Your thoughts?
Hit or Miss?
It’s been a bit of a slow news day today, so I thought what better time to ask you all a question that’s often on my mind. Put simply…
How did you discover That Grape Juice?
As Amerie readies her Def Jam debut ‘In Love & War’ for its September release, a new cut from the set surfaced on a recent Tapemasters Inc mixtape. Produced by Bryan Michael Cox, ‘Red Eye’ is airy slow Jam, with production somewhat reminiscent of Ciara’s ‘Promise’. However, differentiating the two tracks is Amerie’s apparent target of the ‘adult contemporary’ audience – something made all the more evident with the surfacing of each new track from the album. How smart this is really depends on how Def Jam are looking to market her; if she is to be marketed in the same vein as other commercial R&B acts (basically meaning ‘sales’ are the most important factor) then there may be problems ahead. Yet, if it’s the Jill Scott, Jazmine Suillivan etc route the label are embarking on (less emphasis on sales, more touring etc) then our girl may be in luck.
Enough of my waffling. About the actual track…hmm…not really my cup of tea, yet saying that, it is the best I’ve heard from the album thus far – take from that what you will. I must say I’m kinda baffled at why Amerie has seemingly gone back to her older, less mass appealing sound – not because it’s bad, more because most do it the other way around (niche sound – more crossover sound). As a fan of the ‘1 Thing’, ‘Because I Love It’ era Amerie, I can’t really say she’s rocking my world with her latest material. It’ll be interesting to see what the album, as a body of work, will be saying.
Hit or Miss?
R&B star Kelly Rowland made her first televised US performance since 2007 last night on So You Think You Can Dance. The 28 year old performed her worldwide smash ‘When Love Takes Over’ with David Guetta.
While I’ve seen Kelly deliver better live showings, I really enjoyed this. Her confidence grows with each performance and she sounded great.
What do you think of the performance?
“Sick of people thinking I’m gonna be my sisters enemy. Now that was the “nice” read. Next person who hits me with some negative energy about my sister is gonna get Fox news all over again. Don’t try to love ME because you want to be the “anti Beyonce”. I am the ‘all for’ Beyonce. Now kiss both of our Knowles asses if you don’t like it!”
Preach LOL! It’s actually refreshing seeing Solange address the topic of Beyonce head on without the media-savvy answers. It must be uber annoying being pit against your own sister by outsiders for no logical reason. Not sure I’m feeling the Fox News subliminal gloating, but I get where she’s coming from.
Your thoughts?
R&B singer Brandy Norwood is in search of a new record deal.
BV Buzz has learned exclusively that the 30-year-old singer was just dropped by her label Epic Records because of the lackluster sales of from her comeback CD, ‘Human.’
Released on Dec. 8, 2008, the CD has only sold 196,509 units to date according to SoundScan.
“Her friend Brandon Creed that works as an A&R representative at Epic Records has been making calls to see if other labels would be interested in signing her,” a record company source told me.
In addition, Brandy has also parted ways with her management.
The former ‘Moesha’ star had been represented in recent months by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Management.
The McComb, Miss.-bred singer’s relationship with Roc Nation supposedly dissolved because of “creative differences.”
A rep for Roc Nation did confirm the split to BV Buzz.
“Roc Nation no longer reps Brandy,” the publicist Jana Fleishman said in an e-mail yesterday.
A source tells me that Brandy’s business relationship with Roc Nation “is what kept Epic Records from dropping her months ago.” Since the singer is no longer repped by the firm, the label “didn’t see the benefit in giving her another album.”
“She was signed to Epic when Charlie Walk was president of the label. Now that Amanda Ghost is president, she is the one who decided to let Brandy go,” the source explained.
Coincidentally, Roc Nation had also represented Ghost, who in addition to being president of Epic Records is a Grammy-nominated songwriter who has written for Beyoncé, Jordin Sparks and Shakira.
Brandy’s last CD ‘Human’ was her first release in more than four years and her debut album for Epic Records.
Prior to signing with Epic, the singer had recorded exclusively for Atlantic Records, where she released four CDs before parting ways with that label in 2005.
A rep for Brandy denied that the singer has been dropped from the label.
“They have not dropped her. We are trying to get a release from them. We’re in waiting,” her rep told me, before adding: “And Brandy and Roc Nation parted amicably.”
BV Buzz’s call to Ghost’s office was forwarded to Elisa Goldman in the publicity department. That call has gone unreturned.
A message was left for Creed as well, though he has yet to respond.{Source}
What ever is said in the weeks and months ahead by both parties, there’s no denying that this is a real sad situation for Brandy – if true, considering all the problems she’s been through over the last couple of years.
The situation really highlights the bogus state of the industry today; Ms. Norwood churns out one of last year’s best efforts with ‘Human’, yet goes on to sell the worst she has with any of her albums. All this despite being promoted relatively well, a point I feel important to note as many are oft quick to say their favourite wasn’t promoted right, yet if I recall right I remember seeing Brandy on numerous shows, as well as having her own BET special. As cut-throat as it may sound, it’s easy to see that Epic had no choice, as no sales=no money. That said, it’s real, real sad when an immensely talented artist in the form of Brandy, currently at her creative peak isn’t able to shift records, yet a whole bunch of nonsense can. SMH. Here’s hoping another label snaps her up swiftly.
Review up shortly (aka I’m watching it now LOL)
In the meanwhile…
What do you think of the video?
Michelle Williams is currently over here in the UK promoting her stint in the West End adaptation of Chicago, in which she will star as the fiery Roxy. Peep the interview above. Michelle, who is a good friend of this site, almost always comes across really well in interviews. Great personality, which really shines through. More power to her. I’m definitely gonna try check out one of her shows, which by the way kick off July 13th.
Your thoughts?