‘This is a Special Delivery…’
For fans of New Yorker Bridget Kelly, the year 2013 is set to spell a number of wins for the entertainer- kicking off with the release of her long awaited Roc Nation backed debut album.
Spearheaded by the budding smash ‘Special Delivery‘ and her critically acclaimed contributions to Jay Z’s ‘Empire State Of Mind’ and Luke James’ ‘IOU‘, the project is well on its way to becoming an R&B ‘must have’- as its release date drawers near.
So, as long time fans of Ms.Kelly, TGJ caught up with the starlet when she stopped by in London last month to push the single- discussing its conception, her definition of success and her journey thus far.
Full story below…
Citing Alicia Keys and Alanis Morissette as influences, Bridget’s ascent to notoriety came when inked a deal with Island Def Jam while collaborator Jay Z served as its President- telling us:
“I was born and raised in New york and my management team at the time was working with Def Jam when Jay was there. He’s such a good role model and so as a New Yorker I was always going to gear towards him so when he left Def Jam, I recorded new material and sent them over to Roc Nation, that’s how I signed there”.
A La Guardia graduate, 2011 saw her birth the eclectic ‘Every Girl’ EP, spawning the fan favorite ‘My Heart’ and ‘Seek And Destroy‘.
‘The EP was really an experiment’, she reveals, ‘It was a collection of songs that i loved but i didn’t know the direction. With this album I felt like I really had to keep it R&B. The album is really soulful. To be completely honest, it’s really personal because I went through a bad relationship and that’s where the songs come from. The best apart about it was that I went in with writers that really gave me the best of themselves (Jerry Wonder being one of them). I’m so proud of it, it came together really well.’
‘I want people to remember me for saying the things women needed to hear. I don’t think I’m a rebel but I see things from a different perspective, and I’m that voice- and it was really important for me to share that’.
‘Success for me would be for me to go on tour with the album meet people who really love it, you know- or at least love two songs that they’re so in love with they can look back on and say ‘damn- that first album was so good’. I want this album to resonate with people. It took me about two years to finish because I really wanted it to be right and last…I want it to last. I wanted everything to make sense and it does.’
Three songs that would turn a Bridget Kelly critic into a Bridget Kelly fan?
‘Oooh…that’s a tough one. I have a ballad called ‘Hear No Evil’ and another called ‘Afterlife’ which is actually my favorite. It’s got a really strong guitar on it and then goosebumps which is about a guy doing all the rights things to me and the third…oh, I did a great record with K Koke called ‘My Time’ i think it’ll blow over here, it’s really powerful and I think it’ll blow over here’.
With ‘Delivery’ dominating Urban airwaves across the globe, it won’t be long before the rest of the world falls in love with the soulful starlet…and the authentic sound that has already earned her a Grammy and the hearts of R&B lovers the world over.
Just keeping it real, I don’t see it happening for her. Her voice is basic, her music is ok and to top it off, she’s signed to Roc Nation. Best of luck to her though… 🙂
Stop being a hater.
This is not hate, it’s true. Bridget Kelly has been shelved by the Roc indefinitely for like, the last 6 years. She’s been around for a long time. She’s a writer too. By the time she releases (if and when) she’s gonna get leftovers like Melanie Fiona. She can carry a tune but her voice really isn’t distinct. It really makes me wonder how artist releases a prioritized. I mean they’ve spent the last 3 years trying to make Rita Ora happen in the US but nothing for so many others….hmm.
Young people are gonna write her off as a flop and she’s not being marketed as act for older tastes either which equals NO MARKET
I agree. I’m all okay for new singers and wish them well, but when they are hyped when there is just nothing special about them annoys me. This blog sometimes goes in like some peoples voice is the truth when it aint, its just nice… okay.
Finally supporting some real talent I see.
The way your faves voice is set up though.
Love her.
She is talented but…….
Why does this site only cover ROC NATION ( Bridget, Rita, rihanna, Beyonce, Elijah) to the exclusion of everyone else.
I like hearing about Roc artists but let’s not forget that there are other talented R&B artists making moves that this site ignores.
Let’s support R&B artists.
Roc Nation done did it again! If you listen to Bridget’s 2011 EP you hear hints of Rita Ora as if Bridget recorded an album and they decided that Rita would be the face behind it…. do they not have original artist development on their books.
i hope she moves away from the sound that they have now given Rita because otherwise they’ll say rita clone.
Seek and Destroy case and point.
i like her but her voice is pretty standard
She is giving me Melanie Nicole Scherzinger Fiona all in one in that pic LMAO!
I like Bridget, I saw her back in October at Brandy’s concert and she got some pipes on her. I just hope they market her well because she is talented. She just needs the right push. It is time for some variety in music and not the same old same old!
oh S*** gowrl i thought that was Nichole flopburger. Meh who cares though both flop non existent h*** tbh.