Monica Justifies Low Album Sales - The Lava Lizard

Apr

20

2012

Monica Justifies Low Album Sales

Written by TriniTrent | Filed under Monica

Monica chats with Rap-Up TV.

When Monica’s ‘New Life‘ debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 this week with only 69K copies sold, many people assumed that it was just another indicated of the decline prominence of R&B music. Well, the singer has agreed with her fans’ assessment of the situation but offered a peculiar view regarding the matter.

Speaking to Rap-Up TV about the sales of ‘New Life’, Monica indicated that the general reaction of consumers to R&B releases made it very difficult for her album to be a success. Yet, she insisted that her main concern is only to please her fanbase, regardless of how small it is now compared to her earlier career.

Monica has not given up on ‘New Life’, though. She has prepared a new single to support the LP – ‘Without You‘ – and she is currently considering video treatments for the song. Watch Monica’s Rap-Up TV interview below:

Monica was correct by noting that the weak sales of R&B records is related to a lack of interest by the public in the genre but that is certainly not an excuse for her to only cater to her core fans. Great artists who survive the changing era of music learn to adapt and expand their sounds so that they will continue to remain profitable. That is how Prince, Mariah Carey and Sade have such lengthy careers.

Honestly, any artist who simply focuses on his/her gang of fans instead of considering the longrun is either lazy or naive. Monica has been in this business for quite some time so it is highly unlikely that she is the latter.

Want to hear more of my thoughts regarding Monica’s statements? Watch Trini Trent TV: Why R&B Artists Fail below:

Thoughts?
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Keys: interview, monica, rap-up tv
- politicallyincorrect
  
  she has been in the game since she was 15, how many artists can truly last that long,most don’t even have deals that long have a seat, she does what works for her.
- http://twitter.com/#!/_feeniix_ Ronnie (_feeniix_)
  
  Let’s be real, when artist do branch out and trying to come with new sound, people say they are selling out or copying someone else.
- kingphoenix
  
  Its just a boring album that’s all…this R&B is dying crap is bull, there’s not to many good notable R&B artist out right honestly…
- pisces2g
  
  I agree with kingphoenix, after the storm Monica must have drowned because the shit that been released since has been snooze worthy, like seriously Monica retire to ur happy family and let brandy carry the torch of ur generation
- http://twitter.com/jordaniewis Jordan
  
  I actually enjoyed this album as a whole more than her last two. The one with Dem Franchise Boyz on it was pretty bad and Still Standing had some hits on it, but was not as cohesive as this one she just put out in my opinion.
  
  Hope that the song does well. I would have preferred “Daddy’s Good Girl” or “Take A Chance f. Wale” I don’t understand why her team would release this slow jam for the summer months!! It’s gonna flop lol
- DOMOdotSCORE
  
  Monica’s first problem is that she isn’t taking responsibility for her lackluster sales. Yes, R&B isn’t selling like it used to but Monica is partly to blame for her sales because the album wasn’t as good as it could have been. Her songs weren’t very exciting and that is a huge issue. She would have gotten more respect if she said that the album wasn’t as good as it could’ve been.
- MzGoodBadGirl
  
  New team all around. I’m a huge fan and I love her work but Monica need a new team ASAP.
- T
  
  If these R&B artist would work with different people and new faces it would impact the audience in a different way. When these artist keep working with the same writers and producers everything starts to sound the same and the audience gets tired. The best hits seem to come from new producers and song writers.
- keke
  
  Stop it Monica…. all of ur released songs were weak…. that’s why u failed.
  
  Usher’s single is doing just fine and it is R&B. All platinum plus CDS for Usher.
  Sade didn’t sell out to the pop world and she all of her albums are platinum or more
  Alicia Keys is R&B and yet she always goes platinum plus
  Beyone is still R&B and platinum
  Even Drake is partly R&B, on an arena tour right now too
  Keyshia Cole could have gone platinum with a straight r&b album if she chose better r&bsongs for her last album … hopfully she will do better on the nxt CD and hire some better writers… she does have 3 platinum cds though
  
  Monicas’s songs were HORRIBLE…. I want r&b …. not Rick Ross.
- Salem
  
  I am so tired of Tranny Trent thinking Mariah is this setting stone for success when her last 3 albums flopped hard. Mariah cannot do what Sade does: go away for 10 years and come back and still be relevant. Sade is a class act, Mariah is trashy
- thomas
  
  She is tired.
- JustMe_Andria29
  
  Trent, I think it’s time for you to have a heart to heart with Monica. She clearly doesn’t understand.
- http://twitter.com/Kahariie Kahari
  
  This whole thing about selling a truckload of records is kinda tricky. We can’t say it hasn’t been done because we have artist like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Adele pulling in massive numbers in the millions by the first week. Hell, even Lil’ Wayne and Kanye West has broke album sale predictions by first week sales.
  
  True, New Life is a musical slumber, but it goes have romantic content and potentiality. I’m glad that Monica recognizes the fact that the music industry has changed and has become more focused on airplay, singles, and visual concepts rather than musically concept. Monica doesn’t have to sacrifice her soulful artistry in order to become a household name again because she’s been there and done that. Right now, she’s just doing what she loves. And that’s all that matters.
  - http://youtube.com/ICANDIGUOUT Stef
    
    You’re so right. She has been there done that and even though we fans would love to see her on top again selling millions, maybe that’s not where she’s supposed to be at this time. She makes great music and gets feedback from the real fans who’ve supported her from jump. That’s what keeps her goin.
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  -1 Monica Reveals 'Without You' Single Cover :: The Lava Lizard
- jewerely girl
  
  I say ist before and I will say again,Still Standing was
  a much better album than New Life. There were there
  only three songs that I like, (1) It all belongs to me. (2)
  With out you.(3) Amazing. You also have look at people,
  Black people will not buy a album if is not good, but
  White people will buy a not so good album becuase
  that like the artist. We feel like if the album is not
  good why waste our on it.
- jewerely girl
  
  why waste our money on it.
- Theman
  
  This album is good, but Monica is just safe. She doesn’t step outside of her comfort zone. She has some songs on this album that have the potential to be hit r&b songs. The album is good but it just doesn’t go anywhere. Her first two singles were actually really good. Her label should be promoting her. “Without U” is awesome and that should be a hit. It’s only the first wk.
- Theman
  
  Also the urban audience needs to support these artists. They be being real cheap. They’ll like the album/songs but won’t buy the music. It makes no sense.
- Theman
  
  As far as Mariah goes 3 flop albums sit your azz down. A gold Xmas album that was out for a few wks is far from a flop, especially when it has gone on to out sell many regular albums. “Memoirs” could have and should have done alot better, but it did go gold with a hot100 hit. E=m2 sold nearly 1.5 million units which is far from a flop. Get your facts right.
- http://www.msafrocanproject.tumblr.com MsAfroCAN
  
  It’s good she seems to get it (somewhat), but if she doesn’t stretch herself as an artist, like anyone else does in their career, then really what’s the point of it all. If her audience continues to shrink eventually she’ll be a nobody. I wonder if “that will make her happy”. I find it hard to believe she has no ambition left for her career. If that’s the case, then she deserves poor album sales.
- ugh
  
  Monica is Monica
  if. Y’all slow mother fuckers don’t understand her by now. Y’all will never. Find a new artist and SHUT THEFUCK UP…
  That simple
- http://BITCHPLEASE.COM SHAKA CON TIME
  
  MONICA DONT PUT “WITHOUT U” AS NEXT SING PLEASE,,,, WITHOUT U IS BORING AS HELL… PUT “3D” AS YOUR NEXT SINGLE… I AM TELLING YOU PLEASE, “3D” IS ONE OF THE BEST SONGS ON THE ALBUM…
- Regina
  
  First off, I love Monica’s voice. Secondly, R&B is not dead! I was rushing to buy this album and I was very disappointed. Her voice was great on the album. The songs were just dry and lifeless. Not to be harsh but the songs literally put me to sleep. Bottom line a new team of songwriters or songs that accommodate her talent and voice would suffice.
- http://youtube.com/ICANDIGUOUT Stef
  
  Monica is a legendary artist who struggles with a poor PR team and a label that doesn’t back her music. That’s what I say. If you really listen to the last 3 CD’s, they were overrall really good but if these major labels she joins keeps putting out the wrong singles…what is she gonna do? I say she should go indie and she’ll get better support.
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