What really surprised me was that all the time that Freddie had joined Capitol Records (from 1982 with Mystic Merlin as a start) and even when 3 years later while his single "Rock Me Tonight" was sky-rocketing the charts (which was described in Unsung), the Capitol execs were still clueless and not aware what kind of singer they were representing lol.
I know right? That's what tripped me out. Freddie was selling records and Capitol Records was still "HUH?!" Like they didn't know what hit him. Freddie was almost an artist without a label and was just put on Capitol as an afterthought, they never think artists would sell. That's what happened when they almost ignored Tina Turner. They thought she couldn't make a hit and the music she wanted to do was not in sync with anyone else ("oh my goodness a black woman doing pop-rock music?!") and yet when "Let's Stay Together" became an unsuspecting hit, Capitol was like " Well guess let the diva do what she do". She ended up selling 10 million worldwide! That's what happens when you ignore an artist and then they suddenly get red-hot.
What really surprised me was that all the time that Freddie had joined Capitol Records (from 1982 with Mystic Merlin as a start) and even when 3 years later while his single "Rock Me Tonight" was sky-rocketing the charts (which was described in Unsung), the Capitol execs were still clueless and not aware what kind of singer they were representing lol.
It sounds to me that Hush was the brains behind it moreso than Capital. Especially if Hush had the kind of power to sign any artist and Capitol would just release and promote it. It's almost like Hush/Orpheus was their own imprint label within Capitol.
From what I've read and heard, production companies just don't take someone off of the street, sign them and promote them.
Hell, Toni Braxton was discovered pumping gas singing to herself. They didn't just sign her immediately without a showcase for record execs.
Spot on example about Tina That was a great comeback indeeds
Yep. But back to Freddie, that almost had me laughing when I heard that. Like "wow, Capitol didn't know a good thing until it sold".
If I'm remembering correctly, Capitol didn't really have an urban department much after about 90 or 91. Does anyone know their urban roster during Freddie's tenure there? I don't remember anyone but the people with Hush productions.
Yep. But back to Freddie, that almost had me laughing when I heard that. Like "wow, Capitol didn't know a good thing until it sold".
If I'm remembering correctly, Capitol didn't really have an urban department much after about 90 or 91. Does anyone know their urban roster during Freddie's tenure there? I don't remember anyone but the people with Hush productions.
Capitol after 90-91: Portrait, Full Force, Rachell Ferrell, Tisha Campbell, Jesse Campbell, Angie & Debbie, New Version Of Soul, The Whispers, Walter & Scotty Scott (The Whispers), BeBe & CeCe Winans, Shero, Earth Gyrlz,...
Capitol after 90-91: Portrait, Full Force, Rachell Ferrell, Tisha Campbell, Jesse Campbell, Angie & Debbie, New Version Of Soul, The Whispers, Walter & Scotty Scott (The Whispers), BeBe & CeCe Winans, Shero, Earth Gyrlz,...
Thanx! That summed up a lot because they didn't do hardly anything with the roster after 1991 or so. I really don't count BeBe and CeCe Winans because they were under a dual-label situation. Sparrow and Capital were promoting them. AS for the other acts, most of them had one or 2 hits and that was it. So for Freddie to struggle to get a hit from his Time For Love album was understandable.
Yeah, I saw that, but I'm sure there had to be signs that things weren't right before. Sounds like he was just looking at what was in front of him and not thinking about his long term pay check. It's sad that so many performers get used like that.
Most artists come into the business with dreams of fame. They never think about the money. Some say they do but some don't really check into it because even if you can write, sometimes you can even sell those rights away so you won't get a dime. Plus most recording artists who sign a recording contract come from real humble backgrounds and they're influenced by what they're told to by record labels that ended up signing them and, in the case of Motown, put them under a salary.
it so reminds of what cube said "the record company is the pimp and the artist is the ho"
man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81
What really surprised me was that all the time that Freddie had joined Capitol Records (from 1982 with Mystic Merlin as a start) and even when 3 years later while his single "Rock Me Tonight" was sky-rocketing the charts (which was described in Unsung), the Capitol execs were still clueless and not aware what kind of singer they were representing lol.
yeah that does seem weird since if there is a product, no one from marketing or talent relations got involved? someone had 2 press the records and have all the interfaces 2 market freddie
man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81
Capitol after 90-91: Portrait, Full Force, Rachell Ferrell, Tisha Campbell, Jesse Campbell, Angie & Debbie, New Version Of Soul, The Whispers, Walter & Scotty Scott (The Whispers), BeBe & CeCe Winans, Shero, Earth Gyrlz,...
Thanx! That summed up a lot because they didn't do hardly anything with the roster after 1991 or so. I really don't count BeBe and CeCe Winans because they were under a dual-label situation. Sparrow and Capital were promoting them. AS for the other acts, most of them had one or 2 hits and that was it. So for Freddie to struggle to get a hit from his Time For Love album was understandable.
You're welcome! Yeah, as for Freddie's situation, the changes with New Jack Swing was in full rotation everywhere, which was also explained in Unsung.
What really surprised me was that all the time that Freddie had joined Capitol Records (from 1982 with Mystic Merlin as a start) and even when 3 years later while his single "Rock Me Tonight" was sky-rocketing the charts (which was described in Unsung), the Capitol execs were still clueless and not aware what kind of singer they were representing lol.
yeah that does seem weird since if there is a product, no one from marketing or talent relations got involved? someone had 2 press the records and have all the interfaces 2 market freddie
Yeah, Prettyman posted some insight for that earlier here. Still it puzzles me when they seemed clueless at the point that Freddie was rising the charts with his first single. By that time someone, especially from the industry must've noticed something with radio shows constantly on air lol.
Thanx! That summed up a lot because they didn't do hardly anything with the roster after 1991 or so. I really don't count BeBe and CeCe Winans because they were under a dual-label situation. Sparrow and Capital were promoting them. AS for the other acts, most of them had one or 2 hits and that was it. So for Freddie to struggle to get a hit from his Time For Love album was understandable.
You're welcome! Yeah, as for Freddie's situation, the changes with New Jack Swing was in full rotation everywhere, which was also explained in Unsung.
after watching a few unsung episodes, sometime they blame everything on teddy riley and the new jack swing.
man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81
after watching a few unsung episodes, sometime they blame everything on teddy riley and the new jack swing.
I'm guessing someone don't like Teddy Riley/New Jack.
New Jack Swing did to smooth R&B what Grunge did to pop-metal. and speaking of that, why did Unsung use two pictures of Damion Hall when referring to Teddy Riley in this episode??
Overall, I liked this episode. Besides the production company shadiness/career slump details (which happens to most if not all hot artists), there wasn't a whole lot of hard drama is in Freddie's story. He's still doing what he really loves and able to to pay his bills.
[Edited 1/25/12 15:56pm]
~Using the Fat Albert emoticon 'cause no one else is... ~
I'm guessing someone don't like Teddy Riley/New Jack.
New Jack Swing did to smooth R&B what Grunge did to pop-metal. and speaking of that, why did Unsung use two pictures of Damion Hall when referring to Teddy Riley in this episode??
Overall, I liked this episode. Besides the production company shadiness/career slump details (which happens to most if not all hot artists), there wasn't a whole lot of hard drama is in Freddie's story. He's still doing what he really loves and able to to pay his bills.
New Jack Swing did to smooth R&B what Grunge did to pop-metal. and speaking of that, why did Unsung use two pictures of Damion Hall when referring to Teddy Riley in this episode??
Overall, I liked this episode. Besides the production company shadiness/career slump details (which happens to most if not all hot artists), there wasn't a whole lot of hard drama is in Freddie's story. He's still doing what he really loves and able to to pay his bills.
[Edited 1/25/12 15:56pm]
Because TV-One is stupid.
Guessing not too many Guy fans work at TV One.
~Using the Fat Albert emoticon 'cause no one else is... ~
Most artists come into the business with dreams of fame. They never think about the money. Some say they do but some don't really check into it because even if you can write, sometimes you can even sell those rights away so you won't get a dime. Plus most recording artists who sign a recording contract come from real humble backgrounds and they're influenced by what they're told to by record labels that ended up signing them and, in the case of Motown, put them under a salary.
it so reminds of what cube said "the record company is the pimp and the artist is the ho"
Prince use to say that also.............
will ALWAYS think of like a "ACT OF GOD"! N another realm. mean of all people who might of been aliens or angels.if found out that wasn't of this earth, would not have been that surprised. R.I.P.
it so reminds of what cube said "the record company is the pimp and the artist is the ho"
Prince use to say that also.............
does evrything have 2 be about him?
man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81
will ALWAYS think of like a "ACT OF GOD"! N another realm. mean of all people who might of been aliens or angels.if found out that wasn't of this earth, would not have been that surprised. R.I.P.
man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81
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Like they didn't know what hit him. Freddie was almost an artist without a label and was just put on Capitol as an afterthought, they never think artists would sell. That's what happened when they almost ignored Tina Turner. They thought she couldn't make a hit and the music she wanted to do was not in sync with anyone else ("oh my goodness a black woman doing pop-rock music?!") and yet when "Let's Stay Together" became an unsuspecting hit, Capitol was like " 
Well guess let the diva do what she do". She ended up selling 10 million worldwide! 
That was a great comeback indeeds
But back to Freddie, that almost had me laughing when I heard that. Like "wow, Capitol didn't know a good thing until it sold". 
~
Guessing not too many Guy fans work at TV One. 
will ALWAYS think of 
like a "ACT OF GOD"! N another realm. 
