May 4, 20169 yr You can't simply switch labels until someone gets you in top 40... Lovebird didn't chart in top 40 either, yet OMS did. It's only a matter of the right music. Which brings me to my second point. DefJam hopped on board because they applauded Leona not being a puppet anymore and went recording an album on her own. That's why Thunder was first single too, Leona picked it. Hence Island wanted different singles too, but this era it was all about Leona. It's her album with no label intervention, or minimal. Single choices would have been different, I think, if DJ/Island financed the whole album. I believe Leona has a huge fanbase all over the world, but not die hard fans. Leona needs a hit that will be played all over the world again, that's when her fans will realise she's releasing. It's what's been the problem last couple of years. The fact she doesn't have die hard fans like Rihanna, Adele etc have is because Leona is versile. She has done all kinds of genres in music and that might have confused them. DefJam has done so many things for Leona in the last year that Syco has failed to do so since Glassheart. Edited May 4, 20169 yr by Soeplepel
May 4, 20169 yr I don't agree that Def Jam are a bad label. I think they're very prestigious in the music industry. The fact that a UK X Factor star managed to get signed to them in the first place is remarkable. I really like I Am but there really wasn't any commercial single on the album - and that's including 'I Got You' and 'Another Love Song'. I think 'Fire Under My Feet' had the best chance to do something in the US but I guess the UK reception put them off. I believe that Def Jam did a lot more for the campaign than Island did. But to be honest, this is when her working relationship with Island and Def Jam begins to be tested - their A&R teams should hopefully get Leona the best producers and writers around.
May 5, 20169 yr Being a part of Def Jam and Island is MILESSSSS better than being part of Syco. Without a doubt. I'm very happy with where she is at the moment, just needs radio back on her side, which she can do with featuring on big, current artists of the moment. Very happy with the Alesso team up for example.
May 5, 20169 yr Leona will be performing at the event where Diane Warren is receiving humanitarian of the year award. Wonder what she'll sing?! It's in 2 days.
May 5, 20169 yr Leona will be performing at the event where Diane Warren is receiving humanitarian of the year award. Wonder what she'll sing?! It's in 2 days. I imagine she'll be doing the song Diane wrote for Yulin, would make the most sense.
May 6, 20169 yr I am really looking forward to what comes out of Leona working with Def Jam. As has been stated many times, the only song on I Am that was made after signing was You Knew Me When, the rest was all Leona independently. The fact they let her put it out under them and gave her the platform to push it and control the singles was great. Although it wasn't reflected in chart positions there was a lot of US promo behind it which got her name out there again. Now they are involved in the album creation process from day one I imagine things will be a bit different this time. That is not me expecting another bleeding love, but they know how important a hit single at this point in Leona's career is and will get/make something with her that provides the best chances. Hoping Island up their game as they didn't really seem to do much for her here, which considering this is her biggest market made no sense.
May 6, 20169 yr Island got stonewalled by UK Radio. There was nothing they could have done about it except shift things to another territory, something it doesn't look like they had planned well. I AM's UK promo looks like it was going to build around strong radio play, and when that failed to materialized, things just came to a halt. I wouldn't lay any blame on them except wonder why they didn't immediately move to Germany/Switzerland where FUMF was gaining some traction. Worst of all, we saw the UK radio snub coming for a mile - a lot of people mentioned it as something to be wary about, and yet that is where the campaign was launched. I remain proud of them for letting Leona exercise her writing more and for seeing the sense in FUMF as a lead single. I really have no problem with them. A lot of you seem contented with her positioning at Def Jam, but I'm wary, especially if they're just fishing for the same kind of control a label can have over an artiste...for a considerable duration of time. In her position, I would hold off on any new deals until they succeeded in getting her back in the spotlight with a collabo. To me, it's the only way they can make up for a botched (half-hearted, if you ask me) release of I AM - failing to capitalize on FUMF's ascent on the charts)...as well as prove to Leona why they are the perfect fit for her moving forward. Otherwise, she'll just get strung along Syco style where your label appears to be doing something for you (those endless radio tours) but won't pull strings where it matters the most. Business is business, you know. Edited May 6, 20169 yr by Hagarthy
May 6, 20169 yr Island got stonewalled by UK Radio. There was nothing they could have done about it except shift things to another territory, something it doesn't look like they had planned well. I AM's UK promo looks like it was going to build around strong radio play, and when that failed to materialized, things just came to a halt. I wouldn't lay any blame on them except wonder why they didn't immediately move to Germany/Switzerland where FUMF was gaining some traction. Worst of all, we saw the UK radio snub coming for a mile - a lot of people mentioned it as something to be wary about, and yet that is where the campaign was launched. I remain proud of them for letting Leona exercise her writing more and for seeing the sense in FUMF as a lead single. I really have no problem with them. A lot of you seem contented with her positioning at Def Jam, but I'm wary, especially if they're just fishing for the same kind of control a label can have over an artiste...for a considerable duration of time. In her position, I would hold off on any new deals until they succeeded in getting her back in the spotlight with a collabo. To me, it's the only way they can make up for a botched (half-hearted, if you ask me) release of I AM - failing to capitalize on FUMF's ascent on the charts)...as well as prove to Leona why they are the perfect fit for her moving forward. Otherwise, she'll just get strung along Syco style where your label appears to be doing something for you (those endless radio tours) but won't pull strings where it matters the most. Business is business, you know. Yeah because that is how the music industry works, labels out the good of their heart put you back on top with a collaboration only for you to walk away and sign a better deal at another label after you have had some success again. I really don't understand these points you are making, what strings should Def Jam have pulled that mattered more than an extensive radio tour and great TV promo spots? I don't see how you can criticise Def Jam but excuse Island, Def Jam fought for Leona to have the creative freedom to choose her singles, Island didn't want FUMF, they wanted Ladders to lead, so they were on Leona's side. I believe Island had Leona's best interests at heart too, but personally I feel Def Jam done a hell of a lot more for Leona than Island. Edited May 6, 20169 yr by Dmdr
May 6, 20169 yr Def Jam was 100% right in giving Leona a 5 week during radio tour. Leona hasn't released anything new since Happy on the radio in the US. They had to build that up again, but it simply didn't take off. They've done so much better than Island, all the latest gigs like Taylor, Pitbull concert, Adam Lambert, Fifa gig ... that's all Def Jams work. Now they're arranging collabs, I wonder what Islands plans are.. Unless there's an agreement DJ is taking care of the album.
May 6, 20169 yr Def Jam was 100% right in giving Leona a 5 week during radio tour. Leona hasn't released anything new since Happy on the radio in the US. They had to build that up again, but it simply didn't take off. They've done so much better than Island, all the latest gigs like Taylor, Pitbull concert, Adam Lambert, Fifa gig ... that's all Def Jams work. Now they're arranging collabs, I wonder what Islands plans are.. Unless there's an agreement DJ is taking care of the album. I personally would love Def Jam to take a more controlling roll over Island. Ideally it will be Def Jam who A&R this album. It would be great if Def Jam had control over the rest of the world too and they focus on the US and Europe, especially Germany before heading to the UK, as there isn't much Island can do here until she has success again elsewhere imo.
May 8, 20169 yr Leona performed I Was Here at a Humane Society awards dinner in which Diane Warren was being awarded. http://www.pikore.com/m/1245443368944316240_2087814778 https://twitter.com/MarcoMcClendon/status/729153226537242625 She sounds amazing, really hope a full recording surfaces.
May 8, 20169 yr Wow, just wow........ Best I've heard her belts in ages.... The "everything that I wanted and it was more than i thought it was be" was sublime. She was effortlessly phrasing D5s (the whole line was belted D5s I believe) and sustaining that phrasing all on one breath. Her voice is definitley back in tip top shape, no doubt. She keeps her tonal quality perfectly as well. So exicted for the next album and the vocals she's going to deliver!
May 9, 20169 yr Leona is nominated for a CMT country award with adam lol http://www.mjsbigblog.com/carrie-underwood...usic-awards.htm Edited May 9, 20169 yr by pes
May 9, 20169 yr Leona is nominated for a CMT country award with adam lol http://www.mjsbigblog.com/carrie-underwood...usic-awards.htm LOL Amazing! Would be amazing if they somehow won.
May 10, 20169 yr Guys, THICK SKIN has been used in the trailer for QUEEN OF KATWE, Lupita Nyong'o and Disney's new movie. I remember a while back someone posted a quote from Leona saying one of her songs would be used in a movie. Could be this one. I hope she's participates in the movie's promo :)
May 10, 20169 yr eEsz6o50wrY Would be great if this boosted the song a bit and helped I Am shift some more units. The film is out in September. :)
May 10, 20169 yr Guys, THICK SKIN has been used in the trailer for QUEEN OF KATWE, Lupita Nyong'o and Disney's new movie. I remember a while back someone posted a quote from Leona saying one of her songs would be used in a movie. Could be this one. I hope she's participates in the movie's promo :) She actually said a few of her songs were being used for movies, be interesting to see if anything more comes of it.
May 10, 20169 yr eEsz6o50wrY Would be great if this boosted the song a bit and helped I Am shift some more units. The film is out in September. :) Loveeeeeeee this. Very happy with that. :wub: Thick Skin is actually brilliant as well.
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