Summer 2012 music preview

Posted on Jun 14, 2012 in Features

image: winchestermusic.org

Summer is finally within reach! Whether you’re working, going to summer school, or just relaxing, it’s still a break from the norm. One thing that doesn’t stop no matter the season is the creation of new music. This summer is going to be packed with new projects from the hottest in the game. Where do you start? Here’s what’s happening in the industry right now.

Beyonce is back to business! After giving birth in January, she will be headlining a concert in May. She also just released “End of Time” as a single in the UK. That same week she released an EP on iTunes called “4: The Remix,”  which includes 6 remixes of her singles from“4.” Don’t waste your time though, it’s geared more toward European fans and their clubs. Beyonce is said to be in two new movies this year, a remake of “A Star is Born” and “One Hit Wonders,” which should be good with “Glee” director Ryan Murphy working on it. Bey’s role in the film has not been defined but it also stars her close friend Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon and Cameron Diaz. The biggest question is: when will she release her next album?

Then there’s Rihanna, who has left everyone wondering what’s going on in her camp. With her release of “Birthday Cake” remix which features Chris Brown, reports have stated that Jay-Z is done with her and is moving on to his new “it” girl, Rita Ora (more on her later).

This is also allegedly the reason “Talk That Talk” featuring Jay-Z is no longer a single. Either way, “Where Have You Been” is Rih’s latest single and the video will be out really soon. Having been in the movie “Battleship” this year, Rihanna says she wants to do more movies. Everyone’s hoping this means that she will finally take a break from music and not make this the fourth year in a row she puts out an album in November. She is loved but needs to rest and be missed like Beyonce had to.

Chris Brown was supposed to have his fifth studio album in stores next week but has pushed “Fortune” back to July 3. For most, this usually is a bad thing, but for Chris it’s really not. He had two hit singles from the album so far but he wants an even bigger campaign for this album so that he can surpass the success of his last album. Chris will be competing with Usher and Justin Beiber, whose albums will be out in late June. They all are doing really well right now and should have some of the biggest albums of the year.

Everyone’s been waiting on Ciara’s comeback. No dates have been given but there has been heavy speculation on Twitter that the summer is hers – which truthfully would be the perfect time for her team to strike. Right now, there are very few major female artists on track to release new albums this summer.

Ciara also makes music that usually screams summertime jam. She has been in the studio with the some of the best producers in the game right now. She is now being on Epic Records with L.A. Reid, who started her career and of course says this new album will be “epic.” She has so much talent and it really would be sad to not see her return to the top.
Brandy is actually one of few females plotting a summer album. With her duet with Monica, “It All Belongs to Me,” not making an impact on the charts, her team has been hard at work on her first single. “Put it Down” featuring Chris Brown was released April 26. This song is pure fire. Chris surprisingly raps on the track and does it well. She has received nothing but positive feedback for the record. The funny thing is that this song was produced by Bangladesh, who also worked with Ciara on her new album. This song would have been even better suited for CiCi because it just has so much swag to it. Ciara’s dancing skills would also make the video way better. Hopefully Brandy asks Chris to dance in the video because this song deserves a dope visual aid.

Rita Ora is making a splash in the UK and is making her way to the U.S. as well. She is a new artist signed to ROC Nation. Most people compare her to Beyonce and Rihanna. She really is nothing like either of them, with a swag and musical style all her own. Her voice is really strong and that makes her a threat to everyone. She has UK single “R.I.P” and U.S. single, “How We Do (Party),” neither of which are really good examples of what she can do. Her debut is coming soon though, and she really has the potential to become an industry heavyweight if handled correctly.
Speaking of the UK, Adele is said to have a new song out by the end of the year but no new album for at least another year or two.

Mariah Carey, Keri Hilson, Trey Songz, Kelly Rowland, Ne-Yo, Ashanti and Frank Ocean are all expected to have new material out this year as well. Other than Ashanti, none of them have confirmed anything concrete.

With artists today having push-backs all the time, we may not see half of these artists until fall or winter. Let’s hope not, though, because what’s summer without fresh music to bump at a barbeque?

Jamel Coles
Staff Writer
jcoles@uab.edu

Tags: 20120501, jamelColes