The Most Underrated R&B Artist of 2009

You may have first heard her on "Love Jones"'s awesome soundtrack in 1997. You may have been excited when you heard that Jermaine Dupri signed her to SoSo Def Records in 1998. After three years and still no album, you may have been extremely disappointed that a talent like this wasn't championed. You may have settled for listening to her background vocals for Bobby Brown, Pebbles, Babyface, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, and BeBe & CeCe Winans. You may have scrounged on Napster like a crackhead looking for songs from her much-delayed debut album. You may have traveled 75+ miles to purchase the last copy of her 2nd CD.

Or maybe that's just me. It feels like it's just me. How Trina Broussard has been on the scene for over 13 years without a huge R&B fanbase is beyond my comprehension. Until she gets more promotion, R&B - in its current studio-manufactured, video-created, gossip-blog-driven, radio-friendly fluff state - is dead to me. One brilliant album from Maxwell this year after an 8-year hiatus isn't enough to revive my old friend.

Stating my case...

EXHIBIT A:

First of all, not many people even try to remake Minnie Riperton because it's just a foolish thing to do. Off the top of my head, I can only think of a couple of singers who tried and succeeded (see Shanice and Chante Moore). But in 1997, Trina put her own spin on "Inside My Love" that managed to outshine the wonderful (and fellow under-congratulated singer, Minnie Riperton). If she hadn't, trust, there would've been many "how dare she's!" thrown around the Soul-loving peanut gallery.

Minnie's classic version.



Trina's prettier version.


If you think it's easy for any talented singer to cover a Minnie song, check out Chante Moore's version of "Inside My Love".



Chante has a beautiful voice but Trina shows us how it's done.

EXHIBIT B:

For 5 minutes, Trina and a then-unknown 17 year-old Alicia Keys were both signed to SoSo Def Records. They both sang a version of "Why Do I Feel So Sad", a song that ended up on Alicia's debut album in 2001. As we all know, Alicia Keys is an R&B superstar best known for her rich, gospel-infused contralto, gifted tickling of the ivories, and ability to write moving lyrics and melodies. But, once again, Trina outsang an acknowledged great. Listen and judge for yourself:



In case you're not already familiar with Alicia's version...



I'll accept some debate over Trina's "Inside My Love" > Minnie's "Inside My Love" but case closed on Trina's "Why Do I Feel So Sad" > Alicia's "Why Do I Feel So Sad". When I heard Alicia's version, I was insulted that she would even attempt to sing Trina's song. Until I found out Alicia wrote it. Then I was just sad for her. But it's probably no skin off of Alicia's back since her inferior version is more well-known. *shaking my head* And moving on...

EXHIBIT C:

Trina is not a studio creation. I repeat, Trina is NOT a studio creation (*cough*JLo, Amerie, Ashanti, Rihanna, etc.*cough*). She sings just as well (if not better) live as she does after a producer and a sound mixer get involved.


Trina sings live at a jazz festival.


All of that right there and yet she still couldn't fit in on a live tribute to Chaka Khan that everybody and their mama hopped on? Music industry FAIL.


Just because I love to compare and contrast:


EXHIBIT D:

Ok, enough of comparing Trina to other soulful singers that I have no beef with. My point isn't to start R&B World War I up in here. So let's compare Trina to current R&B radio sensations that I do have beef with. How much would you pay to hear Keri "Can't Sing Live to Save My Life" Hilson cover anything of Trina's? More than free? You're better than me.




You may be thinking, "But what about Beyonce or Lady GaGa? They can probably cover Trina well!" Maybe. But this is what they came up with together, so I doubt it.

Is this really where R&B is heading? Even artists who can sing are resorting to gadgets and gimmicks meant to distract us from the crappy "music". SMH.

In conclusion, I am pleading my case on the behalf of my sanity and the survival of R&B - a genre that I love with all of my heart and soul (no pun intended):

Please tell me that we live in a world where someone like Trina Broussard can achieve some monetary and chart success.  Actually, I should've written "live in a country" because Trina is appreciated overseas. Amazon's selling her 2004 import release - the one I drove 75 miles to buy (what? this was before mp3s were so readily available) - for almost $50. A used copy of Trina's 2002 imported debut album is selling for $190!! As any decent business student can tell you, pricing is considered an indication of the market's opinion. No comment.

Or you can listen to and purchase the non-import version of Same Girl for $12 here. 

Note that of 33 reviews, 27 of them are perfect 5/5 stars. Naturally, I agree with the majority. No, I didn't write any of those 27 reviews. :P And, no, neither Trina nor anyone who is Trina-affiliated has paid me to endorse her.

The latest in Trina news:
A new album, Life of a Libra, was scheduled to release in 2009. Now it's just "coming soon!!!!".

As we all know, 2009 will be the past in less than a week. Yet no new album. I hope this isn't another case of a record label pushing an album's release date back so far that it falls off the shelves and through the cracks.  Universal Motown is probably too busy investing in and promoting Young Money, Lindsay Lohan's lip-syncing self (click here & skip to 2:15 for hilarity) and Nick Cannon's new albums. :-/

If Universal Motown ever does get around to releasing Trina's new album, please support it. Or we may never hear another one from her. And then I'll have to write a very sad/angry follow-up post. That is all.

Check out other inexplicably slept-on music:
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Why Haven't You Heard This Version of "Fields of Gold"?
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Why Isn't This Artist In R&B Lover's Collection?