No.
I’m not one to tell a person to give up on their dreams, but do ya’ll know anyone out there hiring? I have a friend in my head who might need to look into a new career path.
When I first heard this song I thought it was great. Upon additional listens I thought it was alright, but wasn’t going to make that much noise. After this video, I’m wondering why Def Jam just didn’t give this video’s budget to me. If they’re going to waste money on some random effort why not send me the cash? At least I’m going to be successful.
I really don’t like taking shots at Amerie. She’s pretty, intelligent, and seems genuinely dedicated to improving as an artist. Yet…she doesn’t’ seem to get it. The video itself is nice. As always, Amerie is visually stunning and the video itself is put together well, but this isn’t what people want from Amerie.
I’m going to keep saying it until artists start listening to me: Know your lane.
Amerie – like so many other singers before her – have fallen into the unfortunate belief that everyone has to be a superstar.
Her debut album continues to be one of the best R&B albums of the decade. She should’ve stuck with the sound that worked for and been content with the niche she carved. It’s why artists like Maxwell can take 19-year-old breaks and come back and still sell without topping the Billboard Hot 100 and why you forget about artists like Ashanti three weeks after their first unsuccessful single.
Can someone pass this message to her and other decent tone yet vocally inconsistent rhythm-challenged singers:
There’s only one spot right now for a girl who fits that category so repeat after me: Ella, ella, eh, eh, eh. Now go find someone else to be. Try yourself, because looking like Lady GaGa’s late cousin isn’t it.
But gon’ head, Amerie, keep doing what you doing even though you should know it won’t do nothing for you. Said with love, of course.
Anonymous
September 24, 2009 at 1:56 pm
It's weird becuz I've seen her video posted on various other blogs and neva bothered to press play b/c frankly, as much as I too think she's a genuine sweetie, i wasn't interested. Until I saw your article. Then I got intrigued to see if all my fears would be validated through a few of your choice words. And of course, they were…poor Amerie…yea, the beyonce-esque dancing mixed with random rihanna-esque caribbean-ness (yes im makin up words here but bear with me) It just aint it…perhaps she should do modeling. Smile and wave!
Misty Knight
September 24, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I absolutely HATE this song!!!!
It was terrible on the 1st listen, and I dont fuck with masochism so there is no need for a 2nd one.
I just think its terrible, not only that but her dancers in the video were more interesting than she is!
I am sorta surprised that folks loved her 1st album. Besides " Why dont we fall in love, and " I just died in your arms" I thought it sucked. There were like 10 songs about 2 minuets each, I thought I fucked around and bought a sample CD.
She needs to ring up Carl Thomas (he can't be busy), and kidnap Rich Harrison, and get back in the lab PRONTO!
babygirlja
September 24, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Amerie needs more people. I thought that she was gonna blow up after One Thing but I guess she couldn't carry the image that she tried to portray and this Beyonce/Rihanna style video ain't happening. That Ain't It (c)Jonta Austin
Anonymous
September 24, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I noticed that you and other comments keep giving credit to Johnta for "that aint it," but I think it was actually Tyrone (JD's assistant) that coined the phrase.
J2201987
September 24, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I loved Amerie's first album. It was very well put together, and it was nothing else like it (well, at the time, like her at least) then. "One thing" was a cool song, but that began to look like she was biting someone. Now, she's just seems lost, like she wore a Yaki shade too similar or Cockatoo cropped too short, and she can't figure out who exactly she is. Now, it seems like she's just riding whatever train that is the hottest just to get this album out. So sad, because she is a very talented singer, and she had this "girl next door" vibe. I guess someone told her that that was not ok, but it seems that's who she was.
digigum
September 26, 2009 at 10:40 am
I watched this for the first time the other night, mostly with my head in my hands. The first thing that came to my mind was no sound, This was straight up HORRIBLE to listen to I'll never listen to it again, by choice that is.I thought maybe I was being too harsh….I guess not
Anonymous
September 26, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Amerie's been wack since she got her nose done & started bleaching her skin.
I miss this Amerie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oENRuqL3aU
Taj
September 28, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I`m all for the "stay in your lane" protest. I think life is better when an artist (or a writer) finds their niche, does well and instead of trying to transcend it to be like everyone else, adapts and innovates and adds to the appeal of their style. GROWTH versus EMULATION.
The all black killed me. The "edge" killed me. The "Annnhh annnh annhh" killed me. Okay, I get the Forehead parallels.
But I`m surprised that no one else was happy to see her put her little two feet together and do an interesting ditty. Do we NOT like entertainers who can dance? I mean, I don`t personally rock with singers who sit on barstools on stage, so this caught me off guard. That looked like GOOD progress. It didn`t remind me of Single Ladies, or whatever B has out.
With that being said, an artist can`t JUST stay in their lane and hope to remain relevant. They have to continually grow vocally and offer new images and variations of THEIR style (own it) in order to keep people interested (B, for example) without completely jumping the gun and going in the direction of everyone else.
Do you think Rihanna would have had as much success as she did with her sub-par vocals and girl next door image if she would`ve "stayed in her lane"?
Maybe. I doubt it. Highly.
Chew on that.