"American Idol" Winners' Latest Prize: Independence! (?)

mjohnston — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:30:07 EST

Just in time for the seventh-season kickoff of American Idol comes word that Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks and Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard have been dropped from J Records thanks to lackluster album sales. (Studdard is still represented by Idol creators 19 Management.) Meanwhile, Season 5 third-place finisher Chris Daughtry continues to steamroll over the top-40 playlists and big-box music sections of America. Why is this making me wonder if fans of the upcoming season's contestants will withhold their votes en masse in the show's second-to-last week?

Taylor Hicks, Ruben Studdard dropped from J Records? [Hollywood Insider]

On The Shelf: Tomorrow's New Releases Revealed Today

mjohnston — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 18:23:11 EDT

It's another slow week for new music, with holiday releases (from the likes of Sarah McLachlan and Twisted Sister) elbowing past the 8,294th Aerosmith cash-in compilation for prime rack space at the shops. We've already told you about Diddy's Press Play; after the jump, you can find out more about new releases from JoJo, Ruben Studdard, Shiny Toy Guns, and Xzibit.

JoJo, The High Road
The artist: Sixteen-year-old pop tartlet who got her start on Kids Say The Darndest Things.
The sound: Beats by Scott Storch and Timbaland, vocals by Autotune.
The first in line: Little girls with big dreams ... of starring in a Robin Williams vehicle.

Ruben Studdard, The Return
The artist: The second American Idol who's still sorry for (not having a record out since) 2004.
The sound: In theory, seductive R & B—but he starts off by calling himself the "velvet teddy bear," and the mood gets even weirder from there.
The first in line: Ladies with deep-seated issues about what makes a man "sexy."

Shiny Toy Guns, We Are Pilots
The artist: LA neo-wavers who made headlines when their female singer was rumored to be the "voice" of Paris Hilton.
The sound: A John Hughes soundtrack—after it's been put into a blender for 45 minutes.
The first in line: Devotees of VH1 Classic's The Alternative who thought She Wants Revenge was too edgy.

Xzibit, Full Circle
The artist: West Coast rapper who's back in the spotlight thanks to his Pimp My Ride gig.
The sound: Distorted vocals, filthy lyrics and cramped beats, with guest spots by Too $hort and Kurupt.
The first in line: Hardcore West Coast rap fans, people who are really into rims.

On the CD Front [Pause and Play]

Idolator: ruben studdard

"American Idol" Winners' Latest Prize: Independence! (?)

On The Shelf: Tomorrow's New Releases Revealed Today