MONICA (January 2010) Monica has struggled over the past few years with her musical identity. 2003’s ‘After the Storm’ was a critical and commercial success, charting four singles and gaining platinum status. The follow up, 06’s ‘The Makings of Me’ stands as Monica’s lowest selling album to date, failing to even go gold despite the release of four singles (all of which were ineffective on the charts during their releases from summer 06 to summer 07). Three years later, Monica is set to return to her roots. Moving past the hip-hop influences of her last album, and focusing on the R&B sound that got her noticed in the first place. Dozens of songs have been recorded for the new album titled ‘Still Standing’. The list of collaborators reads like a who’s who of the music industry, featuring Johnta Austin, Brian Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Polow da Don, Jazze Pha, Stargate, Babyface, R. Kelly, Ester Dean, Lil Jon, T-Pain, and Missy Elliott. The album’s title track leaked over the summer and gained some radio play in markets like Atlanta. That song, which features Ludacris, will not be the lead single however. Working with a myriad group of artists in search of that perfect sound has forced Still Standing to be pushed back several times. Originally expected in October, the album was then moved to December 8th only to be rescheduled to January 2010 to coincide with the finale of the reality show Monica is filming to promote this CD. Taking a page from the Keyshia Cole playbook, Monica’s show (also titled Still Standing) is currently documenting her struggle to return to the charts. This whole reality show to support an album idea must be working as The Queen herself, Mary J. Blige has just inked a deal with BET to produce a show which follows the creation of her new album as well. Monica will have much to compete with when her new music is finally released, but as long as she stays true to herself and (most important her fans), she will have no trouble regaining past fame and success.
BRANDY (Summer 2010) It almost seems like a crime to mention Monica and then not mention the person who brought Mo her biggest hit to date with ‘The Boy Is Mine’. For those of you wondering where Brandy has been the past few years, you need only take a closer look at the credits of some major albums to see her many guest verses and songwriting contributions. Recently Brandy’s been featured on hit albums from John Legend, Ginuwine, and Timbaland. After the unsuccessful promotion of her last album, 2008’s ‘Human’, Brandy parted ways with label Epic and is currently shopping a new deal. Word on the street is that Def Jam is interested in signing B and releasing her new album. Said album is almost done and features production from The-Dream and Tricky as well as Ne-Yo and Stargate. No word one whether long time collaborators Timbaland and Darkchild plan to contribute, but their input wouldn’t be surprising. Brandy is also hard at work on a duet album with brother Ray J, tentatively titled ‘R&B’ which should be expected at the end of next year. That album, as the title implies, will feature heavy use of R&B melodies and well as the great harmonies of this brother-sister duo. Also look for Brandy’s rap debut (under the name Bran’Nu) on Timbaland’s Shock Value sequel out in December.
JAMIE FOXX (Spring 2010) Topping the biggest hit of your career is difficult for any artist, yet for Jamie Foxx he seems to welcome the challenge. 2010 will bring the release of his latest work rumored to be titled ‘Foxx’. Inspired by his work with T-Pain on ‘Blame It’, Jamie set out to work with artists he had no prior experience with on this album. First on that list was Justin Timberlake. Timberlake and Foxx came up with three songs for Jaime’s new project, one of which features them duetting together. Jaime also booked studio time with up and coming hit-maker Jack Splash (more on him below) in an effort to switch up his sound. Also providing sounds on this album will be Kanye West and Timbaland who’ve worked with Jamie closely on both his previous releases to great success. The lead single for the album is expected to be “Speak French” which features a guest verse from rap’s new go-to guy Gucci Mane. Look for Jamie to bring us some classic R&B (with a twist) when his new album is released early next year.
JACK SPLASH (Spring 2010) The idea that a behind the scenes hit-maker can cross into the mainstream public eye is not a new one; dating back to Diddy in the early 90’s and more recently Kanye West, Ne-Yo, and Keri Hilson. Those with immense talent can rarely stay behind the scenes. Whether your gift be songwriting, production, or background singing, with a little luck (and some industry friends) one can make it big. And with that said, the biggest most highly anticipated album of 2010 comes from producer/singer/songwriter Jack Splash. You may not know his name, but his music is everywhere. Jack gained fame after working with Cee-Lo Green (of Gnarles Barkley) several years ago. That work lead to Jack being offered a deal to produce music for Alicia Keys on her ‘As I Am’ album. Jack’s contribution, “Teenage Love Affair” was chosen as a single and landed Keys another Top 10 radio hit. Since then the list of artists who were eager to work with Jack grew immensely. He’s currently garnered studio time with John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, T-Pain, Estelle, Jamie Foxx, Missy Elliott, Jazmine Sullivan, Shakira, Raheem DeVaughn, Anthony Hamilton, Britney Spears, Clare Maguire, and Solange Knowles. Jack’s work with Jennifer Hudson, “All Dressed Up In Love” became the theme song for the popular “Sex and the City Movie”. And on her debut album, Jack co-produced and co-wrote “I’m His Only Woman” the Jennifer Hudson/Fantasia duet that went on to win a Grammy. Classifying Jack’s debut is far from easy. With a mix of Soul, Funk, Rock, Pop, and Electronica, the best definition would be to say it’s eclectic. How can something sound both old school and modern at the same time? Ask Jack. Late this past summer an unfinished track was leaked in Miami and gained heavy rotation in most of that city’s fickle clubs. This forced Jack back into the studio to properly finish the song and redistribute it as a way to build buzz for his debut. That track eventually became “I Could Have Loved You” and now features Missy Elliott and Jazmine Sullivan. Other big names lined up for the album entitled “Technology and Love Might Save Us All”, include R. Kelly and T-Pain who duet on “Ringtone” and Lupe Fiasco who’s featured on possible single “Flashback”. Also look for appearances by Kelis and Cee-Lo himself when this hot album drops in the spring.
IVY QUEEN (Spring 2010) Being in the industry for over ten years and preparing to release your seventh album is quite the accomplishment--even more so when your genre of music generally shuns artists of your gender. Yet Ivy Queen’s immense talent knows no bounds. Her last album 2007’s ‘Sentimiento’ was her highest charting yet and Top 10 single “Que Lloren” spent months on the charts in several countries. Ivy’s known for pushing her sound and reggaetón in general, into new directions. Using unique melodies and percussion with heartfelt and raw lyrics, Ivy has rightfully earned her status as Queen. 2010 will bring us her latest labor of love titled ‘Drama Queen’. The most surprising announcement of all regarding this album is the news that Ivy recently recorded a song with Beyoncé that will be featured on Drama Queen. This alone states the caliber of music this album will contain. With new management backing her, Ivy looks to expand into the U.S. ala Daddy Yankee six years ago. Given her talent, that should be an easy task; the hard part will be balancing her music so as not to alienate her loyal fan base. Other artists expected to appear on this album include Cosculluela and Zion. Ivy’s camp is keeping the production credits a closely guarded secret for now. But given the inclusion of American recording artist Beyoncé, might Ivy be using some American producers too? It’s too soon to say, but loyal fans are curious if the Luny Tunes will be producing some new tracks for Ivy, since their past collabos have been so successful. Regardless, look for Drama Queen to usher in a new era of reggaetón when it debuts at the beginning of next year!
NELLY (March 2010) Staying out of the limelight for several years can be quite hazardous to your career, especially if you’re a hip-hop artist. Just ask Nelly, whose last album ‘Brass Knuckles’ was his first after an almost 5 year hiatus. The hip-hop world is constantly moving and other artists out there are hungry for their piece of fame and success. While Nelly was away the game shifted and as a result, his return to the music world was quite unsuccessful. But that was then, and Nelly is ready to give it another try once more with a new album that is guaranteed to put him back on top. Production by The Neptunes and Polow da Don is expected, as are guest appearances from Usher, Diddy, Akon, Sean Paul, and Janet Jackson. Also expected to make a return on this album is Nelly’s group the St. Lunatics. The first official single from the new album is due in January. Can Nelly return to the multiplatinum success he’s had during the beginning of the decade? We’ll see, but it should be noted that Brass Knuckles was a fine album, one of Nelly’s best perhaps. The problem was its lack of promotion and the subsequent lack of interest from hip-hop fans. Here’s hoping Universal gets behind this record and gives it the proper push it deserves!
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Written by CJA "Babyboi"
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