TD3 said:

Who?

That'd be Prince.

Marrk said:

Cinnie said:

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

I know, right?

Timmy84 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...

You're right on the money. I'll stick with Ms. Monae as long as she doesn't sell out.

You don’t have to sell out to make a hit if she change her whole style from the first album then okay but she just need that song that’s going to get her notice. Her album is good but she doesn’t have a song on there that’s memorable imo. But I’m cool with artists that don’t care about sales and just make music but I know in the back of their mind mostly all of them want a hit down the road.

babybugz said:

Timmy84 said:

You're right on the money. I'll stick with Ms. Monae as long as she doesn't sell out.

You don’t have to sell out to make a hit if she change her whole style from the first album then okay but she just need that song that’s going to get her notice. Her album is good but she doesn’t have a song on there that’s memorable imo. But I’m cool with artists that don’t care about sales and just make music but I know in the back of their mind mostly all of them want a hit down the road.

Thanks, that's exactly my point.

BlaqueKnight said:

She's talented but I don't like her music. Different doesn't equal better.

That's where I'm parked, too. I just can't muster up interest in her. I'm just glad she's not the latest trollop.

So now when someone who is a product of the hype machine fails to deliver they now referred to as the 'anti-popstar' or is 'not selling out'?

LOL!!!!!!

Whoever thinks that this woman is "overrated," needs to listen to this cut. The musicianship, melodies, and lyrics of this song is something else. Lyrically, this is above anything that is in both the pop and soul world today:

silverchild said:

Whoever thinks that this woman is "overrated," needs to listen to this cut. The musicianship, melodies, and lyrics of this song is something else. Lyrically, this is above anything that is in both the pop and soul world today:

silverchild said:

Whoever thinks that this woman is "overrated," needs to listen to this cut. The musicianship, melodies, and lyrics of this song is something else. Lyrically, this is above anything that is in both the pop and soul world today:

her albums have great songs. There is no doubt that... IMO it's just plain silly suggest otherwise...

The problem isn't her.

It's some of you... LOL. But that just my opinion and apparently majority of everyone else opinions... When you score a 91 at metacrtic. When the AP, Chicago Tribune, The Guardian. All give you album of the year honors.... You got a good album when... Believe or not Rolling Stone and MTV say your song is a top 10 song of 2010... You got a hit song! It's all about marketing and packaging and image image image... That there is what makes hits... Not music.. (sadly) The songs and talent is there... It's the exposure she hasn't got enough of yet...

But honestly there is no true way to determine what music good and what's bad and what's so-so. It's all opinions... But with Janelle Monae her albums, songs, and concerts all great huge positive feedback.... An musical genius such as Prince and Stevie Wonder are asking her to open their shows and even both having her come out during their sets to do duets with them.... and I just agree with the majority.... (and Prince and Stevie Wonder)

P2daP said:

her albums have great songs. There is no doubt that... IMO it's just plain silly suggest otherwise...

The problem isn't her.

It's some of you... LOL. But that just my opinion and apparently majority of everyone else opinions... When you score a 91 at metacrtic. When the AP, Chicago Tribune, The Guardian. All give you album of the year honors.... You got a good album when... Believe or not Rolling Stone and MTV say your song is a top 10 song of 2010... You got a hit song! It's all about marketing and packaging and image image image... That there is what makes hits... Not music.. (sadly) The songs and talent is there... It's the exposure she hasn't got enough of yet...

But honestly there is no true way to determine what music good and what's bad and what's so-so. It's all opinions... But with Janelle Monae her albums, songs, and concerts all great huge positive feedback.... An musical genius such as Prince and Stevie Wonder are asking her to open their shows and even both having her come out during their sets to do duets with them.... and I just agree with the majority.... (and Prince and Stevie Wonder)

Welcome to the world of the internet, and people's opinions...

P2daP said:

her albums have great songs. There is no doubt that... IMO it's just plain silly suggest otherwise...

The problem isn't her.

It's some of you... LOL. But that just my opinion and apparently majority of everyone else opinions... When you score a 91 at metacrtic. When the AP, Chicago Tribune, The Guardian. All give you album of the year honors.... You got a good album when... Believe or not Rolling Stone and MTV say your song is a top 10 song of 2010... You got a hit song! It's all about marketing and packaging and image image image... That there is what makes hits... Not music.. (sadly) The songs and talent is there... It's the exposure she hasn't got enough of yet...

But honestly there is no true way to determine what music good and what's bad and what's so-so. It's all opinions... But with Janelle Monae her albums, songs, and concerts all great huge positive feedback.... An musical genius such as Prince and Stevie Wonder are asking her to open their shows and even both having her come out during their sets to do duets with them.... and I just agree with the majority.... (and Prince and Stevie Wonder)

Ah, so because the critcs and magazines like her songs, we are supposed to and if we don't then there's something wrong with us. I get it now. Thanks for the enlightenment.

BlaqueKnight said:

P2daP said:

her albums have great songs. There is no doubt that... IMO it's just plain silly suggest otherwise...

The problem isn't her.

It's some of you... LOL. But that just my opinion and apparently majority of everyone else opinions... When you score a 91 at metacrtic. When the AP, Chicago Tribune, The Guardian. All give you album of the year honors.... You got a good album when... Believe or not Rolling Stone and MTV say your song is a top 10 song of 2010... You got a hit song! It's all about marketing and packaging and image image image... That there is what makes hits... Not music.. (sadly) The songs and talent is there... It's the exposure she hasn't got enough of yet...

But honestly there is no true way to determine what music good and what's bad and what's so-so. It's all opinions... But with Janelle Monae her albums, songs, and concerts all great huge positive feedback.... An musical genius such as Prince and Stevie Wonder are asking her to open their shows and even both having her come out during their sets to do duets with them.... and I just agree with the majority.... (and Prince and Stevie Wonder)

Ah, so because the critcs and magazines like her songs, we are supposed to and if we don't then there's something wrong with us. I get it now. Thanks for the enlightenment.

This site can't go nowhere unless someone starts a war.

If anyone gets the chance to see her live, please do so, she puts on a very exciting show.

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

You're a troll for butting in and laughing at that poster for stating their opinion. So what if they think 20ten was the best album of last year, who the heck are you to be laughing at them.....silly little dumbass!!

I'm surprised you didn't add more smilies.

silverchild said:

Whoever thinks that this woman is "overrated," needs to listen to this cut. The musicianship, melodies, and lyrics of this song is something else. Lyrically, this is above anything that is in both the pop and soul world today:

[img:$uid]http://i.imgur.com/0S54g.gif[/img:$uid]

TheDigitalGardener said:

If anyone gets the chance to see her live, please do so, she puts on a very exciting show.

That she does.

I saw her early last May - not opening for anyone, just her and her band on the terrace of the Memorial Union in Madison. Tightrope had just come out. She packed the place - and played for an hour in a cold drizzle. (We were hoping they'd move her inside, but they didn't.) Her performance was electric - and the crowd loved every second of it.

My only regret is that the show wasn't longer.

Is she the future of music, I don't know but I like her and dig her live as well. Like any other artist, either you dig them or you don't but seems like a lot of weight is being placed on her. She has a way to go but like what she's done so far.

Genesia said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

If anyone gets the chance to see her live, please do so, she puts on a very exciting show.

That she does.

I saw her early last May - not opening for anyone, just her and her band on the terrace of the Memorial Union in Madison. Tightrope had just come out. She packed the place - and played for an hour in a cold drizzle. (We were hoping they'd move her inside, but they didn't.) Her performance was electric - and the crowd loved every second of it.

My only regret is that the show wasn't longer.

Sounds good, i saw her twice last year, the first was an almost stripped back band, no full time bass player, no brass section, but the energy was amazing.

The second show had all that the first show had including the brass section, bass player etc.

I'm going to see her again in February.

I think if it came down to spending money on going to see Prince or Janelle, i would choose Janelle.

Timmy84 said:

This site can't go nowhere unless someone starts a war.

Well, Timmy, U now know I'm down 4 the battle.

rebelenterprise said:

Timmy84 said:

This site can't go nowhere unless someone starts a war.

Well, Timmy, U now know I'm down 4 the battle.

I don't know whether or not she's the future of music. I just want her to keep MAKING music! It's fuggin' fabulous!

TheDigitalGardener said:

Genesia said:

That she does.

I saw her early last May - not opening for anyone, just her and her band on the terrace of the Memorial Union in Madison. Tightrope had just come out. She packed the place - and played for an hour in a cold drizzle. (We were hoping they'd move her inside, but they didn't.) Her performance was electric - and the crowd loved every second of it.

My only regret is that the show wasn't longer.

Sounds good, i saw her twice last year, the first was an almost stripped back band, no full time bass player, no brass section, but the energy was amazing.

The second show had all that the first show had including the brass section, bass player etc.

I'm going to see her again in February.

I think if it came down to spending money on going to see Prince or Janelle, i would choose Janelle.

It'd be a tough choice, for sure.

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.

Not only that (just using the Prince example), 1999 was his fifth album. Janelle's had one that she sold out of the trunk of her car (The Audition) and an EP (Metropolis). The ArchAndroid is her first true album.

Give the girl a minute, for crying out loud!

Genesia said:

Harlepolis said:

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.

Not only that (just using the Prince example), 1999 was his fifth album. Janelle's had one that she sold out of the trunk of her car (The Audition) and an EP (Metropolis). The ArchAndroid is her first true album.

Give the girl a minute, for crying out loud!

What impressive is she also got herself and major record contract in which she has complete creative control! That's really huge imo... She got that contract at just 22 years old... You look at other artists such as Prince who got it a 19 and Stevie Wonder who got it at 21... That's a real impressive crowd she's in.

Pr1nceQuik said:

trueiopian said:

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

You're a troll for butting in and laughing at that poster for stating their opinion. So what if they think 20ten was the best album of last year, who the heck are you to be laughing at them.....silly little dumbass!!

I'm surprised you didn't add more smilies.

That doesn't even make any sense Please, do us all a favor and play in traffic.

Absolutely love her!

Seems the pendulum has swung and it's chic these days to arbitrarily call just about any artist overrated before they've had their fair chance.

Not trying to open a new can of worms or anything, but there's one woman whose luck isn't like Janelle's, but she has been putting out great music throughout the 2000's (including her newest project, The Ballad of Purple St. James, which is fantastic but went unnoticed by many) and I love her just as much as Janelle:

YAHZARAH

[Edited 1/12/11 22:47pm]

silverchild said:

Not trying to open a new can of worms or anything, but there's one woman whose luck isn't like Janelle's, but she has been putting out great music throughout the 2000's (including her newest project, The Ballad of Purple St. James, which is fantastic but went unnoticed by many) and I love her just as much as Janelle:

YAHZARAH

[Edited 1/12/11 22:47pm]

OOH! I will check her out later now that you mentioned her.