Rhian Benson:BEAUTY WITH NO BANG!

EVERYBODY wants to be "the next big thing". It's evident that "Neo-Soul" is the current bandwagon to hitch a ride into lime on. Neo-Soul is currently the "it" sound and quite honestly, it's getting a bit over crowded.

There is a phenomenon sweeping through Soul Music. Talent is scant or non existent and is taking a back seat to image. We no longer live in a time when R&B is defined by raw and seductive talent combined with an artistry that makes for musical legends. It seems the industry is at an all time low for this type of artist. Instead we are being bedazzled by beauty and hyped up on studio sounds. In some cases, it could be said that the producers and more talented than the artist. Here's the latest attempt at beauty overshadowing talent (or hiding the lack thereof).

The latest young lady vying for the lime is Rhian Benson. The Ghana native debuted her album "Gold Coast" in the midst of accolades and the warmest of welcomes. I have even heard some comparisons to the legendary Sade.

Well, let's be clear; Sade she is not. I must agree that Rhiannon Afua Benson is as exotic as the name implies but that's about all. The only comparison that can be accurately made between the two is they are both easy on the eye and foreign by birth.

Rhian's approach is not a total flop. Overall, I can see where a true effort has been made to reintroduce the long lost skill of songwritting fully equipped with bridges and climaxs to songs.

She even takes it a step further and incorporates somewhat of a social slant. However, the anticipation of "Gold Coast" had more "umph" than the real thing. "Stealing My Piece of Mind' gets your attention with it's full beat and of course retro feel but the vocals rob the song of all potentiality. Other tracks like "Say How I Feel" don't even wake the senses. The rest of the album is a blur. Not even worth rambling off titles just to fill a space.

Have we all forgotten the value of talent? I enjoy beauty just like the rest of you. But Rhian Benson is a beautiful, exotic face on the Soul bandwagon. She is taking up much needed space for the Anthony Hamilton's, Maxwell's, Jill Scott's and Javier's of the world.

I mean REALLY..if you wanted to be recognized for beauty and not singing ability, then bump Tyra Banks' crown off it's rocker, but don't jump on the Neo-Soul Bandwagon just because your face is marketable. Someone should ring the bell *DING!* and tell her the wagon stops here. *Ooops was that ME?*

Go To Page: 1