He did an interview last night, and he said he was dropped from his label a few days ago! How terrible Sad Confused . It's probably for the best, but yeesh it's only been 6 months since ADD came out. Now he can have some more freedom which is good, he was so constrained, and they really really messed everything up for him, they didn't do anything right! I feel so awful.
He said he was with 19 and they signed him over to Clive, and he said after he figured out how Clive and his people operate he was dissapointed and he wasn't handeled correctly. I guess it's kind of bittersweet. He sounded more confused and lost than anything right now
http://podcast.maximumthreshold.net/podcast/?p=86 you can listen here he's about 2 hours in.
Full Version: Blake Lewis Dropped From Record Label
that's terrible! i feel so bad for blake, & i bought ADD. i like it a lot. it's not fair.
ADD was something different. Good - but different!
I feel bad for him! Blake was my favorite from his season, and it sucked that he didn't get the shot he deserved.
Poor Blake, I just want to give him a big hug 
He really deserved better.
He really deserved better.
I kind of saw this coming a long time ago. The first single Break Anotha was Clive's decision, and it was a bad one. Most of us had heard the unfinished track Know My Name that had been leaked around the internet before Break Anotha was released and that was without the addition of Lupe Fiasco to the track. Everyone was blown away by Know My Name and actually, that was an understatement. A lot of people saw that song as hit material especially with Lupe being attached to it. One of the label's biggest blunders was not releasing that song as the first single. Right before How Many Words was released, we were getting a lot of info about Blake's TV appearances for the song but no release date for it. I accidentally stumbled upon the release date for it on another industry site and brought it to the fans to see. We were told that if this was indeed the date (March 11) then the label needed to make an announcement soon regarding it's release. There wasn't much of any news about it being advertised on most of the industry sites at all. This was the only add we saw.
Arista had the brainy idea of of debuting the song on TV before taking it to radio and when all along the song could have been racking up some decent spins before the March 11th impact date. The CD sold just over 4700 copies as a result of his AI appearance. Yes, Arista did a very crappy job to say the least. He still has some more promo appearances that have been paid for by the label that he is going to finish. Were there things he said at times that he shouldn't have? Yes, however, there have been artists that have said much worse than he ever did but they have sold millions of copies. It's all about numbers and the label just wasn't making any money on the CD. Blake sort of became the victim of the recent shakeup at Sony/BMG back in April when Clive was demoted.
I did get a chance to hear the interview last night.
Arista had the brainy idea of of debuting the song on TV before taking it to radio and when all along the song could have been racking up some decent spins before the March 11th impact date. The CD sold just over 4700 copies as a result of his AI appearance. Yes, Arista did a very crappy job to say the least. He still has some more promo appearances that have been paid for by the label that he is going to finish. Were there things he said at times that he shouldn't have? Yes, however, there have been artists that have said much worse than he ever did but they have sold millions of copies. It's all about numbers and the label just wasn't making any money on the CD. Blake sort of became the victim of the recent shakeup at Sony/BMG back in April when Clive was demoted.
I did get a chance to hear the interview last night.
QUOTE (Sarah @ Jun 22 2008, 08:51 PM) 
He did an interview last night, and he said he was dropped from his label a few days ago! How terrible Sad Confused . It's probably for the best, but yeesh it's only been 6 months since ADD came out. Now he can have some more freedom which is good, he was so constrained, and they really really messed everything up for him, they didn't do anything right! I feel so awful.
He said he was with 19 and they signed him over to Clive, and he said after he figured out how Clive and his people operate he was dissapointed and he wasn't handeled correctly. I guess it's kind of bittersweet. He sounded more confused and lost than anything right now
http://podcast.maximumthreshold.net/podcast/?p=86 you can listen here he's about 2 hours in.
He said he was with 19 and they signed him over to Clive, and he said after he figured out how Clive and his people operate he was dissapointed and he wasn't handeled correctly. I guess it's kind of bittersweet. He sounded more confused and lost than anything right now
http://podcast.maximumthreshold.net/podcast/?p=86 you can listen here he's about 2 hours in.
Awe. I loved ADD. Blake was like my David Cook last season. I hope everything works out for him
I love Blake and his album is AWESOME and it could've done well but Arista screwed him over but that's fine he doesn't need that crappy label anywayz 
...he'll do better going indie 
...he'll do better going indie
-sigh- This makes me sad. I'm such a huge Blake fan and he pretty much got shafted by Arista. They did nothing, not ONE thing to help him make it. I'm glad David isn't signed to that label.
And I actually really like ADD. I wish it had done better, but again, not Blake's fault--it was Arista's.
~Steph
And I actually really like ADD. I wish it had done better, but again, not Blake's fault--it was Arista's.
~Steph
omg I gonna cry!!! Blake was my absolute favorite last season! I followed him intently up until like January when still nothing was happening. No promotion, never heard it on the radio, bad single choices. I was so mad when they didn't pick Know My Name as the second single. The label freaking screwed him over. This is so depressing!!! ADD was an amazing album. Every song was amazing. And Break Anotha was a great song, just not for the radio. Same kinda goes for How Many Words. I really hope he gets another shot
Poor Blake. He was my favorite during his American Idol Stint. I loved his originality and I thought his beatboxing was cool. Too bad that he got dropped from his record label. Maybe that wasn't meant for him. I mean there are still other record label better than his last one. I just hope he'll find one soon enough.
QUOTE (JuvenileCookie @ Jun 24 2008, 11:25 PM)
Poor Blake. He was my favorite during his American Idol Stint. I loved his originality and I thought his beatboxing was cool. Too bad that he got dropped from his record label. Maybe that wasn't meant for him. I mean there are still other record label better than his last one. I just hope he'll find one soon enough.
i hope so too because blake deserves the chance to be successful.
I'm sure some record label will snatch him up and he will be better than ever!
I love Blake, but Arista did NOTHING for him.
He's better off with another record label, and ADD was an amazing album. End of the World was the song I think would have been good for a single.
Kylie xx
He's better off with another record label, and ADD was an amazing album. End of the World was the song I think would have been good for a single.
Kylie xx
I really hate to hear that. I love Blake and I bought ADD thie first day it came out. But like everyone said, Arits did nothing for him. My hope is that he will get picked up by a lable that is better suited for him.
While I'm not a fan of Blake's music, I can certainly feel for him. This reminds me of what happened with Bo Bice's first CD after Season 4 ended. I still have a bitter taste in my mouth after that. I'm happy that Bo is now on an indie label and able to put out his own stuff, which, I might add, the critics actually do like. I also think way back after Season 2 when they put out Clay's CD. It was a commercial success only because he had some very angry fans who were determined to make it so. The CD, itself, wasn't all that good. It was overrecorded and didn't make use of his voice at all.
Not sure why Clive & Co. can't seem to hit the mark on these things. I am encouraged that David actually seems to have some creative input in his CD. I think that TPTB will do the right thing by giving his CD huge promotion because they want him to be successful. If they don't, they need to give up this business.
Again, I'm sorry for Blake. You try your best and work with what they give you and it is sad when they leave you high and dry.
Jeannine
Not sure why Clive & Co. can't seem to hit the mark on these things. I am encouraged that David actually seems to have some creative input in his CD. I think that TPTB will do the right thing by giving his CD huge promotion because they want him to be successful. If they don't, they need to give up this business.
Again, I'm sorry for Blake. You try your best and work with what they give you and it is sad when they leave you high and dry.
Jeannine
I feel like a dork not even knowing he came out with an album. I never heard any of his songs on the local top 40 radio station (Z-100).
Sucks tho, I liked him. He was interesting
Sucks tho, I liked him. He was interesting
QUOTE
The CD, itself, wasn't all that good. It was overrecorded and didn't make use of his voice at all.
I have Clay's CD and I don't listen to it much. I'm not sure how much to blame this on the record company, though.
To me, Clay is not made for pop music. Promotion matters, but having been my way 'round with canceled TV shows for the better part of a decade I can tell you that there is only so much money you can throw at something if it isn't working.
Blake is kind of different because when he was on the show he sure seemed commercial. However, like many people after listening to bits of the album it is a little out there for me. Granted, electronica is not my genre, and I have no idea who Lupe Fiasco is, but Know My Name has a little too much beatboxing in it for me to think it would be a huge hit. It just isn't popp-y enough to really cross over. Of course, what do I know? Maybe Blake was just one of those Idol people who just isn't made for the pop world but will use the opportunity to do what he wants to do at a level he couldn't do before.
Here is the blog he posted this morning.
QUOTE
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
I... I... I... I’m Through!!!
Current mood: grateful
I'm so hyped right now!!! I just done playing the Canal Room in New York and the crowd was so freaking great. Thank you to all who came out. It was truly a great cap to end the last couple of weeks on the road.
What's going on everyone??? Much has happened in the last month and I'm gonna start from now and go back.
What a crazy week leading to today. I'll start with last monday. A.D.D. band rehearsal. This was so nice! This was the first time we have rehearsed in my house. It worked out so great. I was a nice two days with my bros, kickin it, jammin out to You Give Love A Bad Name, getting our 80's rock on for a corporate gig for HP in Vegas on thursday. When rehearsing was done Kent, Jeremy and Nails and I watched the Final NBA game. Johnny was pissed!! I laughed. I didn't care to much. But preferred Boston. Garnet and Allen played for Seattle so I was a little bias.
Now to the phone call. I planned for Wednesday to be my day to rehearse for tonight's Canal Room show, cause we were leaving on Thurs. to play Vegas. Ring, ring, ring went the phone. Iain my manager baring the news. Arista isn't picking up the second option. Meaning, I'm not doin another record with them. I'm totally fine with this... I was just wishing they would have put the word out to me over the last couple months, because lets face it..... Waiting SUCKS!!!! I could have known this 2 months ago, when all of RCA was going through there changes. Oh well. I guess the right time was now. No biggy. I'm still with 19 Recordings and I got a tour and new record on the way.
Now I'll I need is a home for my music. Some place warm and tropical.... seriously though... Got to be a place where they actually respect my craft and electronic music. Getting RCA to do remixes for my record was like pulling teeth AND I had friends do the mixes for next to nothing. They turned out great and are rising on the Billboard charts. How Many Words is in the top 40. HOLY SHIT!!!! its currently 29. So freaking pumped. People been shakin there booties to some electro Brake.. hehe Thanks to all the DJs playing my song. Lovin you right now!
Wednesday ended with me rehearsing for a couple hours, just fine tuning some of my pedals and playing the piano.
And the clock strikes Thursday. VEGAS BABY!!!! Needless to say, we were all pretty stoked to be here for one night. This was Kents first experience of Vegas, so we had to go all out. We stayed at The Venetian and played in the ballroom. Ended up getting a couple friends to come out. Super nice of them to come out from Cali. Show-time was great. Really nice system and everything went off great. I did a little beat box HP commercial pitching to them the idea for one. Really fun!
The night progressed, we watched Stephen Marely, went to Tao and had the best freaking meal I've had in a long time. They brought out 10 apps and I thought they were entrées... Then they brought those out. We ate like we hadn't for ten years. Perfect!
The boys went home and Johnny and proceeded to Albany, NY for a radio show. It was great. Met up with my friends Metro Station and Ace Young. My friend Blake from Metro actually played a couple keyboard lines on How Many Words. Super great band. It was nice to finally catch up with Ace and hang. His single is coming out soon and I really like it. Much respect.
So we played this radio show and Coolio was there. Gangsta Paradise himself. This story I have to tell. My tour manager, Ace and I are chillin in my room and BOOM!! The fire alarm goes off. This goes on for a good half hour and then BANG, BANG, BANG! Knocks on the door. Its Coolio's nephew/producer Ghost. Super chill/nice guy and Ace, He and I start rappin bout life and Cool. then ten minutes later there's another knock at the door. "Fire Department"... open the door and who else could it be... Coolio. I'm laughing. That was funny enough for me. Coolio at my door and he probably started the fire alarm and ran to my room for cover. Perfect way to end a great day.
Johnny and I head to Connecticut the next day for a show. My friend came down from Boston and we kicked it. This show was much for lax, cause it was super bad weather. We had a good time and went out for some dinner. After all that, Johnny and I ended up working on a song I had written a year ago, that I wanted to change. By the end of the night we had an Epic song of Beattle proportion.. This one is going on the record KJ and I are producing. I'm really excited now. We have three songs underway and they are sounding killer. I'm giving this track the title Save Us for now. Johnny and I are going to start working on the pre production in the weeks to come. Super STOKED!!!
Well things are pretty positive for me right now and I owe that allot to you guys. Thanks for all the amazing comments and messages everyday. I truly do appreciate all that you do.
I think thats about it for now. I got a couple shows in the works. oh.. I almost forgot. Darude and I just finished a track called " Selfless" for a charity called Dance 4 Life. Its and AIDS foundation and I couldn't be more happy with the way the song came out. It should be hitting the net soon.
Love, Peace and Beats!
Bshorty
I... I... I... I’m Through!!!
Current mood: grateful
I'm so hyped right now!!! I just done playing the Canal Room in New York and the crowd was so freaking great. Thank you to all who came out. It was truly a great cap to end the last couple of weeks on the road.
What's going on everyone??? Much has happened in the last month and I'm gonna start from now and go back.
What a crazy week leading to today. I'll start with last monday. A.D.D. band rehearsal. This was so nice! This was the first time we have rehearsed in my house. It worked out so great. I was a nice two days with my bros, kickin it, jammin out to You Give Love A Bad Name, getting our 80's rock on for a corporate gig for HP in Vegas on thursday. When rehearsing was done Kent, Jeremy and Nails and I watched the Final NBA game. Johnny was pissed!! I laughed. I didn't care to much. But preferred Boston. Garnet and Allen played for Seattle so I was a little bias.
Now to the phone call. I planned for Wednesday to be my day to rehearse for tonight's Canal Room show, cause we were leaving on Thurs. to play Vegas. Ring, ring, ring went the phone. Iain my manager baring the news. Arista isn't picking up the second option. Meaning, I'm not doin another record with them. I'm totally fine with this... I was just wishing they would have put the word out to me over the last couple months, because lets face it..... Waiting SUCKS!!!! I could have known this 2 months ago, when all of RCA was going through there changes. Oh well. I guess the right time was now. No biggy. I'm still with 19 Recordings and I got a tour and new record on the way.
Now I'll I need is a home for my music. Some place warm and tropical.... seriously though... Got to be a place where they actually respect my craft and electronic music. Getting RCA to do remixes for my record was like pulling teeth AND I had friends do the mixes for next to nothing. They turned out great and are rising on the Billboard charts. How Many Words is in the top 40. HOLY SHIT!!!! its currently 29. So freaking pumped. People been shakin there booties to some electro Brake.. hehe Thanks to all the DJs playing my song. Lovin you right now!
Wednesday ended with me rehearsing for a couple hours, just fine tuning some of my pedals and playing the piano.
And the clock strikes Thursday. VEGAS BABY!!!! Needless to say, we were all pretty stoked to be here for one night. This was Kents first experience of Vegas, so we had to go all out. We stayed at The Venetian and played in the ballroom. Ended up getting a couple friends to come out. Super nice of them to come out from Cali. Show-time was great. Really nice system and everything went off great. I did a little beat box HP commercial pitching to them the idea for one. Really fun!
The night progressed, we watched Stephen Marely, went to Tao and had the best freaking meal I've had in a long time. They brought out 10 apps and I thought they were entrées... Then they brought those out. We ate like we hadn't for ten years. Perfect!
The boys went home and Johnny and proceeded to Albany, NY for a radio show. It was great. Met up with my friends Metro Station and Ace Young. My friend Blake from Metro actually played a couple keyboard lines on How Many Words. Super great band. It was nice to finally catch up with Ace and hang. His single is coming out soon and I really like it. Much respect.
So we played this radio show and Coolio was there. Gangsta Paradise himself. This story I have to tell. My tour manager, Ace and I are chillin in my room and BOOM!! The fire alarm goes off. This goes on for a good half hour and then BANG, BANG, BANG! Knocks on the door. Its Coolio's nephew/producer Ghost. Super chill/nice guy and Ace, He and I start rappin bout life and Cool. then ten minutes later there's another knock at the door. "Fire Department"... open the door and who else could it be... Coolio. I'm laughing. That was funny enough for me. Coolio at my door and he probably started the fire alarm and ran to my room for cover. Perfect way to end a great day.
Johnny and I head to Connecticut the next day for a show. My friend came down from Boston and we kicked it. This show was much for lax, cause it was super bad weather. We had a good time and went out for some dinner. After all that, Johnny and I ended up working on a song I had written a year ago, that I wanted to change. By the end of the night we had an Epic song of Beattle proportion.. This one is going on the record KJ and I are producing. I'm really excited now. We have three songs underway and they are sounding killer. I'm giving this track the title Save Us for now. Johnny and I are going to start working on the pre production in the weeks to come. Super STOKED!!!
Well things are pretty positive for me right now and I owe that allot to you guys. Thanks for all the amazing comments and messages everyday. I truly do appreciate all that you do.
I think thats about it for now. I got a couple shows in the works. oh.. I almost forgot. Darude and I just finished a track called " Selfless" for a charity called Dance 4 Life. Its and AIDS foundation and I couldn't be more happy with the way the song came out. It should be hitting the net soon.
Love, Peace and Beats!
Bshorty
I just saw that blog the other day, too. He seems pretty happy with how things are going (prolly finally feels free to do what he wants), so I'm not too sad about it. Also, it sounds like he's still got quite a few good things going for him! 
I love Blake Lewis!!!! I bought his ADD and i LOVE it!!! Well, he will do great on his own!!!
Blake was my favorite contestant of season six. When his CD came out, I bought it and, honestly wasn't quite sure what to think of it at first. It's a CD that you have to listen to more than once. After a while, the CD grew on me, and now I love it.
To hear that Blake has been dropped from the record label is extremly sad, but like some other fans have been saying, kind of expected.
The whole situation kind of reminds me of season four with Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice. I loved them both, but when it came time for their CD's, Bo seemed like a second string in terms of priority for the label.
But it is nice to hear that Blake is handling this well. I hope he finds the right people to work with...
To hear that Blake has been dropped from the record label is extremly sad, but like some other fans have been saying, kind of expected.
The whole situation kind of reminds me of season four with Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice. I loved them both, but when it came time for their CD's, Bo seemed like a second string in terms of priority for the label.
But it is nice to hear that Blake is handling this well. I hope he finds the right people to work with...
It is unfortunate but hopefully now Blake will have the creative control that he has wanted from the beginning. I hope he signs with a label that will allow him that control.
I love Blake, he was my favorite last year and I believe that he is far more talented than he was given credit for. I have his album and love it. I am keeping him in my prayers and hope that great things are ahead for him.
Aw I love Blake! He is so talented that I'm sure he has a bright future ahead! His CD was great...and now he can have more control and continue to be creative.
His CD was awesome! I really feel bad for him but im glad hes not with Arista anymore
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