So, Shelby J is now famous to us by proxy - ie because she sings for Prince.

But to anyone else, she is pretty much an unknown.

Now she is on a mission to "live her dream" and cut it as a singer, moving from backing singer to lead.

She has just released a "dance track" on Beatport. (And also has the band Black Gypsy)

What do you all think to it (the dance song)?

What do you think about her - what is your opinion?

If she was fired by Prince do you think that would be the last we would ever hear of her? And do you think Prince should "cut out the dead wood" so to speak? Or do you think Prince should keep her in his employ?

Finally does Shelby J and Prince compare to Rosie Gaines and Prince singing "Nothing Compares to You" seen as they did it all over Europe on the latest tour.

Opinions on all of the above or on anything else, but specifically with regard to Shelby J

Moving ShelbyJ to associated artists forum.

ShelbyJ is

I cried ...when I heard ...nothing compares 2 U ... in duet...Wow. I thought he would never duet with anyone but Rosie Gaines on that song....but he did....& Shelby totally fills out Rosie's shoes, & even ads a heal

Well, if she's trying to make it as a singer she'd be well advised NOT to have Prince produce her CD. So she's already moving in the right direction. Not that he can't produce, but the last thing she wants is the "curse of the protege".

Wasn't she just with him over the summer doing those shows? I don't think he fired her, I think it's a case of instead of him retaining her like he did with The Revolution back in the day, she and other members of his band are free to do their other projects and then tour with him when he needs them. Sweet gig if you ask me.

She CAN sing, this is clear, but the world has tons of singers. Plus she's already got a few strikes against her unfortunately. She's brown, thick and has no hair. Plus she actually has some talent. As an African American woman who wants to make it big in the music industry (if indeed that is her intent), she's gonna have a hard road considering Beyonce is pretty much the industry standard. I am an African American woman, just putting that out there.

[Edited 8/14/10 14:07pm]

I like her style of singing and have no problem with her being a member of Prince's band.

jaybendy said:

Well, if she's trying to make it as a singer she'd be well advised NOT to have Prince produce her CD. So she's already moving in the right direction. Not that he can't produce, but the last thing she wants is the "curse of the protege".

Wasn't she just with him over the summer doing those shows? I don't think he fired her, I think it's a case of instead of him retaining her like he did with The Revolution back in the day, she and other members of his band are free to do their other projects and then tour with him when he needs them. Sweet gig if you ask me.

She CAN sing, this is clear, but the world has tons of singers. Plus she's already got a few strikes against her unfortunately. She's brown, thick and has no hair. Plus she actually has some talent. As an African American woman who wants to make it big in the music industry (if indeed that is her intent), she's gonna have a hard road considering Beyonce is pretty much the industry standard. I am an African American woman, just putting that out there.

[Edited 8/14/10 14:07pm]

I think the industry has been like that for a while, always looking for the Beyonce type, but not everyone falls for the Beyonce type. Right now the industry, in my opnion, is lacking real talent, and Shelby has it. Most of the female artists I like listening to, are not even heard on the radio, and I stopped depending on radio to provide what I like to hear, years ago.

Voices like Shelby's are seldom heard in mainstream today, as well as other artists like Leela James. I like that type of soul singing, with a touch of gospel blues. The kind that moves the soul. Today, although the industry does seem to cater to the Beyonces of today, I just don't find enough origiinality out there. Of course, you'll always find a little bit of influences in all artists, but then you have some, that take it, and create their own style.

We shall see where Shelby goes from here.

2elijah said:

jaybendy said:

Well, if she's trying to make it as a singer she'd be well advised NOT to have Prince produce her CD. So she's already moving in the right direction. Not that he can't produce, but the last thing she wants is the "curse of the protege".

Wasn't she just with him over the summer doing those shows? I don't think he fired her, I think it's a case of instead of him retaining her like he did with The Revolution back in the day, she and other members of his band are free to do their other projects and then tour with him when he needs them. Sweet gig if you ask me.

She CAN sing, this is clear, but the world has tons of singers. Plus she's already got a few strikes against her unfortunately. She's brown, thick and has no hair. Plus she actually has some talent. As an African American woman who wants to make it big in the music industry (if indeed that is her intent), she's gonna have a hard road considering Beyonce is pretty much the industry standard. I am an African American woman, just putting that out there.

[Edited 8/14/10 14:07pm]

I think the industry has been like that for a while, always looking for the Beyonce type, but not everyone falls for the Beyonce type. Right now the industry, in my opnion, is lacking real talent, and Shelby has it. Most of the female artists I like listening to, are not even heard on the radio, and I stopped depending on radio to provide what I like to hear, years ago.

Voices like Shelby's are seldom heard in mainstream today, as well as other artists like Leela James. I like that type of soul singing, with a touch of gospel blues. The kind that moves the soul. Today, although the industry does seem to cater to the Beyonces of today, I just don't find enough origiinality out there. Of course, you'll always find a little bit of influences in all artists, but then you have some, that take it, and create their own style.

We shall see where Shelby goes from here.

Oh I completely agree with you. She can totally hang with the likes of Leela James, but what I'm saying is that even Leela has only had moderate success, because of the kind of music she sings, and because of her persona. It's actually REAL music, not this pop nonsense that's been pushed on the public for so long. I feel tho, like there are certain levels that singers like Shelby and Leena and the like can reach until they can go no further, sort of like a glass ceiling if you will, with very few exceptions. India Aire managed to break the ceiling, but "they" promptly repaired it when she got slighted at the Grammys. She lost those Grammy's to A Keys... and I don't wanna bring this up, not that Keys isn't talented, but she's that "type". U know what I mean.

Now mainstream music has forgotten India and she's being supported by those who truly appreciate her music instead of getting that mainstream success.

Honestly if I were an artist like Shelby or India or Leela I'd be more than content with having I guess what you could call moderate success on my own terms with my own music w/o having to compromise. Because to have dreams of making it big in the music industry on something like actual MUSIC is like imposssible, though you never know... never say never.

OT: I didnt know Patti was gonna be in FELA. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm def gonna go now!

jaybendy said:

2elijah said:

I think the industry has been like that for a while, always looking for the Beyonce type, but not everyone falls for the Beyonce type. Right now the industry, in my opnion, is lacking real talent, and Shelby has it. Most of the female artists I like listening to, are not even heard on the radio, and I stopped depending on radio to provide what I like to hear, years ago.

Voices like Shelby's are seldom heard in mainstream today, as well as other artists like Leela James. I like that type of soul singing, with a touch of gospel blues. The kind that moves the soul. Today, although the industry does seem to cater to the Beyonces of today, I just don't find enough origiinality out there. Of course, you'll always find a little bit of influences in all artists, but then you have some, that take it, and create their own style.

We shall see where Shelby goes from here.

Oh I completely agree with you. She can totally hang with the likes of Leela James, but what I'm saying is that even Leela has only had moderate success, because of the kind of music she sings, and because of her persona. It's actually REAL music, not this pop nonsense that's been pushed on the public for so long. I feel tho, like there are certain levels that singers like Shelby and Leena and the like can reach until they can go no further, sort of like a glass ceiling if you will, with very few exceptions. India Aire managed to break the ceiling, but "they" promptly repaired it when she got slighted at the Grammys. She lost those Grammy's to A Keys... and I don't wanna bring this up, not that Keys isn't talented, but she's that "type". U know what I mean.

Now mainstream music has forgotten India and she's being supported by those who truly appreciate her music instead of getting that mainstream success.

Honestly if I were an artist like Shelby or India or Leela I'd be more than content with having I guess what you could call moderate success on my own terms with my own music w/o having to compromise. Because to have dreams of making it big in the music industry on something like actual MUSIC is like imposssible, though you never know... never say never.

OT: I didnt know Patti was gonna be in FELA. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm def gonna go now!

Definitely agree with you, and it's a shame that they are passed over by the industry, for manufactured talent. I don't think Shelby just sings strong, soulful songs, I've heard other tracks from her myspace page in the past, that were a bit softer, but I still enjoy her voice. As far as Prince showcasing her as part of his group, maybe that is why he has many of these artists in his band, because he knows the deal with the industry and how it works, according to how the industry picks/chooses artists they want sell to the public, and unfortunately much of what the industry pushes out today, is all about image, more than talent.

I was just telling someone today I remember the days of real music where most consumers didn't care what the artistIsO looked like, as long as the music was good. Gone are those days, and the sad thing is, it's many in society that demand/desire those "plastic images" and less talent. It's more labout eye candy, than talent, and then society wonders about the images young males and females damn near starve themselves to be/look like or want to get plastic surgery look/be like their idols, whether those idols are musicians/artists, models, actors/actresses, etc., it seems the same demand has hit all those industries.

Sidenote: Oh, and as far as Patti Labelle starring in Fela on Broadway, I just found out today. Saw the play sometime in the Spring and loved it, and now that Patti is going to be in it, now I will definitely go back to see it again.

[Edited 8/15/10 9:27am]

2elijah said:

jaybendy said:

Well, if she's trying to make it as a singer she'd be well advised NOT to have Prince produce her CD. So she's already moving in the right direction. Not that he can't produce, but the last thing she wants is the "curse of the protege".

Wasn't she just with him over the summer doing those shows? I don't think he fired her, I think it's a case of instead of him retaining her like he did with The Revolution back in the day, she and other members of his band are free to do their other projects and then tour with him when he needs them. Sweet gig if you ask me.

She CAN sing, this is clear, but the world has tons of singers. Plus she's already got a few strikes against her unfortunately. She's brown, thick and has no hair. Plus she actually has some talent. As an African American woman who wants to make it big in the music industry (if indeed that is her intent), she's gonna have a hard road considering Beyonce is pretty much the industry standard. I am an African American woman, just putting that out there.

[Edited 8/14/10 14:07pm]

I think the industry has been like that for a while, always looking for the Beyonce type, but not everyone falls for the Beyonce type. Right now the industry, in my opnion, is lacking real talent, and Shelby has it. Most of the female artists I like listening to, are not even heard on the radio, and I stopped depending on radio to provide what I like to hear, years ago.

Voices like Shelby's are seldom heard in mainstream today, as well as other artists like Leela James. I like that type of soul singing, with a touch of gospel blues. The kind that moves the soul. Today, although the industry does seem to cater to the Beyonces of today, I just don't find enough origiinality out there. Of course, you'll always find a little bit of influences in all artists, but then you have some, that take it, and create their own style.

We shall see where Shelby goes from here.

Nicely said people Music is not the way it use to be. You know the kind that will give you goose bumps and the person don't even have to reach the high note but just have that style you will never forget in your mind, lol.

treniselove said:

2elijah said:

I think the industry has been like that for a while, always looking for the Beyonce type, but not everyone falls for the Beyonce type. Right now the industry, in my opnion, is lacking real talent, and Shelby has it. Most of the female artists I like listening to, are not even heard on the radio, and I stopped depending on radio to provide what I like to hear, years ago.

Voices like Shelby's are seldom heard in mainstream today, as well as other artists like Leela James. I like that type of soul singing, with a touch of gospel blues. The kind that moves the soul. Today, although the industry does seem to cater to the Beyonces of today, I just don't find enough origiinality out there. Of course, you'll always find a little bit of influences in all artists, but then you have some, that take it, and create their own style.

We shall see where Shelby goes from here.

Nicely said people Music is not the way it use to be. You know the kind that will give you goose bumps and the person don't even have to reach the high note but just have that style you will never forget in your mind, lol.

Shelby will be right where she is now 5years from now....sorry she's just not marketable. She will not get as far as Tamar (which certainly is not far).

I think anything is possible and Shelby should go for it! Her voice is wonderful

4bjb said:

treniselove said:

Nicely said people Music is not the way it use to be. You know the kind that will give you goose bumps and the person don't even have to reach the high note but just have that style you will never forget in your mind, lol.

Shelby will be right where she is now 5years from now....sorry she's just not marketable. She will not get as far as Tamar (which certainly is not far).

4bjb, kind of surprised that you would have that type of negative outlook about her, when you usually have a more positive opinion of Prince-associated artists. I think it all depends on how Shelby wants to take her career. She does have her own band, and also has an album out with them. So I think it is up to her how hard she works to take her career. It doesn't matter who an artist works with, it's how much they also do work on their own to further their career.

[Edited 8/17/10 13:43pm]

Shelby has been around 4 years.............She will be around long after she stops singing 4 Prince.

I was really impressed with her when she did back up for D'angelo on his tours. Her & Anthony Hamilton both sung back up for D;angelo. I think she can do both. Pursue a solo carrer and still be a back up singer for Prince. Lisa Fisher was a major back up singer for Luther. Had a huge hit then went right back singing back up for him. I like her. Her song Is a club banger....

[Edited 8/19/10 11:10am]

shelby can do it and eye believe in her and yes we have india arie,leela which eye both like,so yes eye believe sheby can do it!After while we will get tried of these plastic no talent or somewhat talent entertainers!

jaybendy said:

2elijah said:

I think the industry has been like that for a while, always looking for the Beyonce type, but not everyone falls for the Beyonce type. Right now the industry, in my opnion, is lacking real talent, and Shelby has it. Most of the female artists I like listening to, are not even heard on the radio, and I stopped depending on radio to provide what I like to hear, years ago.

Voices like Shelby's are seldom heard in mainstream today, as well as other artists like Leela James. I like that type of soul singing, with a touch of gospel blues. The kind that moves the soul. Today, although the industry does seem to cater to the Beyonces of today, I just don't find enough origiinality out there. Of course, you'll always find a little bit of influences in all artists, but then you have some, that take it, and create their own style.

We shall see where Shelby goes from here.

Oh I completely agree with you. She can totally hang with the likes of Leela James, but what I'm saying is that even Leela has only had moderate success, because of the kind of music she sings, and because of her persona. It's actually REAL music, not this pop nonsense that's been pushed on the public for so long. I feel tho, like there are certain levels that singers like Shelby and Leena and the like can reach until they can go no further, sort of like a glass ceiling if you will, with very few exceptions. India Aire managed to break the ceiling, but "they" promptly repaired it when she got slighted at the Grammys. She lost those Grammy's to A Keys... and I don't wanna bring this up, not that Keys isn't talented, but she's that "type". U know what I mean.

Now mainstream music has forgotten India and she's being supported by those who truly appreciate her music instead of getting that mainstream success.

Honestly if I were an artist like Shelby or India or Leela I'd be more than content with having I guess what you could call moderate success on my own terms with my own music w/o having to compromise. Because to have dreams of making it big in the music industry on something like actual MUSIC is like imposssible, though you never know... never say never.

OT: I didnt know Patti was gonna be in FELA. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm def gonna go now!

great singers who are finding marginal success need to rethink what is a success.

Is it having a core audience that support you through buying cd and going to concerts? or is it hooking up with a "Clive Davis" type that will push you into stratosphere... a place that you can't breathe, can't think, can't sing your own music. anyway, you are singing for "them" not breathing life into the song of your soul.

I just recently read the biography of Phyllis Hyman, and her frustration of not "making it big" coupled with inherited mental issues broke her down, and cause her to give up.

Terrible loss for us (fans). I hope that never happens again.

[Edited 8/19/10 23:19pm]

Shelby's a great singer but I'm not that fond of her work with Prince. Her voice doesn't blend as well with his as some of the other singers he has worked with.

BobGeorgetheoriginal said:

So, Shelby J is now famous to us by proxy - ie because she sings for Prince.

But to anyone else, she is pretty much an unknown.

Now she is on a mission to "live her dream" and cut it as a singer, moving from backing singer to lead.

She has just released a "dance track" on Beatport. (And also has the band Black Gypsy)

What do you all think to it (the dance song)?

What do you think about her - what is your opinion?

If she was fired by Prince do you think that would be the last we would ever hear of her? And do you think Prince should "cut out the dead wood" so to speak? Or do you think Prince should keep her in his employ?

Finally does Shelby J and Prince compare to Rosie Gaines and Prince singing "Nothing Compares to You" seen as they did it all over Europe on the latest tour.

Opinions on all of the above or on anything else, but specifically with regard to Shelby J

Cool chick, great performer and singer ...

prodigalfan said:

jaybendy said:

Oh I completely agree with you. She can totally hang with the likes of Leela James, but what I'm saying is that even Leela has only had moderate success, because of the kind of music she sings, and because of her persona. It's actually REAL music, not this pop nonsense that's been pushed on the public for so long. I feel tho, like there are certain levels that singers like Shelby and Leena and the like can reach until they can go no further, sort of like a glass ceiling if you will, with very few exceptions. India Aire managed to break the ceiling, but "they" promptly repaired it when she got slighted at the Grammys. She lost those Grammy's to A Keys... and I don't wanna bring this up, not that Keys isn't talented, but she's that "type". U know what I mean.

Now mainstream music has forgotten India and she's being supported by those who truly appreciate her music instead of getting that mainstream success.

Honestly if I were an artist like Shelby or India or Leela I'd be more than content with having I guess what you could call moderate success on my own terms with my own music w/o having to compromise. Because to have dreams of making it big in the music industry on something like actual MUSIC is like imposssible, though you never know... never say never.

OT: I didnt know Patti was gonna be in FELA. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm def gonna go now!

great singers who are finding marginal success need to rethink what is a success.

Is it having a core audience that support you through buying cd and going to concerts? or is it hooking up with a "Clive Davis" type that will push you into stratosphere... a place that you can't breathe, can't think, can't sing your own music. anyway, you are singing for "them" not breathing life into the song of your soul.

I just recently read the biography of Phyllis Hyman, and her frustration of not "making it big" coupled with inherited mental issues broke her down, and cause her to give up.

Terrible loss for us (fans). I hope that never happens again.

[Edited 8/19/10 23:19pm]

I can not believe that I missed this thread.

I have yet to download her latest Black Gypsy CD and it is only because I have to download it via the library computer. Had she released it in stores I would have done it by now.

Shelby may never be a house hold name but neither are MOST of my favorites.

I saw Odetta twice, nobody knows her - she died recently and she was fantastic. She was a heavy set woman that did NOTHING but sit on a stage with an accoustic guitar and sing, no back-up musicians, dancers etc and her energy just filled the room. UNBELIEVABLE.

Phyllis Hymans rendition of Betcha By Golly Wow was the absolute best and it's unbelievable that she let let not "making it big' ruin her. She was also gorgeous in my opinion.

Joan Armatrading is amazing but few Americans know of her.

Toni Child is another deep voiced singer I saw in person and loved but is hardly known in America.

Rosie has it all over the likes of many whose names are known in America and to my knowledge she has not ever had to do anything outside of music to pay bills.

Many of these women choose not to be HUGE stars verses making compromises in there music and lifelstyle that most great successes have to make. Grace Jones disapeared for a while partly because of drugs and partly because she wanted to do the music she wanted to do.

In the end I think Shelby will be like many of these women. Never a household name but deffinately having a huge underground fan base.

Shelby has a great voice, a contemporary R&B look/image and would fit nicely within the Jill Scott/Angie Stone/Badu types. I agree she shouldn't be produced by Prince but if he puts her in a female group he might surprise us all.

It's funny how some people here act like they know Shelby J's future through a crytal ball or something.Lol!

Before Prince hired her great talents, she was a background vocalist on D'angelo's VooDoo tour a decade ago.

DesireeNevermind said:

Shelby has a great voice, a contemporary R&B look/image and would fit nicely within the Jill Scott/Angie Stone/Badu types. I agree she shouldn't be produced by Prince but if he puts her in a female group he might surprise us all.

Oh, and God love them for being who they are and sticking to what they stand for. Both of those women ooze talent out of every pore of their voluptous bodies. they never let being a size 16+ prevent them for going for their dreams.

I hope Shelby does the same, and you are right... she would fit in that genre. Don't forget India Arie. Not so thick, but still unconventional. These women are the antidote to Beyonce, Rihanna, Ashanti, etc.

prodigalfan said:

DesireeNevermind said:

Shelby has a great voice, a contemporary R&B look/image and would fit nicely within the Jill Scott/Angie Stone/Badu types. I agree she shouldn't be produced by Prince but if he puts her in a female group he might surprise us all.

Oh, and God love them for being who they are and sticking to what they stand for. Both of those women ooze talent out of every pore of their voluptous bodies. they never let being a size 16+ prevent them for going for their dreams.

I hope Shelby does the same, and you are right... she would fit in that genre. Don't forget India Arie. Not so thick, but still unconventional. These women are the antidote to Beyonce, Rihanna, Ashanti, etc.

Mavis Staples can still get a write up for a new release in a major publication at 71 and yet she has never been a household name to the extent of Dionne Warwick or Dianna Ross. I think Shelby J would be wise to look at the long hall. That is it from my crystal ball for today

I'm a big D'Angelo fan and had seen a Vodoo show without realising it was her on backing vocals. Quite a big leap in camp ethos from Voodoo to JW. I think the Voodoo show suited her far more. Her wacky style is a bit wild for Prince's current suits and ties schtick.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

I was really impressed with her when she did back up for D'angelo on his tours. Her & Anthony Hamilton both sung back up for D;angelo. I think she can do both. Pursue a solo carrer and still be a back up singer for Prince. Lisa Fisher was a major back up singer for Luther. Had a huge hit then went right back singing back up for him. I like her. Her song Is a club banger....

[Edited 8/19/10 11:10am]

So that was her! Yeah she was great with them.

About how old is Shelby J?

4bjb said:

treniselove said:

Nicely said people Music is not the way it use to be. You know the kind that will give you goose bumps and the person don't even have to reach the high note but just have that style you will never forget in your mind, lol.

Shelby will be right where she is now 5years from now....sorry she's just not marketable. She will not get as far as Tamar (which certainly is not far).

And where does that awesome voice of Bria's fit in?

Shelby is a TRUE talent and a very warm, friendly person from what I could gather after chatting with her a few times in Vegas. I hope she does well with her career.

[Edited 10/2/10 8:55am]