back2blk
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Post by back2blk on May 14, 2021 17:50:33 GMT -5
I'm not questioning her talent, I'm strictly referring to her actual musical output. She's earned the reputation of a premiere R&B artist without actually serving a body of work that puts her at that level. And I know award shows mean very little in the end and so much of it is about politics, timing, etc. But she's being given this Erykah Badu/Jill Scott/Lauryn Hill treatment and hasn't even released a proper album (and neither of her compilation albums were outright winners either IMO). Just kinda bizarre to me. I'm definitely rooting for her. And I have my fingers crossed she serves with this album. Do you mean that you're just not impressed by her music? Cause that's just taste level/preference. She's likely getting that industry love and respect because she writes and produces most of her music. She may not release music in the format we're used to, but she's giving us E.P.'s and Compilations with enough music to comprise two or three albums. And the first compilation went platinum. I find it bizarre that she's making music people are buying, that it is being awarded, that she's writing/producing, all while being featured on soundtracks and top R&B songs as a feature, and all while being booked and killing it on major TV spots, but people feel it's not deserved?
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SHOOTER
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Post by SHOOTER on May 16, 2021 4:09:09 GMT -5
One can be talented and still overhyped.
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Post by areyoureadytojump on May 19, 2021 19:42:49 GMT -5
RIAA.com:
H.E.R. Title: DAMAGE Certification Date: May 13, 2021 Label: MBK ENTERTAINMENT / RCA RECORDS Format: SINGLE Platinum
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SHOOTER
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Post by SHOOTER on May 27, 2021 19:14:51 GMT -5
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Jun 9, 2021 9:23:29 GMT -5
Can I say this woman is over saturated with these constant releases, her management/label is trying everything to make her pop. Why am I getting annoyed? I can’t even keep up with her releases.
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Rosaliner
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Post by Rosaliner on Jun 9, 2021 9:39:09 GMT -5
Can I say this woman is over saturated with these constant releases, her management/label is trying everything to make her pop. Why am I getting annoyed? I can’t even keep up with her releases. There's a new one coming this week (was it announced yet?). It's called "We Made it". It is a pretty straightforward r&B track and that is probably gonna a radio edit, the outro is a guitar solo + a piano solo that lasts for around 1:30 minutes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2021 9:48:26 GMT -5
She's not following a traditional release model, but it's not 2005 anymore and very few acts are. It seems to be paying off for her with all the hype, hits, awards, etc.
I think her single releases are very hit or miss, but she's very talented (how many mainstream R&B artists today play multiple instruments?) and I'm happy to see any traditional R&B act that is able to break through at mainstream Urban radio and appeal to the same demos that now listen to predominantly rap.
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Jun 9, 2021 10:09:36 GMT -5
She's not following a traditional release model, but it's not 2005 anymore and very few acts are. It seems to be paying off for her with all the hype, hits, awards, etc. I think her single releases are very hit or miss, but she's very talented (how many mainstream R&B artists today play multiple instruments?) and I'm happy to see any traditional R&B act that is able to break through at mainstream Urban radio and appeal to the same demos that now listen to predominantly rap. I understand that; however, she’s not allowing listeners—myself in particular—to get comfortable with her releases. I know I saw a release from Netflix. She just dropped Come Through, which she could have kept. It’s not take away from her talent either. Even when it came to her EP albums, it wasn’t a constant back to back. I liked that strategy more than this current one. You’re right about the hit and miss because it kills my interest in the album too. I strongly think she needs to leave a llittle anticipation for the album because this strategy feels unfocused and messy, IMO.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2021 4:57:34 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2021 10:44:01 GMT -5
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Jun 10, 2021 11:19:22 GMT -5
Finally a release date!
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Wave.
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Post by Wave. on Jun 10, 2021 14:35:11 GMT -5
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Troublemaker
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Post by Troublemaker on Jun 10, 2021 15:36:40 GMT -5
Wow I’m genuinely impressed, the cynical part of me was expecting her album close to Grammy deadline.
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Jun 11, 2021 18:30:01 GMT -5
No track list reveal; however, 21 tracks and Damage, Come Through, Hold On and Slide will be included. I’m laughing at her including Slide, but not surprised.
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Ty
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Post by Ty on Jun 12, 2021 17:58:46 GMT -5
I'm kinda surprised she chose to include "Slide" over "I Can't Breathe" and "Fight for You".
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back2blk
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Post by back2blk on Jun 12, 2021 19:28:30 GMT -5
I will say, I am getting a little tired seeing her pop up on almost every major album release. Maroon 5?
Girl, your agent is the best I’ve ever seen.
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Jun 12, 2021 21:27:50 GMT -5
I'm kinda surprised she chose to include "Slide" over "I Can't Breathe" and "Fight for You". I’m not because it’s her hit.
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SHOOTER
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Typical of those in power to stay worried about the *wrong* shit.
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Post by SHOOTER on Jun 17, 2021 8:42:04 GMT -5
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Jun 17, 2021 9:12:11 GMT -5
Listened to My Own and We Made It; Damage is best thing about this project.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2021 9:13:43 GMT -5
The album is too long and very samey. My favorites ("Damage" and "Hold On") were already released. "Bloody Waters" is my favorite after those two.
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Jun 18, 2021 9:50:39 GMT -5
I agree. Highly disappointed after the two EPs albums. I do like Hard to Love and Closer to Me—both carry similar sounds to her EPs. Also For Anyone is decent too.
As far as singles, I feel I’m out of touch on what’s popular on urban so I don’t know where her people will go with singles.
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Troublemaker
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Post by Troublemaker on Jun 18, 2021 10:02:02 GMT -5
Let the records show that I tried. I completely forgot I was listening to a new record at first mostly due to the length and being samey. I can’t remember most of the new songs save for “bloody waters” (why isn’t that the focus track of the week???). I’ll listen again just because I want to support urban girls (maybe third time will be the charm)
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back2blk
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Post by back2blk on Jun 18, 2021 10:47:50 GMT -5
There's a good album here but I agree she needs to edit herself.
Cheat Code is great, Bloody Waters, Closer to Me, Damage, Process, Hold On, Don't.
Other songs have potential if she would at least give us some vocal delivery, like Trauma and We Made It.
I mean, nothing sounds cheap, but I feel the songs she's featured on are stronger than the features on her own album. That's maybe my biggest critique.
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bat1990
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Post by bat1990 on Jun 18, 2021 11:52:13 GMT -5
Her quantity of output and multi-instrumentalist talent always makes me think of Prince.
I also really enjoy "We Made It." I have no idea of any of the words, but the repeated musical riff gets stuck in my head.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2021 11:55:28 GMT -5
Her quantity of output and multi-instrumental talent output always makes me think of Prince. Without the quality. I'm a fan of hers and we get the occasional glimpse of brilliance, but I feel like she's about 85-90% passable music that blends in with what her peers are doing and 10-15% music that really demonstrates how talented she is. She's still young and early in her career, so I don't necessarily knock her for that... I feel like she's capable of so much more than most of what she's putting out with this album.
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back2blk
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Post by back2blk on Jun 18, 2021 12:30:08 GMT -5
Her quantity of output and multi-instrumental talent output always makes me think of Prince. Without the quality. I'm a fan of hers and we get the occasional glimpse of brilliance, but I feel like she's about 85-90% passable music that blends in with what her peers are doing and 10-15% music that really demonstrates how talented she is. She's still young and early in her career, so I don't necessarily knock her for that... I feel like she's capable of so much more than most of what she's putting out with this album. I think I'm starting to realize that too. I was very defensive of her earlier because we did see some early brilliance that got me excited but she's seemingly not reaching the breakthrough point. Especially when her albums are THIS long. I mean, there's actually replay value here, this isn't Chilombo or anything. But, you can't have 2 or 3 standout songs on an album this lengthy when you are just coming out the gate.
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Post by Mayman on Jun 18, 2021 16:18:07 GMT -5
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this because of the length, but I still gave it a shot. I feel like the back half of the album drags, but there were a few songs here that I liked. My favorites were:
We Made It Back of My Mind Trauma Damage Bloody Waters Don't
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elementd5
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Post by elementd5 on Jun 18, 2021 18:54:52 GMT -5
The title track is great and I think Trauma is really going to be a standout with time, but I agree the majority of this album is just uneventful.
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SHOOTER
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Post by SHOOTER on Jun 19, 2021 3:09:35 GMT -5
Where the hell is the tempo? Some variation in BPM alone would’ve done wonders.
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meg
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Post by meg on Jun 19, 2021 7:12:12 GMT -5
I love H.E.R and I prefer long albums but this one is just too slow and sleepy for 21 songs. I would remove 5-6. It's still really good album because H.E.R never dissapoint me with her lyricsm and vibe. And is for sure better than 90% than everything that was released this year. My favourite songs are Trauma, Damage, Hold on, Exhausted and Slide. I really hope she will finally have a super hit but sadly pop is what's rulling charts right now.
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