Two years after Blu Cantrell burst through the gate as one of the great new voices of
contemporary urban R&B following the release of her scorching debut, 2001's So Blu, the
striking vocal powerhouse has returned with a hot new look and an even hotter new album,
the aptly-titled Bittersweet. "My new album is another chapter of my life; I'm getting a
little further from the pain and closer to real love," says Cantrell, whose first disc
was written and recorded in the wake of an unhealthy relationship that left the singer-songwriter
devastated and suffering from a severe bout of depression. "That's why I titled it Bittersweet,"
she continues, "because I'm still bitter about some past relationships, but I've also experienced
the sweetness of love."
Indeed, Bittersweet is one part tear-stained diary and one part
survival guide for matters of the heart. "Singing about relationships is almost like therapy for
me," says Cantrell, 27. "It helps me stay focused and not allow outside influences to make me
lose sight of what I'm trying to do." And no matter whether Cantrell's sharing a personal tale
of heartbreak ("Sleep in the Middle") or relishing the joy of love ("Happily Ever After"), she
does it all with no-nonsense flair and poise. Take, for instance, Bittersweet's lead single,
"Breathe," in which Cantrell affirms that rather than fanning the flames of a troublesome
relationship it's often best to simply evacuate and let time extinguish the pain. "That song
is a snapshot of a recent relationship," she confesses. "Sometimes you just have to step back
and give each other space." Produced by a top-notch ensemble of in-demand hitmakers, including
Tricky Stewart, Shep Crawford, Mike City, Soulshock & Karlin, and Ivan Matias, Bittersweet's
infectious grooves, jams, ballads and club bangers not only support, but also enhance and
illuminate both Cantrell's voice and her lyrics.
The album also features a handful of inspired
star-studded cameos by Fat Joe, Sean Paul, Lil' Kim and Ian Lewis from the legendary reggae
quintet Inner Circle-all of whom complement Cantrell with their respective signature sounds.
Blessed with vocal chords that convey both power and passion, along with insightful songwriting
skills and unparalleled enthusiasm for her craft, it's no wonder why consumers and critics alike
were captivated by Cantrell the instant they heard "Hit 'Em Up Style (Ooops!)," her distinctive
introductory hit single from 2001. Produced by Dallas Austin, the song's intriguing mix of sassy
lyrics and streetwise R&B flavor sprinkled with elements of swinging 1920s-style jazz, spent
multiple weeks at No. 2 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart. It also helped to become a
Grammy and American Music Award nominated success that landed in the upper
reaches of Billboard's top albums chart. Most importantly, it distinguished Cantrell from the
throngs of R&B coquettes cluttering the airwaves at the time. "I knew the first time I heard
Blu sing that she was special," says Antonio "LA" Reid President and CEO of Arista. "It's
incredible to see her growth from So Blu to Bittersweet," he continues. "She's definitely
revealing more of her inner talent and artistry this time around." In fact, she co-wrote four
cuts on Bittersweet, including the Caribbean-tinged "Make Me Wanna Scream," the straightforward
directive "Let Her Go" and the euphoric "Holding On to Love." There's simply no denying
that Bittersweet is a landmark in the creative journey that Cantrell embarked upon while
coming of age in her native Providence, Rhode Island, where she and her five siblings would
tag along with their mother, an amateur jazz singer, whenever she performed at local clubs.
After growing up surrounded by music, Cantrell broke into the business by paying her dues
as a backing singer for the likes of P. Diddy, Gerald Levert and Faith Evans.
In 2000, she received the big break she'd been waiting for when she crossed paths with A&R executive
Tab and producer Tricky Stewart of RedZone Entertainment in the lobby of an Atlanta hotel.
Under Stewart's tutelage, Cantrell began recording a demo and within a couple of months,
she was ready for the spotlight. "Tricky called L.A. [Reid] and told him that he had something for
him to hear," Cantrell recalls. "Three days later, L.A. flew to Atlanta from New York with his
entire A&R staff to meet me. We all went into this tiny studio and he asked me to sing 'Til' I'm
Gone'-a song that I had recorded with Tricky-on the spot and acapella. Something just took over
me: I had my foot up off the floor, like I was in church, and I just started singing and pointing
at him. At the end of my performance, L.A. asked me to sign, and I've been with Arista ever
since." Bittersweet's matured perspective is likely to strike a sensitive chord with listeners
by reflecting the emotional ups and downs of romance that women can relate to and men can
appreciate. It's also certain to catapult Cantrell into an even more exciting phase of her
already impressive career. "I tell the truth about love," she says, explaining the secret
to her success. "While I don't sugar-coat things, I'm also known for my sense of humor.
Through my music, I bring a sense of light to dark subjects,
especially in relationships. This album could have been a bunch of dark, vindictive songs.
Instead, I wanted to give you real emotions with a sense of fun. I hope the fans enjoy the
aural experience as much as I enjoyed creating it."
No Filmography is available for this celebrity.
|
Alyssa Milano
