kontak80 said:
Im a firm believer that we should learn from the mistakes made by those who came before us, not repeat them. I felt the need to make this thread after watching that throwback Jodeci studio footage.
So why did these people fall off?
Jodeci
Brian McKnight
Shai
Total
Dru Hill
Guy
Keith Sweat
Jonnie Gill
Toni Tone Tony
Mint Condition
H-Town
I always hear people say that the reason producers sample from 70's soul/R&B records is because our generation has nothing to offer as far as R&B is concerned. Well, from the list that I just compiled, I beg to differ. And if anyone was born before 1985, then this should be apparent as well.
So what exactly happened here? How did true talent get replaced by auto-tuned vocals?
I don't think it's so much of a fall off as it is a change in the times. Fall offs mean their skills deteriorated (at least to me). That didn't necessarily happen. Times just changed, and fans moved on. Can stay on top forever, everybody has their runs.
Jodeci - The first K-Ci and Jo Jo album sealed their fate...Much like the success of B's solo album did Destiny's Child in. Groups break up all the time, they didn't fall off, they just dissapeared. The last 2 K-Ci and Jo Jo albums didn't do to well, so they probably don't (read: can't find) a label situation.
Brian McKnight - Honestly, I think label pressures got to him. His formula was working well until around the Superhero and Gemini albums. Then he started trying to adopt this usher kinda swagger with his songs, and start spitting game, etc. Came off real wack, and the fans responded.
Shai - Great question. I think this one was died due to a few issues. Boys II Men dominating the market, and everybody having to live up to their sales numbers. Clean Cut Rnb going out of style, for the harder edged sounds of groups like Jodeci. They were always second fiddle to the more talented, more visible groups like that.
Total - These hoes never had talent. They were a puffy product. Puff manufactured them a couple hits in bad boy's hey day. But you're only gonna get so far without talent, and these hoes had their 15 minutes.
Dru Hill - Sisqo's solo album killed them After selling like a gazillion copies, you think the LEAD SINGER was coming back to the group. And the fact that they overstayed their welcome. They couldn't evolve with the times, or really find a definable niche in the market to exploit. Their last album they added that Scola dude to make them 6, and it just didn't work. They took it back to 97, and it was 2004. Can't do that.
Guy - The most talented guy in the group (Teddy Riley) got bored and moved on. He moved on to Wrecks N Effect, Blackstreet (parts I - IV), and countless other ventures. The other 2 couldn't sustain careers.
Keith Sweat - Keith Sweat just DIDN'T CHANGE. He stayed stuck in 89 - 92. After 20 years of the SAME THING, people get tired.
Jonnie Gill - I've been wondering this myself. He's had like 4 phenomenal albums, that sold reasonably well. He's still got that voice, and he can still croon a chicks draws clean off. I think he just took a break to kick it with Eddie Murphy.
Toni Tone Tony - Again...the most talented member of the group left. Raphael left to do the Lucy Pearl thing (after their House Of Music album), then his solo stuff, and now he's running his label, Pookie Records. Dwayne Wiggins had a VERY DISSAPOINTING solo set, and nothing from the other Tony.
Mint Condition - Answered already.
H-Town - Not very hugely talented. Luke Records will only carry you so far. They also stayed stuck in Knockin Tha Boots time warp.
But mostly, I think the biggest reason is the industry's shift from artist development to fast food. They don't want talent, they want people who they can put into a happy meal box and sell 10 million of them. Sell anything less, and you don't get any label support.
Which is the case with all of the above.
There you have it. My take on what's happened.
