was scanning through the web and found this very interesting article so i decided to post..its a great read so help please give it a nice read and give me your thoughts on the comment section..shout out to
basemagazineonline for this great write up
As news spreads like wildfire through the social networks that
Ciara had only sold a little under 40,000 copies of her latest record
Basic Instinct in her first week, people are writing Ciara off as a flop and we don’t think that’s right. Ciara has enough talent in her to succeed in this industry but some changes and actions need to be taken. Here is our career revival plan for Ciara.
1. Switch Labels + Team!
Clearly Jive doesn’t love you anymore. Not only has the promotion for this latest album been dismal, but your previous album Fantasy Ride wasn’t exactly a runaway success either. You need people with a fresh perspective around you, that includes new agents, new managers and new publicists. People move around a lot in the music industry and you’ll find that the people who were once the biggest champions for your work, don’t even work at your label anymore. Our pick for your new label? Island Def Jam. Currently being run by L.A Reid, the same exec who signed Ciara to her current record deal, perhaps he could reignite the spark in her career since he was one of the people who believed enough in her to sign her. Other options include Interscope & J Records.
2. Join Janet Jackson’s Number Ones Tour as Opening Act.
While you may think you’re already at headliner status, those album sales indicate otherwise. Why not team up with the legend whose career path you most admire? You guys share fans with similar musical tastes and it’ll be a good way to at least attempt to salvage promotion for this album. Also, you’ll begin to build a stronger international fan base. Every journalist and blogger will be talking about this team up if it happens! Furthermore, both you and Janet are known for putting on a great show. Folks are sure to get their moneys worth. DO IT! oh and while you’re at it…
3. Do a Duet with Janet Jackson
A La Britney Spears & Madonna’s “Me Against The Music”, bridge the generational gap and give the people what they want! Surely we aren’t the only ones who think a Ciara and Janet Combo would be dope!
4. Create a Crossover Album That Respects Your Core Audience.
The Ciara we were all introduced to was an athletic Atlanta native who mixed Crunk, Hip-Hop & R&B into a hyper active genre that kept us all moving. A lot of the promo for Basic Instinct revolved around the premise that we were going to be getting back to that sound but it’s not that simple. The job of a pop star is to do what’s current & relevant while pushing the boundaries as well as creating sonic nods to your original/signature sound. I think your case is unique because your supposed signature sound is far too rooted in a genre that has seen better days: Crunk. Thus, you need to create a new signature sound. Also, you need not make The-Dream & Tricky your main collaborators, no matter how good your personal chemistry is together. This attempt at a “Janet + Jam + Lewis” esque production crew didn’t quite manifest the results it was supposed to.
Let’s get some Missy Elliot, Max Martin, Dr. Luke, Red One, Bagg and Arnthor, Danja andRodney Jerkins into the mix for the next record. If you want to get even more adventurous, start traveling the world and figuring out what types of music is popping off overseas and what producers are hot over there. That’s how we all got on this new Dance Pop wave which is currently on its way out. Some industry taste-makers say the next sound of the moment will be a more rock influenced sound and after that I believe R&B will have a renaissance of sorts.
Also, Watch your A&R’s. Some of them are lazy and will only seek out the same two producers who they have a good relationship with as opposed to seeking out fresh and talented producers who have great material. Don’t be afraid to use younger unknown producers. Many of them aren’t quite corrupted by the industry system yet and they are focused on being creative and they are not simply adhering to the mold that has been created for you.
5. Stop Doing THIS^
Cause we get it, you’re flexible. But this is not some neo-cultural dance phenomenon to rival Michael’s Moon Walk. Cut. It. Out. Furthermore, your visual presentation as a whole needs refreshing. Converse glued onto stripper heels? C’MON SON.
6. Get On Your Competition’s Level.
See those two girls up there? That’s your competition. At this point in your career, you should/need to be in the same places they are, getting the same amount of promo they do and racking up the same chart success. Yet at this point in your career, if the music industry was a neighborhood and those two were neighbors, you rent condo down the street. No Bueno! In 2005, if you were to ask someone whether they thought Rihanna would have more #1 singles than Ciara, they probably would’ve laughed.
7. Get The Ball Rolling!
CD sales are down and even acts who should be selling way more aren’t selling as much as they used to. You need to create a movement of sorts and get the people and the general public interested in your work! Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t the die hard fans who contribute the most to your success, it’s the folks who heard your song a few times and fell in love with it.
For most folks it takes at least 2-3 really dope singles for them to consider buying your album, which means next go around you need at least 2 top 10 singles before your album even drops. Are you ready for the challenge Ciara? Your career is truly at a turning point and it can go either way. Switch the style up and do what you have to do because at the end of a day, what you’re doing now ain’t cutting it!
thoughts?
