No Act

I couldn't write about Robin Thicke without writing about the pioneer.  Jon B was making hit records way back in the days of Tupac Shakur. Even though Jon and Robin started out together. Their careers seem to have taken very different paths. Robin is the new face of "Remy Martin". Jon B is doing concerts in the mall. Both artists were given their big breaks as a result of an experiment by Andre Harrell and Kenneth " Babyface" Edmonds. The black producers wanted to see if white artists could sell records in a black market. Obviously they can score hits. But can  they build a following? To this point all of them have only achieved moderate success. BTW What ever happened to the "Average White Band"?

I can't help but include white women too. Teena Marie as talented as she was, never reached her deserved level of success. She was as least as talented as Alicia Keys. But she was never considered mainstream. Her springboard was her downfall. She will best be remembered for her performance of "Fire and Desire" with Rick James. Funny thing is you can't cross over once you've committed.. Thus we have a Joss Stone. If you're even marginally successful in one genre, you don't get a chance in another. Nobody ever left Soul and  went Country. Ray Charles and Lionel Richie don't count. They were only exercising their creative muscle. Ray will always be known for "Georgia on my mind" and Lionel for "Penny Lover" in my book.  "I can't stop loving you" and "Stuck on you" don't cut the mustard.

Jon B was probably the most talented vocally, but Robin gives a better show. Pharrell's influence is definitely in both his music and performance.  He puts me in  the mind of a David Bowie singing a Teddy Pendergrass song. Jon B is like a Ronald Isley, just singing and swaying side to side. He is a white man out here singing black songs for a living. He even has a real black woman named Danette. Who really needs to go to the beauty shop every week. Appearances really do matter. So he has to keep a gig or a job. To support a black woman and baby who have no choice in their color. Not a bi-racial woman only claiming to be black. So she can shine in comparison. What's up with that? That blond blue eyed baby gave it away. Black women don't have white babies. The black gene always shows itself. Don' t count him out though. Real singers are coming back.  Jon B is not an old man (37). This is not another Vanilla Ice we're talking about. Two hits and running. I look for Jon B to strike again real soon. Since this is not just an act.  


Vintage:
http://youtu.be/XPEqaSMHOCs