So I’m pissed. Instead of “Here I Am,” the album should be called “Here’s My Vagina.” I feel that with this album, Kelly Rowland has skanked herself out; over-sexualizing her image and sound to sell records. On the deluxe edition, 5 out of 12 tracks are infused with sexual content. The lyrics aren’t explicit enough for the album to be slapped with a “parental advisory” label, but bold enough to where you can’t play them in front of a 12-year old. The rest of the album is basic R&B/Dance. Like any other K.Row fan, I’m ready for her to have her moment in the sun with platinum records and spectacular tours, but at what expense? I much rather see her never have a hit single again, than for her to rise to stardom with songs like “Motivation” and “Lay it On Me” and compromise her art. I’m debating on purchasing her album. On one hand, I want to contribute to her sales so that she won’t have another low-selling record. On the other hand, I don’t want to communicate to her or her record label that this material is acceptable. What do you guys think? Should I buy the album? To read the more objective, diplomatic review, see http://jsays.weebly.com/2/post/2011/07/kelly-rowland-here-i-am-deluxe.html

Columbia/Epic Label Group Chairman Rob Stringer recently gave an interview with Billboard.com, addressing the multiple rumors regarding the label response to Beyonce’s release of “4.”  “The story about us being unhappy with the record and stuff is just not true…We’re really, really happy with it…the numbers are very good everywhere. We thought the record was great from the beginning, and some of the stuff that is happening now is vindication of it.” Since April, rumors have swirled that executives from Columbia Records (Beyonce’s home label) were concerned about the poor chart and sales performance of “4’s” debut single, “Run the World” and desired a new release date and reconstruction of the entire album, particularly after its 3-week early online leak.  “We didn’t want the leaks to happen,” Stringer says, “but there was never any discussion of this album moving. It has always been that date (June 28)…there was never conversation about pushing it back, bringing it forward, changing the songs-none of it. Those conversations never existed.”

Looking at the multidimensional and massive marketing of other 2011
album releases, like Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” fans assumed that“4” would be packaged with loads of bonus features and other related products to retain sales. Stringer discussed the long-term promotional plans. “The main concentration for the next few months is to get this record working everywhere. The touring plan is extensive. The promo plan is extensive. We also know we’re going to put out a lot of singles and shoot a lot of videos from the record. There’s enough positive information that we think we can work the record for another 18 months, and hopefully over that period we’ll all be proved right that this is an important record and a commercially successful record.” “4”sold 310,000 copies its 1st week and debuted at #1 on the U.S. chart. Hopefully Stringer’s comments will put the rumors to rest.