After much anticipation, Jennifer Hudson finally released her self-titled debut album today…
We first familiarized ourselves with Jennifer Hudson on Fantasia’s season of American Idol, where she was voted off and was told by Simon that she’d never really amount to much. I guess he’s eating his words. Hudson scored the much sought-after role of Effie White in the critically acclaimed 2006 adaptation of the Broadway music, Dreamgirls. Hudson performed with an all-star cast, including the likes of Oscar-award winning Jamie Foxx, Dannie Glover, Eddie Murphy, as well as Beyonce, and actually won an Academy Award herself for Best Supporting Actress. The girl with the big voice and the big dreams was definitely making her way, and it was then that Clive Davis offered her a deal with J. Records to record her debut album.
I was a little scared for Jennifer, I have to admit. I wasn’t sure how that big voice was going to translate with contemporary, radio-friendly R&B music. Her voice is so amazing for the stage, but I had never heard anything from her that I thought would translate into an album. Apparently, an album was recorded and scrapped. Jennifer went back in to record and finally, we got “♫ SPOTLIGHT,” the power-house ballad for women whose men just won’t leave them alone, because they know they might find something better. I was pleasantly surprised by “Spotlight.” Hudson gave me a very catchy hook, with the classic Ne-Yo/StarGate feel. My interest had been rekindled, because I just wasn’t sure how long her actress buzz was going to keep her music fans interested.
The project was kept well under wraps. No material really leaked until about 2 weeks before the release, and I was eager to see what other material Jennifer had recorded. On the album, Hudson works with a lot of big names like Timbaland, The Clutch, Jim Beanz, StarGate and Polow Da Don, with features from Ludacris, T-Pain and fellow-Idol contestant, Fantasia.
Admittedly, I had my doubts at first, and was definitely one of the naysayers for a contemporary R&B album from Hudson, but I was pleasantly surprised. Jennifer Hudson is a cohesive debut effort, which showcases Jennifer Hudson’s vocal ability and range, without making her sound forced or strained. The material was picked immaculately. Stand-out tracks include, of course, the stellar single, “Spotlight,” the hard-hitting and slightly comical, “Pocketbook,” “This Isn’t Love” (which I think is Hudson’s next single), as well as the Fantasia duet, “I’m His Only Woman.” I think the only thing I’m mad about is them slinging “And I Am Tellin’ You I’m Not Going” at the end of the album.
Make sure you pick up Jennifer Hudson’s self-titled debut album in stores and online everywhere today!
Hmm… sorry to say I was disappointed. The ballads are boring… the uptempos are sub par… This CD could have been so much stronger with the right material. Think of Toni Braxton’s debut CD… Whitney’s… Mariah’s… all quality… Considering the amount of time they took to put together this CD, Im very much unsatisfied. Her voice is definitely strong. The material on the other hand… very mediocre.
Brian I agree with what you said 100%, I pick up a copy of her album 2day. I LUV Jennifer Hudson, she’s doing her thing. I hope everybody goes out and support her. She’s really talent.
I hate that they put “And I Am Tellin’ You I’m Not Going” so wack. But thumb ups Ms, Hudson……
Not enough to get me to buy the album. Sounds average. Guess it’ll be a download.
Brian, you are truly one of the best damn music critics out there! Thanks for keeping us in the {music} know!
Brian I disagree. I don’t think there is anything R&B about Jennifer’s album. This album is straight pop. I was extremely disappointed w/ the tracks posted. If the entire album consists of these types of tracks, then I think I’ll just keep my money.
I really thought JHud was gonna come harder than this. I was expecting something w/ soul & great (not that pop bullshyt) beats. For her to have worked w/ so many producers I don’t understand why all the tracks sound the same.
Not to be negative, but I don’t think Jennifer’s album will be successful.
@ #1
Cosign!
love the song “my heart”!!!
I support Jennifer Hudson all the way! There is a beautiful ballad thats out there. She sang live on the Steve Harvey Show. ” Giving Myself over to You written by Robin Thicke. I wonder if that song is on the album. That is a beautiful song and very soulful.
yet another reason you shouldn’t be reviewing music. great voice yes, good album no
J. Hud cd has some good songs it but overall it is just okay
I ran out and got the album first thing this morning………well Ms. Hudson has disappointed me. Its just ok, nothing special.She has such a great voice, but all the song sound like filler tracks and nothing to me STANDS OUT.I wasn’t an intial fan of Spotlight but the radio played it so much it grew on me. Pocketbook, cool not great. The album is just cute, but I expected soooo much more, especially since I had to wait so long for her to come out with something. Maybe her performances will sell this but I think this album will just fall through the cracks. I like Jazmine Sullivan’s album much better. Thanks for nothing Jennifer!
Jennifer Hudson’s debut fell short for me.
Her voice is still incredible, but the material did not mesh well.
I have to disagree with your statement OP, that this was a cohesive effort.
The tracklist arrangement was really off-putting. There wasn’t a chance presented to get into the groove because it kept skipping around.
All in all, “Spotlight” is the strongest song of the entire album.
However, there are 4 other contenders for standouts: If This Isn’t Love, We Gon
Fight, Invisible, I’m His Only Woman.
My suggestion: Put the 5 songs above in order and listen to what Jennifer’s debut SHOULD have offered through and through.
I can’t stand to look at her,muchless listen to her scream/sing/whatever…UGH!
This entire CD sounds like movie theme music. It is very dissapointing. Shes still riding the Dreamgirl train and she needs to move it on up to 2008. Hate it!
“I think the only thing I’m mad about is them slinging “And I Am Tellin’ You I’m Not Going” at the end of the album.”
Oh Gawd NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO……..Not this screaming mess again!!
I waited for this not impressed, expected more, she sounds like Judy Garland when she perfroms live.
I saw and heard he perform at the kodak theatre recently ( I worked the show), as a dresser asst. and many were not impressed with her live performance.
I will not will be buying the album, but I am going to download “I Am His Woman” the cut with Tasia, it sounds more soulful than the rest.
Sorry Brian, I don’t agree,the hype is over.I felt then Dreamgirl was all hype.
They probably put I am telling you so people would identify who she was album so long coming out.
Jennifer I am wishing you the best, just can’t buy album,only wise spending these days.
Thanks for the chance to respond here on the Loop.
I am a Jennifer Hudson fan until the day I die but I am completely disappointed with this album. Her vocal range is unbelievable and I expected more of a classical album than the commercial bullsh*t that is one radio today. I wished they would have gotten Diane Warren or someone of the other great songwriters on board her album. On a scale of 1-10 (greatest), I give this album a 7
I like Jennifer, she’s on the lists of artists I want to suppor this year.
I’m sorry,but this girl needs to quit trying to be a pop star. She just isn’t edgy/interesting enough. Maybe some more pictures of her kissing another female(hopefully younger this time)could give her the boost she needs for sales because the songs sure as hell don’t cut it!!
“Sorry Brian, I don’t agree,the hype is over.I felt then Dreamgirl was all hype.”
BINGO!!!! She waited too long after the success of Dreamgirls. The window of opprotunity is now closed.
@ #20 I agree with you… Jennifer waited too long to put this album out. All the hype was around her after Dreamgirls and after she won the Oscar, but her 15 minutes of fame is up! well as far as the singing career goes. She’s a great actress… maybe she should just stick to that. And I cant believe that she’s engaged?!? She just got into the game so doesnt she need to be focsuin on her career instead of focusing on a relationship? Look at Beyonce, homegirl was with Jay for 6 years before they even thought about marriage, the same with Janet and Jermaine Dupri
I really like the song “This Isn’t Love.” I’ll probably buy that and Spotlight off iTunes. I can’t listen to an entire CD of Jennifer Hudson. She should have put out an EP instead – 3 or 4 songs is all I can handle.
WOW! All the hate at J.Hud! Her cd is nice it is not bad. I like the song with her and Fantasia, We gon’ Fight, Giving myself, and Can’t stop the rain. I hate the song with her and T-Pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ugh! Not bad but could have been better. I am rididn Jazmine Sullivan’s cd a lil’ more though.
ok #13,15,19 and 20 I will bite, who do you think is a good singer with a great Album?
@1..
Cosign 100%
It wasn’t horrible but at the same time, it wasn’t anything special. Definitely nothing to be hitting up my gurls about. And the pocketbook song is not cute. Through out the whole album I was wondering what the plot was, what was the point of it. I know Cd’s aren’t stories but I just couldn’t get into it, it was just….mediocre. I think she was confused.
@20..
Exactly! Dreamgirls is why she is even doing all this sh*t so around that time is when she should have put out a cd. And I think that if Beyonce wasn’t in Dreamgirls she wouldn’t EVEN be this big. Because Dreamgirls was soo whack and I only saw it because Beyonce was in it, and I’m sure other people did that too. Therefore, Dreamgirls would have been straight to DVD faster than a lighting bolt. She did nothing special in Dreamgirls but scream her gut out, and after winning that Oscar nobody gave 2 sh*ts about her. I have yet to hear one of her songs on the radio.
And her voice can be unflattering at times. She belongs on a platform in a church in a long bright ass red robe, not this. A church would definitely appreciate all that hollering and carrying on.
This CD is totally AWESOME!!!! GREAT JOB JHUD!!!!!
where is mya @
J Hud…J Hud…J Hud…homegirl…I am so disappointed in this album, how could you allow them to put this out..as strong as a singer you are, the productioin..not looking so good! No catchy melodies…baby girl…..I am not impressed at all…spotlight was cute, Pocketbook…o.k. other than that…not interested….I am feeling my girl Jazmine Sullivan way..way…better…I can’t stop listening to that CD…
I’m buying the album after I get off work. I think I heard a track with her and T-Pain and it was a waste of a great song. I try not to listen to tracks on the net because it ruins the surprise.
Love the track with Fanny though…that is my gurl…
well its way better than the “popcorn“ music we have these days, good luck to jennifer hudson
“Dreamgirls is why she is even doing all this sh*t so around that time is when she should have put out a cd. And I think that if Beyonce wasn’t in Dreamgirls she wouldn’t EVEN be this big. Because Dreamgirls was soo whack and I only saw it because Beyonce was in it, and I’m sure other people did that too. Therefore, Dreamgirls would have been straight to DVD faster than a lighting bolt. She did nothing special in Dreamgirls but scream her gut out, and after winning that Oscar nobody gave 2 sh*ts about her. I have yet to hear one of her songs on the radio.”
CO-SIGN!!
My mother tried to force feed that stupid movie. To this day I haven’t sat through that mess in its entirety.
@Mel…thanks for asking
Amy Winehouse
Anything by Erika Badhu
Anything by Sade
Bob Marley…I can listen to him all day every day and it still sounds as good as the first time
Anything by Prince
“She’s a great actress… maybe she should just stick to that. And I cant believe that she’s engaged?!? She just got into the game so doesnt she need to be focsuin on her career instead of focusing on a relationship? Look at Beyonce, homegirl was with Jay for 6 years before they even thought about marriage, the same with Janet and Jermaine Dupri”
The verdict is still out as far as I’m concerned(great actress?). She can’t even pretend to be genuine in interviews. She always comes accross like a complete phony.
I don’t think Beyonce is the best comparison. She started out much earlier and is now married to a man 15 years her senior. Apples and oranges.
“She’s a great actress… maybe she should just stick to that. And I cant believe that she’s engaged?!? She just got into the game so doesnt she need to be focsuin on her career instead of focusing on a relationship? Look at Beyonce, homegirl was with Jay for 6 years before they even thought about marriage, the same with Janet and Jermaine Dupri”
The verdict is still out as far as I’m concerned(great actress?). She can’t even pretend to be genuine in interviews. She always comes accross like a complete phony.
I don’t think Beyonce is the best comparison. She started out much earlier and is now married to a man 15 years her senior. She practically grew up in the business. Jennifer is very new to this(and it shows). Apples and oranges.
Maybe she should have used the same producers that Mary and Jill use. You know, the kind of producers that make music for grown ups and not that bubble gum pop stuff. With Jennifer’s voice, she should not sell out to the pop world and the industry.
We will see the numbers next week.
Maybe she should try Broadway next. She has the voice for that.
Not sure, but I believe Jennifer is singing on Jimmy Kimble tonight!
@34.
Erykah’s last CD was a lil bit of a dissapointment, i have finally admitted that to myself, and she knows it too which is why New Amerykah vol. 2 didn’t come out late summer like it was supposed to.
and as far as the J.Hud CD goes.. it’s a debut. debut’s are not perfect, a lot of people don’t get it right until the 3rd, but she has staying power. Support J.Hud. she is better than a lot of the mess out there.
My favs were: If this isn’t love, my heart, i’m his only woman, and we gon’ fight.
Beyonce’s husband is not 15 years older than her.
Anyway, I haven’t heard most of the album, so I’ll reserve judgment. Spotlight and the song with Fantasia are INCREDIBLE!!
Unfortunately, I do see this underperforming. She’s been outta the spotlight (no pun intended) for too long since Dreamgirls, and the first track hasnt been a hit on mainstream.
i liked j hud in dreamgirls but i agree with the comment that she’s still riding the dreamgirls train…her voice, to me, doesn’t translate well into r&b…it’s WAYYYYYY big and i think she would have been in her element if she had recorded a gospel cd…spotlight was ok, the radio has BEYONCED it (is that how you put it?! lol) OUT!! and i’m a HUGE beyonce fan so no knocks to her, but j hud might wanna stick to acting cuz she’s real good at that but this r&b stuff…needs to die…just like beyonce need to quit acting cuz it’s really not her gift…
Why isn’t Bey a good comparsion? Yes she came out with a group in 1997 but she is the same age as Jennifer and she took her time before getting married. At least bey knows who her man (who is 12 yrs old btw still don’t get what his age has to do with anything how do you know how much older punk is as it relates to Jennifer) is while J-hud is about to get married to this dude she just started dating! She don’t know Punk ass and I wouldn’t even want him after New York had his ass.
Wow.. I guess most folks ears have gotten used to the nasaly one pitch tones of Rihanna, the warbling and lacefront slanging Beyonce, the Janet Jackson swagger stealing and nonsinging Ciara, the ghetto fabulous asthmatic cat on fire sound of Fantasia, to really appreciate J Hud as a regular R&B singer.l. no gimmicks, no drama, no tattoos, just good ol singing..
Go JHud.. I’ll support you..
One more thing.. Brian, I can’t really believe you as a real critic.. Cause you still saying Keri Hilson is the next hottest thing, blah, blah..but I’ve yet to be impressed…
Wow some of these comments remind me of how I felt when I bought Jazmine Sullivan CD last week,. There are a couple of stand out hits, but over all the album was not good. and it seems (from what im reading) Jennifer Hudson’s is the same. Thats sad too powerful vocals and they or the record company didnt know what to do with it
Why does everyone think doing pop music is selling out?
I never did understand that. Its a music genre thats been here almost since the start of music. Pop is music that appeals to the majority. Meaning its not catered to just one specific race or age group.
The sellout comments never made since. Especially, since some of the biggest black artist in the history of music were pop.
With that being said, I listened to Jennifer’s album and I dont think its pop. Not soul or pure R&B, but not pop either.
Who made the rule that every black singer should be pure R&B.
And like someone else said Jenny’s voice is strong but very loud almost to the point of shouting. Which I think is a better fit for gospel music instead of R&B/Pop.
But gospel doesnt sell as well, so I cant knock her for not doing it.
I AGREE THAT THIS ALBUM WAS NOT THE BEST, THE ONLY SONG I AM BUMPING IS “IF THIS ISN’T LOVE”……… BUT I THINK SOME OF YOU ARE GETTING RNB CONFUSED WITH “NEO SOUL” ………….BUT ANYWAY AFTER SEEING HER PERFORM ON THE VIEW, I FINALLY AGREE THAT SHE IS JUST A 1-IN-A-THOUSAND REGULAR CHURCH GIRLS, SHE WOULD HAVE DONE BETTER WITH A GOSPEL ALBUM…….AND SHE STILL NEEDS WORK ON HER CONTROL.
The singles sound ok. I thought it would sound better. I agree with a poster above about her songs sounding the same.
I like J Hud…but this CD is really bad.. I mean come on….yeah she can sing her butt off…but I was really disappointed. There are no catchy melodies and all those slow songs…bluhhhh!! And who could compare Jazmine Sullivan CD to this..Every song on her CD is catchy and interesting and different and new and fresh and dope..and she can sing and she is only 21…and she wrote every song…no comparison. If J Hud had control over her CD maybe it wouldn’t be so bad…don’t get me wrong I wish her the best but with today’s economy I can’t waste any money.
This album is HOT….I don’t know what some of you are listening to lol! Every song has a meaning, and she sounds BANANAZ on every track! And it’s selling like hotcakes….Wal-Mart had none left this morning when i went to cop it, and my friends are having the same problem trying to purchase….so that’s a good thing! Jennifer Hudson is the business…………
@39 I agree. Erykah Badu’s album was terrible, like you it took me a while to say that out loud. I was so diasappointed. However, I do think J. Hud is worth supporting, she may get it right next time.
I luv this album. Jennifer did her thang!!! One lesson Ive learned as an adult is you cannot please everbody…
UH oh yall, target just ran out too. She is really selling the hell outta this damn album lol. I can’t find it anywhere because walmart, circuit city, and best buy are sold out and the lady/trick at bestbuy was so damn RUDE! I guess i gotta wait until tommorro.
The song with fantasia is off the chain even though it’s a remake sound of shirley brown and barbara mason
I knew when I clicked on the comments someone would find a way to bring up Beyonce. It is not that serious that people have to bring her up every time there is a post about another female artist. Get a life people. You people act like she cutting you a check.
@ ME
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 /
yet another reason you shouldn’t be reviewing music. great voice yes, good album no
Very ignorant comment. Its his opinion. Thats why is called a review! If you don’t agree just say you don’t.
I think the album is a good effort. I think its good for her voice. There are only so many ways to market a artist like Jennifer. I think they did the best they could do for her.
Support our black women!
The CD is okay it’s not that bad. I like the very last song, and a couple of others. I think its a good easy listening cd.
Bryan,
Your music reviews are consistently awful. You spend two and a half grafs telling us about YOU, and YOUR initial fears, hopes, and dreams, and then tack on an anaemic paragraph about the album.
Constructive critique, bruh. Take the time to actually LISTEN to albums and self-edit before you post. These reviews aren’t nearly as much about what you thought before going in, as they are what the album SOUNDS
Also, add me to the list of people truly disappointed in the album.
#34
So do you think Patti Labelle, Betty Wright, Millie Jackson, Tanya Blount, Chaka Khan or Jill Scott can sing?
All of you Beyonce fans in J-hud fan clothing should stop hating.
I loved this album, esp. ‘We Gon’Fight.’ Tell me that song alone isn’t worth the buy.
VERY IMPRESSED!!!
I keep listening to the cd trying to feel something it sounds better than the first time. Like I said overall it is just ok and it is just that she had more than enough time to make a better cd. So far music has been bad this year.