This is my first time starting up a topic and if this is a thread somewhere else please redirect me there. I'm curious what you guys think about why Little Mix can't seem to break through in the U.S. It's really disheartening to watch as they continue to grow in popularity throughout the world, yet the U.S. seems indifferent to them. I think the obvious answer is the horrendous "promotion" they've received from their team here in the U.S. It's like they expect them to just do it all on their own. For instance, Black Magic was their biggest hit in the U.S., but rather than capitalize on that; Get Weird got absolutely no promotion and their team gave up after Black Magic. I fully believe Secret Love Song could have done well here in the U.S. It may not have been a smash hit, but it would have raised their profile and helped keep up the momentum of Black Magic. The other major thing I think is standing in their way is that the U.S. has seemed to shy away from the type of pop that Little Mix does so well. Sadly, I don't think they have enough of an urban edge to their songs. It's just doesn't seem to be enough that they are extremely talented with great uptempo songs and ballads. They are like a throwback to the days of pop in the U.S. when autotune was only used for effect, people could really sing, and perform live effortlessly. I miss those days. I believe there are still many people here in the U.S. that would find them a breath of fresh air in the current pop landscape, but again they have to be promoted. The Dangerous Woman tour is a great opportunity for them, but their team can't just leave it at the tour. They need to be on talk shows, radio shows, SNL. The tour will only take them so far if they aren't promoted outside of it. I think Glory Days is their most U.S. accessible album yet. I seriously hope there are plans to either promote it or push a re-release if any of the singles take off. I know people say they don't need to crack the U.S., but it's clearly important to them. I would love for them find that success, but it's going to be an uphill battle. Their promotion team needs to be really smart about how they handle this U.S. run. I'm afraid if it doesn't happen this time then it's not going to happen. Now if we could just get people to look past the "pop" label and just give them a listen, I think they could start to gain some ground and their talent realized. If they could be featured in a few U.S. publications detailing their story and hailing them as the real deal and then have them do some live performances to really prove themselves, we could get somewhere. I don't think the U.S. having Fifth Harmony is the problem. Yes, they are both girl groups, but they have different styles. I believe there's room for both. Sorry about my rambling. Bottom line: PROMOTE THEM SMARTLY or just live with the fact that the U.S. may never happen. What are your thoughts?

Columbia Records is sh*t. That's all.

I really think it's lack of risks. Radio is the main issue and I think their team needed to take more gambles with money and buy them some really radio deals over there, I think without that they're kinda screwed, because radio is always very lukewarm to them over there.

Columbia Records is most definitely sh*t. I also agree about their team needing to take risks. They need to get aggressive about pushing them at radio. That said I'm really torn as to what song off of Glory Days could really make an impact at U.S. radio. I know Oops isn't everyone's favorite, but I honestly think it has single potential.

Columbia Records is most definitely sh*t. I also agree about their team needing to take risks. They need to get aggressive about pushing them at radio. That said I'm really torn as to what song off of Glory Days could really make an impact at U.S. radio. I know Oops isn't everyone's favorite, but I honestly think it has single potential.

 

I think Oops has potential to do really well on radio there. The thing is if they have any kind of hit, all the need to do get onto a big awards show like VMAs/Billboards etc. and do a big performance and it'll guarantee them a huge surge in popularity, because Beyonce aside, they'd be the best performers of the night, if you match them up to the latest VMA performances.

I think Oops has potential to do really well on radio there. The thing is if they have any kind of hit, all the need to do get onto a big awards show like VMAs/Billboards etc. and do a big performance and it'll guarantee them a huge surge in popularity, because Beyonce aside, they'd be the best performers of the night, if you match them up to the latest VMA performances.

 

Definitely agree. They need to perform in front of big audience of their peers and potential fans. They could definitely show everyone else up at an awards show like the VMAs, etc. They need the chance to have a lot of eyes and ears on them to finally get noticed.

Despite the fact the US gives 0 f***s about girl groups, it's Columbia.

Despite the fact the US gives 0 f***s about girl groups, it's Columbia.

 

Sad, but true.

Wings went Gold (500k) and so did Black Magic. However both singles weren't pushed enough on the US radio.

 

Also, still can't get over the fact they cancelled the Secret Love Song radio release. I was so certain that would be their first actual hit in the US.

 

So much wasted potential.

 

It even makes me more sad seeing Jamer Arthur about to have a huge hit in the US.

Wings went Gold (500k) and so did Black Magic. However both singles weren't pushed enough on the US radio.

 

Also, still can't get over the fact they cancelled the Secret Love Song radio release. I was so certain that would be their first actual hit in the US.

 

So much wasted potential.

 

It even makes me more sad seeing Jamer Arthur about to have a huge hit in the US.

 

Cancelling Secret Love Song was a huge mistake. Wasn't the whole point of getting Jason Derulo to help market it to U.S. radio? You hit the nail on the head: their entire U.S. endeavor has been marred by majorly wasted potential. Sending Shout Out to My Ex to radio in mid January is another really boneheaded move.

Cancelling Secret Love Song was a huge mistake. Wasn't the whole point of getting Jason Derulo to help market it to U.S. radio? You hit the nail on the head: their entire U.S. endeavor has been marred by majorly wasted potential. Sending Shout Out to My Ex to radio in mid January is another really boneheaded move.

 

The thing is, sending it in late November or December would make no sense, as they are not an established act and therefore they wouldn't survive the Xmas freeze on the radio. So sending it to radio in January is actually not a bad move.

 

 

The thing is, sending it in late November or December would make no sense, as they are not an established act and therefore they wouldn't survive the Xmas freeze on the radio. So sending it to radio in January is actually not a bad move.

 

You have a good point. It could definitely work as long as they handle it right.

Edited December 7, 20168 yr by Untypical Mixer

As others have said, the main problem has been Columbia. I was pretty sure the main point behind getting Jason on SLS was to give it some attention in the US. However, their last two singles have been 'coming soon' to US Radio for ages before being dropped without a word, which makes no sense at all. Next year they are finally touring the US (yes as a support act but the principle is still there) and the girls have said they will be doing promo while they are out there so if Columbia actually remembers LM exist and actually do something right for once, the Dangerous Woman Tour could be the chance the girls have been waiting for

As others have said, the main problem has been Columbia. I was pretty sure the main point behind getting Jason on SLS was to give it some attention in the US. However, their last two singles have been 'coming soon' to US Radio for ages before being dropped without a word, which makes no sense at all. Next year they are finally touring the US (yes as a support act but the principle is still there) and the girls have said they will be doing promo while they are out there so if Columbia actually remembers LM exist and actually do something right for once, the Dangerous Woman Tour could be the chance the girls have been waiting for

 

Agreed. This is a great chance for them as long as Columbia doesn't let them down for the umpteenth time. The girls really want it. I'll be really anxious to see how it all unfolds. I'm going to the Dangerous Woman tour. I'm really curious what their set list will be. How many songs does an opening act usually get to perform?

Edited December 7, 20168 yr by Untypical Mixer

US is deaf. Look at the music thats popular there, I mean I'm happy with them being one of the biggest artist in the best market in the world :wub:

US is deaf. Look at the music thats popular there, I mean I'm happy with them being one of the biggest artist in the best market in the world :wub:

 

You're not wrong. I don't listen to much of U.S. popular music at all. Two of my three favorites are from the U.K., obviously Little Mix and Emeli Sande. I will always love Kelly Clarkson though. She's the real deal. I don't know how she's fared in the U.K. though.

Edited December 7, 20168 yr by Untypical Mixer

Kelly has done OK over here, but nowhere near as well as her talent deserves

Kelly is kinda like a less successful Pink, she always has consistent success but doesn't really get the credit. Breakaway is one of the top 100 best sellers of the 00s though I think (the album), it's like 5x Platinum <3

They should have pushed every single harder there, even DNA (single) should have done pretty well, with the other singles at least scraping top 100, especially seeing as CYL and HYD done moderately well worldwide. The whole Salute era went to waste in the US, even though it was the biggest they were over there. I don't quite understand how Black Magic wasn't supported well by radios there, they performed it everywhere, but for sure cancelling Secret Love Song there was a huge mistake, I'm sure it would have been their biggest hit and helped SOTME to take off faster there too. MESS! Time to smash girls, tick tock... C'MOWN DANGEROUS WOWMAN TOOWAH!! *Tongue pop* :lol:

The chorus of Shout out To My Ex sounds enough American in style (GRL teas for me) that they should do :lol:

Edited December 7, 20168 yr by Snaking Stevens