What of the Second Child – Kelly Rowland?
Kelly Rowland is fighting for a chance. The 29-year-old singer once one third of mega group Destiny’s Child has become “Independent” in more ways than one. When Kelly made the bold step of releasing Matthew Knowles as her manager and left Columbia Records–even the country, it was a major indicator it wasn’t all love in the Knowles camp. It’s been long rumored Matthew Knowles’ devotion lies with Beyonce while Kelly and some even suggest Solange are mere after thoughts. As Kelly gears up for her third studio effort under the Motown Universal label leading with dance single “Commander” –available on iTunes tomorrow, many of us wonder what will become of Destiny’s second child.
Kelly’s solo career has been received with a mix of pity and speculation. Attempting to distance herself from Beyonce, Kelly described her debut album “Simply Deep” as a “fusion of rock and Sade.” Fans wondered why a R&B artist notable on urban charts would venture so far left for her first solo album. The timing of her solo projects seemed to be planned around Beyonce. Many speculate Kelly’s image will forever lurk in Queen Bey’s shadow. Still Kelly remained ever graceful, poised and humbled as Beyonce’s supportive BFF–praising her talent every chance she had. Kelly appeared as the likable and all smiles counterpart, grateful just to have a piece of the pie.
Kelly Rowland is charting new ground. In 2009, the singer became a fixture in the London performance scene. Partnering with French DJ and producer David Guetta, Kelly contributed vocals to Guetta’s single “When Love Takes Over.” The Grammy-award winning song peaked at number one in several countries earning Kelly an international presence. With a new dance-driven sound, Kelly is constructing her own lane. Broadening her brand in film and television, the singer became a co-host on Bravo’s ‘Fashion Show’ with Isaac Mizrahi, although recently supermodel Iman replaces her for the show’s second season.
Last week, behind-the-scenes pictures of her new video for “Commander” surfaced. Commenters on gossip sites praised the singer, offering kudos for her look. Most telling was the outspoken support fans dished.” One reader on Rap-Up.com seemed to sum up the general sentiment on the return of Kelly Rowland. “Wow Kelly I never thought this day would come. All these years they handed you what they wanted to give you, telling you what you should do and making you the artist that they wanted you to be. Now your in charge now. Your the commander. I’m just proud of you even if you don’t sale a whole lot. I’m just proud that your the one who’s ahead of your destiny. You don’t have on shackles no more your free.” The people are happy for Kelly Rowland.
But will Kelly make it? Are the second children of pop groups designed to make it? What of The Supreme’s Florence Ballard? What of N’Sync’s JC Chasez? What of The Pussycat Dolls’ Melody Thornton? Will the music industry allow these singers to break free from “the group” or more, the shadows of the lead singer?
Can we, the ever critical pop culture spectacular imagine Kelly Rowland outside of the Beyonce-sphere? Although the two singers are rumored to be estranged, Kelly finds support in friendships with Brandy, Kim Kardashian, Lala Vasquez and Serena Williams. Beyonce is reportedly working on her fourth album and recently premiered the video for “Why Don’t You Love Me?” –a single from the bonus tracks of the “I Am…Sasha Fierce” album. Will there ever be room for Kelly—even globally?
The story of Kelly Rowland is the story of the underdog. And we want the second child to win.
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Kelly will be fine I believe she can hold her own. I can’t wait to buy her new single.
I agree w/ Cider. Kelly knows what she needs to do. The problem is that you have a younger generation nowadays that are so focused on mainstream artists (Lady Gaga, Bey, Jay-Z , Rihanna, Taylor swift and others) that they might not appreciate an existing artists trying to make a comeback.
Another point i would like to bring up is that group members like Kelly from DC are still remembered to be “just singers part of the group” or “Bey’s back-up singers” from long ago. Many of us have forgotten that they have a voice and can sing. I believe that many who were part of a group like JC Chasez from Nsync, or Mel B from Spice girls may not focus on being solo artists is because they know what it will take to become that “artist” every music fan wants.
If you can’t deliver then its sometimes a lost cause. In this case, I believe Kelly can make it, if she’s original than thats even better because
I would appreciate her more. Her music and her as an individual. I believe what people need to realize is that we don’t need another Gaga, Beyonce, or RIhanna, we need unique artists! Original artists!! Those who can win awards based on their originality , hard work and dedication to what they do ( not saying that the mainstream artists mentioned previously don’t work hard, because I’m pretty sure that they do!)
It seems to me that people only like her b/c she’s the “underdog”. It always reads like pity when people mention her lol. Even this article makes her sound like a charity case. Kelly is just “fighting” for a chance. Oh please! So is everybody else, except they didn’t have the mega-DC platform to usher them in. You can blame Matthew, Beyonce or the Man in the Moon all day, but Kelly just isn’t that interesting or confident to hack it IMO. Imagine if someone like Janelle came in with Kelly’s exposure? That’s a “fighting” artist worth talking about. Not Bey’s flunky everyone is supposed to feel so sorry for.
She can sing a bit, but remember she was not the destiny child, Bey was. It was set up like that from the beginning. She was not discovered because she was a very talented singer(although she can sing). She wasn’t discovered as a solo artist, so that alone will make it hard for her to break in.
I like Kelly, but just because she was part of DC, doesn’t mean she is entilited to stardom like Bey. They are very different and Bey has something that many artist who are struggling lack(take your pick on whatever you think that is). As long as Kelly is doing what she loves to do and doesn’t mind being in the shadows of Bey and making less money, than she will be fine. Everyone doesn’t crave the limelight and stardom and some are fine just where they are.
I have always thought of Kelly as being a powerful solo artist. Her second able was very good, but, the single choices is what hurt the sales. She had so many other great single worthy songs on Ms. Kelley. As for her coming out the shadows of Beyonce. I think she can do it. I love her alto-soprano voice and I think she has a loveable spirit. The smartest move she made in her entire career was leaving Matthew, besides Beyonce, who else career has he blown up? Not Sunshine Anderson, not 98 degrees, not even Solange. B is the money maker, so, that’s where his focus is. I just hope that Kelly stays true to herself first and foremost. Also, as a performer, I would like to see her let loose and really put on a show. I do think that the Motown label is questionable,, she needs a team that is going to go hard for her and believe in her music. She needs to be gettign in the DJ’s ears so they can play her songs the same way they play B’s songs (even the corny ones). I’ve been on Kelly watch since her first album and I know she’s a mega star. I am rooting for Kelly to breakout of that shell and give the people what they want, that FIRE.
My bad, time for that 3pm coffee. I meant album and getting.
As long as people keep mentioning Beyonce when they talk about Kelly she will lose, it will just cause people to compare them. She cant come up doing that.
That is true
very true. I can’t count how many times Kelly’s name has been linked to Beyonce. Its like Kelly is hanging on Bey’s coat tail… which im pretty sure she isnt trying to
I think the success of her album is riding on “Commander.” I don’t know where I heard or read it, but rumor has it that Motown is planning on releasing Kelly’s project in the fall, like September or something. I don’t see how that’s going to work in her favor, unless her singles have longevity, and to be honest, I don’t know how well Commander will do in the States. Yeah, it should really smash in Europe, considering how well “When Love Takes Over” was received over-seas, but it’s harder for black-American women to find dance-pop success domestically these days. Kelly needs a “Rude Boy” type of hit, something that will last for months, especially since she doesn’t seem to be doing any guest features on other artist’s tracks.
Yes, the album is coming in September. It was shocking because dance tracks would be perfect for the summer and people might lose interest by that time. However, I’m sure she’s had enough of her album release dates being pushed back time and time again until every song has leaked. She’ll release two or three singles to showcase the album’s flavour, and reassure anyone who was disappointed with her last record. Years ago I swear people used to release more than one song before the album release. Now the bighitters can rely on one track, but everyone else needs more. Kelly’s almost starting out all over again.
I agree with ya, Cinmike. This is why Solange had trouble.
Yeah I agree with Clnmike. But because of DC, I think it will be impossible for Kelly to go on without being tied to Beyonce. Idk..
I hope Kelly can shine this year. As a fan I really would like to see her get ahead but I think it’s so hard for her because regardless of what people say, she is in Beyonces shadow. She has some really good writers for her album so maybe it will work. I hope Bey doesn’t drop anything new this year, she really needs a break. (Yes I am a fan of hers also.)
There is enough room for two (or three, or more) at the top….I applaud both of the women!
I have no clue why people put Beyonce on a pedastal. Yes she is talented but who says there has to be one top chick in the game? There are plenty of great white singers who all have their own type of success. Let Kelly have hers. From a business standpoint anyone can see that Matthew wasn’t good for business. She wasn’t the main breawinner in regards to the four singling ladies in his camp(Bey, Kelly, Solange, Michelle) so it’s only safe to assume Matthew as a business man was going to put most time and energy into BEY, cause she was the one who was selling the most records. Also, who knows what type of family issues came into play.Sorry to say, but he was probably going to push his daughter(his real daughter) before anyone else.
Now that Kelly is under a different label and new management this new team she has wants to see her succeed to the highest standard. Why, because they want to make the most money off of her and her celebrity that they can. If they don’t then they lose money, and no company wants that. So they are going to go out of their way to get her the best of the best, not the best of the rest. So that’s why I think it was a great career move to switch teams. This way, it’s strictly business from all standpoints.
I agree with Monie. Kelly just isn’t that interesting. If she were and or had mega talent ….this wouldn’t even be an issue.
Well, she finally found herself a niche, that’s a start to her doing something bigger than what she’s doing now.
[...] What Of The Second Child – Kelly Rowland? [Clutch Mag] [...]
This is a perfect example of nepotism. Why does it have to be this way? There is enough money in the music industry to go around, and then some! Is it a wonder why so many artists dismiss their managers for this same exact reason, only to be outweighed by simple greed. If they could only see the TALENT for what it is……….there would never have to be the greed factor, period. It is sad, but all too prevalent in the music business world.
@Sharay and a/n AGREED!
Oh please, there are people less talented that is on top in this mucis industry just because they are a pretty face, have mass market appeal or a sex symbol so talent has nothing to do with it alone. I think Kelly is a great artist in her own right and just like other great artists who don’t get any shine or praise, they gets slept on for of the moment stars. Personally, I like Kelly’s song “commander” and can’t wait for the video.
Beside WHY do we have to compare every black female singer to Beyonce? I like
Beyonce too and think she is talented as well but she is not the end all to end all for black music so can we stop the comparison already. There is enough money and press to go around for everybody in the music industry to be successful and all GOOD artist to get shine so we need to stop being fixated on the fact THAT only one person should be on top and everybody else she fall back until the top is done with the game. That is such crabs in the barrel way of thinking. I’ am pretty sure that Kelly is happy and successful in her own right because she is doing what she loves, living her dream, and forging her career the way she wants too so what more can anybody ask for. She shouldn’t be pity or typecast as the underdog, that is so dumb. Success can be measured in many ways so just because she isn’t overhyped, exposed or on every magazines or television shows doesn’t mean she isn’t successful. Yes, healthy competition and rivary is fun but their is enough for everyone without being too greedy. This is the problem with music today….sighs….
Real world.She needs to forget DC and friendship and be all about the business.She does not need pity nor Beyonce-bashing to help her.There are always people who will shine brighter and Beyonce is one of them.Talent is not enough in the music industry and that’s tough because it should be.
Kelly is smart to step beyond the borders and if she has the heart to create and innovate then she will finally break that mold and succeed solo.But she has to take that risk.Soon.
This article made me laught so hard at Kelly and the writer. The writer made Kelly seem like the most pitiful person on earth. It certainly did make me want to check out her new single.