Ruben's Album Drops Today!
- Thread starter Warndalyn
- Start date
Normal1875
A&M #1
My mom bought 3 copies today!
I wish Ruben much success make <font color=maroon>US</font> proud!
I wish Ruben much success make <font color=maroon>US</font> proud!
KT/Grandfather of Bands
New Member
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1480993/20031208/studdard_ruben.jhtml?headlines=true
Ruben Studdard Misses Football But Wouldn't Change A Thing
12.08.2003 9:13 PM EST
Ruben Studdard
Photo: J Records
Ruben Studdard is ecstatic that December's finally here. Not just because his debut album, Soulful, is due Tuesday (December 9), but because the college football regular season is over.
"Every time I go to a game, I miss football," admitted the Birmingham, Alabama, singer, who gave up a football scholarship at Alabama A&M to focus on music. "But I'm doing this, and this is why I left school."
By "this," Studdard means recording a highly anticipated soul album (see "Missy Bails But Ja Rule Prevails On Ruben Studdard's Debut LP"). For the "Velvet Teddy Bear" (as Gladys Knight dubbed him), Soulful is also a dream chance to honor heroes like Donny Hathaway and Luther Vandross while working with some of R&B's top hitmakers.
Along the way, he's also gotten to collaborate with his favorite rapper, Fat Joe, and favorite gospel singer, Fred Hammond, and make a couple of videos, including one for his Underdogs-produced latest single, "Sorry 2004," with Bryan Barber (Outkast, Jagged Edge) directing.
Hard to believe he almost missed his shot.
"I didn't want to go, man. I thought it was cheesy, I did," Studdard said, recalling his first "American Idol" audition. "My band was really doing well, so, like, you can get caught up in being a local superstar. ... We thought 700 people was big. So I was like, 'I'm not going up there, man. We're making $500 a week to play at this club; who needs 'American Idol?' "
Studdard never did audition in nearby Atlanta, but when his friend asked him to drive along to the Nashville tryouts, he went. Six months or so later, enough Americans voted for him to edge out Clay Aiken for the title.
Needless to say, he no longer considers "American Idol" cheesy.
"I'm never gonna be that person that's like, 'I'm sick of "American Idol," ' " Studdard said. "I wear it [on a pendant] on my neck every day, AI2, 'cause it means a lot. It was a momentous occasion, not only for me but the African-American community and for America. It was just a blessing that me, a big Southern black guy, won a pop show."
Studdard admits to being a bit stubborn, so it was imperative he respect the brains behind "American Idol," his new management and record label, going into his album. Still, like his physique suggests, he's no pushover.
"I do my thing, man, and if I don't want to do something, I ain't gonna do it," he said. "It's been kinda 50/50 ? I think we've all brought ideas about the record to the table and it's worked out. I have a musical genius like Clive Davis working on my side, and he's produced Whitney Houston and all those other people. And then I went to school for music, so I have a lot to bring to the table as well. So we both came together and I think we made a brilliant product."
Two of Studdard's proudest moments on Soulful are "What Is Sexy," which was once a Ja Rule collaboration but now features Fat Joe, and "Can I Get Your Attention," which was originally the Fat Joe track but now features Pretty Tony.
"Hip-hop is hip-hop, and R&B is R&B but sometimes they make a wonderful mixture together," he said of the tunes. "Hip-hop is like a virus, it takes over. I can remember when I was young and my momma used to tell me to turn Run-DMC records down. Now my momma's rapping. I can remember going to LL Cool J concerts and my momma says, 'This is the last rap concert I'm ever going to!' And now she's like, 'Hey, I hear 50 Cent's coming to Birmingham, how 'bout you find me some tickets?' It's infectious."
Once Soulful is in stores, Studdard plans to devote his time to touring, getting his band, Just a Few Cats, in front of crowds a little larger than 700 people.
"That's my thing," he said. Well, at least until college football gets going again.
?Corey Moss, with additional reporting by John Norris
Ruben Studdard Misses Football But Wouldn't Change A Thing
12.08.2003 9:13 PM EST
Ruben Studdard
Photo: J Records
Ruben Studdard is ecstatic that December's finally here. Not just because his debut album, Soulful, is due Tuesday (December 9), but because the college football regular season is over.
"Every time I go to a game, I miss football," admitted the Birmingham, Alabama, singer, who gave up a football scholarship at Alabama A&M to focus on music. "But I'm doing this, and this is why I left school."
By "this," Studdard means recording a highly anticipated soul album (see "Missy Bails But Ja Rule Prevails On Ruben Studdard's Debut LP"). For the "Velvet Teddy Bear" (as Gladys Knight dubbed him), Soulful is also a dream chance to honor heroes like Donny Hathaway and Luther Vandross while working with some of R&B's top hitmakers.
Along the way, he's also gotten to collaborate with his favorite rapper, Fat Joe, and favorite gospel singer, Fred Hammond, and make a couple of videos, including one for his Underdogs-produced latest single, "Sorry 2004," with Bryan Barber (Outkast, Jagged Edge) directing.
Hard to believe he almost missed his shot.
"I didn't want to go, man. I thought it was cheesy, I did," Studdard said, recalling his first "American Idol" audition. "My band was really doing well, so, like, you can get caught up in being a local superstar. ... We thought 700 people was big. So I was like, 'I'm not going up there, man. We're making $500 a week to play at this club; who needs 'American Idol?' "
Studdard never did audition in nearby Atlanta, but when his friend asked him to drive along to the Nashville tryouts, he went. Six months or so later, enough Americans voted for him to edge out Clay Aiken for the title.
Needless to say, he no longer considers "American Idol" cheesy.
"I'm never gonna be that person that's like, 'I'm sick of "American Idol," ' " Studdard said. "I wear it [on a pendant] on my neck every day, AI2, 'cause it means a lot. It was a momentous occasion, not only for me but the African-American community and for America. It was just a blessing that me, a big Southern black guy, won a pop show."
Studdard admits to being a bit stubborn, so it was imperative he respect the brains behind "American Idol," his new management and record label, going into his album. Still, like his physique suggests, he's no pushover.
"I do my thing, man, and if I don't want to do something, I ain't gonna do it," he said. "It's been kinda 50/50 ? I think we've all brought ideas about the record to the table and it's worked out. I have a musical genius like Clive Davis working on my side, and he's produced Whitney Houston and all those other people. And then I went to school for music, so I have a lot to bring to the table as well. So we both came together and I think we made a brilliant product."
Two of Studdard's proudest moments on Soulful are "What Is Sexy," which was once a Ja Rule collaboration but now features Fat Joe, and "Can I Get Your Attention," which was originally the Fat Joe track but now features Pretty Tony.
"Hip-hop is hip-hop, and R&B is R&B but sometimes they make a wonderful mixture together," he said of the tunes. "Hip-hop is like a virus, it takes over. I can remember when I was young and my momma used to tell me to turn Run-DMC records down. Now my momma's rapping. I can remember going to LL Cool J concerts and my momma says, 'This is the last rap concert I'm ever going to!' And now she's like, 'Hey, I hear 50 Cent's coming to Birmingham, how 'bout you find me some tickets?' It's infectious."
Once Soulful is in stores, Studdard plans to devote his time to touring, getting his band, Just a Few Cats, in front of crowds a little larger than 700 people.
"That's my thing," he said. Well, at least until college football gets going again.
?Corey Moss, with additional reporting by John Norris
Deuce
Well-Known Member
The following reviews of Ruben's new album were taken from amazon.com
As you can see, opinions on the CD vary.
A little something for everyone, December 10, 2003
Reviewer: maggiekramer from Michigan
I am very proud of Ruben for making a CD with something on it for everyone ( He is the American Idol.....not the over 30s American Idol). Of course I love the songs that are slow and, in my opinion, really show off his beautiful voice. BUT by adding the more hip hop songs also he impressed my daughters........therefore making the CD one we can all agree on!! WTG Ruben! Oh by the way........I have yet to hear anything offensive! And the last song is beautiful and shows his faith.
Really Good CD, December 10, 2003
Reviewer: Paul Chapdelaine (see more about me) from Worcester, MA
I was very pleased with Ruben's CD. As the title states, Its Soulful.
Grown up songs for adult listerners who like good music, December 10, 2003
Reviewer: Thad (see more about me) from Hoboken, NJ
Way to go Ruben! Thanks for taking the high road and taking your time with this one. Thanks for NOT singing teeny bopper pop trash for 12 year olds and choosing to sing for adults instead. This cd is great! Thanks for also choosing to include some songs from the show. 'How do you mend a broken Heart', the Bee Gees cover, is beautiful and one of my favorites from idol. 'Superstar' is also wonderful but you don't have to take my word, read the Grammy nominations. You don't try to over sing or try to re-sell yourself you just come with some good ballads and some funky mid tempo gems. Don't believe any of the haters, they are just Clay maniacs paid to say bad things. Anyone that likes good soul music can't go wrong buying this one. Good job, good cd!!
Disgrace, December 10, 2003
Reviewer: A music fan from St. Louis, MO United States
What a disgrace for Ruben to do an album like this. I was expecting him to use his voice as an instrument, and instead he used his succes on American Idol to do a terrible rap and hip-hop album. The songs on this album are terrible. I would have expected much, much more from him. He has a great voice and with good song selection he will be very successful. I hope he gets a better manager, because this album is dreadful.
As you can see, opinions on the CD vary.
A little something for everyone, December 10, 2003
Reviewer: maggiekramer from Michigan
I am very proud of Ruben for making a CD with something on it for everyone ( He is the American Idol.....not the over 30s American Idol). Of course I love the songs that are slow and, in my opinion, really show off his beautiful voice. BUT by adding the more hip hop songs also he impressed my daughters........therefore making the CD one we can all agree on!! WTG Ruben! Oh by the way........I have yet to hear anything offensive! And the last song is beautiful and shows his faith.
Really Good CD, December 10, 2003
Reviewer: Paul Chapdelaine (see more about me) from Worcester, MA
I was very pleased with Ruben's CD. As the title states, Its Soulful.
Grown up songs for adult listerners who like good music, December 10, 2003
Reviewer: Thad (see more about me) from Hoboken, NJ
Way to go Ruben! Thanks for taking the high road and taking your time with this one. Thanks for NOT singing teeny bopper pop trash for 12 year olds and choosing to sing for adults instead. This cd is great! Thanks for also choosing to include some songs from the show. 'How do you mend a broken Heart', the Bee Gees cover, is beautiful and one of my favorites from idol. 'Superstar' is also wonderful but you don't have to take my word, read the Grammy nominations. You don't try to over sing or try to re-sell yourself you just come with some good ballads and some funky mid tempo gems. Don't believe any of the haters, they are just Clay maniacs paid to say bad things. Anyone that likes good soul music can't go wrong buying this one. Good job, good cd!!
Disgrace, December 10, 2003
Reviewer: A music fan from St. Louis, MO United States
What a disgrace for Ruben to do an album like this. I was expecting him to use his voice as an instrument, and instead he used his succes on American Idol to do a terrible rap and hip-hop album. The songs on this album are terrible. I would have expected much, much more from him. He has a great voice and with good song selection he will be very successful. I hope he gets a better manager, because this album is dreadful.
ATLJag
Active Member
That last review sounds like it came from someone that expected to hear more of a pop sound due to the show. Most of us knew up front that it would be an R&B album with a little hip-hop involved. I would have been pissed if the whole album had songs that sounded like "Flying Without Wings" as opposed to "Sorry 2004".
northern tiger
Active Member
Those personal reviews on amazon and on other sites have always been suspect. I think the majority of people be lyin' they azzez off. I wonder have they actual read or listened to the items they critique. Thats just me.