Most people call Blu Cantrell a one hit wonder, because she disappeared right after her Sean Paul-assisted 'Breathe' became a massive hit in the UK and went to number 1. Stateside, she saw success with debut single 'Hit ‘Em Up Style,' a lusciously catchy and swoopalicious bop lifted off her debut, 'So Blu.' The album was an absolute gem. Released 20-years ago and filled with jazzy runs and straight sanging, 'So Blu' consisted of moody statements of heartbreak and survival. No auto tune was used, and real instruments were fully utilised. She had a profound appreciation for Swing and a lot of her songs on that album had those influences. Blu may have been severely underrated but she sung ballads like she was a platinum superstar. Period.
I’m so glad you made this post. Boy Cantrell’s debut album is truly slept on. Faith Evans comparisons destroyed her career but she was honestly a better vocalist with more music precision. This might be a reach but I think “Hit Em Up Style” was one of the best R&B songs in the last 30 years.
It was a gem of an album,which deserved more acclaim than it got. "U Must Be Crazy" is still one of my go to's. Her "Bittersweet" album was fab too. Apparently she suffered a mental breakdown in 2014 but is better now. Would be nice to see her stage a successful comeback, a real RnB talent whose vocal abilities are up there with the Mariah's and Mary's of music.
She took to the stage last year at the O2 Arena in London, so she hasn't completely disappeared but yeah... I think she's just going to be one of those artists that randomly pops up occasionally and then goes back into hibernation again.
I always thought her past in posing for porn magazines is what was the beginning of her decline. We ran a story about it at a magazine I once worked for.
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I’m so glad you made this post. Boy Cantrell’s debut album is truly slept on. Faith Evans comparisons destroyed her career but she was honestly a better vocalist with more music precision. This might be a reach but I think “Hit Em Up Style” was one of the best R&B songs in the last 30 years.
Blu*
Also, Toya are you a fan of Nao?
Not a reach. It's certainly up there.
Wouldn't call myself a fan, but I do like some of her songs, and she's vocally talented.
It was a gem of an album,which deserved more acclaim than it got. "U Must Be Crazy" is still one of my go to's. Her "Bittersweet" album was fab too. Apparently she suffered a mental breakdown in 2014 but is better now. Would be nice to see her stage a successful comeback, a real RnB talent whose vocal abilities are up there with the Mariah's and Mary's of music.
She took to the stage last year at the O2 Arena in London, so she hasn't completely disappeared but yeah... I think she's just going to be one of those artists that randomly pops up occasionally and then goes back into hibernation again.
That's good to know. Just been reading up on her, never knew until now that Dallas Austin produced Hit Em Up Style.
He's a great producer, very multi-dimensional.
I always thought her past in posing for porn magazines is what was the beginning of her decline. We ran a story about it at a magazine I once worked for.
I completely forgot about the porn.
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