It's Just A Mixtape... then why?
Sammie, first introduced as a R&B artist, back in 1990 something with the single "I Like It" off the From the Bottom to the Top album, (okay 1999-2000 era to be exact) made middle schoolers heart throb. With his sweet innocent voice and lyrics, girls all around fell for the new R&B not quite then teenager. *Flashback I can actually hear the songs and remember the lyrics as I write this blog entry. Anywho, Sammie took a break along with N-Toon around that time and came back taller, stronger and in this case finer, and so did Lloyd. So as he mentioned in his intro to his mixtape, by the way he is rapping, I Wikipedia him and turns out Sammie will be putting out a third album later 2010. Did anyone remember the self title album "Sammie" he put out in 2006, with a hit such as "You should be my girl"? For some reason that song isn't ringing a flashback tune in my head, oh well. ( fyi: The tune eventually came back to me while proofreading for the 4th time) Not only did he have a second album but a first mixtape titled Swag and B: Volume 1 in 2009. Rings a bell? Not for me it doesn't.
I often think of mixtapes to have random DJ's announcing their name over the tracks interrupting the music while switching to the next song, using scratching and mixing as of some proper and improper transitions, loud beats, that only work with 12's in the trunk and maybe a variety of artists being featured. I thought usually a mixtape was for artists who are upcoming and barely gets airplay . My opinion and thought, I might be wrong.
Sammie has 2 mixtapes and 2 going on 3 albums...
I believe with the new era of music and illegal downloading and leaks, artists really don't make a profit off of album sells. Therefore, they really have to have a passion for it. And do live performances. So do I have a problem with him doing a mixtape no, but after listening to T.I F*** A Mixtape, I have a new understanding of them. Like if you already selling albums and people know about you, why are you doing a mixtape? Or if you want people to hear your raw, unedited, uncut singles that you know enough editing won't even get it played on the radio, put it in a mixtape. (Not the case with Waka Flocka though) However, they really don't count in the Grammy's. Announcer: "And the most downloaded Mixtape goes too..." Probably still be T.I. or Gucci, who has even gone commercial; But I digress.
So again why does Sammie have a mixtape?
While listening to this "Mixtape" .... ok point simple it doesn't sound like a mixtape. It sounds like an album. I was expecting raw mixes, featured artists that no one knows, like his homeboys and him making some corny raps. None of that. I feel like his "mixtape" is a sample of what his album is going to be which means, unless he has a shipload of R&B songs, it is going to be a repeat of songs. Or/unless his album is going to be something totally different then what we are used too; he did some rapping on the mixtape; ok 2 songs, dang! I still don't know.
Overall, still listening to It's Just A Mixtape, Sammie hasn't lost his talent. I am on the second rotation of this "mixtape" and I can actually see myself downloading it as a R&B "mixtape" first??...??? So confused..????... Idk. I would have rather he stuck to just seeing if his album would sell, then turning to this. He only featured one artist which is Diamond and has kept up with the up to date and current trending topics of music- pretty girls, money, sex and life. Kind of looking forward to hearing a single from the anticipated 2010 album from Sammie, now that he is rapping and what not.
Does the "mixtape" have your average R&B songs and feel? The answer: Yep! It sure does. Does it make you want to listen to it over and over? It's soothing and not annoying. How many stars for Sammie's attempt to do whatever it was: None. Is it worth downloading? Sure it's not that bad and it is a pure R&B mixtape. I would so rather just call this Sammie's leaked songs put together all in one. Maybe it had something to do with the producers, but still, I think he would've sold some if he kept it together for an album. We shall see.
Look out for his album: Coming of Age
So I really had a great time reading this blog. nice work, deniscia. seriously, i could see it posted on a music site or rolling stone.
ReplyDeletebut wow, sammie has a mixtape? thats news to me! i thought it was funny when you said you consider mixtapes as random DJ's yelling and interrupting the music!
i was never a fan of mixtapes because i didnt see the point. but i think i've grasped a better understanding about them. i've also taken a second to realize how many artists got their first taste of fame from mixtapes. (ie. nicki minaj, drake, wiz khalifa. etc). And then i thought about SSU's very own A.M.I or Da Seed. Mixtapes are so instrumental in showing the development of an artist. I'd like to imagine a day when I see A.M.I performing at the MTV awards and I can say, 'wow, remember the first mixtape they made in college?' Its like mixtapes are private and exclusive sneak peeks into the raw and uncensored talent of your favorite artists. A lot of times musicians do not get to make their own decisions when it relates to the business aspect of music. We've witnessed so many artists that were enslaved by their own record companies and managers. Christina Aguilera never wanted to be this blonde pop star. The same with Rihanna. Unless you're Jay-Z or P.Diddy, you have very little control of your image and sound. Instead, there's a board of 'experts' who make that decision for you. i can see why many artists choose to release through mixtapes. sorry, i wrote so much.
p.s) by the way, i love your new background. reminds me of a victoria's secret bag. lol.