American Idol winner Ruben Studdard has reportedly been dropped from J. Records after disappointing record sales of his most current release, 2006′s The Return.
Studdard’s first J. Record release, Soulful, released in 2003, is RIAA certified platinum. His 2004 gospel follow up, I Need An Angel also fared well – reaching gold status. However, sales from The Return have been unable to match his previous success, moving barely 235,000 copies.
Here is an email that was sent to us earlier this week:
“My brother tours as a background singer for Ruben Studdard and he was just informed today that Ruben was dropped by J Records. The sales were just too bad from his last album. He has only sold 234,000 copies.”
Most recently, in November, he spent time touring alongside Robin Givens in a play called “Heaven I Need a Hug” and according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he is currently preparing to play jazz great Fats Waller in a national theatre tour of “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” Studdard is also scheduled to make a holiday appearance in his hometown Birmingham, Alabama this weekend, performing with his old band Just a Few Cats at the WorkPlay soundstage.
Wow, tough break. I wonder if Ruben will shop himself around for another deal and put out another album? That’s a shame. He was America’s Teddy Bear!
KANYE, LUPE & PHARRELL?
Remember the song “Us Placers,” that we posted a while ago from Kanye West’s Can’t Tell Me Nothin’ mixtape? It was a track that featured Kanye himself, Pharrell Williams and Lupe Fiasco. Well, the three have formed a group called CRS (Child Rebel Soldier). Apparently, the trio is working on an album together – which should be interesting, since Lupe Fiasco is in the stages of promoting his album, The Cool, which was released this past Tuesday, Kanye is in the middle of a tragedy, and Pharrell should be working furiously on the new N.E.R.D. album.
To your left, you will see the unofficial video for their track “Us Placers.” It was directed by Va$htie, who has been romantically linked to Pharrell for a while now, but no one is sure of their current status. It doesn’t surprise me though, considering that Va$htie is a member of the collective Box Fresh Pictures. She’s directed a few projects which are listed there.
The video is pretty interesting, considering that child actors were used to replace Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and Lupe Fiasco. Apparently, the video was shot with a zero budget, meaning they had no money behind the project. Check it out. It’d be interesting to hear an album from the three of them.
RICK ROSS SPEAKS ON RELEASE DELAY
Rick Ross fans were disappointed when they found out that Rick’s sophomore set, Trilla was pushed back from December 18th to February 19th via Slip-N-Slide/Def Jam. He sat down exclusively with Billboard.com to speak on the dilemma.
“We had a few clearance issues, including one song produced by DJ Toomp,” says Ross. “It’s called ‘This Me’ and it’s a real personal record for me, so I wanted to make sure it got on the album. Toomp produced ‘White House’ on my first record and we made magic.”
Current single “Speedin’” featuring R. Kelly, DJ Khaled and Diddy, which we posted in a rap review, is on the move on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it jumps 74-60 this week. A video for the song recently premiered on BET’s 106 & Park.
DMX INKS NEW DEAL
After being released from his Sony Music deal earlier this year, rapper DMX has signed a deal with the music division of Canadian online gaming company Bodog Entertainment. The rapper plans to release his next two albums, Walk With Me Now and You’ll Fly With Me Later in 2008 via Bodog.
“I’m thankful for the fact that Bodog believes in me,” says DMX. “We share the same vision and the fact that they see in me the same thing I see. I’ll show Bodog Music how it’s supposed to be done, and we’ll get to where we’re supposed to be. You got a dog for life.”
Bodog Music is a part of the digital entertainment company, Bodog Entertainment International Group. The company has several U.S. locations but is based in Vancouver. It recently snagged international distribution rights for the Wu-Tang Clan’s comeback album, 8 Diagrams.
How ironic… DMX thinks he is a dog and he signed with a label with the word “dog” in it. Sorry, I had to laugh.
WTF Ruben dropped man hopefully tyler perry would put him in a play but i only remember him doing one video to the damn song
Bring Ruben back and drop DMX!!!
jscene
Friday, December 21, 2007
DMX is one of the greats, he’s right at the top; but he needs to leave that crack or whatever he’s smoking along…i hate when talent is wasted. In my opinion, he can smoke any of these dudes out now, including so called “best rapper alive” lol (jayz) in a freestyle.
____________________________
That ain’t nothing but the truth — DMX, esp., when he is clearminded, is good.
No doubt he is and has been fighting some demons. But he has a gift, and when he appreciates and uses it, he can’t be touched. A when that brother prays…..
Dont Worry Ruben…God has something better in store you “your latter will be greater”
I think Ruben gone be alright, I just saw him on a new Kirk Franklin video/song today on 106 and Park. He probably gonna go back to gospel.
This CRS trio should be nice, I heard Lupe cd last night and its fiyah.
I like Rick Ross new song its hot.
I’m glad DMX got a new deal, but he need to leave the drugs alone.
that crs group thing should be dope. good heads colliding.
CRS….SOUNDS HOTT…LUVIN ALL 3 OF EM ESPECIALLY KANYE! LETS SEE WHAT COMES FROM IT!
Va$htie is my girl the girl is very talented in directing music videos. I really liked this video because it was on a zero budget with a hot concept..see folks you don’t have to have a lot of money to have an ill video..I’m trying to go to school for directing myself look out for me soon..lol..nah I’m playing..oh yeah CRS is going to be hot though!
Ruben was a very boring perfomer but a really good singer with average writing and producing..I think he needs a better team behinf then he’ll be okay
us placers = superwack
I loved the Us Placers song when you guys first posted it, and i think the video is clever….and creative especially considering when there isn’t really a budget.
Black men last ones hired first ones fired! Ruben is a great singer
Rubin is not Poor.Rubin has Gospel Roots and I don’t think R&B is his “Fortae”!
Rubin has a gosel song with Daedra Hatten and he looks happier singing Gospel.
I think his Record company wants him to Grind and Shake and I can’t see Rubin Grinding or SHAking..
Also this ATL. DeJay (Frank Ski (v-103 put out some bad vibes about Rubin being arogant when this DeJay is the most arogant person in the WORLD).If an Artist does’t give V-103 radio station in ATL.money they want play their music and they say ugly things about the artist.( They want play the american Idols songs,but I think AI let them advertise for them).Rubin Staddard is a Doll,but shy.Also you very seldom hear Fantasia on this Radio station.American Idol fan’s and Rubin and Fantasia fans should boycott this station.Steve Harvey and Kiss 104.1 is better any ways.
CRS. Now that should be dope. BRIAN we might have a new age TRIBE CALLED QUEST if them lot do it well. Can’t wait to hear their material. And ‘Us Placers’. Big up to Va$tie on that. This could be her breakthrough music video…
Too Bad this happen to Rubin when he has the next best voice to Luther.
Black people don’t support their good artist like white supporter’s.
Carrie Underwood has Won 20 Grammy’s since her win on American Idol.
Kelley clarkston with her hollering and Daughtery with all the yelling he does has won 30 grammies..Rubin and Fantasia 0 grammies.
We are only hurting our selves.American Idol is a plateform that gives our people a chance to get ahead.You can believe with this happening to Rubin J-records will not pick up another Black american Idol.and Simon want support anoter black artist,so Black people just don;’t worry about auditioning.You well not Win.I know the music industry.
RUBEN WILL COME BACK …GO RUB…! RICKY ROSS IS THE BOSS ..I BELIEVE WHEN HE CONTINUE TO GROW AS AN ARTIST HIS LYRICAL CONTENT WILL HAVE MORE DEPTH …WITH THAT BEING SAID…LOL.. HE CAN DEFINITELY FLOW…AND YOU CAN RIDE TO HIS MUSIC…SO KEEP DOING YOUR THING BIG DADDY…..
GOD BLESS….
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FINALLY, they came out with a video…it’s so cute…lol..I love it…..I can’t for the cd…BTW ain’t that Pharrell’s ex who directed it??
ricky ross if aynbody got the real version not boot leg of the album they already know you could thump that from begining to end no questions asked cant wait for the next cd itll be worth the wait
ricky ross if aynbody got the real version not boot leg of the album they already know you could thump that from begining to end no questions asked cant wait for the next cd itll be worth the wait