babynoz said:

God, I hate social media....every immature fuckwit believes they need to tell the world whatever garbage comes into their stupid brain.

Use better words girl...the only children at this table seem to be Tank and yourself.

When you want to have a conversation, we can talk...I'll throw facts at you that will make your head spin.

I think the problem with these singers is that they make records to get on the charts instead of making records because it is something they enjoy doing. There are a ton of singers that dont get that much promotion or marketing but they are still grinding and doing what they love. Who cares about Top 40? Just make music because that is something you enjoy doing. His music has been mediocre lately. Maybe he should focus on his core market instead of trying to compete with the Chris Brown's and Trey Song's

Revolution said:

babynoz said:

God, I hate social media....every immature fuckwit believes they need to tell the world whatever garbage comes into their stupid brain.

Use better words girl...the only children at this table seem to be Tank and yourself.

When you want to have a conversation, we can talk...I'll throw facts at you that will make your head spin.

I have no idea wtf you are referring to but I don't know you from a can of paint and have not said a single word to or about you in this thread.

It's a pretty well know rule of thumb that if you were not quoted in any way, then you don't just ASSume that I'm reading your posts and replying to you. I was actually referring to celebs who think that every bit of fuckery they think of needs to be posted on social media.

So, what the fuck are you talking about? Is there a reason why you're the only one here who doesn't understand how this works?

[Edited 12/23/14 17:34pm]

whitechocolatebrotha said:

I feel 4 him. Talent simply doesn't cut it anymore. People who play instruments and are good singers just can't stand up against all the Autotuned, Hip-Hop-infused output that's so rampant in the R&B market today. I say "Do a D-Train, my brutha and "Keep ON!" You're not the only one who's disenchanted with the state of Soul Music today. Hang in there. Your day will come(back.)

[Edited 12/23/14 17:34pm]

Smartest thing said here so far!

mjscarousal said:

I think the problem with these singers is that they make records to get on the charts instead of making records because it is something they enjoy doing. There are a ton of singers that dont get that much promotion or marketing but they are still grinding and doing what they love. Who cares about Top 40? Just make music because that is something you enjoy doing. His music has been mediocre lately. Maybe he should focus on his core market instead of trying to compete with the Chris Brown's and Trey Song's

Very good point.Tank should realize that,in many cases,having a hit record means having to "dumb down" his music.A real artist wouldn't be interested in doing that.

This guy talks really fast. But he says r n b started failing in 2003 when it started chasing trends rather creating them. His conclusion is the euro dance scene was the final nail in the coffin for r n b and now it's a lost genre because the last decade has been spent chasing other trends.

Here, he talks about the lack of great live r and b performers.

[Edited 12/23/14 23:14pm]

The first two singles from his album received pretty heavy radio play in my neck of the woods. Tank was never a radio artist. I don't know what the sales are for "Stronger", but, if I recall correctly, "Stronger" was #1 on the R&B Album Charts and managed a Top 20 spot on the Pop side. Does he know how many artists have never and will never achieve those types of positions? I definately understand his frustration. I mean, anytime Justin Timberlake does better on the R&B side than Tank, yeah, that would bother me, too. Maybe "Stronger" won't go gold or platinum but for 2014, I think he did well. He should be proud of it. Great albums don't always sell in big numbers. He should know that and be happy with the mid-level career that he's had for all of these years.

R&B had already began its descent in the late 80s....

you could feel the change, and see the change...it was already happening then....

the quality was being diluted by the end of that decade

Donnie Simpson, former host of BET'S Video Soul (when BET was legit, before it sank into the abyss), he got outta there because he saw the descent knocking on the door too

the very moment artists were geared towards sampling the music from years before w/out giving acknowledge where the samples were coming from (not the artists fault exclusively but the record execs put this dynamic in motion), that was a major red flag where things were headed

another major red flag was when the adult record buying public, an audience that introduced their kids to the artists we came to enjoy during music's golden era, that audience was being pushed out, phased out of the equation....

when sampling became prominent, authenticity was no longer needed...

[Edited 12/24/14 7:33am]

kitbradley said:

The first two singles from his album received pretty heavy radio play in my neck of the woods. Tank was never a radio artist. I don't know what the sales are for "Stronger", but, if I recall correctly, "Stronger" was #1 on the R&B Album Charts and managed a Top 20 spot on the Pop side. Does he know how many artists have never and will never achieve those types of positions? I definately understand his frustration. I mean, anytime Justin Timberlake does better on the R&B side than Tank, yeah, that would bother me, too. Maybe "Stronger" won't go gold or platinum but for 2014, I think he did well. He should be proud of it. Great albums don't always sell in big numbers. He should know that and be happy with the mid-level career that he's had for all of these years.

But not having great sales is a bad sign for any RnB artist! Next they will be dropped from the label. To make room for the next Robin Thicke or Justin Timverlake. Good thing he has built an acting career, because he might be getting those walking papers.

[Edited 12/24/14 7:28am]

Scorp said:

R&B had already began its descent in the late 80s....

you could feel the change, and see the change...it was already happening then....

the quality was being diluted by the end of that decade

Donnie Simpson, former host of BET'S Video Soul (when BET was legit, before it sank into the abyss), he got outta there because he saw the descent knocking on the door too

the very moment artists were geared towards sampling the music from years before w/out giving acknowledge where the samples were coming from (not the artists fault exclusively but the record execs put this dynamic in motion), that was a major red flag where things were headed

another major red flag was when the adult record buying public, an audience that introduced their kids to the artists we came to enjoy during music's golden era, that audience was being pushed out, phased out of the equation....

when sampling became prominent, authenticity was no longer needed...

[Edited 12/24/14 7:33am]

Agree...

Co-opted and corrupted, spoon fed re-hash.

I imagine it like eating vomit.

babynoz said:

Scorp said:

R&B had already began its descent in the late 80s....

you could feel the change, and see the change...it was already happening then....

the quality was being diluted by the end of that decade

Donnie Simpson, former host of BET'S Video Soul (when BET was legit, before it sank into the abyss), he got outta there because he saw the descent knocking on the door too

the very moment artists were geared towards sampling the music from years before w/out giving acknowledge where the samples were coming from (not the artists fault exclusively but the record execs put this dynamic in motion), that was a major red flag where things were headed

another major red flag was when the adult record buying public, an audience that introduced their kids to the artists we came to enjoy during music's golden era, that audience was being pushed out, phased out of the equation....

when sampling became prominent, authenticity was no longer needed...

[Edited 12/24/14 7:33am]

Agree...

Co-opted and corrupted, spoon fed re-hash.

I imagine it like eating vomit.

amon loll

It's tough on a truly talented singer these days though. On 1 hand, it's great to have them make the kind of music that they want to make and that is authentic to their personality but at the same time, this is their job. They make money by selling singles, albums and performing live/touring. You can be the most creative and artistic singer out there, but if the fans aren't feeling what you're putting out, they won't buy it or pay to see you perform, and you won't get paid. That's why so many of the talented ones dumb themselves down and chase the trends.

The labels are the ones with the power to change this though, as they choose who and what to promote heavily or not. If they stopped signing people who can't sing, can't write and can't play instruments, things would change. Unfortunately, the labels have learned that pre-teens and teens are the ones who buy the most music though, so that's why we've been seeing a dramatic increase in kiddie-geared music over the last 15 years. Sure, an occasional mature and talented singer will get a hit single or album every now and then but it's becoming more rare.

Tank has the talent and looks to be a huge star but he appeals to adults, not kids, so his career has suffered as a result in this current mess of a music industry. Looking at his billboard stats, he's only had 3 big r&b hit singles in the 14 years he's been on the scene, barely charted on the hot 100, and only had his first 2 albums go gold. I'm a fan and it's a shame he hasn't been more successful.

Speaking of r nb artists, has anybody heard of this guy Kevin Ross? He seems to be gaining traction for his Glade holiday song.

Stronger was one of his stronger albums, indeed. It's too bad his label is apparently pulling the promotion on it.

kitbradley said:

Really a shame. "Stronger" is a damn fine album. And as much as I adore Tank, I never thought I would say that about one of his albums. I'm afraid R&B is pretty much dead. Anytime someone like Beyonce becomes the reigning queen of R&B, then yes, the genre is as dead as a door nail!

Here's the thing. Talent isn't enough. You've got to have the hits, the flash, that magnetic thing that pulls people in (which ain't being WHITE making R&B).

So, his album "flopped". Not too many people heard it. But the people who did hear it didn't make a lot of noise about it either. He needs to be thankful for the audience he has and BUILD on it. If Tank calls it quits, his remaining fans will too.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

whitechocolatebrotha said:

I feel 4 him. Talent simply doesn't cut it anymore. People who play instruments and are good singers just can't stand up against all the Autotuned, Hip-Hop-infused output that's so rampant in the R&B market today. I say "Do a D-Train, my brutha and "Keep ON!" You're not the only one who's disenchanted with the state of Soul Music today. Hang in there. Your day will come(back.)

[Edited 12/23/14 17:34pm]

Smartest thing said here so far!

whitechocolatebrotha said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Smartest thing said here so far!

Awww! THANKS!!! Happy New Year, my friend!

Scorp said:

R&B had already began its descent in the late 80s....

you could feel the change, and see the change...it was already happening then....

the quality was being diluted by the end of that decade

Donnie Simpson, former host of BET'S Video Soul (when BET was legit, before it sank into the abyss), he got outta there because he saw the descent knocking on the door too

the very moment artists were geared towards sampling the music from years before w/out giving acknowledge where the samples were coming from (not the artists fault exclusively but the record execs put this dynamic in motion), that was a major red flag where things were headed

another major red flag was when the adult record buying public, an audience that introduced their kids to the artists we came to enjoy during music's golden era, that audience was being pushed out, phased out of the equation....

when sampling became prominent, authenticity was no longer needed...

[Edited 12/24/14 7:33am]

>

Personally I always thought this was the beginning of the end of Janet Jackson's career. Once the team became too lazy to come up with their own stuff the writing was on the wall creatively.

lrn36 said:

Speaking of r nb artists, has anybody heard of this guy Kevin Ross? He seems to be gaining traction for his Glade holiday song.

Nice voice...

But, does the world need another John Legend?