Hagarthy

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 :)

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.

OT: I was reading about Leona's current situation with Def Jam on Digital Spy and thought I would chime in here. Can't get a DS account for one reason or another - bad browser? I don't mind if someone decides to share this on DS. Anyway, while some people maybe enthusiastic about it, I am strictly of the opinion that she moves away from them completely. To me, it would be quite naive of her team to resign with DJ knowing how HELPLESS they turned out to be re: I AM. For starters, a major label is useless to anyone if they cannot push their music to Top 40. DJ had I GOT YOU and even ANOTHER LOVE SONG, but somehow heldback...on top of choosing a single, 'Thunder' that was bound to struggle without airplay. Here's why that's a problem and why I wouldn't let them off the hook: Epic Records successfully broke Meghan Trainor into the market; Columbia essentially succeeds with anyone on their roster...Universal pushes Nick Jonas so hard despite only moderate chart success? So why couldn't DJ roll their sleeves and get things going for I AM? It's either they wanted as limited financial expense as their deal allowed (I actually don't think she signed onto them as Island licensed the album for them in the North American market; kinda how Adele doesn't have an American label but releases there via Columbia. This is probably why there is a chance to renegotiate a new deal altogether. There never was a concrete one to begin with. I still don't think it's a good idea, but keep reading...), did not have a strong strategy including how to rebound from bad choices, never believed in the album's sales potential in the first place or couldn't bring themselves to take it as a priority. I don't know. I'm just venting here. Now, why would I think it's a bad idea to sign with them. For starters, DJ is primarily an urban label. It's what they are good at - catering to that demo. Artists like Bieber granted take care of the pop side of thing, but then again, Bieber's following is so massive an organic he is bound to sell no matter who he is with. Secondly, DJ just isn't strong at breaking out new talent. They've pushed Alessa Cara quite hard but they don't seem to have the right music to really propel her to the top. Here just wasn't catching on as strongly, and yet it has been their sole play with the artist for almost a YEAR. A WHOLE DAMN YEAR. Sure, they finally got that song to No 5. on the charts, but is it really the kind of strategy an artiste wants for an ALBUM launch? I don't think so. Last and most importantly is the fact that kind of big sales an artiste like Leona enjoyed in the past seem to happen based on large, organic followings. A label's input into any artiste's success these days is quite little if non existent. Look at any big sellers the past two years, their success is almost entirely dependent on the pre-release publicity (more management and PR than the actual label) and their fanbase. That's pretty much it, I would say. So what would I propose for her moving forward: 1) Awaken to the changed music landscape. It's not a bad thing, if anything, it's an opportunity for more control for one's career. Labels are a very traditional way of sustaining a music career these days, and while some are still effective, they almost offer no guarantees of success. Case in point: I AM. Would have still sold as much without any label input (just strong management and PR) and only increased her royalty share. 2) Take a moment to consider how you might expand your fanbase. Easiest route is of course collabos, even with DJs. That's totally a right move. One hit is all it would take to quadruple things and restore the necessary visibility. I really hope this could be her play for the rest of the year...a hit from wherever and in whatever context (DJ collabo, movie song, etc). 3) Go for whatever gajillions you can mint from your voice. I could be wrong, but I always get the sense that Leona is a bit success-shy when the criteria is money. There's nothing wrong with being ultra-rich, especially if you're simply exploiting your talents. No more being happy as long as someone's touched by the music...that's not a sustainable business model. You go for a killing when the potential is there.

I heard the song...in my dream last night. It's a duet with a female artiste and a mid-tempo ballad. Leona harmonized with both a soprano and alto, and as any bunny will tell you, she also stole the show. In my dream, a video was being shot for the song. I only saw Leona - night setting, with the music being played back loud. I tried and failed to identify the other female singer, but saw a Bugatti feature on the set. Cool, huh? Oh, yeah, the song was absolutely fantastic.

This version is MAGNIFICENT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love when a song has a brilliant build up. Wish it had a smallish video - even just butterflies roaming a garden, and Leona on on a bench, lots of smoky lighting. Just amazing.

Performing at the Oscars? The Grammys? I wonder....

This is reply to your last post Dmdr. Don't know how to quote. Back then she had to prove her place in the industry. With X-Factor, it was either sing your absolute best...or go home. These days, the pressure is less. Anyone would go easy on themselves. I only hope she sings at lower keys more - not too high. I think it's generally good for the voice.

Maybe it's just me, but Leona on a good day is old-school Leona. Some fans make way too much analysis into the state of her voice with respect to each performance. It's so unnecessary considering the dynamics of each performance - from whether you had a cup of yogurt the previous night to whether you warmed up enough before a performance. The FUMF performance at the Ballon d'or was really good, I thought - the TV rip of course. I don't worry too much. There may be warmth issues (like with the Time After Time cover), but that could either be too much vocal tuning or a dry throat. How can anyone worry about Leona's voice after the Jason Derulo duet?

My first pick Here's a video set to the demo version Gosh, how do you embed youtube videos on here.

...of the most consistent live vocal performers? I gave a listen to a few big vocal performers - Celine Dion, Whitney Houston - just to see how well their studio recordings measured up to their live performances. I did this because of how often fans on here go into meltdown over one of her 'off' performances. It just seems to be the case that most of them have their really good and really bad days, and that's its often no indication of the general state of their voice. Leona and Jennifer Hudson - didn't check out Beyonce or Christina yet - strike me as being very very consistently good with live performances. I've listened to artists who sounded pitchy with some performances, but scrolling through youtube comments, its all praise and good vibes. Makes we wonder why people get so hard on Leona sometimes. I just resolved to take her live performances for whatever they are at any given moment.

Wow, a lot of discussion about Leona's voice on DS. I personally think her voice is perfectly fine. I'm just going by her Jason Derulo duet and even O Holy Night a while back. Both came at a time when we thought she had suffered deterioration. What I believe about professional singing is - save your voice for studio recording. Live performances do not ever have to be perfect for ALL PERFORMANCES. The voice is very very delicate - one 'wrong' meal and it get's clogged with mucus; excess strain and there's risk of damage. Then there's the effect of weather, nerves, all of which will especially impact the chest voice. You can't resonate on chest, for example, if you're tired. It simply won't work. I was watching the Labyrinth Tour the other day and I can only say it's sheer brilliance she was able to sustain her voice throughout. Not the easiest thing at all. I don't think there's any reason to worry about her voice. I wondered why she performed some songs on lower keys live, until I did some research. Preserving a singing voice, especially one you may be called upon to use impromptu, its a particular regimen.

YKMW is only bland because of the arrangement for the album. I think they planned for it to be a very strict-ballad and did not thus go big with instrumentals or final chorus. A different arrangement of the song and more amplification of instrumentals could make it something else. I can even imagine how beautiful a duet would sound. I doubt IGU could impress on a first-listen, unless production is big and lively. Power is a no-no live, for me. As a song, it goes by too fast and doesn't leave you wanting to come back to it right away.

Do we know what she will perform? I hope You Knew Me When. That could really light up sales if physical albums are out. And right before Christmas? It would be a superb sales boost especially now Adele-mania has started to fade and fans are looking for refills.

I don't care much for Def Jam. They failed to send or set up any of the many potential hits on I AM to Top 40. Island's hands were so limited with whatever promotion they could get for her alongside Leona's management. There only failure to me was not moving to Switzerland and Germany (if at all those territories were in their purview) when it became clear radio had some type of embargo against Leona. Def Jam have also not spent anything on Leona's promo so far - I don't believe it. All radio promo so far has been paid back with the I AM's sales so far. Remember, the artist or parent label is not paid anything until the promoters/distributors/affiliate labels recoup expenses. I just don't trust DJ as a label. I think they don't want to lose her - maybe so they can get from her a stronger deal - hence the constant overtures at trying to do something. So what if they record another song? Will they give it a top-notch video? Will the song be sent to Top 40? Or will it simply be more dithering and gesture until they come clean about what they want from Leona or their true investment in her. I could be wrong, though, but Leona should not be naive in dealing with them. Business is business. On to the I AM video. It suffers the same problem that came out somewhat in Thunder, though with I AM it is more amplified - very poor cinematography. The lighting does not appear to have been professional, and the shots just did not gel well enough to pull off a good edit of the video. The concept is really good, but the settings, lighting and overall cinematography did not do much to enhance the video. I wish they could have gone with a brighter, though low-contrast color scheme....lots of grays. Next time, perhaps, Leona could specifically point to cinematography references she likes, either from movies or other music videos. It's not too bad a starting point if you're not sure what a director could deliver.

Leona please...:) Anyway, don't really care that much more for a Hello Leona cover. Too many people got on that bandwagon. I'll happily stick to her many ballads for now.

Yes, Hello by Adele. There would be absolutely no harm. She covered Kanye earlier this year, did the Derulo collabo, why not Hello. Her twitter indicates she loves the song and most of all, she has quite a number of fan requests for a cover. As long as she posts it on her page, and indicates that it is for her fans, I don't see the big deal. It would honestly be so cool. I'm not much into Adele, but I would really dig a Leona Lewis Hello cover, much the same way her fans would enjoy her cover of Thunder. I do wonder though whether Leona feels she may need Adele's permission. She can murder a song and make it entirely her own.

Anyone know why DJ has failed to send a song to Top 40 so far? It feels like it has been a huge missing piece of the puzzle with her US promo so far. I don't believe it's even typical when releasing with a major label. What is the excuse or reason for delay? I'm just curious. I really don't get the essence of any of their promotion so far - the radio tours, and concert performances, etc. It's not like they are so high-impact. Don't most of those videos have views in the hundreds to low thousands? I've really feared that DJ are really stringing her along and have not concrete plans or see her as very low priority. The booked gigs are merely to rub wool over her eyes about them doing something, when in truth, their executive are of a completely different opinion recovering the situation. Why, oh, why - and when has it ever happened - that a major POP artiste only released a song on one format...and then left things at that?

I'm one person who doesn't care much for ALS, but I've also realized my tastes may not be so mainstream. If spotify, for example, indicates that it is the most listened, then it really is a good choice. I saw Russel Tovey's tweet pointing to his love of the song, so it may really be a good way to go with a next single. Hoping for a nice, polychromatic video. It strikes me as a song of color, strobe lights and hands waving in the air...alternated with a steady, serene set up. At least it is something to look forward to. It may flip things around completely. :)

Okay, it can be assumed that the UK audience are not interested in her music. That's okay to allege. But what about all the other territories? What has been done about them as far as promo is concerned? Why hasn't anything from I AM got a standard pop radio release? These to me, are far more important questions. What works in one market will not necessarily flourish with another. Promotion in one market cannot be applied to another. There is really no excuse for the low sales now other than a rigid, short-sighted, unorthodox or maybe SUPER-SLOW approach to things. Nobody knows.

I hate it when a thread descends to immaturity, both with an attack and a corresponding response. Please, it's so unnecessary. Better to simply focus on constructive debate. Days ago, I was going to go on a rant against Def Jam, for not having sent a song to Top 40 thus far. But than BuzzJack was down, and I also realized I've possibly said everything there is about the situation. I'm also realizing that ignoring - or being in the dark - about Leona's personal wishes for the album kinda muddles the debate. She could be fine with the performances of things so far, and here her fans are in sheer meltdown. It may be hard to do, but it's probably best if a lot of frequent posters stopped imposing personal ideas of her success upon her. It's a bit pointless considering that it is her own fate in question. It's not easy: getting back in business with either of her labels without an I AM sales revival would be super-naive to me, but it is her own game; she gets to call the shots.

To the naysayers, please realize that while it is reasonable to dislike the music of I AM, that in no way justifies its performance so far. I can point to a hundred objectively crap #1 singles and even more brilliant unheard of gems lurking on youtube. Tastes are subjective, chart and song success (heck, even appeal) can be invented. Record Labels in the know do this ALL. THE. DAMN. TIME. Rest it with the putdowns.

Wow, Leona looked so hot last night. The Derulo duet needs to go viral. I hope someone can tip some major blogs about it. It's not on an either of their youtube accounts, so its kinda hard for it to just pick up. I see it as better exposure than the Taylor Swift performance, though we wait to see what comes of that. I wonder if DJ are trying to stir some buzz for Leona before sending something to Top 40. Maybe its just much easier that way to be picked up by the most stations and to get a lot of spins. Anyway, highlight for me was Leona's fashion last night...those 'peek-a-boob' dresses with the square shoulders really suit her.

Did not know that song was so popular. But duets still have good appeal, you have to admit. Didn't Trouble shoot to no. 1 in Germany after a live performance on the Voice? Would be so cool again if Leona dueted Thunder with a contestant on a talent show.

Really loved the duet with Jason Derulo and her Thunder performance. Leona on her best days is just pure perfection. I will also say the popularity of the video has more to do with the fact that it is a duet (there is another splendid one on youtube, close to 800k views) than the song itself. People, fans especially, should not use its appeal to allege that Leona is sort of better of having her songs written by someone else. I'll take her rich poetry and melodies over...a lot of the stuff around. Also, people need to realize that I AM's success so far has hinged almost exclusively on the itunes banner during release week. Virtually nothing else. Her labels efforts have not moved the needle much. They really have a long way to go to prove their mettle as majors, Def Jam especially. I get the sense sometimes that had Leona gone with Republic or Universal history, not only would both have led with FUMF, but chart success would have been a foregone conclusions. Just look at the artists they have been able to break out in the US in the past years, how they dominate Top 40 radio. Don't really know the deal with Def Jam. More and more I'm thinking urban music may be their strong-suit. End of rant.

That was a really amazing performance. At last, audio was perfect for me...no element overpowering the other. Also very impressed with how earnestly The Talk hosts promote a guest's material.