In need of motivation? From The Vault has you covered with a modern R&B classic.
This week’s pick is Kelly Rowland’s scintillating ‘Motivation.’
After releasing a bevy of chart-topping Pop and EDM bops (see: ‘Work’ and ‘When Love Takes Over’), Ms. Kelly re-embraced her first love – R&B music.
Teaming with Rico Love and Jim Josin, together they molded ‘Motivation’ and issued the jam as the launching single of Rowland’s third solo album ‘Here I Am.’ And in a major coup, she snagged the time’s man of the moment Lil’ Wayne to assist her on the sizzling track.
Thankfully for Rowland, despite years away on Euro shores, the US Urban scene was more than ready to welcome her back; the tune peaked at the top spot of the Billboard Hot Hip-Hop/R&B tally where it reigned for 7 consecutive weeks. It was also a Hot 100 Top 20, climaxing at #17.
Sarah Chatfield directed the sensual video for ‘Motivation’ and the legendary Frank Gatson served as its creative director.
Steamy and moody mise-en-scene served as the backdrop for the sensual visual, which saw Kelly command her troop of male dancers through thrust-heavy choreography courtesy of Luam.
And while the video showcased Kelly at her most provocative, it still evoked the same brand of class that she’s been synonymous with since the start of her career.
[Side note: her performance of the song at the 2011 BET Awards remains amazing forever and a day]
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Seeing Kelly at rock Coachella with her Destiny’s Child bandmates has us salivating even more at the prospect of things to come.
With the brand of R&B she’s been pushing for the most part of the decade once again being the “in” sound now, the time seems more than apt for her to show up and show out.
Fingers crossed that that the new music she’s been talking about for so long materlizes soon, because we’re ready to see Kelly back to Werk!
Your thoughts?