After a long day at work, there are usually two things that put me in the mood of total relaxation: having a glass (or two) of Rosato red wine and plugging in my off-brand ‘Beats by Dr. Dre’ to block out all outside interference with an exceptional R&B album.
Digging through my collection of R&B albums, Keyshia Cole’s 2012 release “Woman To Woman” stands out. With the exception of 2010′s “Calling All Hearts” and a few non-cohesive tunes from 2008′s “A Different Me” Cole has always delivered quality R&B music.
“Woman To Woman” was the first release since the departure from her mentor Ron Fair of Geffen Records, long-time manager Manny Halley and her full contribution to writing. “I took myself out of the equation this time around and I focused on my fans, just make sure that they’re gonna be happy,” said Cole in an interview.
Aside from not having those three key factors in her corner, her absence from the music scene due to her pregnancy and the lukewarm response of her 2010′s release played a major roles in the success of her upcoming album. Cole knew she had to come out swinging with “Woman To Woman” – and that she did.
On July 2, 2012, Cole inked a deal with iHeartRadio/Clear Channel to world premiere her lead single ”Enough of No Love” featuring Lil’ Wayne. The single debuted on all Clear Channel Urban stations, playing at the top of every hour from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. The impact of the radio exclusive helped the single chart at No. 56 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart the following week.
After introducing “Enough of No Love” at the 2012 Essence Music Festival, releasing it to radio and unveiling the accompanying visuals, the Harmony Samuels-produced song became a hit. It peaked at No.7 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, which was her first top ten since 2009′s “Trust” with Monica.
Cole returned to her reality show roots with “Keyshia & Daniel: Family First,” which premiered on BET in October 2012. However, the Grammy nominated songstress didn’t get too comfortable with the success of her single or the hit-show. She quickly followed up with her next single “Trust and Believe” in early October. Written by The Righterz, the heartfelt ballad reminded fans of classic Keyshia.
The single was sent to Urban radio late October and the video was released four days after Cole’s performance at the 2012 Black Girl’s Rock, November 4. The performance showed a much more mature woman while showcasing her well-rested vocals. This performance was by far the best of her career.
Fast-forwarding to November 19, “Woman To Woman” hit stores and debuted at No.10 on the Billboard 200, selling 96,000 copies in its first week. Following the release, she graced other main stages with performances (Soul Train Awards), embarked on several radio treks, and even headlined a tour. Still the album has only pushed a little over 340,000 units since its release.
Yes, I know after Cole’s unexplained Super Bowl and Beyoncé’s “Bow Down” comments had everyone jumping ship – the album promotional strategy got lost in the midst of the chaos.
In August, singer/songwriter Elijah Blake confirmed the “Let It Go” singer had begun readying the follow-up to “Woman To Woman.” “Yeah I am, we really start full fledged in the next couple of weeks. She’s coming to L.A. and she’s starting her new album and I think people have never ever heard Keyshia like this and the direction that we’re about to go with it,” said Blake to Kempire Radio. “I can’t say too much but, it’s going to be fun. People have never heard Keyshia in the form that we’re about to take her.”
As much as we would all love new music from Keyshia, I offer a solution to increase interest in her fifth studio album and at least reach gold status. No it’s not apologize to the whole BeyHive – it is simply to continue promoting the project.
While she finally preps to promote “I Choose You” as the album’s third single, throughout the 15-track offering (if you got the deluxe edition) you will find several other single-worthy tracks. However, two tracks which standout the most in my opinion are “Zero” and “Signature.”
“Zero” has a catchy hook and features one the hip-hop’s newcomers Meek Mill, who can be heard on all of Urban radio. With visuals that resemble a dash of the “Enough of Love” look and a pinch of attitude from “I Changed My Mind” the song could become her next hit in the urban market. Since she totally missed the opportunity to release the mid-tempo track during the summer, it would be nice to see it rise from the ashes in the Spring 2014 as the fourth and final single.
As for “Signature” this song took me a few spins — well really 100 plus spins to capture of essence of the track. Anywho, the album’s closing number screams crossover hit for the “Love” singer. On the other hand, “Signature” is not the record you give bootleg performance of at the local diner and let radio do the work.
Keyshia must attract the right amount of attention (tap into other markets) for this single, which means being on every morning talk show and late night show and landing a performance opportunity on a platform such as the 2013 American Music Awards. With plenty of Lipton Tea and Dabur honey for her vocals, she could definitely notch a few ground-breaking performances of the powerful ballad as the third single.
On the other hand, “Signature” isn’t the first track that could have earned Cole crossover success. The country inspired tune “This Is Us” from her third album “A Different Me” had all the right ingredients to become one of her biggest hits and snag a Grammy nod and even win. But the label decided to scrap the song as the fourth and final single. In addition the “Heaven Sent” songstress had other plans too. She became a mother and Mrs.Daniel “Boobie” Gibson.
Stepping back from the fairy tale I call “never-gonna happen land,” I wish Keyshia or her team at Interscope/Geffen records would wake up and stop pressing the snooze button for “Woman To Woman.” The album has the potential to grow in numbers and become a respectively moderate success.
However, until we hear the final words that the album has been pushed under the kitchen table of ‘shoulda, coulda, woulda’s,’ or if we at least get the video for “I Choose You,” we can only mimic the words of “Get it Right” in our bathroom mirror.
Do you think Keyshia should continue promoting the album or move to the next project?
Love this album….people really didn’t take the time out to listen. True RnB at its best!!! I wish keyshia all the best.
W2W is a great album! Her sales reflected the demise of rnb support. Prior to her album release, Monica and Brandy album sales tanked! Post Keyshia Cole sales, Kelly Rowland album sales caved in. With the exception of Monica’s album, the other 3 records were amazing. We just dont support our artists.