trueiopian said:

elmer said:

20Ten pretty much slayed everything last year.

If you wanna take the piss, why don't you kind GTFO of our site please. Yes, our site...prince fans!!!

20 TEN was great.

janelle Monae is ok..not great, not mediocre.

ANYWAYS...

rebelenterprise said:

JoeTyler said:

Reason? there's a reason: lack of great singles. The day she releases a super-single, that's when she'll become a star (at least in the US-UK)

It's "easy" to produce/release an album, if you're in the business (nearly 3000 albums are released every year all over the world, some are good, many are crappy, and a few are really strong), but to write timeless singles like Hot Stuff, Private Dancer, Rhythm Nation, Creep or even Independent Woman is not easy...perhaps she should work with professional songwriters (not necessarily sellouts) just to get that final spark that turns a good song into a monster hit...

I'd love to be a fan, but right now, I can only respect her and, like you, wish her the best...

OK...You're definitely on the money, Joe...Interestingly enough, though, I don't even think she's focused on singles...or that's the perception I get from her business standpoint as of late. The mainstream industry only lets one, maybe two black artists in who do music different than regular hip-hop/R&B (funk,rock,alternative,etc.) every several years. Sometimes longer than that. The last time before Janelle that something on that level happened of course was with Outkast & arguably to a lesser extent, The Neptunes' N.E.R.D..

But with the Kast, it was different, they were already arguably the greatest hip-hop group of the 90s/early 2000s before Speakerboxx/The Love Below was released. And of course, The Neptunes were the hottest hip-hop/pop producers PERIOD at the time. Janelle almost came out of nowhere "mainstream" wise, even though people hip to the independent scene knew about her.

Tightrope probably should've been a hit on the level of Hey Ya!, but everyone was anticipating that song & the album. It's almost to her best interest that it didn't become a worldwide smash, cause people would have been quick to label her a one hit wonder. There are actually some who label Dre3000 a one hit wonder because of Hey Ya!, which is why he ended up hating performing that song...& stopped performing all together.

She may need "catchier" songs if she really wants to be a known "pop" artist, but I believe she just wants her "art" to be seen & heard, & be a success on her own terms. The mainstream has a stranglehold on that as well, only certain producers/songwriters get play nowadays. And just about anything can be a hit, with the right money & promotional support. Janelle's main promotion IS her live show.

With Diddy's supposed strong-arm business tactics, who knows why Janelle isn't bigger than she is now...But then again, he's managing Nikki Minaj now (I figure he still is), so we see where his attention is going. Tightrope had real HORNS & a live bass guitar on it...Big NO-NOs in the world of mainstream pop/urban music.

I would love to see Janelle move more into the realm of rock and heavier funk myself, instead of trying to even attempt to be a new queen of pop. Let B. & Mr. Raymond believe they're creating new musical genres...

Right on the money!

She's smart girl.. I really like the way she handling her career... She almost becoming a pop star by being the anti-pop star. She seems to have a good idea on the music biz and make a lot of the right move in my opinion... And your spot on about her selling herself on her lives shows... I've been to several this year and she's gotten and better and better each time... and she's always performing! Always on tour! I kinda hope she doesn't burn herself out. I recall her saying something to the effect that she wanted to be like James Brown and do 300 show a year! An she hasn't been far off from that goal. She has more or less been touring since the Spring 2010. She in Brazil right now opening for Amy Winehouse where she is stealing the show... After her concert she became the top twitter topic in the whole country of Brazil! They where even doing even news story's on her (see below) Her live performances have got that kind of buzz in the United States as well... Twice after live national TV performances she's become the top twitter topic in the whole United States... Once even being the top twitter topic in the whole world... So she's defiantly creating a buzz for herself. No doubt about that.

As far as her image. I have a lot of confidence in her not selling herself out the sex game... Not to say that she will ALWAYS be wearing suits and bow ties but I don't think your gonna see her go all Lady Gaga or even Beyonce on you... She said that she has even turned down artists who wanted to work with because they just didn't have the same standards as she did... Which shows she has strong beliefs. She also mention that earlier obn her career a lot photographers and what not pushed her to be wearing more sexier and reveling clothing but she refused... But said now that she doesn't really get that much anymore..

[Edited 1/11/11 12:27pm]

P2daP said:

rebelenterprise said:

OK...You're definitely on the money, Joe...Interestingly enough, though, I don't even think she's focused on singles...or that's the perception I get from her business standpoint as of late. The mainstream industry only lets one, maybe two black artists in who do music different than regular hip-hop/R&B (funk,rock,alternative,etc.) every several years. Sometimes longer than that. The last time before Janelle that something on that level happened of course was with Outkast & arguably to a lesser extent, The Neptunes' N.E.R.D..

But with the Kast, it was different, they were already arguably the greatest hip-hop group of the 90s/early 2000s before Speakerboxx/The Love Below was released. And of course, The Neptunes were the hottest hip-hop/pop producers PERIOD at the time. Janelle almost came out of nowhere "mainstream" wise, even though people hip to the independent scene knew about her.

Tightrope probably should've been a hit on the level of Hey Ya!, but everyone was anticipating that song & the album. It's almost to her best interest that it didn't become a worldwide smash, cause people would have been quick to label her a one hit wonder. There are actually some who label Dre3000 a one hit wonder because of Hey Ya!, which is why he ended up hating performing that song...& stopped performing all together.

She may need "catchier" songs if she really wants to be a known "pop" artist, but I believe she just wants her "art" to be seen & heard, & be a success on her own terms. The mainstream has a stranglehold on that as well, only certain producers/songwriters get play nowadays. And just about anything can be a hit, with the right money & promotional support. Janelle's main promotion IS her live show.

With Diddy's supposed strong-arm business tactics, who knows why Janelle isn't bigger than she is now...But then again, he's managing Nikki Minaj now (I figure he still is), so we see where his attention is going. Tightrope had real HORNS & a live bass guitar on it...Big NO-NOs in the world of mainstream pop/urban music.

I would love to see Janelle move more into the realm of rock and heavier funk myself, instead of trying to even attempt to be a new queen of pop. Let B. & Mr. Raymond believe they're creating new musical genres...

Right on the money!

She's smart girl.. I really like the way she handling her career... She almost becoming a pop star by being the anti-pop star. She seems to have a good idea on the music biz and make a lot of the right move in my opinion... And your spot on about her selling herself on her lives shows... I've been to several this year and she's gotten and better and better each time... and she's always performing! Always on tour! I kinda hope she doesn't burn herself out. I recall her saying something to the effect that she wanted to be like James Brown and do 300 show a year! An she hasn't been far off from that goal. She has more or less been touring since the Spring 2010. She in Brazil right now opening for Amy Winehouse where she is stealing the show... After her concert she became the top twitter topic in the whole country of Brazil! They where even doing even news story's on her (see below) Her live performances have got that kind of buzz in the United States as well... Twice after live national TV performances she's become the top twitter topic in the whole United States... Once even being the top twitter topic in the whole world... So she's defiantly creating a buzz for herself. No doubt about that.

As far as her image. I have a lot of confidence in her not selling herself out the sex game... Not to say that she will ALWAYS be wearing suits and bow ties but I don't think your gonna see her go all Lady Gaga or even Beyonce on you... She said that she has even turned down artists who wanted to work with because they just didn't have the same standards as she did... Which shows she has strong beliefs. She also mention that earlier obn her career a lot photographers and what not pushed her to be wearing more sexier and reveling clothing but she refused... But said now that she doesn't really get that much anymore..

[Edited 1/11/11 12:27pm]

One of the main things I enjoyed about the album were the subtle references to some of the books(Octavia Butler's Kindred) and movies(Charles Burnett's Killer Of Sheep - one of my all-times fave/underrated movies) in her music.

Harlepolis said:

One of the main things I enjoyed about the album were the subtle references to some of the books(Octavia Butler's Kindred) and movies(Charles Burnett's Killer Of Sheep - one of my all-times fave/underrated movies) in her music.

And you can tell she put thought into the albums.

jaybendy said:

She needs to come talk to me when she learns the lyrics to If I Was Your Girlfriend. Then I'll listen to her CD.

I am probably just overlooking her because I don't really dig all the hype. Maybe one of these days I'll give her CD a spin. **kanyeshrug**

Tho I haven't heard much of her music, I do appreciate that she's an artist out here who seems to be talented and not running around half naked like 9% of these other talelentless "artists." Young girls need more images like her in the music business.

^ This right here

Pr1nceQuik said:

trueiopian said:

If you wanna take the piss, why don't you kind GTFO of our site please. Yes, our site...prince fans!!!

20 TEN was great.

janelle Monae is ok..not great, not mediocre.

Oh shut the fuck up. 20 Ten was utter shit.

P2daP said:

rebelenterprise said:

OK...You're definitely on the money, Joe...Interestingly enough, though, I don't even think she's focused on singles...or that's the perception I get from her business standpoint as of late. The mainstream industry only lets one, maybe two black artists in who do music different than regular hip-hop/R&B (funk,rock,alternative,etc.) every several years. Sometimes longer than that. The last time before Janelle that something on that level happened of course was with Outkast & arguably to a lesser extent, The Neptunes' N.E.R.D..

But with the Kast, it was different, they were already arguably the greatest hip-hop group of the 90s/early 2000s before Speakerboxx/The Love Below was released. And of course, The Neptunes were the hottest hip-hop/pop producers PERIOD at the time. Janelle almost came out of nowhere "mainstream" wise, even though people hip to the independent scene knew about her.

Tightrope probably should've been a hit on the level of Hey Ya!, but everyone was anticipating that song & the album. It's almost to her best interest that it didn't become a worldwide smash, cause people would have been quick to label her a one hit wonder. There are actually some who label Dre3000 a one hit wonder because of Hey Ya!, which is why he ended up hating performing that song...& stopped performing all together.

She may need "catchier" songs if she really wants to be a known "pop" artist, but I believe she just wants her "art" to be seen & heard, & be a success on her own terms. The mainstream has a stranglehold on that as well, only certain producers/songwriters get play nowadays. And just about anything can be a hit, with the right money & promotional support. Janelle's main promotion IS her live show.

With Diddy's supposed strong-arm business tactics, who knows why Janelle isn't bigger than she is now...But then again, he's managing Nikki Minaj now (I figure he still is), so we see where his attention is going. Tightrope had real HORNS & a live bass guitar on it...Big NO-NOs in the world of mainstream pop/urban music.

I would love to see Janelle move more into the realm of rock and heavier funk myself, instead of trying to even attempt to be a new queen of pop. Let B. & Mr. Raymond believe they're creating new musical genres...

Right on the money!

She's smart girl.. I really like the way she handling her career... She almost becoming a pop star by being the anti-pop star. She seems to have a good idea on the music biz and make a lot of the right move in my opinion... And your spot on about her selling herself on her lives shows... I've been to several this year and she's gotten and better and better each time... and she's always performing! Always on tour! I kinda hope she doesn't burn herself out. I recall her saying something to the effect that she wanted to be like James Brown and do 300 show a year! An she hasn't been far off from that goal. She has more or less been touring since the Spring 2010. She in Brazil right now opening for Amy Winehouse where she is stealing the show... After her concert she became the top twitter topic in the whole country of Brazil! They where even doing even news story's on her (see below) Her live performances have got that kind of buzz in the United States as well... Twice after live national TV performances she's become the top twitter topic in the whole United States... Once even being the top twitter topic in the whole world... So she's defiantly creating a buzz for herself. No doubt about that.

As far as her image. I have a lot of confidence in her not selling herself out the sex game... Not to say that she will ALWAYS be wearing suits and bow ties but I don't think your gonna see her go all Lady Gaga or even Beyonce on you... She said that she has even turned down artists who wanted to work with because they just didn't have the same standards as she did... Which shows she has strong beliefs. She also mention that earlier obn her career a lot photographers and what not pushed her to be wearing more sexier and reveling clothing but she refused... But said now that she doesn't really get that much anymore..

[Edited 1/11/11 12:27pm]

I'm not on the money, but I'm on the fame: good singles mean fame, and fame means a long career (and money, of course)

Good singles are necessary in order to conquer the world. What's up with this hate against a good single? a good single doesn't mean "sellout". I'm not saying that Janelle should release songs like Disturbia or Tik Tok. I'm not sayin' that

If "good single = sellout", then, by that logic, Prince is one of the biggest sellouts of all time...is Prince a sellout just because he released GREAT singles like 1999, Raspberry Beret, When Doves Cry, Kiss or TMBGITW??

trueiopian said:

Pr1nceQuik said:

If you wanna take the piss, why don't you kind GTFO of our site please. Yes, our site...prince fans!!!

20 TEN was great.

janelle Monae is ok..not great, not mediocre.

Oh shut the fuck up. 20 Ten was utter shit.

Why don't you fuck off you little troll!! Add more smilies then you prick!

What constitutes a "good single" though? There're many artists who have the "It" factor; great material, good voice, cool image, etc but not enough "mainstream" success simply because they don't have the right team.

And anyway, people like Frankie Beverly & Maze who have been here while the hyped crowd were eating their "fame" pie and resorted to the "humble" pie later are still going strong after 45+ years and they're nowhere bear famous Fame virtually means nothing when it comes to survival in the music industry, because there're many famous people who dropped like flies.

Harlepolis said:

What constitutes a "good single" though? There're many artists who have the "It" factor; great material, good voice, cool image, etc but not enough "mainstream" success simply because they don't have the right team.

And anyway, people like Frankie Beverly & Maze who have been here while the hyped crowd were eating their "fame" pie and resorted to the "humble" pie later are still going strong after 45+ years and they're nowhere bear famous Fame virtually means nothing when it comes to survival in the music industry, because there're many famous people who dropped like flies.

ElectricRelaxed said:

Overrated? Nobody out there is actually using real instruments, everyone is taking off their clothes and then people say they have talent. Her album is one of the best I've heard in a while. What more do you people want, does she need some butt implants to get your attention. If you don't like her album I want to know the music that you are listening to now (besides Prince)

Well.. I like to go back more often than not. Might be my age, but 'love' for artists/acts is really in the past. Butt implants wouldn't change that.

I've listened to her album a few times, it's ok, but 'The future of music'? dear oh dear. It screams "Look at me! I'm so out there and different" just a little too loudly. So no.

Generally, i've little faith in what's being force-fed to me or is current and supposedly hip.

I'd rather sling on a movie or watch telly instead. Music is far down my list of preferences if i want to be entertained. It just doesn't hold my attention as it once did.

Timmy84 said:

Harlepolis said:

One of the main things I enjoyed about the album were the subtle references to some of the books(Octavia Butler's Kindred) and movies(Charles Burnett's Killer Of Sheep - one of my all-times fave/underrated movies) in her music.

And you can tell she put thought into the albums.

Indeed, and she was singing about androids and Cindy Mayweather as far back as The Audition too.

TheDigitalGardener said:

Timmy84 said:

And you can tell she put thought into the albums.

Indeed, and she was singing about androids and Cindy Mayweather as far back as The Audition too.

So I heard.

Pr1nceQuik said:

trueiopian said:

Oh shut the fuck up. 20 Ten was utter shit.

Why don't you fuck off you little troll!! Add more smilies then you prick!

So I'm a troll because I'm stating the fact that 20ten is utter shit? You're a dumbass

Now, now, ladies

Timmy84 said:

Harlepolis said:

What constitutes a "good single" though? There're many artists who have the "It" factor; great material, good voice, cool image, etc but not enough "mainstream" success simply because they don't have the right team.

And anyway, people like Frankie Beverly & Maze who have been here while the hyped crowd were eating their "fame" pie and resorted to the "humble" pie later are still going strong after 45+ years and they're nowhere bear famous Fame virtually means nothing when it comes to survival in the music industry, because there're many famous people who dropped like flies.

OMG guys I don't/can't believe you!are you pullin' my leg or something?

what happened to the days of great/visionary artists+fame+hit singles+world tours???

some examples:

Stevie: Sunshine of My Life, Superstition, Misstra-KnowItAll, I Wish, etc

Prince: 1999, LRC, WDC, RP, Kiss, U Got the Look, Cream, MBGITW

Aretha, Otis, James, Elvis Beatles, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Stones, Blur, Kool & the Gang, etc, etc etc and what about Terence Trent D'Arby? if he was INTERNATIONALLY big, it was thanks to Delicate, make no mistake...

fame, good singles, long careers...

even The Strokes and The White Stripes (underground darlings) had hit-singles in the 00s...

That's your opinion lol

I see your point though.

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

OMG guys I don't/can't believe you!are you pullin' my leg or something?

what happened to the days of great/visionary artists+fame+hit singles+world tours???

some examples:

Stevie: Sunshine of My Life, Superstition, Misstra-KnowItAll, I Wish, etc

Prince: 1999, LRC, WDC, RP, Kiss, U Got the Look, Cream, MBGITW

Aretha, Otis, James, Elvis Beatles, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Stones, Blur, Kool & the Gang, etc, etc etc and what about Terence Trent D'Arby? if he was INTERNATIONALLY big, it was thanks to Delicate, make no mistake...

fame, good singles, long careers...

even The Strokes and The White Stripes (underground darlings) had hit-singles in the 00s...

All of those people you mentioned had back-up from their label, though. And its nothing against them, its just what it was,,,,you asked what happened? Talent is taking a back seat.

Put Janelle in a time machine back in 1983 and I bet you somebody would get a good use of the album.

trueiopian said:

Pr1nceQuik said:

Why don't you fuck off you little troll!! Add more smilies then you prick!

So I'm a troll because I'm stating the fact that 20ten is utter shit? You're a dumbass

This is 'Music: non-prince' so no, you aint a troll. He aint immune in here. Plus you were right anyway, 2010 was utter fucking bollocks, so not a troll again.

Harlepolis said:

JoeTyler said:

OMG guys I don't/can't believe you!are you pullin' my leg or something?

what happened to the days of great/visionary artists+fame+hit singles+world tours???

some examples:

Stevie: Sunshine of My Life, Superstition, Misstra-KnowItAll, I Wish, etc

Prince: 1999, LRC, WDC, RP, Kiss, U Got the Look, Cream, MBGITW

Aretha, Otis, James, Elvis Beatles, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Stones, Blur, Kool & the Gang, etc, etc etc and what about Terence Trent D'Arby? if he was INTERNATIONALLY big, it was thanks to Delicate, make no mistake...

fame, good singles, long careers...

even The Strokes and The White Stripes (underground darlings) had hit-singles in the 00s...

All of those people you mentioned had back-up from their label, though. And its nothing against them, its just what it was,,,,you asked what happened? Talent is taking a back seat.

Put Janelle in a time machine back in 1983 and I bet you somebody would get a good use of the album.

Exactly.

jaybendy said:

She needs to come talk to me when she learns the lyrics to If I Was Your Girlfriend. Then I'll listen to her CD.

Janelle hasn't performed "If I was Your Girlfriend". Are you confusing Janelle Monae with Esperanza Spalding?

Cinnie said:

Cinnie said:

The Ritz N.Y. (back when he was a badass)

I want hit singles

I demand hit singles

Shawnt27 said:

jaybendy said:

She needs to come talk to me when she learns the lyrics to If I Was Your Girlfriend. Then I'll listen to her CD.

Janelle hasn't performed "If I was Your Girlfriend". Are you confusing Janelle Monae with Esperanza Spalding?

I believe she performed it at one of the recent MSG shows were she was a special guest.

Cinnie said:

I would love to see him do this again..Just one more time for old times sake...

Who?