In a recent interview with The Lantern, R&B star Kelly Rowland spoke on the forthcoming re-release of her critically praised, yet poor selling, ‘Ms. Kelly’ album:

The Lantern: Are you reissuing “Ms. Kelly?”

Kelly Rowland: I am actually. I’m going back into the studio to do some more songs. I was very apprehensive at first, but I swallowed my pride. The record industry is very different. Things are going more digital and I want to accommodate my fanbase.

It’s good to see her being honest and not sugarcoating the situation (i.e. the album’s poor performance). I’m assuming the re-release explains the whereabouts of the already-filmed video’s for ‘Work’ and ‘Comeback’.

In other news, UK Kelly fans should be on the lookout for her as she will be hitting these sides in October for a few shows. As soon as more information is available, I’ll let you know.


Your thoughts?
With any news of Kelly Rowland’s project becoming scarcer by the day, it’s good to know things are moving ahead (albeit very slowly). It has been confirmed that Kelly’s video for ‘Ghetto’, due next week Monday (September 10th), will premiere on BET’s ‘making the video’ show, Access Granted – not 106 & Park as first reported. Be sure to keep it locked on That Grape Juice on Monday for the vid.

In the meanwhile, check out the vid (kinda low quality) for Kelly’s ESPN collabo with 50 Cent and Perry Farrell:

The song is a mess, but Kelly was getting it in the video. I doubt her album sales will pick up, so promo like this – and getting her name out there in general – is her best bet.

Your thoughts?

In what appears to be a sudden twist, Kelly Rowland will now release ‘Ghetto’ (ft. Snoop Dogg) as the next single from her ‘Ms. Kelly’ album; the singer confirmed the news when interviewed on Atlanta’s V103 radio station. What’s more is that a video for the song has already been shot by director Andrew Gura. Prior to now, the Scott Storch produced ‘Comeback’ was set to be the next US single and a video was shot – alongside a video for the European single “Work’ – back in July. ‘Ghetto’ has also been sent for ads at radio and is receiving healthy spins on the Urban format.
I don’t know what exactly is going on; however, with it now being almost 6 months since ‘Like This’ premiered, Kelly needs to release a new single – any single – now.

What do you think of the single choice?
R&B star Kelly Rowland performed a mini-concert as part of the Early Show Concert Series in Dallas yesterday. Though she performed a number of songs, the televised performances were of new single ‘Comeback’, ‘Bad Habit’ and ‘Like This’. Check Out the performances:

Comeback

Bad Habit

Like This

More vids:

Interview

No, No, No

Dilemma

Aside from a few vocal snags, Kelly did her thing – I especially liked the ‘Comeback’ and ‘Bad Habit’ performances. In other, somewhat puzzling, Kelly news, ‘Ghetto’ from her ‘Ms. Kelly’ CD is going for adds at Urban radio. I’m kinda baffled as to why, when ‘Comeback’ has been confirmed as the official next US single (with a video already shot too). My only guess would be that the label want to put out as much possible from the album – video or not?

What do you think of the performances?
Continuing along the promo trail for her new CD ‘Ms. Kelly’, singer Kelly Rowland performed a set for AOL Sessions recently. Check out the performances:

Dilemma

Comeback

Work/Ghetto

Like This (ft. Eve)

I enjoyed all the performances, although it kinda baffles me as to why she’s still performing ‘Dilemma’. Nonetheless, Kelly was on-point through out, especially with the vocals. The live band did their thing also. It was great to finally see proper performances of some of the album cuts like ‘Comeback’ and ‘Work’. Speaking of those tracks, Kelly has been shooting videos for BOTH songs in LA yesterday and today. Be on the lookout for them in the weeks ahead.

What did you think of Kelly’s performances
Though there is a widespread assumption that ‘Comeback’ will be the 2nd single to be lifted from Kelly Rowland’s sophomore CD ‘Ms. Kelly’ (confirmed in-part by the singer herself ), reliable sources are stating otherwise. According to an insider, the singer’s UK label -Sony BMG/RCA- are set to release the critically acclaimed/fan favourite ‘Work (Put It In)’ as the follow-up to ‘Like This’. This would, however, contradict the singer’s supposed claim that the song couldn’t be released a single due to ‘legal reasons’. Which single will be released? Will Europe recieve a different 2nd single? Only time will tell…
In the meanwhile, click here to listen to the promotional edit of ‘Work’ (ft. Fat Joe) – not the mixtape version from a few months back.
Kelly is set to shoot a video for her 2nd single (whatever it may be) on July 19th and 20th in Los Angeles.
An AOL Sessions with Kelly is set to hit the net on July 20th. Be sure to tune in.
A new Kelly track (from the scrapped ‘My Story’ album) ‘Tell Me’ has surfaced. The song is pretty good, although doesn’t compare to any of the ‘Ms. Kelly’ tracks. LISTEN: Tell Me
Continuing her promo campaign, Kelly made two TV appearances this week. Click here to see her performance on The View and here for The Morning Show.

Any thoughts?
The 2nd single to be lifted from Kelly Rowland’s new album- ‘Ms. Kelly’- has been confirmed as ‘Comeback’. According to Middlechild Promotions, the song has already been sent out to radio stations and will indeed serve as the album’s next offering. The Scott Storch-produced track also won the AOL poll to decide the next single.
Having had the chance to listen to the album, I would have preferred ‘Work’ to be the next single. However, I can see why ‘Come Back’ was chosen; the uptempo club banger is good track with a catchy hook. As long as she brings ‘it’ with the video, then I’m all for it. ‘Ms. Kelly’ is out now in Europe and hits stores in the US on July 3rd.

What do you think of the single choice?
After the numerous delays and title-changes, critics and fans alike could be forgiven for believing Kelly Rowland’s sophomore effort ‘Ms Kelly’ would never see the light of day. However, Rowland dispels any notion of ‘doubt’ on what is a highly sassy, confident and, yet, emotionally vulnerable record. With ‘Ms Kelly’, the Destiny’s Child singer firmly establishes her prowess as a solo artist. Ready or otherwise, Kelly Rowland – the solo star – has arrived.

(more…)

Singer Kelly Rowland is asking the public to select the follow-up to her current single ‘Like This’. In partnership with AOL, Kelly has presented eight tracks as potential singles that can be voted for…

Click here to see the options/vote

Which song did you pick?

As Kelly Rowland preps the release of her sophomore CD ‘Ms Kelly’ (due July 3rd), a new track from the set has surfaced on a Tapemasters Inc mixtape. This version of ‘Work’ features rapper Fat Joe, although it’s unclear whether he will feature on the album version. The uptempo track, produced by Scott Storch, sees Kelly in unfamiliar territory – we haven’t heard anything from her like this before. It’s not what I initially expected and I’m liking some of the other tracks from the set better, but it’s still a good song nonetheless.

What do you think?

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After the news of Kelly Rowland’s album being pushed back again, many were disappointed – myself included. However, this new Scott Storch-produced album track has amped me up for the release again. ‘Comeback’ is unlike any Kelly track I’ve heard before. The beat is on-point and the song is a definite club-banger. I’m feeling the lyrical content too; Kelly is singing about how she’s got that ‘Comeback… guarantee you’ll never leave’. The song really picks up after the first verse and Kelly delivers vocally throughout..she’s not holding back. ‘Ms Kelly’ now drops July 3rd. {Thanks ‘D’ for this one }

Hit or Miss?

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Michelle Williams Covers Time Out Chicago

Former Destiny’s Child member, Michelle Williams covers of the current issue of Time Out Chicago magazine. Her appearance in the magazine was to promote her stint as Shrug Avery in the Chicago theatre version of ‘The Colour Purple’ (not the New York version of the show that Fantasia is starring in).

{Click to images to enlarge}

The interview is a real interesting read. It’s good to see Michelle is keeping her name out there and that she isn’t sitting at home collecting those Destiny’s Child royalty cheques. I’ve always felt she was an underrated performer and I never understood people’s problem with her. Having said that, her 106th & Park ‘Fall’ is a classic; I had it on constant replay. For real though, I like Michelle and hope she does well.

Click here to read the interview

Mya Album News

R&B singer Mya is finally set to release her new album ‘Liberation’. The CD, which drops on the same day as Kelly Rowland’s ‘Ms Kelly’ album (June 26th) – features production from Bryan-Michael Cox, JR Rotem, Kwame and Scott Storch. Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg both make guest-appearances. ‘Liberation’ has been delayed several times; Mya tells Billboard that the ‘transitioning’ from label to label was one of the main reasons for the wait (word has it that Interscope dropped her after her last album, ‘Moodring’ flopped). She is now signed to Motown.

I’m really liking Mya’s first single from the album, the Scott Storch produced ‘Lock U Down’. However, I heard that track months ago and there is still no video. I hear the vid will debut next week, but isn’t it kinda late? The scheduled second single ‘Walka Not A Talka’ sounds like it’s gonna be interesting – it’s a futuristic club track. I’m not holding my breath with this album though, seeing as there is a high chance it will get delayed again or be mediocre (with only a few good tracks) like her last two albums.

New Sisqo Video – Who’s Ur Daddy

Why? That’s the first thing I thought when I watched this. This has to be the cheapest video I’ve seen in a long while. For real though, how much did they spend on this, cus’ it looks like I could have done this one myself. The song is wack as well; I heard it ages ago but forgot about it…I now know why. He’s still singing about ‘unleashing the dragon’ etc. I don’t doubt that the guy is talented, great songs like ‘Incomplete’ and his work with Dru Hill prove that, but this is a mess.

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