This morning on The Big Phat Morning Show with Marc Clarke in Baltimore on 92Q, they were talkin about Rick James and his latest words that Alicia Keys in no way can hang with a Teena Marie, Rachell Farell and more.

He basically said the industry is pumping her too much and she is being overrrated by too many.

Tho she is gifted, I def see his point. What do u think?

I really like Keys, but Tina Marie is one of the strongest female vocalists today. Why her career has not been better...I don't know. But then again look at Nikka Costa, she has a very dynamic voice as well and she is still in the shadows so to speak.

GeMiNiSFuNkYJaMs said:

Very clearly, he's the voice of experience. Rick's been there; done that. Funny he'd play the "ONE CREATIVE CHICK THRU THE DOOR AT A TIME" game, tho'.....

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it's about time someone besides is little peons spoke about her..she's just a chick who plays the keyboards and her mother had a good record collection..if you want talent see meshell ndegeocello..oh but wait..she's not beautiful(by pop music standards), she's gay, and she's a little on the militant side..that'll never work.

I've seen Alicia Keys live, and for a rookie artist, she puts on a relatively good and entertaining show.

But "artistically" speaking, I have to agree with Rick James in saying that Ms Keys is in no way on the same level of either Teena Maria or Rachelle Ferrell, just to name two other female artists.

I heard recently on MTV or Vh1 that Alicia Keys recorded most of her album in her basement at home. The commentator said something like "most people would've never guessed that Alicia Keys new smash hit album was recorded in her basement" And I was like.... oh, yes they would! That album has "demo" written all over it. In my opinion, the album is very weak, and it sounds like it was rushed into print just because the first single was a hit. I mean, it really, really, really sounds like a "rookie" album. But, afterall, she IS a rookie and a very young rookie at that, so I do give her the benefit of the doubt. But to try to compare her to someone like Teena or Rachelle - is almost impossible - they are just not on the same level.

Interesting comments! Yeah, I am not that impressed with her album either save for two or three songs.

And I gotta be honest, "Fallin" I never took a liking too as a big hit song.

Another thing I havea problem with is yngins singing about stuff they really havent experienced yet. Not saying she hasnt but it seems at times everyone gets into this bag of singing about the confusion part of love which is only a temporary part of it!

There's so many parts of love good and bad, but they keep puttin out the "lost" part! Im sick of hearing of that part of love or lovin somebody!

It reminds me of BET and their programming, they only show one side of it. One slice of a big pie.

peace!

motherafrica said:

That's what I call the nail on the head.

do I think Alicia Keys is OVER Hyped... YES

but Rick James??? this guy has NO talent.. he wasted all his heat in the early 80's.. when he had something going on.. because of a "free base" pipe in his hand..

the guy is yet another pissed off musican, who window has closed.. and now wants to bitch.. is he going to be "our Little richard"??? some jerkoff with 3 songs maybe you know.. BUT "knows whos good and bad".. and "whats wrong with everything"..

Rick all you are is a Crack head.. go hide at home.. NO one cares..

* Public Relations Trick 101 ( when you SUCK) : YOU wouldn't even have your name or "points of view" in ANY paper.. if you were NOT trashing the "hottest" star at the moment..

what a scum bag.. go stare at the wall you .. no talent crack head.
[This message was edited Mon Mar 11 23:35:34 PST 2002 by locoarts]

Locoarts....Rick James DOES have talent! I don't know how old you are,but back in the early 80s,Rick was creating some of the funkiest jams of the day.Sure,he has his share of "issues" too,but then so does James Brown,Sly Stone,and even Prince! I consider Rick's 1981 'Street Songs' album to be classic funk at its' best.

hey whats up david

yeah, but we found out what was more important to Rick Music or Crack..

he is a BUM , and for him to "try" to get press by bad mouthing anyone.. is sad.

I like Alicia but she is getting WAY too much exposure and if her publicity machine is not careful she could face some sort of backlash!!! Where does she goes from here??? Can she repeat this level of success coming from her very first album? Only time will tell.

Teena Marie has certainly made some of the best underrated albums of the 80's. She is very diverse and eclectic. She came out funking under the wings of Slick Rick...then broke away from him and elevated her level of musicanship. For this.... I respect and commend her.

"Alright you freaks...give it up for Lady T!!!!!"

* Brother 9/15 aka CR3

I agree with Rick completely. He also said he liked the talent of India and a few other females.

Before the Grammy's the industry gossip was that Clive Davis was buying her a Grammy because he has something to prove after being ousted from Arista. I think Alicia is going to have a lot of proving to do because her industry respect is not that high. You could kind of pick up on that during the show.

Who knows India and Alicia may turn into brown skin version of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper. Cyndi won best new artist. Madonna is the superstar.

Interesting NeptunesDaughter! Could this be a personal thing between Clive and the other head honchos?! Whoooo!

I read on of the music sites he paid CBS 3 Million in advertising to seal the deal!

Damn! Is that how the industry "really" works?!?!

(From The Godfather).."It's not personal Sonny, it's business!"

Who knew?!?!

peace!

GeMiNiSFuNkYJaMs said:

Yeah supposedly it is. The people he put in place kicked him out and sat LA Reid in his place. He had something to prove. Now, I guess Alicia does. I must admit she doesn't impress me much. I think Accoustic Soul and Mahogany Soul were much better.

LOL @ the godfather reference. its right on time!

NeptunesDaughter said:

Faulty logic here. The industry already VOTED her their acceptance!!!. Nothing at all t like that was evidenced in the show. At least NARAS loves her!

TEENA MARIE! TEENA MARIE!! TEENA MARIE!!!

I'll have my cake & eat it too, someday

Alicia Keyes received SOUL TRAIN AWARDS for her album SONGS IN A MINOR, "Fallin", and was recognized as FEMALE ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR.

Take this with a grain of salt; in previous years they have awarded Kenny G with BEST JAZZ Album.
(tho' I think they dropped that category).

The ceremony took place Wed 3/20/02 and is tape delayed for later broadcast. Check this link for air times.
http://www.soultrain.com/...tions.html

Alicia Keys is definitely beautiful, and has talent. That said, she's failed to impress me much thus far, and I feel she is overhyped in comparison to other (IMO) more talented acts who are having difficulty getting even the slightest amount of air play (Res and Amel Larrieux come to mind).

I concur with Rick James -- Alicia can't begin to compare to either Teena Marie or Rachelle Ferrell -- AT THIS POINT. I don't know that a comparison is necessarily fair, considering Alicia is a new, unproven artist with an as-yet nonexistent track record.

abucah said:

Ah yes...more of the hype-publicity machine taking from previous great artists to build there new one. The Stevie hair, sitting at the piano...the Prince basement demo thing...Is that Falling song based on James Brown Man's World song? I also don't get the song if it's happy (lyrically) or sad...sad I think, since song written in A minor are depressing.

Okay Alicia is talented, but I saw her on the soul Train Music awards and when she got up, I thought she couldn't handle the mike like Nikka...that my friends is important, and I thought she was to slow and uncharismatic...BUT I think she can grow, if she takes over a little more.

But I agree with Rick, she was waaay over hyped.

Wow I thought it was just me who didn't go (ga ga) over Alicia..I'll give it too her though what ever awards she has received to date "take 'em and run"! You either got with the album or not..I didn't because I tend to gravitate to the pipes and styles of Patti, Teena, Rachelle, Sade, and someone mentioned Amel yeah I dig her too!

She's pretty and I must say seeing her perform is a little disappointing because I was just so sick of hearing her songs. She is young and hopefully she will not try to push another album out to quickly. Too many expectations will be resting on the next release and God forbid if it's garbage!

But we all know it takes a little bit of everything to stay in the business (creativity, style, pipes, confidence, and a little bit of BOOTY KISSING). We have stuck with Prince because we have witnessed his EVOLUTION. Even though we may have not like everything he's has put out, he has proven time and time again he is the MF'n MAN!

So maybe Rick has a few problems...don't we all...You cannot deny he did bring up a valid point although there is absolutely NO comparison with the other 2 ladies mentioned. That just wasn't faiR, Alicia still has a little more milk to wipe away before she gets there. I wish her all the best for the future. PEACE

Well...in short, Rick seems 2 always B a bit bitter about something. I love me some Teena Marie, always will...being part Portuguese its in my blood 2~ But Rick who has always had a nasty word or 2 about the man who once served as his opening act 2 only B left in the dust a few years later by the same man who is now done more 4 music then Rick could in 12 lifetimes~ Sorry Rick, even if U didn't fall in love with the crack pipe, U still would not B on Prince's level. In regards 2 Miss Key's shame on U Rick....U can't fade her in no way shape or form. Its not about Teena being better etc....this young lady has got skills & has worked super hard 2 B where shes at. (No Crack Needed.) She thus far is serious about her music Rick....something U fell off of in a major way. Damn thinking about U on your cover of that flop LP Wonderful....yeah U was tryin 2 B Prince like alittle U think? And one thing U can't say Rick.....Is that live on stage your voice was something beautiful 2 hear....U putting out your last double CD with one disc being alive one of your Long Beach show from the height of your career. It really shows me your singing was pretty bad at times & U made sure the crowd helped U out when U needed "2" hands.....Rick between me & U, and I do dig your old stuff....But Miss Keys can blow U away in terms of being the goods LIVE~~~

vocally keys cant hang with teena right ma dawgs? keep it real. alicia got those hand props to stroke us all but d a vocals could use some work. alicia mad props you role with the shorty prince, vut baby cant hang with old skool.

choose the bigstick popsicle.....get yo face dirty

mrfreeze8761 said:

That moronic comparison strictly came from Rick James. No one brought it up until Rick starting talkin' shit a mil a minute.

does anyone remember
'ees a shmokkah!!!

Rick james was the bomb way back

I don't think Rick can really compare a debut artist like Alicia Keys against two seasoned artists like Teena and Rachelle. Granted, I can agree she's way over-hyped, but there's no comparison between these three artists. None. I also didn't go ga-ga over Alicia because I'm wary when an artist is over-hyped because it gives them too much to live up to, like look what happened to Trent D'Arby. But then Trent was awesome, but the magic in his album when it first came out was it was so special, but the over-hyping of him all over the world raised expectations to a level where people were expecting the same thing for his second album and when he went a bit off-center, it bombed. It isn't his fault, very few artists can survive that kind of hype. I'm sure Ms. Alicia will be around for some time, but it's the second album which really establishes an artist.

Still, I still love Rick James' music and Teena was the "awe" and for me "It Must Be Magic" is still the best album I have from her - just in my opinion.

Intersting comments from all.

LadyQ, I hear what you are saying too. Teena Marie and Rachell are def seasoned. I didn't read the article, but from what Marc and the crew read and discussed on their show
http://www.bigphatmorningshow.com/# Rick's words weren't too flattering for Alicia!

Rick mentioned several other female artists too, I can't remember all the names, but their were at least four or five others, and I saw his point in each example. It did sound like he meant when they first came out like she is basically new right now.

Which raises another question I guess only Rick could answer: Did he mean when they were her age, they still would surpass her in talent overall, or once they hit their prime, cuz in that case, no one really knows how high Alicia will fly before its all over-we can only guess based on her current skills, and try to connect the dots, etc.

Speaking of Teena Marie check out these pics when she came to DC with The Tom Joyner Morning SkyShow, I heard her warming up her bass when she came to where Prince played too-The Warner Theatre!

http://www.myhpphotos.com/tjsb/tjsb.htm

peace!

Speaking of Teena Marie,when is she ever gonna release her new CD 'Black Reign'?? She's been working on it for a few years now.Last year,she appeared on a local radio station and played one of the new songs.It was a ballad called "He Loves Me Too" (a duet with another female vocalist).On her official website,she says she is re-working some tracks.

Now that Rick James is touring again,I'd love to see her hook up with him for a summer reunion tour.