Is it open season on record labels this week?
Just hours after R. Kelly took aim at his team, his R&B understudy August Alsina launched an explosive expletive attack on Def Jam.
Find out why below…
Like Kelly, this this Friday brings with it the release of the New Orleans native’s new album ‘This Thing Called Life.’
Much to his apparent dismay, Alsina seemed to learn when everyone else did that the LP had been made available for streaming on VEVO two days before release (see: today).
Enraged, the 23-year-old took to Twitter and said:
No, no, no.
That was an ill-informed move that may come to bite Mr. Alsina in the behind.
Because, unlike R. Kelly, he’s not at the stage of his career where he’s able to not sell and still be a legend. He’s on his sophomore effort, which is all about showing and proving.
From where we’re standing, we imagine his rant is about more than just the early stream. His visibility (and ultimately his momentum) has been markedly less noticeable this go round compared to his debut run with ‘Testimony’ – which could be due to a whole heap of variables.
Whatever the case, this is where industry etiquette should have kicked in. Without saying any names, there are a number of R&B artists who flopped to the actual pits this year, yet in playing the game, touring, and smiling their way through it, have managed to save face and nab Grammy nominations in the process.
It’s arguably not “fair,” but what in life is?
Having poured one’s blood, sweat, and tears into a project, it’s understandable why Alsina is emotional, yet he’ll have to rein that in if he wants to enjoy a career with longevity.
Just our two cents.