JANET JACKSON “What have you done for me lately?” It’s a timeless lyric and one that reads all too true in Ms. Jackson’s case. After the Super Bowl fiasco of 2004, Janet’s music career has been on a serious downward spiral. Despite the help of numerous big name producers (Kanye West, Ne-Yo, The-Dream, just to name a few), Janet’s been unable to reclaim the sales or success of her multi-platinum selling albums of the 90’s. With a total lack of interest in her musical endeavors from even hardcore fans, Janet has been churning out lackluster albums for the past several years. Last year’s greatest hits package, Number Ones, further added insult to injury when new tracks where compiled with Janet classics, in what many critics referred to as an ‘uneven pairing’. So what does Janet Jackson need to do to resuscitate her music career…and at this point is it even possible? Well the second half of that question is an easy ‘Hell Yeah’--it’s the first half that’s trickier and here’s why… Janet has spent years in the limelight with the sex kitten personality we’ve all come to love. Yet the time has come for her to let go of that image and recreate herself in a more mature fashion. We don’t need more sultry songs about sex with breathy vocals and overwrought production. We don’t need to see Janet all done up in leather or half naked. Janet we know your body is bangin’, we’ve pretty much seen it all at this point. You’re 43 now; let’s go with the less-is-more rule. An outfit need not be outrageous in order to be sexy or provocative. Musically, you need to get back to making songs with purpose, ala ‘Control’ or ‘Rhythm Nation’. Also stay away from producers just because they are what’s ‘hot’. Jermaine Dupri never did a damn thing for your career, yet he was able to create massive hits for people like Mariah Carey and Usher. It’s all about chemistry and an understanding of the artist; which is why you need to get back in the lab with Jimmy and Terry. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis helped shape your career and while you parted ways with them for your last studio album, a reunion is desperately needed at this point. Rumor is that will happen on your upcoming album, so here’s hoping. Your current single ‘Nothing’ from the ‘Why Did I Get Married Too?’ soundtrack is a great indication of where you should shift your career. Guitar-heavy ballads which showcase your voice coupled with mid-to-uptempo songs which display your personality would make the perfect pairing. Super producer Darkchild is said to be heavily involved in this new album, so let’s hope he does right by you and the fans. America loves a comeback, and with MJ’s recent death, sympathy is already on your side. All it takes at this point is Janet giving 100% and refocusing her efforts to cater to her older audience. Chasing the Lady Gaga crowd isn’t going to work (they honestly don’t care), instead center on giving people an inside look as opposed to this over-sexed image you’ve been flaunting for so many tired years. The sad truth is with more than ten albums released, the public still doesn’t know very much about Janet the person. You’ve managed to keep relationships, and even marriages, secret--how about you really open up and use your music as the way to do so?
MARIAH CAREY Oh Mimi how I love thee, but if the recent announcement of your cancelled album is any indication, it’s time for a make over (literally). Let’s start with your look. The retro vibes you showcased during promotion for ‘Memoirs’ was interesting because it is one of the first times in your long career you’ve managed to change up your style. Although some would argue that making yourself look like you did in the early 90’s isn’t really changing, but it was out of the norm and thoroughly enjoyed. For a new look, may I suggest a cut and color? As much as I love the long locks, unless you are auditioning for a role in Disney’s new Rapunzel, the long hair layered look is out. Diddo for the not-quite-brown, not-quite-blonde, that everyone from Beyoncé to Mary J. Blige has copied. Wouldn’t it be outrageous to see Mariah debut a stunning new hairstyle? I’m just saying… I also want to use this space to address your choice in clothing. During the awards season we saw MC in numerous ill-fitting and just plain tacky garments. Mariah, might you consult with someone like Mary J, who knows how to dress age appropriately? Not every gown need look like a prom dress. Keep your boobs in check, we know they are there. You shouldn’t be falling out of a dress, nor should you be falling because of one (yes we all saw you almost trip at the People’s Choice Awards)! But more importantly, a renewed focus needs to be placed on your music. Last year’s album was by far one of the slowest selling albums of your career. While the project was centered around top notch production courtesy of The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, the fans were not pleased. So how do you please the broad range of fans that have followed and love you? Well start by giving them what they want, literally. The Emancipation album was huge because it catered to everyone. There were ballads, mid-tempo numbers, and club bangas. Ask any Mariah fan and each will have an opinion on what you should be singing, so why not please them all with diversity? The one producer who seems to know you the best, and coincidently gave you some of your biggest hits, was Jermaine Dupri. Yet why was he noticeably absent from ‘Memoirs’? Fans would love to hear what new stuff JD can cook up for you. Also, for years now people have been clamoring for a Mariah/Timbaland collabo. Let’s not forget Timbo got his start by making great R&B for the likes of Aaliyah and Ginuwine. Imagine how great a Timbaland slow jam with Mariah’s vocals would be? Speaking of producers, Grammy winner James Poyser gave Mariah some material of real substance on Emancipation and E=MC2, providing songs with live orchestration and soulful melodies. He needs to be part of MC’s next project for sure. Another thing, your penchant for rappers is amusing to say the least. While we are all aware that you single-handedly created, (and then perfected) the rap-sung collaboration, let’s be a little more creative the next time around. Might I suggest getting together with Drake and/or T.I. for a song? Twista is the only rapper who can flow as fast as you can sing, so how about another collabo between you two? Also speaking of collabos, where are the male singers on your albums? Jamie Foxx, Robin Thicke, and Usher, are just a few names who would make great duet partners. And last I leave you with this, take some time off for God’s sake! Don’t let people become sick of you. It’s important to make fans long to hear the sound of your voice. Rushing to put an album out is not a good look. Focus on your new film career and when the time is right, jump back on the charts on the strength of your voice (which contrary to what people are saying, we all know you still have). Get away from the lower register and simple singing, and let’s hear that multi-octave talent you have (and not just in the last 30 seconds of a song please). Thanks.
DADDY YANKEE My how things so quickly change! During the summer of 2004, Puerto Rican Reggaetón artist Daddy Yankee became America’s next big thing. While many referred to him as an overnight sensation, Yankee’s true fans knew his explosion into the U.S. was a long time coming. During ’04-’06 numerous songs charted on Billboard and gained Yankee immense fame in the States and also abroad. Known for his rapid style flow, Caribbean swagger, and bass pumping beats, Daddy Yankee could do no wrong. Yet here we are just a few short years later and the man can barely get an album out! What happened? Well where do I start? Hmm… In the time it took Daddy Yankee to gain popularity, the genre which he pretty much brought to the U.S., became oversaturated. Reggaetóneros were a dime a dozen and one need not look far to see examples of this. Further complicating things was the rising popularity of DY’s main producers, the Luny Tunes. Luny Tunes churned out more reggaetón in the last five years than one could fathom; even managing to score deals to work with big names like Ricky Martin, R. Kelly, Janet Jackson, and Shakira. Flash forward to late last year, when after a short hiatus Yankee announced he would be returning to the airwaves with a new studio album. Interest in this new project seemed lackluster at best. Most felt the best of what Daddy Yankee had to offer was behind him. Rabid fans in Yankee’s home country of Puerto Rico were turned off by 2007’s ‘El Cartel: The Big Boss’ album, calling Yankee a sellout for the numerous collaborations with American artist and several pop-like tracks which veered away from Daddy Yankee’s hardcore rap personality. Yet despite that, the album was well received by critics and went on to sell more than 3 million copies (although it should be noted that ‘Barrio Fino’ sold almost 7 million copies). Yankee’s upcoming album was titled ‘Mundial’ and promised in the fourth quarter of 2009. When the date came and went with no album release, fans began wondering what happened. The singles released from this album thus far, have failed the make the impact (pun intended lol) of previous DY releases at radio and more importantly, on the charts. Adding insult to injury was Daddy Yankee’s last minute decision to switch record distribution from Universal to his new home Sony Music. What this means for fans is that most of the material previously recorded for ‘Mundial’ may not appear on the album at all. Artists like Don Omar and Luis Fonsi, who both were thought to be part of ‘Mundial’ will no longer be featured. So what can fans expect from the new album now due April 27th? Well the Luny Tunes are involved, yet in a very limited capacity. Instead Yankee wisely chose to seek out new producers in an effort to return to his musical roots. This is exactly what Daddy Yankee needs to do to appeal once again to both the mainstream and his diehard fans. Here’s a suggestion, instead of focusing on big name collabos with rappers and singers, how about some big name producer collaborations? Can you imagine what Daddy Yankee could do with a Dr. Dre beat? Or how hot a song from Jim Jonsin, Swizz Beatz, or Danja would be with Yankee’s vocals? The results could be impressive to say the least. While it’s far too late to hope something like this will happen for the new album--since it’s already recorded--one hopes future releases could benefit from inspired thinking. It remains to be seen how well Daddy Yankee’s ‘Mundial’ will perform, yet with a focus on catering to beats of the world (hence the title), the use of soca, vallenato, cumbia, dancehall, bachata, merengue, and European techno may help propel this project to success after all.
R. KELLY The term musical genius should never be applied generously, yet in R. Kelly’s case, it is well deserved. The self-proclaimed ‘Pied Piper of R&B’ has garnered numerous accolades in a career that has spanned decades and millions of album sales, despite legal troubles and controversy. Yet for all his fame and talent, R. Kelly’s most recent album is widely considered a sales flop. What happened? After being on the market for over three months, ‘Untitled’ has yet to pass the 300,000 mark—a career low for Kelly. Not even the inclusion of hot up-and-comer Keri Hilson seemed to help sales. So where does one foster the blame in this situation and what can be done to fix the problem? Well the problem is easy to identify, it’s Kelly himself. And fixing it might be harder than you think. R. Kelly’s music has always since its inception contained strong ties to sexual innuendo, situations, and themes. Yet as of late, that really seems to be the only thing Kelly has to sing about. Where are the deep inspired songs like: ‘I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)’, ‘I Wish’, and ‘When a Woman's Fed Up’? Instead garbage like ‘Bangin' the Headboard’ and ‘Be My #2’ is what loyal fans were treated to on Kelly’s current album. Kelly writes and produces the majority of his work so the blame is easy to place. Can the man who worked magic for legends like Luther Vandross, Toni Braxton, Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige and Michael Jackson really have lost his Midas touch? No, I doubt that. Instead what’s been lost is inspiration. Perhaps Kelly’s recent visit to South Africa late last year and the current announcement that he will pen his memoirs (to be released next year) will help refocus his music. R. Kelly needs to get back to classic themes in which people can relate and veer away from the bass-induced-ghetto-club tracks he’s been churning out recently. How about a reunion with MJB for a new song, or even Toni Braxton, if either one will have you? Hell we know you and Keyshia Cole are fond of each other, how about a new duet? Monica and Fantasia both have voices which will suit your sound as well. Fans want to be able to listen to an R. Kelly album and hear more than just how to sleep with a girl in the club. Raheem DeVaughn and Trey Songz are new singers building on what Kells has perfected in the past; heartfelt love songs which tell the truth. While Trey may be trying a little too hard to imitate Kelly, DeVaughn is surely on the right path with good quality music. Also much like the situation with Mariah Carey, Kelly’s label needs to do a better job of picking singles. A great example of this is how ‘Like I Do’ and ‘Elsewhere’ the strongest songs on ‘Untitled’ were not chosen for radio release. Stay away from trying to chase the younger crowd (Ne-Yo, Usher and The-Dream can do that), instead cater to the mature audience that is waiting for you and your sound to grow up and flourish. With the majority of his upcoming album ‘Zodiac’ finished, let’s hope R. Kelly can heed some of this advice and offer fans what they really expect from this talented singer/songwriter/producer.
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
Written by CJA BABYBOI
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