Women’s History Month is still in full effect, and I’m still digging through requests to feature artists y’all have requested for months. And I must admit, we KNOW how hard y’all ride for Beyonce (I’m still catching strays for my Renaissance review) but I forget that Kelly Rowland also has a very dedicated fanbase.
The KellyHive’s love isn’t misplaced – Kelly Rowland has all the tools to be a top-tier performer. The voice, the look, the performance skills and the catalog of hits are undeniable. And although her solo run has been a bit of a rollercoaster, it’s probably a little stronger than you remember.
So let’s look back at all of Kelly’s solo projects to date (not counting mixtapes and EPs) and find out which ones shine brightest.
4. Here I Am (2011)
Soul in Stereo rating: 3 stars out of 5
Edd said: Well, it’s 2011, so you know what that means: LOUD EDM&B and knockoff Rihanna-styled pop. Goodie, my faaaaaavorite. Here I Am is a very mixed bag of so-so songs begging for radio clout but credit when it’s due, the highs are HIGH. “Motivation” is still her biggest and best single to date, spawning a billion remixes. “Work It Man” is as silly as its infectious. And “Down for Whatever” has a disco vibe that I dig. But most everything else swigs from forgettable to annoying.
Forgotten favorites: “Work It Man,” “Down for Whatever”
3. Simply Deep (2002)
Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Edd said: A year before Beyonce struck out her own, Kelly beat her to the punch with her first solo project. “Dilemma” set her on her way, becoming absolutely inescapable in the summer of 2002, but let’s face it, she was more of Nelly’s guest than a headliner. Simply Deep aimed to pull Kelly from the shadows of others, with mixed results. “Stole” (and to a lesser extent “Beyond Imagination”) was a different spin on the Destiny’s Child formula and made strides to distinguish her as a solo artist. The rest of the project isn’t as innovative. Everything is well produced, every song is well performed, but it just doesn’t establish her voice. Simply Deep isn’t bad, but it feels like it could have been dropped by any 2002 R&B girlie.
Forgotten favorites: “Can’t Nobody,” “Everytime You Walk Out That Door,” “Heaven”
2. Ms. Kelly (2007)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: Album No. 2 introduces us to a more confident Kelly – and you can’t blame her after “Like This” became her first bonafide solo hit. A top-tier array of production minds – Tank, Scott Storch, Rockwilder, Soulshock & Karlin – provided soundscapes that helped cement her sound. It had been awhile since I listened to this project and I must admit, a fun selection of album cuts makes Ms. Kelly stand a little taller than I remembered. A definite step in the right direction.
Forgotten favorites: “Every Thought is You,” “Still in Love with My Ex,” “Better Without You”
1. Talk a Good Game (2013)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: After more than a decade as a solo artist, and another five or so years as one of Destiny’s Children, Talk a Good Game is finally the album that introduces us to the real Kelly. Album No. 4 is her most personal to date, diving deep into her insecurities – from deep-seated DC jealousy to surviving abusive relationships – instead of just churning out by-the-numbers R&B cuts. The darker tone and refreshing honesty make this feel more like a reflection of the woman, instead a reflection of the trends of the time. It’s probably not for everyone, as it lacks the radio-friendliness of a project like Ms. Kelly, but it showcased the maturity we’ve been looking for a decade. It took awhile for Kelly to evolve into a solo act, but by Talk a Good Game, all the pieces were finally in place.
Forgotten favorites: “Talk a Good Game,” “Dirty Laundry,” “Down on Love”
What’s your favorite Kelly project? Let us know.
Leave A Reply