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Music News: Kelly Rowland leaves Universal Republic Records
Member Since: 5/23/2012
Posts: 504
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Kelly Rowland leaves Universal Republic Records
The good sis' artist profile has been snatched within last few days:
http://www.republicrecords.com/artists/#K
Hopefully it means good things for her moving forward.
Saw this fan comment on another forum and it hits the nail on the head x2:
Quote:
Strangely surprised and not at the same time.
Still, in echoing parts of Motivator's post, I'm hoping this means a better label with better resources.
Because, if being entirely honest, I remember thinking "why Motown?" at the time she signed with them just after she garnered all that attention from "When Love Takes Over".
After all; granted she was making great music ("Commander" and "Forever & A Day"), Motown/Universal Republic were (and still are) such an Urban skewed label - and still not the best among the pack. Indeed, at the time of her signing, the floppage of the Myas, Ashantis, and Nellys was still fresh and ultimately made her decision to sign there all the more puzzling. Even when she switched in Urban direction, things didn't "get better" (besides "Motivation"). Again, leaving me scratching my head as to why opted to go there in the first place.
[I suspect the Motown/Universal deal gave her more freedom (and potentially coins), hence why she passed up the ALLEGED deals she had on the table from Interscope and one of Sony's labels at the time. Both labels with a MUCH better track record]
Annnnywaay....
Given that we don't know the circumstances surrounding her apparent departure, I feel it could be the clean-break needed.
Because, by default it means she'll have a new label team. That means new publicists, new radio pluggers, new marketing, new everything. Hopefully, it's a stricter team too, who'll assert their control over her product and promotion more. For, while we love us some Kelly, musical autonomy/freedom should be EARNED and not handed on the back of being from a major group. Put simply, in keeping it 100, Kelly is still tasked with proving herself commercially. Only when she's able to, should she theoretically to be picking her own singles etc. Sounds harsh? Perhaps. But one look at Rihanna's success narrative and it's clear that letting the people who know their ish do their work is the best way of playing the game. Then, when the artist's name reaches a certain level, she can then turn around and control more of her brand.
In terms of where she could/should go, she actually has a number of potentially fruitful options.
Atlantic: Not as big as any of the Sony or Universal labels. However when they get it "right", they get it "RIGHT" (see: Bruno Mars, Trey Songz, and the promotion of Janelle Monae). Also, there's the benefit of not having any artists like her on their roster (besides Sevyn Streeter and let’s be honest....Yah lol)
Def Jam: Not quite the force they were, but a) still have a great roster and endless resources (see: Rihanna, Mariah, Kanye, Justin Bieber).
Interscope: Another label with a generally solid track record and impressive roster. Artists housed here include Kendrick Lamar, Eminem and Keri Hilson. Even with their hard-to-launch projects, they often push heavily until wheels turn or fall off (see: Keri, Nicole)
A Sony Label: Can’t see it being Columbia, as she hasn’t done much commercially since they dropped her. Would prefer she stayed off Epic, who already have major R&B females in the form of Ciara and Tamar. La Face Records is about to relaunch there, so that could be an option, as could RCA – although she may run risk of getting lost in shuffle among the big guns there.
Roc Nation: Roc Nation is launching their actual record label this year (everyone seems to think it was a label already, but it was actually only a management/A&R firm). With a blank slate of a roster, Kelly could sign here and benefit from their tried and tested industry power and pull. Not sure if essentially answering to Jay-Z (on paper, as it’s almost certain he’s more a figure-head than active-active) is something that would sit well with Kelly or her team.
Pardon the essay lol. As you can see, quite impassioned about the matter and hopeful for a positive outcome. It’s essentially in Kelly’s court to make the right decision this time around. Because labels can be blamed all we want, but the reality is that Kelly controls whatever move she makes, so it’s important – now more than ever – that she makes the right one.
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Member Since: 8/17/2009
Posts: 6,121
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Member Since: 8/17/2009
Posts: 6,121
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Yes , now sign with roc nation and get ya number 1 album and top 10 solo hit!!!
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Member Since: 11/16/2010
Posts: 11,962
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 15,127
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If she chose RCA 
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 5,048
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Quote:
Originally posted by Airhead
Leaves... or dropped?
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Good question.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 11/5/2011
Posts: 100,491
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Come to Capitol, sis 
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Member Since: 9/20/2008
Posts: 2,290
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Quote:
Originally posted by Airhead
Leaves... or dropped?
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As of right now nothing has been confirmed so we really don't know. It's a TERRIBLE label though so this might be for the BETTER. I hope a new label will challenge her to go out of the box.
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Member Since: 9/18/2011
Posts: 5,330
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Quote:
Originally posted by Airhead
Leaves... or dropped?
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I am sure it was an amicable agreement 
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Member Since: 5/22/2012
Posts: 1,023
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She left, because she felt like she was being hold back and they didn't want her to have much success.
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Member Since: 3/20/2011
Posts: 26,615
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...signs to Epic records. 
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Member Since: 8/31/2013
Posts: 5,259
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She needs to be with Roc Nation, can't see them letting FAMILY flop like her previous label. She needs features like Kanye West and JAY Z, or even Rick Ross. She always seems to have the lamest features.
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Member Since: 11/16/2011
Posts: 11,544
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A step in the right direction, I hope.
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Member Since: 9/20/2008
Posts: 2,290
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Quote:
Originally posted by Attitude
...signs to Epic records. |
Well that would make sense though cause LA Reid is a HUGE fan of hers, he even calls her 'Superstar'.
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Member Since: 8/22/2007
Posts: 8,800
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Quote:
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Even with their hard-to-launch projects, they often push heavily until wheels turn or fall off (see: Keri, Nicole)
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Hopefully they handle her right whomever snatches her
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Member Since: 8/1/2012
Posts: 12,442
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Talk A Good Game had so much potential, they wasted a gem of an R&B album.
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Member Since: 9/8/2011
Posts: 25,869
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They did her wrong in the previous era after Commander.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 41,181
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I don't get why you guys think her label wasn't treating her right. Before she signed with them, she was irrelevant (no shade, I've always liked her music). Universal turned her into an established urban artist. ALL the singles from 'TAGG' were Top 10 urban hits. And her album didn't even sell that bad for the urban market's standards. I wish her the best though. I hope the new label helps her elevate her status even more.
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Member Since: 9/20/2008
Posts: 2,290
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Quote:
Originally posted by Dark Miracles
Talk A Good Game had so much potential, they wasted a gem of an R&B album.
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Absolutely.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 1,859
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Quote:
Originally posted by Truth Teller
I don't get why you guys think her label wasn't treating her right. Before she signed with them, she was irrelevant (no shade, I've always liked her music). Universal turned her into an established urban artist. ALL the singles from 'TAGG' were Top 10 urban hits. And her album didn't even sell that bad for the urban market's standards. I wish her the best though. I hope the new label helps her elevate her status even more.
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They made her do ok, but her potential is way beyond that. She's a triple thread with the outstanding looks and voice.
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