Underrated Music Artists/Groups...

AKA2D '91 · #1 08-17-2001, 06:35 PM

Excuse the Long Intro...

Many times in the music industry, if you don't sell THIS many units, of if you don't have THIS image, the record company doesn't feel that you are "worthy" on their label. Yet, these are the MOST talented singer, songwriting, and or producers out there.

As I looked through the lastest posts of the Music Hitting the Streets thread, I thought about someone mentioning Angie Stone and if her latest CD would be released. The release was contingent upon the success of her single. I was like WTF? Angie has it going on!

I remember hearing Jill Scott say that when she was looking for a deal, she didn't send a picture of herself to the companies. She went on to say that the companies would call up about her demo she had sent. BUT, she would hang up on the ones that asked her how she looked, FIRST. NOW, what if she would have sent EVERY DEMO she had WITH a picture? WOULD WE HAVE ASKED, "Who is Jill Scott"?

So, I want you all to name some of the most underrated music artist (dead or alive), regardless of genre that you believe does not get the "props" he or she deserves. Someone who is very talented, but doesn't always get nominated for the Grammy's and other awards, they don't receive the SAME notariety as Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Destiny's Child, etc.

Miss. Mocha · #2 08-17-2001, 06:41 PM

Nas - he's never nominated for any awards, never gets to preform at the award shows.

112 - just starting to get the recognition that they deserve.

Jon B. - rarely recognized as being a great talent.

[This message has been edited by Miss. Mocha (edited August 17, 2001).]

librasoul22 · #3 08-17-2001, 09:43 PM

Good topic!!!

Angie Stone is on Arista, which is a major, mainstream label. Although she is, as you correctly stated, on POINT (!), Arista and its distributor, BMG, are concerned with maintaining their reputation as the number one label/distributor in the nation, respectively. Alicia Keys album release, for example, was scheduled tentatively at first to allow the industry folk to see if all of Clive Davis' hype would pay off and result in mainstream acceptance. Definitely NOT saying that these artists aren't talented, but for the most part if you are signed with a major label that is distributed by the "Big 5," as they are called, your talent will be measured in how much buzz you create within the industry and, later, how many albums you sell.

Jill Scott is on an independent label (Hidden Beach), and she is actually their debut artist. Since the label is an upstart, they don't have to be as concerned with image and everything industry. They had nothing to lose by promoting an unknown artist and most of the publicity for Jill's album was word-of-mouth. I think that now, with her MUCH DESERVED success, that more artists will decide to go independent rather than be pigeon-holed by mainstream labels (not saying this happens in every case, but we know that most acts are studio-produced and manufactured!)

NOW...sorry for that long post, here are my choices...

Underrated artists:
- I am the Blu Cantrell hype machine!! LOL

- Mystic - I think I mentioned her on the New Music thread
- dead prez - probably too political/controversial for most mainstream America, but they are the BOMB to me!

[This message has been edited by librasoul22 (edited August 17, 2001).]

Soulful Soror · #4 08-17-2001, 11:38 PM

I like this one! My choices are:
Mint Condition--gotta love Stokely!
Silk-yes, they always sing "bump & grind" type music...but they can SANG!
Amel Larrieux--She put the Groove in "Groove Theory"!
Dead Prez--they have a song on their "let's get free" cd called "discipline"...it's a short little piece, but I love it!
Those guys from Brand New Heavies & those guys from Sweet Back!
Mos Def--I REALLY don't think he gets as many props as he truly deserves.
Talib Kweli--same as above!

librasoul22 · #5 08-18-2001, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Soulful Soror:
I like this one! My choices are:
Talib Kweli--same as above!

I will second this one! And pretty much all of your choices were on point to me. Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek's CD was OFF THE CHAIN, but it got no where near the recoginition it deserved.

BTW, AKA2D '91, who are your picks?

[This message has been edited by librasoul22 (edited August 18, 2001).]

Ideal08 · #6 08-18-2001, 02:37 PM

This is a GOOD topic, Soror!!

My picks:

Kelis. People straight slept on her, I think. She got no hype whatsoever, and only two videos. Her CD is pretty nice. A little different, but pretty nice.

Timbaland: No one ever gives him props for his beats. Except him, lol! But they are tight. That's why Missy's albums are so nice, cuz she's clearly not a lyricist.

Speaking of lyricists...

Most of the underground hiphop artists.

dead prez. love 'em. librasoul, you are right, AmeriKKKa is HARDLY ready for them.

Royce 5'9: I heard a song of his on the 2nd lyricist lounge cd, and I love it! When I was in Cleveland, I heard him on the radio, I was in SHOCK!!! So maybe he'll start to get recognition.

Guru (of Gangstarr): Man, this 3rd Jazzmatazz CD is the BOMB!!!

I agree about Amel Larrieux and Talib Kweli.

I'm sure I'll have more.

This is such a good topic!!!

Finer Woman10-A-91 · #7 08-18-2001, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by librasoul22:
Good topic!!!
Jill Scott is on an independent label (Hidden Beach), and she is actually their debut artist. Since the label is an upstart, they don't have to be as concerned with image and everything industry. They had nothing to lose by promoting an unknown artist and most of the publicity for Jill's album was word-of-mouth. I think that now, with her MUCH DESERVED success, that more artists will decide to go independent rather than be pigeon-holed by mainstream labels (not saying this happens in every case, but we know that most acts are studio-produced and manufactured!)

I am a big Jill Scott fan...but if you think for a minute that Hidden Beach did n't consider the risk in terms of promoting her image I think you have underestimated the business savvy of HB. The risk was greater. What Hidden Beach did was BRILLIANT...they used mystery to promote her. Only half revealing her face on the cover...asking the question...Who is Jill Scott?...intriguing. It worked. ALL METICULOUSLY PLANNED.

The truth is, it is very difficult for music/film industry folks to think outside of the box when it comes to marketing and promotions...the artist either fits a type, or you create the type. Jill is a big girl...beautiful yes, talented yes...but look what happened to Jennifer Holiday, Kelli Price, Faith Evans etc...none of them have come close to their potential. Whats the solution? Work around it. Jill is without question a GIFTED artist. And we are happy Hidden beach made it work.

Going independent is the way...especially if you are trying to make $$$$. Hopefully, up and coming artists are taking notes from the winning circle of artists who are doing it. Its not an easy road. Unfortunately, many artists are just that...artists...ignoring the business. The artists want the fat advance more only afforded from a label...but they get cut on the back end. Go figure.

Anyhoo, I went off on a tangent there.

Underrated artists pick:
Chante' Moore..a real chanteuse.

Upcoming STARS:
Naviv...(those of you on the East coast will hear and see her in October!!!)She's on MP3.com

15/20 Management...My company...

check for her!

Sarah Divine & Anthony Mills...2 more off the chain up and coming stars...again if you are in the NYC area...check for them!

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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!

CelestialBlu1 · #8 08-18-2001, 09:54 PM

Amel Larrieux
N'Dea Davenport

[This message has been edited by CelestialBlu1 (edited August 18, 2001).]

CrimsonTide4 · #9 08-18-2001, 10:21 PM

Definitely Mint Condition. Their whole vibe is just wonderful.

Back in the day JOE was underated.

librasoul22 · #10 08-19-2001, 12:34 AM

FinerWoman10-A-91, your post was on point and very well-put.

Did y'all know that Talib Kweli and Mos Def made an album together under the name Black Star? It, IMO, is a classic record. I think it was released in like '97, and I still, to this day, wear it out.

Royce da 5'9 is tight Ideal, his song "Boom" is cool to me. He needs to stop trying to promote himself as Eminem's protege and stand on his own...he has enough talent to do so.

Whoever likes underdround hip hop should check out the first Soundbombing compilation.

Some more artists who are underrated are:
- N'Dambi
- Pru,
and even to a lesser degree, India.Arie. She doesn't get enough credit for her songwriting and the fact that she plays the acoustic guitar...no small feat.

AKA2D '91 · #11 08-19-2001, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by librasoul22:
I will second this one! And pretty much all of your choices were on point to me. Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek's CD was OFF THE CHAIN, but it got no where near the recoginition it deserved.

BTW, AKA2D '91, who are your picks?

[This message has been edited by librasoul22 (edited August 18, 2001).]

Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly
Will Downing
Brian McKnight
Rachelle Farrell
Lala Hathaway
Randy Crawford

these are a few that come to mind.

librasoul22 · #12 08-19-2001, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ideal08:
Kelis. People straight slept on her, I think. She got no hype whatsoever, and only two videos. Her CD is pretty nice. A little different, but pretty nice.

Timbaland: No one ever gives him props for his beats. Except him, lol! But they are tight. That's why Missy's albums are so nice, cuz she's clearly not a lyricist.

Sorry about the double post, but I had to come back to say that Kelis' CD WAS tight, Ideal. I especially liked the last song with Marc Dorsey. THE BOMB.

Also, Missy is kinda underrated as a producer, too. For those that have Aaliyah's new CD, Missy produced what is, IMO, the best song on there, "I Care 4 U." She produced this track some years ago (it was supposed to be on "One in a Million," but was left off for some reason), and to me it shows her range as a producer - street beats, club beats, jungle beats, and ballads.
Tim is starting to get his props, as many artists outside of the hip-hop/R&B genre are asking him to produce tracks for them (Beck, No Doubt, et. al.)

[This message has been edited by librasoul22 (edited August 19, 2001).]

Soulful Soror · #13 08-19-2001, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91:
Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly
Will Downing
Brian McKnight
Rachelle Farrell
Lala Hathaway
Randy Crawford

these are a few that come to mind.

I agree with all of the above, particularly Lalah Hathaway. If you listen to her Dad's songs & her songs, they have some of the same inflections in their voices. I thought it was eery, but nice!

Finer Woman10-A-91 · #14 08-19-2001, 02:24 PM

I was hanging out with N'Dea last night...stay tuned. It ain't over! I agree, she is a sorely underrated artist.

Quote:

Originally posted by CelestialBlu1:
Amel Larrieux
N'Dea Davenport

[This message has been edited by CelestialBlu1 (edited August 18, 2001).]

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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...of course!

onesavvydiva · #15 08-19-2001, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ideal08:
This is a GOOD topic, Soror!!

My picks:

Guru (of Gangstarr): Man, this 3rd Jazzmatazz CD is the BOMB!!!

That CD gets heavy rotation in my car...I love the song "Certified", and I like the beat to the song that starts off..."Why she bugging if I told her I would call her back..." (don't know the name off hand, but the one with Macy Gray) Love it!!!

[This message has been edited by onesavvydiva (edited August 19, 2001).]