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Quote:
"I think
you can feel the pain I've experienced in my music. It's something that a
lot of people can relate to."
-Blu Cantrell, on the inspiration behind
her music
Based on the
content of her debut album, one would think that Blu Cantrell, the 25-year-old
singer from Providence, Rhode Island, had already endured a lifetime of rocky
relationships. While growing up, she, like many other modern day performers,
was raised in a musical environment.
As a child, her
jazz singer mother frequently brought Blu along to the clubs where she had
performed. While idolizing her mother during her upbringing, along with a
number of well-known artists such as Aretha Franklin, Prince and Whitney Houston,
Blu often used music as a remedy during difficult times. Eventually, this
form of inspiration persuaded her to follow in her mother's footsteps as a
singer.
Throughout her
teenage years and early twenties, Blu found herself entangled in a number
of ill-fated relationships. Each one ended in heartache, which ultimately
contributed to her ever-growing doubt in true love.
Then one day,
while visiting in Atlanta, fate took its toll when Blu came into contact with
RedZone Entertainment executives Tab and C. "Tricky" Stewart. Upon
listening to her demo, they realized instantly that Blu was clearly an artist
destined for success. Word about Miss Cantrell's talent quickly hit the street,
and within a heartbeat, the bidding wars between record labels had begun.
Arista Records won out and president/CEO Antonio "LA" Reid advised
Tab and Tricky to join Blu in the studio.
The three spent
a considerable amount of time working together in the studio after their initial
encounter. Rather than simply spitting out track after track in an effort
to rush the production of her album, Tab and Tricky worked closely with Blu
throughout the entire recording process.
The end result
was an album -- co-written by Blu -- filled with the innermost desires of
a woman searching for the true meaning of love. While Tab, Tricky and Reid
were responsible for the executive-production of the album, Blu also pegged
a squadron of other topnotch producers for her album. Among the dynamic team
were key players such as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Dallas Austin, Laney Stewart,
Don Vito, and Jason Rome.
With the release
of her debut album in late July 2001, Blu has been juggling a hectic schedule
of touring, performing and promoting. One can only imagine, with the success
brought about by So Blu and its first single, "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!),"
Miss Cantrell's spirits could only be on the uprise.
So a little bit
of advice to all of you heartbroken, love-starved hopefuls out there: lighten
up and turn that frown upside down because there are plenty of fish in the
sea just waiting to be reeled in. It's all a matter of time. That goes for
you too Blu.
What else do
you need to know?
Article Source: AskMen.com
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