Usher unleashed his eighth studio album ‘Hard II Love’ on the masses last week. And though the final tally has yet to be counted, the official sales forecast sent the net into a flutter.
For, the set – led by singles ‘Crash’ and ‘No Limit’ – is on course to debut with 25,000; the lowest US numbers of the crooner’s career.
Given the unforgiving nature of today’s age and the fickleness of select fans, some have deemed it “the end” for the 8-time Grammy winner.
We’re not so sure about that, but can’t distract from the fact that something is…off.
Join us below as we unpack the problems and size up the solutions…
Chris Brown‘s ‘X‘ interlude ‘Lady in the Glass Dress‘ finally finds itself completed and released this year.
The cut made its way to the world hours ago and leads the way for the entertainer’s next studio album which is set to feature lyrics penned by the British singer/songwriter Daecolm.
I can see right through you / You act like you don’t want this, but you know that you do.
After achieving gargantuan success as part of K-Pop collective 2NE1, CL has her sights set on the US charts.
Last month saw the singer, real name Chaelin Lee, unleash her debut Stateside offering ‘Lifted.’
Now, she’s hitting the promotional pavement.
With Scooter Braun in her corner as manager, her first TV look wasn’t a little one. CL took over The Late Late Show With James Corden this week to jam out to her single.
From The Vault salutes the criminally underrated Mya this week; our pick is her colorful tune ‘Free.’
In late 2000, following the success of ‘Case Of The Ex’, the singer seized the moment to re-release her sophomore album ‘Fear Of Flying’ with two new tracks. ‘Free’ comprised half of the double helping and was serviced as the album’s third single. It was also part of the soundtrack for Jamie Foxx’s ‘Bait’ movie.
Upon its arrival, the track drew many comparisons to Janet Jackson’s early work; understandable as it was produced by Jackson’s partners in rhyme Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
Sadly, it never lit up the charts like Janet’s early hits. Nor was it in reaching distance of ‘Case’s success. Instead, the funky cut had to settle for a #42 peak on the Billboard Hot 100 and #52 on the Hip-Hop/R&B tally.
Internationally it fared better, reaching #11 on the UK Singles Charts and the 4th position in Australia.
The ever dynamic Dave Meyers was tapped to direct the song’s video resulting in a vivaciously glossy affair.
Mya is seen transporting through different eras, which is accentuated by the fashion displayed but also the dynamite dancing throughout the visual. Special salute to the “locking” segment; the artist and her dancers went all the way off.
**************
Nothing irks us more than witnessing artists with the “full-package” struggle to garner recognition from record labels or radio executives. Though not a powerhouse vocalist, Mya is a more than capable singer, a skilled and versatile dancer, and a passionate performer. To this day we still ask ourselves when and where did it go wrong. Sure, she’s achieved commendable success on the indie circuit, but the reality is that her talent almost demands to be seen by the largest audience.
Anyway, we’ll keep hoping for a chart resurgence of some sort for this incredible act. She’s way overdue for another hit.
Lady Gaga launched herself back into the media stratosphere with comeback single ‘Perfect Illusion.’
Billed as the first taste of the singer’s fifth studio album ‘Joanne’ (due October 21st), the track topped the iTunes tally in over 60 countries upon its release last week.
In the time since, its lost a little steam – leaving some worried about her prospects. Others, however, are quick to note that the song’s video is around the corner; hence so too will be the natural lift it lends by way of VEVO streams.
The growing debate has left many wondering about the back of the campaign; what’s to come? What do the other songs sound like? Who’s calling the shots?
Interestingly, Mother Monster gave a inkling as to the latter in a new interview.
As reported, Amber Riley will be blazing the stage in London as the centre-piece of the Dreamgirls production.
And this weekend saw the singer given a star-studded send-off in Los Angeles.
One of the notable names to take to the stage was her friend Jordin Sparks, who blew the roof off the building with a spirited rendition of Whitney Houston‘s classic ‘I Have Nothing.’
On the critical front Britney Spears‘ 9th album, ‘Glory,’ has certainly lived up to its titling. Hailed by many as her best work since 2007’s groundbreaking, ‘Blackout,’ the album has certainly earned its share of glorious reviews from industry insiders and music lovers alike.
Sadly – even with a fair promotional schedule that’s seen her tackle print, radio, and television – that fanfare has not been reflected commercially. Moving a moderate 111,000 SPS its first week, the album was blocked from the top spot by legendary diva Barbra Streisand and country group Florida Georgia Line. But, if fans were disheartened by those first week figures,second week is singing an even worse song for the ‘Baby One More Time’ singer.
With a whopping 87% drop in sales, Spears made a beeline right out of the top 10 in just the second full week of the set’s full availability. Keen to know where she landed on this week’s refreshed chart?
In January 2015 we reported rapstress NickiMinaj, with 60 Hot 100 titles to her credit,was only 14 entries away from entering history books with “the most Hot 100 entries by a female in history.”
Held at bay by country darling Taylor Swift and Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin at the time, fast forwarding to September 2016 has seen little change. Minaj, now with 68 titles to her credit, still remains 3rd in line behind Franklin and Swift. However, with the addition of Ariana Grande‘s ‘Side to Side’ (which debuted at #31 last week), the ‘Va Va Voom‘ vixen is swiftly closing the gap between herself and her history-making competitors.
In reference to ‘Side,’ Billboard reports:
The song arrives as Minaj’s 68th Hot 100 hit, moving her to within five of Aretha Franklin‘s record for the most among women (73) and one shy of runner-up Taylor Swift’s total (69). (“Side” is Grande’s 21st Hot 100 title.)
Here is an updated look at the women with the most Hot 100 visits, dating to the chart’s Aug. 4, 1958 inception:
73, Aretha Franklin
69, Taylor Swift 68, Nicki Minaj
57, Madonna
57, Rihanna
Impressive! Tuck in below to see this week’s updated chart: