Rihanna is Elle’s cover girl for June and it is the second time the magazine has featured her in a year. Back in the day, when I worked at the magazine, they always believed that putting a black woman on the cover would mean death at the newsstand. That thinking hasn’t really gone away but maybe being an “It” girl helps—even for a black girl. And Rihanna’s definitely an “It” girl.
The Bajan beauty popped on the scene 3 years ago but caught fire last year with that little ditty (as my grandmother used to say) “Umbrella.” It is still a catchy song but is it a career maker? Will folks be playing it 20 years from now? And if I went to see her in concert would she be singing to a track while dazzling me with dance moves? I saw Amerie once and she was dancing so hard that she actually forgot to sing at times. I also caught a bit of Ciara’s act at The Essence Music Festival last year and the only thing I remember about her performance was her dancing. But I digress…
I believe in this age where appearance is paramount and videos do so much to sell artists, Rihanna is hot because she is easy on the eyes. Fans want to look like her, dress like her who cares if she can really sing.
I do. And it makes me wonder whether an artist like say, Stephanie Mills, would have had a chance if she were released today. Stephanie’s power was, and still is in her voice, but her looks were more average than knock-out. Then again, a good stylist can do wonders for even an average-looking sister. Real singers still get signed today, but they don’t share the same kind of success as those elevated to style icon. Chrisette Michelle has promise but I have a feeling she is going to end playing the small venues instead of the arenas. And wouldn’t it be a powerful thing if the words of India.Arie resonated just as much as Beyonce. I say, why can’t they have it all too.
Rihanna In Her Former Life
Rihanna’s “Umbrella”
Stephanie Mills “Home”
May 9th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I agree, it’s more about looks and persona/style lately than actual talent–although there are talented artists out there that get what they’re due. Actually, even if you don’t look hot enough, you can just get plastic surgery–look at Ashlee Simpson (after the boob job, nose job, lypo, and hair extensions, she became a spokesmodel for Skechers and started getting on magazine covers). And yes– although Rihanna is cute–it has been speculated that she’s had a boob job done, among other things, before Umbrella came out.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Didn’t know she had work done. The search for perfection starts so early.
May 12th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Tracie Spencer, Shanice, Tamia, Chante Moore, all have nice vocals *real singers*, but where are they. Mariah Carey-Cannon (if you will) has a beautiful voice, but even SHE is giving into the dumb downed lyrics. Some say her songs are too hard to sing (if you can’t sing them listen to them), hence the reason for dummying down her lyrics. I’m sorry, but Touch my Body—plueeze! I am thoroughly disgusted with today’s music and won’t even get into the use of the same tracks…song after song, regardless of the music house that produces the music. Case in point, listen to Anthony Hamilton’s first CD and you will notice that every track uses the same BEAT! You will then more than likely conclude that several songs, regardless of the artist, use the same track/beat! Disgusted….
be well–only sister
August 4th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Rihanna is definitely setting a trend. She made girls and women want an edgy bob and paint their nails black. Her style and beauty is helping make her star that most people want to see more than hear.
August 6th, 2008 at 3:01 am
SHE SWAGGER JACKED KELIS, BECUZ KELIS HAS EVERYHTING RIHANNA HAS AND SHE NEEDS VOCAL LESSONS BECUZ HER SINGING MARIAH CAREY WAS JUST RETARDED
August 7th, 2008 at 8:20 am
She is not a singer/vocalist, she is a performer. A beautiful girl, but in the voice department an absolute zero. There are so many talented young women that I’ve heard sing in my neighborhood and at church, but it’s more than that. The music world isn’t about having vocal talent. You have to be willing to get down and dirty, basically sell your soul. You have exude sexuality that’s what sells. It’s about the visual not real talent. Rihanna may be able to slink around an umbrella, but she’ll never get my money. There is no way I’d pay to her perform and whine her way through a song….
September 28th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
I agree with all of the post. I was just having this conversation with a group the other day about this. Where are the real singers? There are artist out there that can outsing Beyonce and Rihanna, but they do not have their cross over appeal, let’t be honest, “the white masses.” Young white men see Rihann and wnat to sleep with her so they buy her CD, young white women want to be her, cut their hair and dress like here, therefore more record sales.
So there you go, very little talent, but cross over appeal and you are a Star!