Will Robin Thicke Recover?
Jul 11, 2014 16:16:09 GMT -5
Post by Live Your Life on Jul 11, 2014 16:16:09 GMT -5
As I've said in his thread, I find the pattern of Robin Thicke's career interesting. It basically yo-yos from one release to another. Let's start from the beginning:
- Son of an 80s TV star who was enthralled by R&B music.
- Inked his first record deal with Interscope Records at age 14.
- Began to write and produce songs for pop and R&B singers in the mid to late 90s.
- Went by the name Thicke, and released the Beethoven-sampled debut single, "When I Get You Alone," accompanied by a video where he was riding a bike in NYC and looking like Jesus. The video was played on MTV and BET. Although the single was a flop in the U.S., it went to top 10 in a few European countries.
- Debut album, "Cherry Blue Skies," was reissued and renamed to "A Beautiful World" in 2003. It bombed.
- By 2005, he signed with Star Trak Records, a label founded by Pharrell Williams, distributed through Interscope Records. Now, with a new look, and usage of his full name, he released the single, "Wanna Love U Girl," with little fanfare.
- By 2006, the album, "The Evolution of Robin Thicke," was released and was initially a flop. However, this album heavily featured the Bossa nova sound that he would become closely associated with.
- In 2007, his breakthrough hit, "Lost Without U" slowly ascended up the charts, eventually peaking at #1 on the R&B Charts and #14 on the Hot 100. Subsequently, "The Evolution of Robin Thicke" was certified platinum.
- He continued to score a few more R&B hits, and achieved two more certified Gold albums.
- In 2011, he released "Love After War," which failed to ignite audiences. His career was in a drought.
- In early 2013, a controversial video, featuring scantily clad women, premiered on BET, after his appearance on the "Real Husbands of Hollywood." That video was his new single, "Blurred Lines." After it was uploaded to VEVO, it was posted everywhere, and the song made healthy gains on the iTunes singles chart all over the world. Fast-forward a few months later, and Robin and the song were inescapable. It became one of the biggest hits EVER. The album, of the same name, debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 with over 177,000 copies sold the first week, giving Robin the biggest first week sales of his career. The album was also his best selling since 2006's "The Evolution of Robin Thicke."
- In August 2013, he was asked to perform on the MTV Video Music Video Awards with Miley Cyrus. He got "twerked" on, and that was the start of the downfall.
- By June 2014, his reputation was ruined. This was a result of overexposure, cheating allegations, and components of the "Blurred Lines" song and video being seen as problematic by women.
- On July 1, he released "Paula," an album pleading for forgiveness from estranged wife, Paula Patton. The album was met with criticism of desperation, and debuted to dismal sales. Vitriol is being thrown at him from every angle.
So, my question is, do you think he is over? Will he ever have another big hit? Will his career receive another wind, as it has several times? Discuss.
- Son of an 80s TV star who was enthralled by R&B music.
- Inked his first record deal with Interscope Records at age 14.
- Began to write and produce songs for pop and R&B singers in the mid to late 90s.
- Went by the name Thicke, and released the Beethoven-sampled debut single, "When I Get You Alone," accompanied by a video where he was riding a bike in NYC and looking like Jesus. The video was played on MTV and BET. Although the single was a flop in the U.S., it went to top 10 in a few European countries.
- Debut album, "Cherry Blue Skies," was reissued and renamed to "A Beautiful World" in 2003. It bombed.
- By 2005, he signed with Star Trak Records, a label founded by Pharrell Williams, distributed through Interscope Records. Now, with a new look, and usage of his full name, he released the single, "Wanna Love U Girl," with little fanfare.
- By 2006, the album, "The Evolution of Robin Thicke," was released and was initially a flop. However, this album heavily featured the Bossa nova sound that he would become closely associated with.
- In 2007, his breakthrough hit, "Lost Without U" slowly ascended up the charts, eventually peaking at #1 on the R&B Charts and #14 on the Hot 100. Subsequently, "The Evolution of Robin Thicke" was certified platinum.
- He continued to score a few more R&B hits, and achieved two more certified Gold albums.
- In 2011, he released "Love After War," which failed to ignite audiences. His career was in a drought.
- In early 2013, a controversial video, featuring scantily clad women, premiered on BET, after his appearance on the "Real Husbands of Hollywood." That video was his new single, "Blurred Lines." After it was uploaded to VEVO, it was posted everywhere, and the song made healthy gains on the iTunes singles chart all over the world. Fast-forward a few months later, and Robin and the song were inescapable. It became one of the biggest hits EVER. The album, of the same name, debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 with over 177,000 copies sold the first week, giving Robin the biggest first week sales of his career. The album was also his best selling since 2006's "The Evolution of Robin Thicke."
- In August 2013, he was asked to perform on the MTV Video Music Video Awards with Miley Cyrus. He got "twerked" on, and that was the start of the downfall.
- By June 2014, his reputation was ruined. This was a result of overexposure, cheating allegations, and components of the "Blurred Lines" song and video being seen as problematic by women.
- On July 1, he released "Paula," an album pleading for forgiveness from estranged wife, Paula Patton. The album was met with criticism of desperation, and debuted to dismal sales. Vitriol is being thrown at him from every angle.
So, my question is, do you think he is over? Will he ever have another big hit? Will his career receive another wind, as it has several times? Discuss.
He's got some major work to do if he's looking to put a real bounce back into his career. 
