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March 16, 2011

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Essence looks to seamlessly make the transition into music as they team up with Pebbles to present R&B Star: Search For the Next Singing Sensation.

Beginning March 19th, aspiring hopefuls can log on to Essence.com/RBStar to enter into the contest.

Live auditions will be held in the Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles. We were one of the first media outlets Essence chose to give an exclusive on the competition.

Our team recently caught up with Pebbles as she gave us her thoughts on Essence, the competition, and what it takes to become the next R&B Star.

Many music mavens like yourself are making moves where they reach back into the community and pullout raw talent. How important do you think it is for music veterans to grant these opportunities the way you are with the R&B Star competition?

" I think it’s very important. I think especially with having a project of this magnitude being done with Essence is going to make it that much more interesting and vital. We’re laying a new blueprint of what people should look at. Being a woman and being that I’m involved with women’s ministry, I’ve kind of always been in leadership positions. I think we should talk to each other about the trials, triumphs, and even the tragedies in life and music as well."

"From being broken to being made whole - it’s not even just about music, it’s almost like music is what draws you in but it’s more about helping the overall wholeness of an artist. "

How do you feel about being the music figure chosen by Essence as they make their transition into the music genre?

"I’m excited and I feel honored. Essence is just so amazing and important. They are full of so much integrity and so beloved by the people. I truly feel honored and that this was meant to be."

What was the inspiration behind yourself and Essence creating this music competition?

" I think that there was a desire to utilize what they already have in place with the Essence Music Festival and from there taking the opportunity to expand their brand and open up new avenues."

"It is a new way for people to be seen and be heard, especially in R&B music. So I think it’s the perfect merger of bringing something like this to the forefront and my hope, as well as the hope of the Essence family is that this will reignite a fire in the R&B community. To embrace this artist development once again and just go out and do new things."

Can you explain your role in the competition?

"I’m going to be right in the thick of it".

"I will be hosting the program, R&B Star as well as the being the Executive Producer of webisodes that will be developed and placed on Essence.com weekly so that anyone can stay with the process and see what happens. I am the person that will work with artist development, helping identify talents, and to consult with the judges as we decide who will be the very first person to be blessed with the title of R&B Star."

I noticed you said the “first R&B Star.” Are you looking to make this an ongoing project?

" I hope so, I absolutely hope so! I also hope that people take a cue from this and really understand the value of the genre of R&B music as well as the sound and the legacy of it. I just think that this is an important moment, it feels right to me. I think something great is about to come forward."

What qualities are you looking for in the next R&B star that you feel the industry doesn’t have already?

" I won’t say the qualities aren’t already there, I would just like to see from the industry a better and a bigger focus on the overall wellness of artists. I think we need to get back to a place where we have more of a hands-on approach and a breakdown in this world of technology. I think certain aspects just need to remain basic."

"We need to get back to the hardcore work values and ethics - not feeling like we’re supposed to have things handed to us, even if we do work hard and deserve it. It’s something about staying humbled enough to be able to balance this life. Also, having the wisdom around you and willing heart to continue to learn, instead of feeling like you have it and no one can talk to you or help you to grow and better yourself."

Richard Pryor: "That woman looks GOOOT"!

I hope the winner of that contest has good lawyers based on what Pebbles did to TLC

scriptgirl said:

I hope the winner of that contest has good lawyers based on what Pebbles did to TLC

scriptgirl said:

I hope the winner of that contest has good lawyers based on what Pebbles did to TLC

Yep She and LA Reid.

scriptgirl said:

I hope the winner of that contest has good lawyers based on what Pebbles did to TLC

Well, as long as they don't bite the hand that feed them. Didn't one of those girls mess around with her ex-husband? I liked TLC, myself.

scriptgirl said:

I hope the winner of that contest has good lawyers based on what Pebbles did to TLC

What? Make them famous? Sign a contract?

I just don't get the hate for Pebbles. Nobody forced those girls to sign that contract. Simon Cowell does the same thing and gets away with it but dare a black woman try to do her thang cause oh no, she wrong.

So Pebbles is returning to the secular music business.... Interesting.

Interesting.

Is Pebbles still tight with Whitney?

scriptgirl said:

Is Pebbles still tight with Whitney?

Oh that would be an interesting question right there...

sosgemini said:

scriptgirl said:

I hope the winner of that contest has good lawyers based on what Pebbles did to TLC

What? Make them famous? Sign a contract?

I just don't get the hate for Pebbles. Nobody forced those girls to sign that contract. Simon Cowell does the same thing and gets away with it but dare a black woman try to do her thang cause oh no, she wrong.

Even TLC said in an an interview that they didn't get a good or bad deal, but that they got the kind of deal that new artists get. I don't understand the hate for Pebbles either in that regard. As their manager Pebbles' business practice wasn't uncommon in the music industry. I'm sure a lawyer could have let them know exactly what they were getting into. They may not have ended up flat broke, but they still wouldn't have made millions either. Financially, they may have fared slightly better than EnVogue did.

Adisa said:

sosgemini said:

What? Make them famous? Sign a contract?

I just don't get the hate for Pebbles. Nobody forced those girls to sign that contract. Simon Cowell does the same thing and gets away with it but dare a black woman try to do her thang cause oh no, she wrong.

Even TLC said in an an interview that they didn't get a good or bad deal, but that they got the kind of deal that new artists get. I don't understand the hate for Pebbles either in that regard. As their manager Pebbles' business practice wasn't uncommon in the music industry. I'm sure a lawyer could have let them know exactly what they were getting into. They may not have ended up flat broke, but they still wouldn't have made millions either. Financially, they may have fared slightly better than EnVogue did.

TLC seems to be well off now compared to EnVogue in that regard.

Timmy84 said:

Adisa said:

Even TLC said in an an interview that they didn't get a good or bad deal, but that they got the kind of deal that new artists get. I don't understand the hate for Pebbles either in that regard. As their manager Pebbles' business practice wasn't uncommon in the music industry. I'm sure a lawyer could have let them know exactly what they were getting into. They may not have ended up flat broke, but they still wouldn't have made millions either. Financially, they may have fared slightly better than EnVogue did.

TLC seems to be well off now compared to EnVogue in that regard.

Now, yes. I'm speaking of the height of their popularity. They weren't going to be millionaires because of how the business was structured. The problem with Pebbles' contract was that she was getting some of everything. Again, that was not uncommon with a lot of deals between manager and artists. And a lawyer could have given them that insight. But let's be real here : TLC was a novelty act and even they knew it. They knew they were the female version of BBD, a New-Jack female trio. Their shelf-life was already predetermined by that alone. They would have taken whatever deal was offered to them. Better to be famous at least.

Adisa said:

Timmy84 said:

TLC seems to be well off now compared to EnVogue in that regard.

Now, yes. I'm speaking of the height of their popularity. They weren't going to be millionaires because of how the business was structured. The problem with Pebbles' contract was that she was getting some of everything. Again, that was not uncommon with a lot of deals between manager and artists. And a lawyer could have given them that insight. But let's be real here : TLC was a novelty act and even they knew it. They knew they were the female version of BBD, a New-Jack female trio. Their shelf-life was already predetermined by that alone. They would have taken whatever deal was offered to them. Better to be famous at least.

That's true.

Someone saw TLC's 'Behind the Music.'

scriptgirl said:

I hope the winner of that contest has good lawyers based on what Pebbles did to TLC

co-sign

she ripped them off bad!

Pebbles and Tracey Edmonds should join forces in some type of celebrity death match to see which one could shank the other the fastest. Talk about cutthroat.

Pebbles come off crooked to me. Just how she acted on that Behind the Music-how she came off. TLC may have been a novelty act, but their music is still widely known and the magic of that group made them a force to be reckoned with . En Vogue could SANG, but I prefer TLC all day.

Of course the record industry is crooked and maybe you are right about Pebbles and that contract, but what bugs me is when Pebbles said, "if they could break MY contract, they could break anybody's."

And also, I believe that after a certain point, an artist can renegotiate a contract-Pebbles wouldn't let them. There is a whole lot of other shady shit I have heard, but I can't remember it now.

Is she still a preacher? I don't trust a celebrity/singer who becomes a preacher. Her, Mace, Montell Jordan can all kick rocks.

Yeah, her name was Sister Perri-she had her own show-radio or tv-she used to be Bobby and Whitney's spirtual advisor.

scriptgirl said:

Yeah, her name was Sister Perri-she had her own show-radio or tv-she used to be Bobby and Whitney's spirtual advisor.

What the hell happen there??

scriptgirl said:

And also, I believe that after a certain point, an artist can renegotiate a contract-Pebbles wouldn't let them. There is a whole lot of other shady shit I have heard, but I can't remember it now.

The entertainment business in the USA (including Hollywood) has always been shady. It started out being mafia run. It might still be today. Look at Bonnie Raitt trying to raise money for old blues singers who never made any money from their records. Why do people expect businesses to be honest and fair? That's not how capitalism works.

Probably a hot ass mes, although crooked she may be, Pebbles never seemed to be the mess that Bobby and Whitney are, but then again, water seeks its' level.

HotGritz said:

Is she still a preacher? I don't trust a celebrity/singer who becomes a preacher. Her, Mace, Montell Jordan can all kick rocks.

What, no Vanity?

Bless her heart, Vanity is just nuts. She ain't shady.

scriptgirl said:

And also, I believe that after a certain point, an artist can renegotiate a contract-Pebbles wouldn't let them. There is a whole lot of other shady shit I have heard, but I can't remember it now.

It is possible to restructure contracts, yes. And no Pebbles didn't want to with TLC, saying that she invested so much more and had a greater stake in the dealings than TLC actually did. As I understand it La and Face had to "buy" their contract because the girls didn't want to do a damned thing else as long as Pebbles was in the equation. Pebbles walked away rich, but that only put TLC further in the hole with the label. So even though the second CD sold a bazillion copies they still weren't reaping the financial rewards.

Another thing, as I understand it, was that TLC was on shaky ground as far as touring regularly because of T-Boz's health. Touring generates lots of money for artists, but they couldn't even commit to that revenue coming in given the situation. I could be wrong about that.

angel345 said:

scriptgirl said:

I hope the winner of that contest has good lawyers based on what Pebbles did to TLC

Well, as long as they don't bite the hand that feed them. Didn't one of those girls mess around with her ex-husband? I liked TLC, myself.

Never heard that but that one would deserve a double WTF?

For the record, no hate for Pebbles as i did like a few of her songs but never

been moved to buy her music, but she has been known to be hard to work with

in the business.

[Edited 3/16/11 16:01pm]

Hey Pebbles!...lookin' airbrushed!

Only really liked 'Girlfriend' from you.