Blu Cantrell

Last updated

Blu Cantrell
Academy Awards afterparty CUN Blu Cantrell.jpg
Cantrell in 2007
Background information
Birth nameTiffany Cobb
Born (1976-03-16) March 16, 1976 (age 48)
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1997–present
Labels Arista
Website blucantrell.me

Tiffany Cobb, (March 16, 1976) known professionally as Blu Cantrell is an American R&B and soul singer.

Contents

Cantrell rose to fame in 2001, with the release of her debut single, "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)", which peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the US Mainstream Top 40 chart. The song also charted in several other countries, and appeared on her debut album, So Blu . In 2002, the song earned Cantrell a Grammy Award nomination. In 2003, Cantrell released her second album, Bittersweet , which was nominated for a Grammy Award and included the single "Breathe" (featuring Sean Paul). Written and produced by Ivan Matias, "Breathe" was a major global success in 2003, especially in the United Kingdom, where it topped the UK Singles Chart for four consecutive weeks. "Breathe" also reached the top ten of several other charts across the world, including the European Hot 100.

Early life

Cantrell was born Tiffany Cobb in Providence, Rhode Island. Her mother, former beauty queen Susi Franco, was an actress and jazz vocalist. [1] According to Cantrell, she has African-American, German, and Italian ancestry. [2] Cantrell's parents separated when she was a young child, and she along with her five siblings—Adam, Tino, Nick, Kelli, and Summer—were raised by her mother.

Career

Early career

In the late 1990s, Cantrell established herself as a professional backing vocalist for artists such as Sean "Puffy" Combs. In 1999, she became a member of the girl group 8th Avenue, a protégé of singer Teddy Riley. The band recorded several songs and appeared on Blackstreet's 1999 album Finally , but their material was shelved after Riley left Blackstreet to reform his previous group Guy, and Blackstreet were dropped by Interscope Records. Shortly thereafter, 8th Avenue also disbanded. [3] Before long, Cantrell was introduced by both a dancer friend and R&B singer Usher to music producer Tricky Stewart, the head of Red Zone Entertainment. [3] Stewart originally wanted Cantrell to become a member of his girl group 321, but after a fruitful recording session, he offered to help develop Cantrell's solo career instead. [3] Cantrell subsequently moved in with Stewart and his girlfriend in their house in Atlanta, and was promptly placed with Arista Records head Antonio "L.A." Reid, who offered the singer a contract with the company after hearing one song she wrote and sang in front of him and his staff. [3] After a bidding war with several different labels, Reid's bid was the highest, prompting Cantrell to sign with them. [3]

2001–2004: So Blu and Bittersweet

After her signing with Arista, Cantrell went straight into recording sessions with Dallas Austin and Stewart, as well as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. [3] In July 2001, her debut album, So Blu, was released. The record earned generally favorable reviews from critics and became a commercial success, particularly in North America, where it peaked at number eight on the US Billboard 200. It was eventually certified gold by both the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Music Canada. [2] The album's lead single "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)" became a top ten hit in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Netherlands and peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song earned Cantrell Grammy Award nominations for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and for Best R&B Song, as well as an American Music Award nomination for Favorite New Soul/R&B Artist, both in 2002. Also in 2002, Cantrell was featured in a small cameo role in Charles Stone III's musical comedy-drama film Drumline, where she could be seen singing the American national anthem. Her song "It's Killing Me (In My Mind)" was included on the soundtrack of the 2002 action comedy film Bad Company.

In 2003, Cantrell released her second album, Bittersweet which featured production from Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Mike City, Soulshock & Karlin, and Shep Crawford. As with her debut, the album garnered a positive reception from critics, even earning her a Best R&B Album nomination at the 46th Grammy Awards, [4] but was less successful in the United States, peaking at number 37 on the Billboard 200. The album was a success internationally, where sales were boosted by its hit single "Breathe", a collaboration with Sean Paul. Her highest-charting single yet, it topped the charts in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, and reached the top ten of the majority of charts it appeared on, ranking among the biggest-selling releases of the year. [5] "Breathe" was followed by the top thirty single "Make Me Wanna Scream". [5]

2005–present

Cantrell in 2008 Blu Cantrell.jpg
Cantrell in 2008

In 2005, following the formation of the joint venture of BMG and Sony Music Entertainment, Arista merged with J Records and began operating under the newly formed RCA Music Group. [6] At about the same time, Cantrell's recording deal was up for renewal and though she was in a position to re-sign with the label, the singer chose to leave the company following the resignation of her mentor L.A. Reid. [3] She then toured intensively as a free agent. [3] Cantrell also starred alongside LisaRaye and Kenya Moore in the musical stage play Gossip, Lies and Secrets which ran from September until November in 2007. The following year, she appeared in NBC's Celebrity Circus , becoming the first celebrity to be eliminated from the show in the season's second week.

In 2013, Cantrell confirmed that she was working independently on her third studio album. [3] In December 2016, she told Fuse that she was still working on a new album. [7]

Despite the lack of US success after her one big hit, Cantrell continues to perform in Australia and Europe.

Personal life

Cantrell was taken into custody by police for a psychological evaluation on September 3, 2014. She was seen running around the streets of Santa Monica at around 2 am, screaming that someone had "poisoned her with gas". Cantrell, according to witnesses, went "berserk" and referred to herself as a "one-hit wonder", questioning authorities whether they recognized her; when her "erratic" behavior failed to cease, someone called the police. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was evaluated by medics. [8]

Discography

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002 Drumline Girl singing American National AnthemCameo

Awards and nominations

American Music Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult
2002HerselfFavorite Soul/R&B New ArtistNominated

Grammy Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult
2002"Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)" Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Nominated
2004Bittersweet Best R&B Album

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mya (singer)</span> American singer and actress (born 1979)

Mya Marie Harrison is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, and actress. Classified as a "triple threat entertainer," she has become a staple in pop cultural zeitgeist for her work in contemporary R&B. Born and raised in Washington D.C., as a child she studied ballet, jazz, and tap dance. She began her career in television as a dance posse member, performing on BET's Teen Summit. She signed with record executive A. Haqq Islam's University Records, an imprint of Interscope Records to release her eponymous debut studio album (1998), which lyrically explored romance and coming-of-age scenarios. A critical and commercial success, the album spawned her first Billboard Hot 100-top ten single, "It's All About Me". Her collaborative singles — "Girls Dem Sugar", "Ghetto Supastar ", and "Take Me There" — were also met with commercial success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamia</span> Canadian singer and songwriter (born 1975)

Tamia Marilyn Washington Hill is a Canadian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Tamia performed in various singing and dancing competitions as a child. In 1994, after signing a development deal with Warner Bros. Records, she was asked by veteran producer Quincy Jones to appear on his album Q's Jook Joint (1995), earning her Grammy Award nominations for their collaboration on "You Put a Move on My Heart" and "Slow Jams". Her self-titled debut album was released in 1998 and followed by a series of successful albums with Elektra Records, including A Nu Day (2000) and More (2004). Several songs from these albums became hit singles on the pop and R&B record charts, including "So Into You", "Stranger in My House", and "Imagination", as well as her collaborations "Into You", "Missing You", and "Spend My Life with You".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angie Stone</span> American singer and actress (born 1961)

Angela Laverne Brown known professionally as Angie Stone, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. She rose to fame in the late 1970s as member of the hip hop trio The Sequence. In the early 1990s, she became a member of the R&B trio Vertical Hold. Stone would later release her solo debut Black Diamond (1999) on Arista Records, which was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America and spawned the single "No More Rain ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Floetry</span> English R&B duo

Floetry were an English R&B duo comprising Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart. The group recorded two studio albums, one live album, and sold over 1,500,000 records worldwide. Formed in 1997, Floetry started on the performance poetry stage. They have worked with many US musicians and artists including: Jill Scott, Queen Latifah, Michael Jackson, Common, The Roots, Bilal, and more founders of Neo-Soul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tricky Stewart</span> American record producer from Illinois

Christopher Alan "Tricky" Stewart is an American record producer, record executive, songwriter, and music publisher. Stewart began producing music in 1992, and has since won five Grammy Awards and is responsible for over 50 million records sold. He is credited on numerous singles and albums which have reached mainstream success, across the genres of hip hop, R&B and pop. Often in tandem with production partner and R&B singer The-Dream, his production work includes Mýa's "Case of the Ex" (2000), Britney Spears' "Me Against the Music" (2003), Rihanna's "Umbrella" (2007), Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine" (2007), Beyoncé's "Single Ladies " (2008), Karina Pasian's "16 @ War" (2008), Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" (2008) and "Obsessed" (2009), Justin Bieber's "One Time" (2009) and "Baby" (2010), and Ciara's "Ride" (2010), among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Give Good Love</span> 1985 single by Whitney Houston

"You Give Good Love" is the debut solo single by American singer Whitney Houston for her 1985 eponymous debut studio album. It was written by La Forrest 'La La' Cope and produced by Kashif. When La La sent Kashif a copy of the song, originally offered to Roberta Flack, she thought it would be a better fit for Houston and told Arista Records he would be interested in recording with her.

<i>So Blu</i> 2001 studio album by Blu Cantrell

So Blu is the debut album by American recording artist Blu Cantrell. It was released by Arista Records on July 31, 2001 in the United States. The album was primarily produced by Chris "Tricky" Stewart, with additional production from Dallas Austin, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jason Rome, Don Vito, and Olliewood & Scrilla. It debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200 chart and spawned the number-two hit "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)".

<i>Bittersweet</i> (Blu Cantrell album) 2003 studio album by Blu Cantrell

Bittersweet is the second studio album by American singer Blu Cantrell, released on June 24, 2003, by Arista Records. The album debuted at number 37 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 29,000 units in its opening week, and spawned the commercially successful single "Breathe". Despite not matching the domestic success of previous album So Blu (2001), Bittersweet charted in international markets, unlike Cantrell's debut album, performing modestly in certain European nations. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album at the 46th Grammy Awards, but lost to Luther Vandross' Dance with My Father.

<i>Miss Thang</i> 1995 studio album by Monica

Miss Thang is the debut studio album by American R&B recording artist Monica. It was released by Rowdy Records and distributed through the Arista label on July 18, 1995, in the United States. Recorded throughout her early teenage years, the album was conceived under the guidance of Rowdy head Dallas Austin who would emerge as a tutor and father figure to Monica and serve as Miss Thang's sole executive producer. Austin recruited protégés from his DARP production camp such as Tim & Bob, Arnold Hennings, and Colin Wolfe as well as Daryl Simmons, and Soulshock & Karlin to work on the album. It incorporates a wide range of contemporary genres such as soul, pop, hip hop and blues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breathe (Blu Cantrell song)</span> 2002 single by Blu Cantrell

"Breathe" is a song by American singer Blu Cantrell from her second studio album, Bittersweet (2003). A remixed version featuring Sean Paul was released as a single in February 2003, several months after the album version was released in November 2002. The album version of this song was produced and co-written by Ivan Matias and Andrea Martin. The remix featuring Sean Paul was produced by Ivan Matias, Andrea Martin, and Mark Pitts. The song peaked at 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a hit in Europe, most notably in the United Kingdom, where it topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in August 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)</span> 2001 single by Blu Cantrell

"Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)" is a song by American R&B singer Blu Cantrell, written and produced by Dallas Austin and included on Cantrell's debut album, So Blu (2001). The song was released in the United States on April 23, 2001, as Cantrell's debut single. It is her most successful single in the US and her only single to enter the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number two for two weeks in July 2001. It experienced similar success worldwide, becoming a top-10 hit in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Make Me Wanna Scream</span> 2003 single by Blu Cantrell

"Make Me Wanna Scream" is the second and final single from American R&B singer Blu Cantrell's second studio album, Bittersweet (2003). The song features Ian Lewis from Jamaican reggae band Inner Circle. There are two versions of the song: the original version featuring Ian Lewis and the version with Cantrell alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breathe Again</span> 1993 single by Toni Braxton

"Breathe Again" is a song by American R&B singer Toni Braxton. It was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and produced by Edmonds, L.A. Reid, and Daryl Simmons for Braxton's self-titled debut album (1993). Its lyrics evokes a sense of nostalgia from a relationship that has run its course. The ballad was released as the album's second single on October 6, 1993, by LaFace and Arista Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RedZone Entertainment</span> Music-production entity

RedZone Entertainment is an Atlanta-based, music-production entity. Redzone's discography includes collaborations with many artists, producers, and composers of note, and is responsible for over 25 million records sold. RedZone Entertainment has produced acts such as P!nk, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Ciara, Sting, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Rose Is Still a Rose (song)</span> 1998 single by Aretha Franklin

"A Rose Is Still a Rose" is a song recorded by American singer Aretha Franklin. It was written and produced by singer Lauryn Hill for Franklin's album of the same name (1998). The song focused on a motherly figure giving advice to a younger woman who keeps getting into bad relationships. Throughout "A Rose Is Still a Rose", Franklin advises that in spite of everything and despite the woman's "scorned roses and thorn crowns," the woman is "still a rose". Elements of the song "What I Am" by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians were sung throughout the song by Hill herself.

<i>Pink Elephant</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Ndambi

Pink Elephant is the fourth studio album by American recording artist N'Dambi. A neo soul record that incorporates elements of jazz and funk, it focuses on themes including double lives, love-hate relationships, true love, betrayal, and the music industry. N'Dambi highlighted classic R&B artists such as Betty Davis and Smokey Robinson as her influences when recording the album; for the album's writing and production, she worked with Leon Sylvers III, who was known for his work with artists including Gladys Knight, Shalamar, and Blackstreet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blu Cantrell discography</span>

This is the discography of American singer Blu Cantrell.

Andrea Latrelle Simmons, better known simply as Latrelle and later as MzMunchie, is an American singer.

Nova Wav is a record production and songwriting duo composed of Brittany "Chi" Coney and Denisia "Blu June" Andrews. Over the course of their career, Nova Wav has written and produced on tracks and albums for artists including Beyoncé, Rihanna, DJ Khaled, Ariana Grande, Jay-Z, Saweetie, Nicki Minaj, Teyana Taylor, Kehlani and more. They were signed to Warner Chappell Music by Ryan Press and "Big Jon" Platt. They were named Billboards 2018 R&B/Hip-Hop 100 Power Players and listed on Revolt's Top 9 producers of 2019 that demanded the sound of Hip Hop and R&B.

<i>Back of My Mind</i> (H.E.R. album) 2021 studio album by H.E.R.

Back of My Mind is the debut studio album by American R&B singer H.E.R. It was released on June 18, 2021, through RCA. The album features guest performances from YG, Lil Baby, Ty Dolla Sign, Yung Bleu, Cordae, DJ Khaled, Bryson Tiller and Chris Brown. The music was written and produced with a host of musicians, including Mike Will Made-It, Hit-Boy, Tiara Thomas, Kaytranada, Thundercat and Darkchild, amongst others.

References

  1. "Blu Cantrell Video | Celebrity Interview and Paparazzi". Ovguide.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Collins, Hattie (September 27, 2003). "Breathless confessions". The Guardian . Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Interview: Blu Cantrell – Real Knowledge, Real Emotion, Real Talent Straight To Your Ear & Heart". YouKnowIGotSoul.com. September 19, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  4. Susman, Gary (December 4, 2003). "Here are the Grammy nominations". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Official Charts Flashback 2003: Blu Cantrell – Breathe". officialcharts.com. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  6. "Atlantic Records Group". Warner Music Group. August 22, 2014. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  7. "Then & Now: Blu Cantrell on 'Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)' & Recording a New Album". Fuse.tv. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  8. "Blu Cantrell Hospitalized for Mental Evaluation". BET . September 4, 2014. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.