I have a growing respect for ex-DC3 member Kelly Rowland. She’s doing exactly what I do, “Whatever Works For Me!” She has really come into her own person from a fashion point of view (no more coordinating outfits) and vocally which is evident in her new style of music. No more purely R&B and Hip-Hop songs, the genre DC3 (Destiny’s Child) is notoriously known for! She is owning the international market right now with her new dance track “Commander” – which, by the way, is my JAM and seems to be doing very well on radio and in the clubs! I’ve watched the “Commander” video and it makes me wanna put my hands up, head held high, dance awaaaay the day – I sing it out loud too! I’m in love!

I’ve always felt like Kelly was not given the attention and commitment that she needed as an artist when she was under the Mathew Knowles’ management, and if memory serves me right, I think Kelly might have hinted so herself in an interview when responding to a question to the tune of why she fired him as her manager. To be blatantly honest, I don’t see what time Matthew could have devoted to any other artist while managing his international super star daughter. So I Think Kelly is better off somewhere where her need can be better sought after.

I think it’s great that “Commander” is blowing up internationally as oppose to in her homeland, the US, because as the old saying goes “It’s easier to be King in someone else’s country than in your own.” And besides, there’s a much bigger market abroad = more potential for money making. Kelly has a great label backing her now that she’s to Motown. I just hope they do more to market her than her ex-Manager, Mathew Knowles, and her ex-Label did!

Admittedly her first album failed to reach me but her sophomore album, Ms.Kelly, is definitely in my list of good albums. I appreciate Kelly’s music very much and it’s a major PLUS that “Commander” makes me dance – which is something not very many songs are able to do. It’s easy for a song to get me to sing along, or try to anyway, but it takes a lot to get me to wanna dance. And when I do dance, I dance!!

In addition to dominating the international dance music market, Kelly also has plans to officially release 2 urban tracks simultaneously in the US later on this month. I’ve had a chance to listen to both “Grown Woman” and “Rose Coloured Glasses” and all I can say is “when is the album dropping, Kelly?”…I’m already anticipating her album. I think both songs have strong lyrical content. I can absolutely relate to the lyrics; it makes me think about relationships or situations I have been involved in at one point or another. I just wish more people would give her music a chance to shine, and not compare her with other artists. See her as an artist, outside of the DC3 spotlight!

I have every confidence that both songs will do well on Billboard and on radio but here’s my one concern: Kelly chances for success in the US Urban Music market may be hindered because she has always been seen as a second rate artist in the US. A lot of people still compare her to her former band mate, Beyonce. Although she has broken away from DC3 and is 2-albums-deep into her solo career, I’m not sure the US audience sees that or appreciates that as much as they should. I actually think that Kelly is a good singer and performer, and I think it’s very heartbreaking that the urban audience does not treat her on her own merit.

Just saying…

Love,

Ms.Zindzi