Disappearing Acts

If you’re like me there has been a time when your favorite artist has pulled a Dave Chappelle.  They were everywhere but now you see them out-and-about as much a groundhog.  Whether it was a bad relationship, drug and alcohol problems, family drama, record label disputes, or a mental breakdown; these few artists left us asking “Where’s Waldo?” 

Who can forget the sultry and mind-blowing voice of Jazmine Sullivan?  Her first smash, “Need You Bad,” hit the scene in the summer of 2008 and instantly took the world by storm.  With production and vocals from Missy Elliott, Jazmine gave us hit after hit on her debut album Fearless.  Let’s not forget the bold “Bust Your Windows.”  Though the title sounds a little crazy, there is a part of every woman that wants to do something reckless when they are cheated on.  Playing on those emotions Jazmine followed up with “Lions, Tigers, &Bears.”  This is one of my personal favorites! Who has not experienced the dangerous waters of falling in love?  Then….2010 came; Jazmine gave us “Holding You Down.”  Another one of those life situations that everybody has been through but rather not discuss.  Similar to “Need You Bad,” “Holding You Down” was another track that we could dance to while Jazmine’s vocals described every ounce of our pain.  Fast Forward two years later: Her label has morphed into RCA Music Group, she has publicly mentioned her disdain with the politics in the music industry, and she is currently “working on her next album.”  Yeah…sure! We rarely see her on a red carpet or any event with random celebrities.  Two years ago she was on tours, her songs stayed in rotation on the radio, and she was doing several interviews.  Where is she now?

You know I had to do it….

Keyshia Cole is that one artist that I like to call a homie-lover-friend.  No disrespect to her, but she is everything wrapped up in one person.  Homie: being from Oakland she knows the streets and also the church.  Lover: she had a two year romance with Young Jeezy and found the man of her dreams in Boobie Gibson.  Friend: Not only has she been best friends with Monica for years, she convinced Monica to leave her dead-beat baby daddy and want to be rapper Rocko.  In turn, Keyshia introduced Monica to NBA Stud (Shannon Brown) and of course he wasn’t afraid to put a ring on it!

Musically, Keyshia Cole can SAAANNG!  Not sing, not carry a tune, but SAAANNG!  (I’m tearing up just thinking about it.  For goodness sake she sang an apology to Mary J. Blige at the end of The Game’s single “Game’s Pain.”)  I recommend that everyone fall in love at least once so you can witness what it is suppose to feel like via (my favorite Keyshia Cole song) “Love.”  The soulfulness in her vocals on that track makes you feel everything she is saying.  And heartbreak never felt so honest until you’ve heard “I Should Have Cheated,” “Last Night,” or “I Remember.”  If that is too much for you, Keyshia remains your favorite homie on the club/radio smash “Let It Go.”  Whether you are a Keyshia Cole fan or not (remember her brief beef with The Queen of Hip Hop Soul: MJB) you have to give credit when it’s due.  Keyshia Cole can sing me a death threat and it would sound “Heaven Sent” to me!  Fast Forward a year or so later: she’s married and has a son, cut ties with her erratic extended family, and is seen out occasionally.  She is currently “working on her next album and taping a new reality show called Family First.”  Is that so? 

These artists have the potential to be legendary.  Their careers already remind me of Divas such as MJB and Missy Elliot.  However, the worst thing an artist can do is pull a Lauryn Hill or Dave Chappelle.  I understand that life happens but their music is like chicken noodle soup, it’s good for the soul!    

Bonus: Fantasia Barrino

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