I support someone who supported, desired and found “MY image” ….beautiful? …I think so; am-I-not ….”worthy”?
X,Y,”and Z” — OUT!
Tera
May 19, 2010 at 11:44
what ar the “crappy” songs SONGS what are the crappy Kelly SONGS that they have heard?
Yea , I’m still refreshing this page waiting for an answer
It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other. Yes, Beyonce has a talent but because of her accessible looks it has allowed her to cross over. The Beyonce, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez used the edge of there ethnicity to cross over and at times have all looked like each other. The other members of destiny’s child would never make it without Beyonce and never will.
Colour of skin is a big deal because the darker you are the more threatening and urban you are. White people feel less threatened by lighter people as they are the closest resemblance to them.
I’ll be surprised If Alexandra Burke has any success in the states
(more to say but i’m tired of typing)
i read this but didn’t comment. it goes by color here in the us but also by ethnicity.urban stations dont support a lot of foreign born blacks or blacks that do alternative music,e.g.,taoi cruz,iyaz,jason derulo,rihanna,sean kingston,leona lewis……. there’s more.
kelly rowland is getting s*** for ”straying” from her roots becus she found a niche with dance music and has had some success.
@ TERA
Stole, DAYLIGHT, Work….I could go on?
no, I just think Ciara & Kelly Rowland aren’t very relevant to the current scene.
YES PLEASE..
i’m pretty sure the fagbots that run this blog also thinks orlando bloom is ”beautiful” oh and justin timberlake and other male performers d****,it really doesn’t matter if ANY female finds these homosexuals beautiful.
Stole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o01uU7OdnQ
Daylight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtfHnIy4OCQ&feature=channel
work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py_PavqqOao
for the ones who don’t know here are the songs ADE is talking about
I haven’t really noticed the segregation in American musical genres. I guess because I don’t pay attention to skin color, only the sound and music coming from the artist. I love Kelly Rowland’s new sound and don’t understand this notion of Kelly straying away from her urban roots. I don’t read many blogs and certainly the opinion of some do not represent me, my friends, and others who enjoy listening to great music, regardless of genre. The frustrating fact about this article is the long standing notion of race being a primary factor in what an individual will listen to or how a record company will market an artist. And it is true to a certain extent. Race is a dominant force within the industry and you can trace this back in American music business as well as European music business. It’s just America has more of an obsessive focus on race and it’s disgusting.
JANET JACKSON crosses over ALL color lines all over the WORLD!! That’s why….
JANET IS THE QUEEN!!!!
@Reasonable Voice. Preach!
If N*Sync had never existed then Justin might’ve been accepted as urban but he’s mainly still considered pop because what we used to know as rnb BECAME pop, he sounds very different to his past work but because music moved on he still sounds more pop than straight up urban. Categorisation is the least of his worries though because he’s been consistently accepted by urban and pop audiences for time. He, like Christina Aguilera though are from the 90’s pop era (and what they put out between them was VERY pop back then) so unfortunately they’ll never escape that title. Britney, mostly because of her voice is rightly considered pop and we can handle her working with Neptunes etc. because she maintains a pop sensibility with it, Justin and Christina have rnb influenced singing styles but their music is no more urban than Britney’s and she’s worked with all the same people they have.
As for Kelly Rowland I won’t hate, she did her thing in DC but as a solo singer she hasn’t mastered any of the genres she’s attempted. As an rnb artist she was lukewarm but until she proves she is worthy as a dance artist, which she is only just doing now audiences will be sceptical. One single albeit big doesn’t suddenly mean she’d no longer considered an rnb artist. I applaud her for trying but my basic assessment of Kelly Rowland turning to dance is that she recognises she has no relevance as an rnb/pop artist and has decided to try something new altogether. That’s a smart move but it’s more a business move than an artistic step forward and unless the music is really good and proves me wrong, usually moving to pop just results in a dumbing down of the material, esp’ when you know what they offered before was a lot deeper and more them. Rihanna is accepted and welcomed as pop because her ‘abilities’ were never rnb-worthy in the first place and her vocal limitations sit perfectly with pop music’s history. Part of a pop singer’s appeal is that they can’t sing that well (Madonna, Britney, Bananarama, Spice Girls) Her act was screaming to be made pop instead because of that, also the fact that her image became so strong and she linked her look to Grace Jones who everyone ‘in-the-know’ knew to be more pop/alternative than straight up rnb. In fact that’s partly why it doesn’t bother me she can’t sing that well…, Rihanna’s a pop singer first and foremost and the bum notes remind me of all the hairbrush singers of the 80’s and 90’s.
I agree w/ Trent, Ghetto Fab & Kev. It ain’t no Ciara flopped because nothing. Her s*** did leak, so I will place some blame on that. But, I down right heard people say, since she not doing stuff in her “Goodies” Days they weren’t gonna support “Fantasy Ride” & didn’t even try to open up to give it a try. It’s not fair that only a few artist can have success in this industry, everyone should have space for it. & half of the ones at the top are lame, & lazy.. So, it’s like blah… it’s so many double standards & favorites playing in the industry. & it’s so many MEGA UNDERRATED ARTIST THAT DON’T GARNER A PERCENTAGE OF THE SUCCESS artist such as Beyonce & Rihanna has had like Solange & Amerie, it’s lame. Love Kelly too, agree on her situation too
I couldnt take this post seriously after you said Ciara and Kelly Rowland are some of the “very best of this generation”. CMON ON NOW
Kelly has mastered the genre’s she has tried??
Just because Her song were not popular (mainly because they were never release!!!!!!!!)
doesn’t mean she has not mastered them!!!!!
KELLY CAN MASTER R&B!
Still in love with my ex
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s20GJiCzBE
Love again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiTD3FpSwXw
Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5kYc_JRgN4
KELLY CAN MASTER DANCE MUSIC
The way you love me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zZJ2eQPgzM
work remix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPrxvoRPNPo
KELLY CAN MASTER ANYTHING IN BETWEEN
Unity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH8PcIWLqo0
Flash back
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4oRizDMuww
this is love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwIackX6qgM&feature=related
haven’t told you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C-x4NPFlmI
Don’t let these people fool you give this woman the right song with the producer and she’ll sky rockets she has it it’s there..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH5D_0BaWbc
PROOF..
its kinda true but look its the USA your talking about the very masculine USA do you honestly thing you could hear a hetero black young man lasting when love takes over its sad but we have this extremely fixed look at differences btwn masculinity and femininity and race and we continue to follow them you will always have your few exceptions but seriously this country needs to grow the PLUK up keep an opened mind one review i read on Ciaras video to Ride on iTunes the person said yes she has come back to her roots wtf so shes great as long as she sticks to that one thing and then if thats all they do they are criticized for not being able to do anything new but stick to the same old routine. ppl feel they have their territory and are threatened when another comes into it if Justin Timberlake came and won grammys for R&B some sad folks in the black community would be like y this lil white boy thinkin he black and ish ppl are ignorant and sad same way a young hetero man blasting kelly will be called a f** its friggin music if its not your style so be it dont blast someone else cuz its theirs and have your own brain you can like a vriety of music and you can dance to it life aint about holding up the wall in a club but what ever stick to your socially structured ridged gender roles that work so well for maintaining hate, racism, sexism and all the otha bad craps; keep going with the crowd cuz lord forbid you do something or listen to something different then your peers. 1
@TEEM WEEZY
It’s fine to love Justin TimberFake’s music but he already started releasing s***** ass pop/rock songs on his second album and his behavior after Nipple-gate made him lose fans.
@THE WAY I IZZZZZZZZZZ
Perhaps you don’t know hat Whitney & Michael had to struggle with their record companies to get proper support & promotion before crossing over as solo artist. PLUS they both had a BIGGER price to pay for their demise as ‘black cross-over artists”
Name ONE female singer who isn’t light skinned that is considered at the top? Name one. Put Beyonce or Rihanna on the stage and ask them to sing up against Angie Stone, Lalah Hathaway, Jennifer Hudson, Leela James, etc. See who can outsing the other.
JUSTIN CANT REALLY ISNG
CIARA EITHE
R
ONE OF THE BEST OF THIS GENERATION
STUPID
+
WHY SHOUDL JUSITN BE NOMINATED FOR RNB
SEXYBACK TECHNO
WHAT GOES POP
LOVESTONE DANCE
SENOTRITA LATIN
HE IS POP WITH TWO RNB SONGS
U R SOSTUPID
ciara dared to do something different and she cant live it down,where as rihanna and beyonce is all over the place.it puzzles me how ciara gets put in a box but not them.
@ Cherie
Him losing fans because of a not-so-serious situation does not affect my interest in his music. Sorry. I could care less about that. And of course he’s releasing pop songs because he started out in pop and I’m sure he will do many more. That’s what I like about him. He’s pop with the inclusion of R&B/urban.
I don’t think that this is a colour / race question.
The simplicity is that these artists (Kelly Rowland, Ciara, etc) have no enough MUSICAL CREDIT to change their styles after spending a decade in the same genre (R’n’B).
I love Kelly Rowland’s new Euro-dance line, but it is absolutely nothing special, nothing unique. I don’t think so that she has found herself, I think she just realized that she can’t fight against Beyonce on the US market, but she can have a little secondary (sometimes first) place in the European market). So nothing big artistry… David Guetta and others put their songs under Kelly.
Trent! Ciara is a one record wonder, after her first two or three singles no one really cares about her, just you.
It’s NOT about races and RACISM, this is about these artists have NO enough CREDIT to change their styles, like Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Beyonce, Britney.
Ur examples are weak Justin Timberlake is a pop artist who has attempted to do R&B mainly with his first album n then did some urban songs, well maybe just one with My Love on the second album. He us not an r&B artist like let’s say Robin Thicke who’s been recognizEd in the RnB categories. No one bought Ciaras album because it sucked point blank! But Kelly Rowland I guess ur right about. And Beyonce n Rihanna come out with very catchy songs that make it easy for them to blow up and also Bey has a large, loyal fanbase that have been with her for years so obviously they’ll support whatever she drops
I dont think its about the color its about music it self to be honest bey is black right she done it all pop.rnb.dance.eletronic she did all and still done well on the market and its all about the music bey first single was unforgetable thats why pepole love her and she does have a big fanBase but if she was shity pepole wont support her kelly first album and single wernt good enguh that why she didnt do well with her second album and ciara was doing great until she f***** up with fantsy ride and justin is pop and never really done any rnb songs thats why he didnt get nomnite for an rnb award
And cicia always f***** up when she sexd up her image to much with fr
o god! PLEASE stop these DUMB DUMB DUMB articles. PLEASE
So true! U.S Music is so colour coded its ridiculous. Ive heard some European and Brit’ pop artist find it hard to break in here, because their sound isnt ‘R n’ b’ enough…Its sad..but True. One of this country’s most greatest cultural values is race. You cant pull it out..
Absolute rubbish!!!! Such a weak topic and argument. If the music is good enough, there will be NO colour barrier. Look at Michael Jackson, Prince, James Brown, Whitney Houston and Diana Ross to name a few. The “barrier” of colour did not exist, because the music was so damn good. Something almost impossible to say of today’s music. That’s the truth. The best music will always break the barriers.
Kelly deserves all the success and she will breakthrough with this album. BET must play her music!!!
So when a black artist can’t sell, it’s because of her ethnicity? Oh come on Trent. You’re too far off inside Kelly Rowland’s ass to realize that she really doesn’t have what it takes to make it big. Not everyone in the music industry can be like Beyonce and Rihanna who have been smart and bold enough in creating music that really speaks to many listeners.
To even call Kelly Rowland and Ciara as among the best of this generation is s***. Seriously, we’ll end up calling every mediocre artists out there as “best” if we even put these two at the pedestals.
Neyo got away with “Closer.” Beyonce got away with “Sweet Dreams.” Akon got away with “S*** B****” and “Right Now.” Even John Legend got away with “Green Light.” Urban acts can occasionally delve into dance music IF they have the audience and fanbase strong enough to back it up. If they have enough hit ‘credit’ they can get away with doing something outside of the general taste of their market without it scaring them — and radio — off (so long as they don’t make a habit out of it.)
The reason why Ciara and Kelly don’t get away with it is because they don’t have a strong, or clearly, defined fanbase to cushion their doing something outside of the box. Instead of it seeming like they’re just doing something different, it instead comes off like they’re trying to “find” themselves after their previous incarnations didn’t work. But who are they trying to find? Black people, for the most part, don’t listen to euro-club/electropop…and in the meantime neither have enough “name value” to keep it from going over the heads of most White people.
Kelly hasn’t struck an overall cord with US audiences period. Black radio might give something urbany from her a few spins for good measure, but since Kelly (in spite of how long she’s been around) doesn’t have a strong hit making track record, it’s only going to be sparse. In the meantime, they’re not going to play anything by her that’s Guetta-produced, because that type of sound simply doesn’t jibe with their general listener base. Mainstream pop radio, meanwhile, knows/cares even less about her…as they already have their share of established dance-pop acts like Gaga/Ke$ha/Britney/Xtina giving them their fill of that…and prerequisite urban divas like Alicia and Beyonce.
Kelly has no place anywhere. Her music career just never took off after Destiny’s Child. And Ciara is by and large a one trick pony who expired after 2004.
Check out:
The Conversation Chamber
I think these points are strong in theory but not so much in practice. In reality, people buy what they like. Ciara is not a good singer but she use to have great songs that made you sing and hum along no matter what. Her recent songs are not as good and therefore aren’t as popular. Kelly is a better singer but she never had good enough songs with one or two exceptions. Beyonce is a strong performer and vocalist but more importantly she releases irresistible songs. Some of them may be hits instead of classics but they draw people to her albums. Rihanna and her music was never considered R&B so she didn’t have to crossover. Justin may not win awards for his R&B material but his body of work, including the R&B material is supported by white and black fans. Ciara and Kelly just need better songs. Rihanna album sales always stall until she releases better songs from the albums. If enough people like the released songs, the albums will be more sucessful. So, I don’t think these theories hold water when you really look at the individual examples, I think song likeability is a bigger factor.
All you haters hating on Kelly watch and see she proves all yall wrong this time around and have a multiplatinum album all around the world just wait and see. Kelly and her fans are not worried she is making music she likes and we love her for it and people are going to appreciate her for it. You miserable people on this blog can not stop what God has in store for Kelly’s life so you might as well sit down and watch God bless her. It does not matter about skin tone God is going to see to it that she succeeds.
This article was surprisingly honest, Trent. Bravo. Why can’t more of your posts be like this? Even though I completely disagree with you I actually enjoyed the fact that it wasn’t littered with insults and jabs more suitable for Perez Hilton. (Sidenote: his website might get a lot of hits, but people care for him less than a pile of garbage on the sidewalk. Don’t end up like him please.)
These people’s lack of success is not due to their skin color. Justin Timberlake after years of N’Sync, I can see why his R&B appeal didn’t quite click with everyone, but his album was still a great one, and I see no reason as to why he was snubbed at the Grammy’s. That doesn’t mean skin color had anything to do with it.
Now with Ciara and Kelly Rowland, we have a case of fanbases that are not quite strong enough. Everything @CONVERSATION CHAMBER is very true. He took the words right out of my mouth. While artists who are black might have to try a little harder to get people on board with their sound, as was the case with Rihanna’s Rated R, it’s not impossible.
To some degree though, you may be on to something. For example I saw my darling Janelle Monae’s album on iTunes listed as R&B only, when the girl clearly has much more than R&B going on in that album.
I agree at some extent. i just think Kelly n Ciara need more promo. The industry i think is showing favouratism to people who have blown up or who have a better image eg Rihanna not saying the other girls are not. FR was a sudden change in Ciara’s case , she was like new ground for her n she was trying to get new fans and this album was not promoted. just coz she had 1 mishap does it mean its over. several number 1s dont mean u r the best. as for Kelly better songs n Ciara this go around too.
And I really can’t stand when people say that black people don’t listen to Euro/pop because that isn’t true. Black people are PEOPLE. They listen to all types of music. Ironically, more white people listen to and purchase rap music than do blacks. I promise you. R&B is slowing being weeded off in favor of pop, which for RIGHT NOW seems to be the dominating genre. Remember a few years ago when everyone was trying to do rock? It’s just what happens. And so people with heavy R&B roots are trying to keep up with the times and try something different which may or may not work. Skin color, and strongly defined fan bases are two very different things. I think fanbase is way more influential than ethnicity.
uhhhh!!! their music is horrible!! i think this article is alllll wrong!! s***** music is s***** music lol!! i love the artists in the uk that actually sing on there records!!! the uk delivered me amy winehouse and the Frank album!!! i will kill 4 that cd lol….
ciara is horrible!!! shes not succeding because shes missing sumthin!! shes horrible horrible!!! all she does is whisper and hood dance!! i think she should just go away!! its over 4 her… give it up.. worry about badu and jill and y they’re not scucceding over here not CIARA… so sad
Music talks no matter what skin colour…..ciara and kelly’s music has been very poor, ciara’s music was better before thats why she was played.
I think the ugly truth is the AMERICAN MUSIC INDUSTRY DOESN’T LIKE DARK SKIN. They see it as a liability. Lets use Whitney Houston as an example. As talented as she is in the 80’s her skin tone was an issue. Earlier pictures of her before she was famous showed a almond brown girl, by the time hair and make up was done with her you would’ve thought she was a tad bit fair skinned, and clearly she is not. Clive knew he would indeed have to make her look a certain way for the masses to take hold of her. Lets flash forward to 2010; theres a beautiful singer DONDRIA, aka Phatttfat, whom was discovered via youtube. She couldnt get a deal and it wasnt because she couldnt sing, or she wasnt beautiful, it was the tone of her skin; she was too dark. Even after JD signed her to SOSODEF she still is having that issue. Her video is shown in complete black n white, in fear that her skin tone will damper her possibilities of success. 3LW- They kicked out Naturi because she was too dark for the image they wanted. She indeed was the more talented singer of the 3, however her chocolate skin made her a liability. They tried covering it up by adding another choco-girl in their mold however we can see clearly they let that 3lw dream girl for a light bright CHEETAH GIRL, and even after the CG’s were failing to maintain relevance in a Miley Sirus world, they didnt go back to 3LW, they kept the white girl and became the CHEETAH GIRLS. HMMM I WONDER WHY?
NOW CIARA has another issue, and unfortunately it has nothing to do with the way she looks; its the way she sounds. Ciara has been doing the same thing since 2004, nothing about her has changed. Her lyrics havent gotten deeper, her dance moves havent evolved, and she simply hasnt said anything moving, which as an artist is almost required. People aren’t going to put their money on someone who doesnt appear to have longevity but so much. Yeah when the song is hot, we might download the single, get the ringtone, but we’re not buying an entire album of lets say, SOULJA BOY.She has yet to prove she can handle a ballad, which is something you’re going to have to conquer if you’re going to call yourself a singer. EVEN RIHANNA found some cat curtiling ballads and made them hits. Ciara needs to show EVOLUTION which she hasn’t, although she named her 2nd album that.
You should try to post some excellent things related to pop music in future.
REALLY? JUSTIN TIMBER LAKE CONNECTED WITH CIARA AND KERI HILSON? HOW COOULD YOU? He f****** bought S*** BACK OKAAY?and anyway no-one listens to them anymore Beyonce should be on the TOP OF THIS LIST
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