One Album Wonders: Label Conflicts & The Rise of Streaming

Usually, when an artist has been around for a while, they have several albums to their name. Yet, there are some artists who've been around for years, yet sometimes only have one album to their name. The rest of their discography is usually made up of singles and mixtapes. In some cases, the artist is fighting to get their sophomore album out and in others, they just can't seem to figure out what direction they want to take. In this video, I'll do a deep Dive into Cassie (Cassie), Cardi B (Invasion of Privacy), SZA (Ctrl), and Azealia Banks (Broke With Expensive Taste) , and talk about some of the reasons why they still only have one album to their name. In some cases, it seems to be the record label (like with SZA's struggles with RCA nad Top Dawg), but in cases like Azealia's it seems like it's hard to get antoher album out when drama takes precedence in your career. Also, with the rise of streaming, albums are less profitable for artists, and several release multiple singles so that they can put music out in the moment, and keep fans entertained. Are we finally witnessing the end of albums, or at least the traditional album cycle?
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SOURCES:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassie_...)
www.theguardian.com/music/mus...
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atlantablackstar.com/2021/05/...
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azealia-banks.fandom.com/wiki...)
www.musicmundial.com/en/2022/...
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www.nme.com/news/music/sza-no...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SZA
hiphopdx.com/news/id.72393/ti...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasio...
pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/...
www.billboard.com/music/rb-hi...
www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020...
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[@naomi.cannibal]

@ 29:18 Totally meant to say it sold near 10 million copies not 1 billion 😭 oops!

[@brandoniswhoiam]

You outsold!

[@naomi.cannibal]

@@brandoniswhoiam no fr why did I say a billion like that’s silly

[@kaylenejantjes8113]

I was thinking, I'm pretty sure we would've heard about it non-stop if that were the case! 😂

[@messychicken]

@@kaylenejantjes8113 cackling!!!~

[@shylady8711]

alicia keys too.

[@RobynGallagher]

It's interesting watching this now that SZA has released her album and is slaying!

[@Morning404]

Right! So happy for SZA, she deserves it!!

[@noirjack7]

I was just going to say this!!! 😂

[@cdubb203]

Album def fire 😂

[@maybe8985]

Azealia could’ve been HUGE if it wasn’t for her antics

[@SocialExperiment232]

Agreed. Sometimes I wish she’d chill just so her music could be the focus for once instead of some tweet she made.

[@bruhvibes5941]

Idk she's gone through problems with her record label, she makes no money off of Broke with Expensive Taste record sales.

[@Jaded42O]

@@bruhvibes5941 These people don’t know the behind the scenes, just the narrative social media pushed. They don’t know that she was sabotaged before she ever spoke up. How that old ass man used that album as an opportunity to take advantage of her, and take the money from the album.

[@messychicken]

i think everything happens for a reason. what if she really blew up and REALLY BLEW UP? i don't know if she could handle it without a SOLID SOLID team around her~

[@messychicken]

IN OTHER WORDS MAYBE SHE PROTECTING HERSELF IN A WAY?

[@angh3ll202]

Wait I never realized Cardi still hasn't put out a second album💀 she's just so pervasive in every day life view her as an A-list artist and cause she's put out so much music already

[@naomi.cannibal]

Right it’s easy to forget when it feels like she’s always releasing

[@giaparmer]

@@naomi.cannibal same with sza tbh

[@sophiaarias9341]

@@giaparmer not rlly ppl always beg SZA for a new album and it’s always rumored she’s coming out with a new one

[@giaparmer]

@@sophiaarias9341 it’s been so long since control I do think it’s easy to forget sza rly hasn’t dropped cause who does an album and then ten years of continuous features? It’s pretty unusual, but szas talent def keeps her relevant she’s amazing

[@usersareoverrated5652]

@@giaparmer SHE HAS A VIDEO OUTT

[@365TrustNo1]

The dynamics have changed. You don’t need albums sales just hit singles, features and stay relevant in social media.

[@perryjones7771]

True cause no way some of these “Singers” should be big

[@sarahdiehl2672]

the fact that sza is with RCA and isn’t given the attention she deserves is heart breaking. she’s so talented and the music we’re missing because of it HURTS ME.

[@itsjordyn6219]

I pray she becomes independent everyday 😭

[@eyeamjulian]

shirt is coming

[@stealthis]

RCA didn't even push Miley's album in 2020 lol. They don't care about their artists.

[@Tiajones333]

@@stealthis the same thing with Tinashe Zayn Malik Normani and a lot of other people

[@justchillin972]

Normani is on RCA as well. It's a pattern they mishandled their artists.

[@nicolesherman8974]

I definitely see the rise of physical albums becoming a thing again, hence why there has been a resurgence of physical CDs and vinyls becoming popular again. It’s also for those who miss that nostalgic feeling of going to record stores for their favorite artists.

[@naomi.cannibal]

Agree bc even most stores mostly just sell the current/ relevant records instead of a wider range like they used to

[@arieslove6144]

yes i keep buying them - it's just nothing like having an physical copy in your hands. Now we all miss going to the cd store - sam goody's virgin mobile ' turtles' coconut's - barn and nobles ' fye ' ect ect ect.

[@misterbee66]

I surely miss those days of going to HMV, Virgin, Tower, J&R and other record stores to buy albums.

[@truthh8597]

Won’t happen The masses are as it is running low on cash.. won’t spend it on a vinyl

[@Kirasfox]

@@truthh8597 I don't think you've met the swifties lol...we buy BOTH vinyls & cds. Mainly for her bonus stuff/ collectibles

[@Mayana..]

I think labels are afraid of the sophomore album not doing as well as the debut. So they delay to kind of build hype but then it's never clear on when the perfect time to release is because the music industry changes every hour. What's hot now won't be hot tomorrow. I can imagine an artist recording an RnB album and then a bigger artist releases an electro-funk album which rocks the industry now they have to switch up or get left behind.

[@naomi.cannibal]

For real, and especially when a lot of these artists are relatively new so they might not have the most solid fan bases yet

[@peanuthead5280]

I just dont understand what the labels are waiting for because the longer they wait the less relevant the artist becomes. Dont they understand depriving people of the artist makes them lose interest and get annoyed at the artist for not releasing music for years. People arent gonna live off of one album for the artists whole career *cough cough sza*

[@kalync.8232]

@@peanuthead5280 That’s not true when you’re regularly interacting on social media, stay in drama, or is always hoping on someone’s track. Sza and Cardi are somewhat relevant in the public conscious because they do those things.

[@AmoMe2009]

@Mayana Very well said!!!!

[@eddited]

@@peanuthead5280 money. It’s what makes all their decisions. If the person puts out a sophomore album and it makes them loose fans or somehow flops their career then they loose money on the deal they signed with the artist. So just doing singles and remixes keeps them in the contract and has less of a chance of ruining the persons career.

[@bubbles2215]

I’m glad things have worked out for SZA just a couple months after this video was released. Her second album is amazing and is blowing up. I’m so happy for her.

[@ashwakekardouf9236]

I don't trust RCA anymore, Tinashe was one of the best artist under that we had to wait for an album from her a very long time until she become an inpendent artist then we received the album. Now that they have Normani, which she has hype now and I hope releases more songs.

[@KD-es6bg]

Tinashe is the definition of underrated. They did her so dirty. It looks like it will be the same with Normani

[@hiddengemz955]

Cassie is the definition of pretty privilege because they know damn well….

[@ranii7895]

Tbh Cassie is just another jlo but minus the stolen vocals

[@_Kim_Possible]

Cassie cannot sing but her influence/impact is obvious w/the current state of alt-RNB. Heck ppl even say she influenced the Weeknd/Tinashe. They do that moody chill rnb w/minimalistic vocals. Everyone is trying to non-sing like Cassie.

[@dashiajames1882]

@@_Kim_Possible: She sure can't sing. What she should've did was work on her vocals. You'd think Diddy would help her in someway. Being the label owner. Plus they were together.

[@kimwhatmatters4085]

@@_Kim_Possible yeah she’s one of there first ppl where their persona is bigger than them her branding was good. I cut my hair like hers even tho Rihanna wax my inspo everyone that saw me attributed it to Cassie. She was a cool girl that does nothing like the yang to Paris Hilton

[@_Kim_Possible]

@@dashiajames1882 Cassie was just 15 years ahead of the curve. Her singing was fine, we had J Lo carve out a solid career w/o being able to sing. Cassie lacked stage presence which is something J Lo made sure to have on 10 which made ppl overlook her weak vocals. Diddy didn't care about her career lol he wanted her to be his forever gf not a star. That meant she could leave him if she was presented better options.

[@j7th389]

⌛ *Time stamps* ⌛ 00:00 Cassie 8:47 Azealia Banks 15:52 SZA 21:08 Cardi B 26:17 Conclusion Great video!

[@naomi.cannibal]

Thanks for this!! And thank you 💕

[@PeukinsPoint]

I love your deep dives on the music industry. This stuff matters and it’s so unfair to artists.

[@naomi.cannibal]

Thank you!

[@sgittarius2490]

2 months later my girl sza is free! 😭🙏🏽 stream SOS y’all ❤️

[@laroachposay]

IN SZA WE TRUST!!!!

[@pedroamador1991]

"I wasn't beyonce but I wasn't fucking up" ME AF

[@naomi.cannibal]

That had me weeaak

[@pedroamador1991]

@@naomi.cannibal I screamed in the Starbucks I was at

[@nicholasKMAmusic]

I saw Azealia at Central Park Summerstage here last month. She’s still amazing and the crowd was packed and going crazy. NYC still has love for Azealia Banks.

[@Jaded42O]

I saw her in DTLA this year, and the venue was packed as well. We have love for her in LA too.

[@khalia-janellherbin6426]

I was at the Summer stage show to, had a great time

[@kiki13451]

I think people that like her music actually don’t gaf. Like yeah we see her as problematic but for people that genuinely vibe with her music they can overlook it. I have listened to her and while I don’t think she lacks talent, the songs I have heard aren’t the type of music I like (she does have talent though I can give her that, just not my vibe) which is why me personally i only focus on her problems. I’m sure if I went to a show like yall did and saw her live (because in videos she doesn’t look like she just stands there) I would feel the same way

[@sweetnlo13]

I sometime think the sophomore curse is causing a lot of delays. With so much success that pressure to not fall into that "curse" whether it's the artist or label's pressures that can cause hesitance to release an albums. Hopefully Renaissance reminded the girls, they can make a cohesive piece of music

[@fnmiln8558]

Oh wow, I squealed when I saw this video finally drop! I always had a soft spot for Cassie. She doesn’t have the strongest voice, but her style/fashion impact is undeniable. Azealia Banks is my poster child for “problematic fave”. She’s so ridiculously talented but gets in her own way (I’m still mad she fumbled her Lady Gaga collabs, lol). SZA is so lovable and approachable (still waiting on that full “Shirt” song, haha). Cardi B definitely grew on me, and I wish she would be able to take half a step back from social media and feeling like needing to answer everyone.

[@naomi.cannibal]

An Azealia Gaga collab woulda been insaaaane

[@fnmiln8558]

@@naomi.cannibal OMG yesss!!! The alleged collabs were or would have been around Gaga’s “ARTPOP” era I believe. There’s a KZbinr who did a video on Gaga’s fabled “ARTPOP Act 2” and a couple of songs between them got dashed because of Banks’s “bad attitude” (as quoted by Gaga). I think one of the songs was called “Red Flame” allegedly. 🥹🫣

[@PinkFridays]

@@fnmiln8558 pump it! I wanna see you pump it!

[@krissybee2484]

I feel like for a while Cardi was sounding like another one of the Migos. I saw her in concert in honolulu. He’s so funny. I like her. I really do. She is on SM arguing a lot, but she may also be more family focus now too.

[@fnmiln8558]

@@24kgoldplatedvermeil Oh on the contrary. Every action has a reaction. And how she’s been going back and forth with those featured on the “Super Freaky Girl” remix, as well as regular-degular people for a while, have some form of effect on her (be it her public image, her career, or her peace of mind). So even though signs can point to Nicki (directly or indirectly), her actions also have a role to play. Two things can be true at once.

[@halfghaniteevee3559]

That SZA sophomore is tearing up the world rn, thank God 💯💯💯

[@Sahgee]

Oh how I love Azealia's music. She is such an incredibly talented artist and should be doing more smh

[@Chuuzus]

i don’t care what anyone says but Azealia’s Broke With Expensive Taste is the best female rap debut album of all time to me. the versatility on that album is insane

[@naomi.cannibal]

Not only is it versatile it’s also timeless!! That album is a masterpiece

[@A.Tiwana]

@@BionicMusic please don't do this I'm also barb but don't involve the Queen, you only degrading her .

[@Kevin-rg3yc]

Lol not when lil Kim’s hard core, Lauryn hill’s the miseducation of Lauryn hill, Nicki minaj’s pink friday, nonams’s room 25 and M.I.A.’s arular exist 😂😂😂

[@Chuuzus]

@@Kevin-rg3yc none of these albums are as versatile as BWET. and believe me i love every single album on here and i listen to them till this day

[@angechrisman1694]

@@Chuuzus I really hope you are not aluding the Idea that Azealia Banks got a better album than The Miseducation bc you gotta be another type of delusionnal. It must be the crack cause It ain't your brain lfmao 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Azealia Banks ain't got shit on Lauryn Hill. The Miseducation of Lauryn is certified diamond in the US, sold 20 million ww and she is the last black woman who won the AOT grammy (as well as 4 other grammys including Best New Artist). It's one of the MOST influencial and critically acclaimed album of the past 25 years and Rolling Stone Magazine ranked the album at number 10 of it's 500 greatest album of time list. People are still covering and sampling X Factor till this (J. Cole, Drake's Nice For What, Cardi B's Be Careful...). Industrie don't see ppl sampling Azealia Banks Broke with Expensive taste like that. Lauryn Hill was/is 10× bigger and influencial that Azealia. I'm nost saying she's trash bc I like some of her work and I think she's influencial in this generation on artists like Doechiii for instance or even Meg Thee Stallion's Her with the rapping on a house beat. However she's nowhere near Ms Lauryn Hill from New Jersey no shade

[@brandopike4246]

another artist that comes to my mind is Bridget Midler, loved her voice, delivery and songs. also waiting and rooting hard for any Azealia Banks release, she is talented af

[@michaelnealis1926]

Yes! Bridgit Mendler’s album is so cohesive and underrated.

[@ajat3202]

Random but I heard her & one zendaya song on the radio. I was surprised because I didn't think Disney songs was taken serious enough for it

[@jeffthealpacaisyourdad385]

I'm pretty sure Bridget decided to go on her own terms. I think she decided to go to college to get her PHD in Anthropology if I'm not mistaken. I think she has also studied in MIT and also Harvard.. She made her bag, took it, and went on to do what she always wanted to do

[@jtarheel99]

I have a theory on sza… I def think she was taking her time at first and living. She’s a true writer and probs needed experiences to write abt. I believe it was ready and turned in by summer bc she had hella fall festivals lined up for promo before a possible tour… I think what stopped it was punch/tde mostly bc they don’t want to let her go so soon. Kendrick is already gone from TDE and they know they can’t replace sza that easy. They’re holding onto it and sza is probs over it by now lol For cardi I think life literally just happened. She literally had 2 babies, at least 2 lawsuits, marriage drama, movie roles and brand deals. I honestly wouldn’t have been surprised if Meg took the same route bc of the insane schedule she had and lawsuits, but she needed to end her deal BAD. Cardi will come when when has the time. Don’t think it’s done tho. I honestly like the single era bc it allows artists to make completely diff sounds and each song can be a moment. Rosalía does it PERFECTLY. That era before motomami with so many diff sounds and visuals were great to witness as a new fan. I’d love Miley or Lil Nas X to do this bc they’re so versatile. Also, some artists aren’t creative enough or have enough to say for an album. They really just need enough music for a tour lol

[@Kevin-rg3yc]

Yes Rosalia is a breath of fresh air in modern music now I loved her droplet single era and her collabs with artists like bad bunny, The Weeknd, Travis Scott and Billie Eilish she did a smart way creating a single era before dropping motomani and seeing how much of a masterpiece that album is you can tell she took her time with it

[@naomi.cannibal]

Ooooh i could see TDE wanting to hang onto SZA to keep a “big” artist on their roster. And I agree Cardi simply doesn’t have the time. And like I said w Cardi you barely even realize she doesn’t have another album out yet bc she’s always putting out music/ collabing/ featuring/ etc. and yesss I love artists who can do severest singles eras right. I feel like Azealia is good at this too- I need Frank ocean to jump on it lmaooo

[@ancestralabundance]

she's also a recent child of Yemaya like Azealia.

[@elizabeths.1888]

It's nice to get a full album from an artist. It's like each song is a chapter and the album as a whole tells a more in-depth story. While it's nice to be able to get a one-off song from an artist you like, there's no replacement for a good album. But, it seems to me like that's another layer of talent that not all artists have. It has to take a lot of planning, inspiration, and vision to decide what you want the story of the album to be. But when an artist gets it right, it's AMAZING! I can remember whole periods of my life in detail based on whose album I was listening to at the time (Good Kid, Mad City, The Miseducation of Lauren Hill, etc) And to this day, I'll listen to these WHOLE albums, not just a couple of singles or a song I added to a playlist. I really hope the industry doesn't abandon albums.

[@j7th389]

This is the best comment on KZbin and i never say this

[@jannananaa]

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@SocialExperiment232]

I like the concept of a physical album.. I get it doesn’t make them much money anymore but idk it becomes a special possession that you can collect and keep. But I also see the artist side where they just wanna release the darn song rather wait until a full album is complete. I know I would find it a bit annoying if I had to wait a year or two to show anyone a painting I made, so I got Ariana’s point on that. Sometimes I wish Azelea would just calm herself a little just so her music can be the focus for once rather than whoever she’s dissing. I feel like most artist who base their career on just talking smack about everyone rarely make long term cause they’re just burning bridges all the time (for example the Game). But my opinions on this change and I also not that not all artist are like this. Thanks for the video!

[@naomi.cannibal]

I have to be honest the last time I bought an album was in like 2014. But a lot of people still do so I hope the artists who want to make albums keep making them. And even as far as streaming I love putting on a whole album vs a single or two

[@nikitarayy]

Streaming is great but I’m team physical too. I’d even be down for artists to drop a CD every few years with the singles they’ve dropped that aren’t on a project, a compilation album.

[@BITCHstfu234]

@@nikitarayy Same. I love collecting vinyls and I see a lot of people are doing it these days, it's just something about having a physical copy that makes things so special.

[@darii3523]

Sza needs to release something NOWWWWW

[@naomi.cannibal]

According to her music may be coming soon 👀

[@Theeblaccking]

They’re tryna sabotage

[@darii3523]

@@naomi.cannibal YESSSSSSSSS!! I cant waittt OMGG 😩😩✨

[@darii3523]

@@Theeblaccking frrr 😭😭

[@mauritius7152]

apparently she almost did (Spotify accidentally “released” Shirt) but considering Taylor released this week her label probably delayed the date, let’s see what happens next friday😭

[@sheddingsnakeskin]

Azalea would have been the queen of rap if she didn't open that twitter account😭😭

[@naomi.cannibal]

No frrr

[@Theeblaccking]

Azealia is one of the most talented creatives in the industry so it’s so sad to see how she’s not progressed. But I think she’s too real and she does come off abrasive , I talked about her to a friend once and they didn’t even know that Azealia did music … my fav song by her is Ice princess 👸🏾

[@Johhhnnnyyy]

yesss ice princess is so good!! and underrated imo

[@naomi.cannibal]

Idk if I could even choose my fave Azealia banks songs… heavy metal and reflective is up there, ice Princess for sure… I also love chi chi

[@Nooooooooooooooooooooo7913]

@@naomi.cannibal chi chi is sooooo underrated omggggg

[@sirkps5296]

@@naomi.cannibal the Spanish songs ❤

[@naomi.cannibal]

@@sirkps5296 gimme a chance!!

[@frankie494]

A big reason why artists aren't allowed to release albums is because labels wait for other large artists to go first so they can be countered. Happens all the time w/ big names like Beyonce, Drake, Nicki , Adele & Taylor Swift. Literally artists wait for the big storm to pass so they have a chance to have less competition.

[@Tiajones333]

But some of these artists came out this year and it been years for somebody's artist I don't think it's that I don't know what it is because they don't have to release their album on the same day as a huge artist

[@UNICORN_GURL1]

That’s a really unfair and sabotaging the other artist who are new to the music industry and want to same success because their music is being debunked and not being given the same opportunity compared to big artists, I think that they should all be given the same opportunity and not have to wait inline like other artists 😢

[@gaboxaldo]

this is such a minor detail but i love that you put the ads at the end of every section! your videos are so filled with great info but sometimes and ad in the middle can ruin it for me. keep doing what you're doing, it's awesome!!!

[@FantasyBookAddict]

I think men sabotaging the careers of their significant other is common than we think. I remember a few years back when YG (the former CEO) admitted to not putting in any effort into into his girlfriend at time career. She was in a girl group and apparently he admitted that he didn’t want her getting too popular.

[@naomi.cannibal]

I saw that too!! I don’t even think they were dating at the time, he just saw her in a video then fell in love with her, made her an idolX and then sabotaged her career. And the fact that she was a teenager at the time is insane. You’re right, I think it happens often too. These men really are insecure and know that if their partners get the opportunity to meet a better man, or just elevate themselves honestly, they’ll leave (as they should)

[@messychicken]

I’m so excited to watch this when I get home from work!!!!

[@Kinglystateof]

Naomi I’m so glad that you are the having the conversations we all have been having in our cars or with our friends or debates we wish we were having it someone in our lives cared like we did about pop culture ❤

[@naomi.cannibal]

Awwww thank you! It really does feel like I’m talking to a bunch of friends when I come chat w yall in the comments 💕💕

[@niccole3542]

I think that singles nowadays will obviously get people talking throughout a year but an artist without a dedicated fanbase is going to suffer the most.The reason why artist like Cardi B is doing fine with only one album is because she has a loyal fanbase and accolades like Diamond RIAA certifications and a Grammy.Sza also is able to do well even if she does not have a huge fandom but she is at least still consistent with hits.

[@timkruse9912]

thats cap lol cardi does not have a fan base or at least a organic built one, she had a whole machine backing her, the fact she still hasn't toured yet says a lot,

[@youssy6344]

@@timkruse9912‼️‼️‼️‼️

[@Theeblaccking]

You make my day so much better when you upload especially the long ones

[@messychicken]

same... i havent even watched the vid yet yall and im so invested already~

[@andS7]

Cardi was blessed on her debut. If it doesn’t do the exact same we shouldn’t be surprised but if it does worse than recent singles it would have to be due to controversy. Cardi will have some sort of success because she’s a meme

[@Pushnotificationsalwaysoffbye]

Exactly this. The longer she’s been in the industry (even though she doesn’t really contribute anything) it’s more evident that she’s not concerned about rap - and I know she admitted that lol but damn I wish more people cared about how problematic that is - “her” music has just gotten progressively worse imo. Nobody’s expecting another hit like “Bodak Yellow,” but the only songs she’s in that are memorable off the top I think to most of us are maybe “Motorsport,” “I Like It,” “WAP”, “Money,” possibly “Up”… and two of those were collabs with huge names. It just seems like she isn’t interested until she needs money again and like you said, her own drama dims the potential for the music to do well. Normani comes to mind with “Wild Side,” poor girl lol I liked that song even Cardi’s feature but she intentionally tried to destroy the song which is so sad to me bc it wasn’t her song. She doesn’t seem to care about how her antics affect people around her thought which has cost her a lottttt of fans. But you’re right - people will show up to the circus At least once.

[@AZ.871]

@@Pushnotificationsalwaysoffbye Cardi jumps on all the new female rappers to use their buzz. She jumped on Ice Spice to remix "Munch," but didn't release the sound because everyone criticized her verse during the teaser. Her "longevity" in the industry is due to her beef with Nicki and her personality, she will never be a rap icon

[@WarZone28]

@@AZ.871 What longevity? Y'all can't be serious with this BS. This girl is Literally stalling time attempting to model the years as often spoken in regards to Nicki.

[@AZ.871]

@@WarZone28 That's exactly what I'm saying, that's why I say "longevity" in quotes, because it's very clear that Cardi is a fucking fraud

[@taylordowning2533]

I also think it has to do with the era we're currently living. If these artists were out in the 90's, trust me, they would have do sophomore albums out.

[@naomi.cannibal]

Oh for sure! But now that they have more of a direct line to us so to speak they can get away with putting out singles to keep us going until the album comes… if ever it does

[@kalync.8232]

That’s ironic cuz a label wouldn’t even sign modern rnb artists. I couldn’t imagine giveon being in competition with sisqo or sza being in competition with aaliyah lmao.

[@aryxn0]

Love the research and effort put into it. Been waiting for SZA2 for so long now :(

[@naomi.cannibal]

Thank you! And same, but hopefully we don’t have much longer

[@JBlazin1718]

Your videos are everything. Literally one of my favorite channels.

[@naomi.cannibal]

Thank you ♥️♥️♥️

[@kamsismith]

Similar to what I said about music videos, it's crazy that we've evolved from physical copies of albums to digital streams. I feel like the only way people will buy an album is through social media, especially one from an established artist. While vinyl records are making a comeback, they just won't make the same impact as they did in previous decades.

[@PinkFridays]

I’m glad that you’ve made this video! I love Ryan, Cassie, and Azealia’s music!

[@naomi.cannibal]

Sameeee!!

[@MannysMillennialMouth]

30:11 WHOA!! i see why the demand for Rihanna's new music is so high She was legit in our faces every year since 2005! The break between Anti & Unapologetic was needed Baby girl was tired!!!

[@Ty2Breezie]

Great job as always! 😁 the person that I am waiting on the most to drop their sophomore album is SZA! She has been feeding us crumbs FOR years and I’m ready for the entree at this point! 😩 I say it’s her label along with herself to causing delay due to pressure on her and she a hot commodity! I REALLY can see her go the independent route and I hope she does! I’m not sure what record label she should sign to once she leave her current one but I believe independent route is the way to go for her! I STILL listen to her first album it’s the first time I’m listening to it!

[@naomi.cannibal]

I hope she goes independent after these contracts too

[@hulda2066]

screw Rca all that talent they got on that label??

[@Ty2Breezie]

@@naomi.cannibal Speaking of independent artists…are you planning on doing a discussion on successful independent artists along with the pros and cons of it and the future outlook of taking the independent route? 🤔 If you did and I overlook that video I apologize!

[@Ty2Breezie]

@@hulda2066 EXACTLY! All that talent and they screwing them over! Smh!

[@naomi.cannibal]

@@Ty2Breezie I actually have something like that on my list, ironically!

[@Lulu-wn2oz]

ooooh i was just about to watch one of your old videos and i saw this!! Will enjoy it for sure❤️‍🔥✌️

[@naomi.cannibal]

Right in time lol

[@carolinelewis6798]

Sza blessed us

[@Ariescertified]

Love this video!!! I believe it’s sad i know there is a business side of music that’s why some artists may not be able to drop, it’s very important to watch who you sign to… Some artists are not make timeless music so how can they make a albums that stand the test of time? I love listening to albums it feels like a story, like you said naomi it represents a time period that artists went through… i loved Sza album I was 17 when it came out, of course I will listen to her album if it drops but she won’t keep me with singles.. Ari lennox just dropped the best R&B album of 2022 in my opinion her EP is fire as well.. after I got off of social media I’ve just been diving into different artists catalog who are actually putting out albums.. i love to see there hard work come to light!! That’s how you become a LEGEND!!

[@naomi.cannibal]

Exactly! It’s just something special about an album dropping… like it’ll forever remind you of that time period in your life and that’s special

[@ArthurDeaville]

It's interesting how the shift towards non-album droplets is almost exclusively in hip hop and pop music compared to rock and country which has their artists consistently putting out albums every few years still. I prefer albums because it feels like an "event" when it's released and a whole polished project.

[@db53008]

i think u manifested the release of SZAs sophomore album 😭😭

[@naomi.cannibal]

possibly 🤫

[@MsBob575]

Ty Naomi. So well done. Your videos rock!

[@naomi.cannibal]

Thank you 💕

[@kawaiifangzz]

Am I the only one who still browse record stores? I love the feel and nostalgia of physical CD's

[@messychicken]

absolutely. i still have my INCONIC cd's and LOVE vinyls

[@nikitarayy]

If there’s a record store nearby, I’m there

[@Deenique16]

You’re not the only one

[@enochthomaz8334]

Sza is one of the most underrated artist of our generation. Edit: Just a clarification, by "underrated" I mean she isn't given the global recognition she deserves.

[@Mareewashere]

Underrated? Really lmao?

[@messychicken]

it's the delusion for me~

[@enochthomaz8334]

@@miles57959 Maybe in America but not in most parts of the world. She hasn't reached the global recognition she deserves.

[@bestgirl3380]

Maybe. It took me a while to listen to her. At first, I didn't really know what she was known for. I saw her album cover trending a lot on my feed everywhere, but for all I knew, it could have just been a dope aesthetic photo with a girl who had a really cool look. I finally heard her when I was in an Lyft and listened to the album that night. I think, as a former hipster, i like to wait to see if some trend is gonna come and go or if it's here to stay. A lot of times girls who have the image have songs that sound plagiarized... the songs be bopping but. feels like I heard it before. I never knew she didn't have a sophomore album though. I guess, with all this said, the issue is just the volatility of the "indie" sound/ and it's artists who fit the bill..

[@meichuilo2849]

Yes, everyone in Hong Kong knows Cardi B or Ariana, but nobody knows SZA or Frank Ocean, I’m so sad that I do not have friends who share the same love.

[@aaronamaya7034]

your videos are so good like…this is the content I have been waiting to watch for years. I finally found you

[@naomi.cannibal]

Awwww I’m soooo glad

[@themissmay]

I still listen to 1991 by Azealia Banks almost every day… compete genius

[@giftedpurpose5369]

Cardi B’s career isn’t organic. Sza and Azealia are talented artists who came into fame and had a skill of writing and creating music. Cardi was hand picked from realty tv for specific reasons. She changed female rap. The Cardi B brand is the reason non talented female rappers have a platform. To know that 80% of Cardi music isn’t written by her and she’s yet to tour, do more live performances, drop freestyles, or a 2nd album in almost 5 years is wild!!

[@amorelockster1023]

I still can’t believe she came out before Megan thee stallion but Megan has more albums than her like that’s crazy only ONE album all theses years

[@giftedpurpose5369]

@@amorelockster1023 so many people are involved in the writing process of all her music. If cardi really wrote those songs on invasion of privacy it should not be hard to produce a second album.

[@maryahmed8861]

She does write her music and when she needs helps she asks Pardi. Cardi became pregnant right after wap era and this whole year she was dealing with legal issues. Since her kid is 1 and she is done with the court, she said she was dropping soon and going on tour next year. Prior to that when does she have time to drop and album and who goes on tour without at least 2 albums out 🥴

[@Bottegadoll]

@@maryahmed8861 pardi has a writing credit on each and every song she has put out since her debut that is sad that she can’t even do a feature without assistance but she supposed to be a female mc? majority of artists do a tour for their debut album this is not a new thing

[@jama3997]

Now don’t do that. Cardi actually had enough talent to get her noticed to begin with. Yes her social media personality may have helped her but she isn’t completely talentless. On her earlier songs which people love to conveniently forget, she had great lyricism. Her mixtapes are bomb asf. It is nothing but her bc she was nowhere near able to afford writers and her ex was stealing her money and beating tf out of her. She primarily hit trouble bc when she signed with bigger labels they thought she was too hood. She needs help from Pardi bc as a writer, he has the elements of versatility. He can write from both female and male perspectives. Cardi is very hood specific and even with all the vixen talk that woman is not the super freak she portrays in her music. She, unlike many others, is not untalented, she just didn’t know how to change her image so she was forced to find adhere to the alternate. Having someone else do it for her

[@eduqloo]

szas album is out and it’s HUGE

[@marsea2]

Wow!!! Just got to the end and so glad that you brought up Sky Ferreira!!! I think she's a great example of this one album artist and I wonder how someone can just exist indefinitely in this contracted state, where they don't seem to be producing much music. Lol maybe the money is good and she can afford to live without putting out too much music. I think you're going to continue to grow and Sky is going to continue to take her time. Lol

[@Ngasii]

Cassie got an amazing track in Black Coffee's Grammy-Winning "Subsconsiously" called 'Time'. I be personally wouldn't mind her exploring this sound a little more. It works with her voice so well🔥

[@naomi.cannibal]

Oooh I’ll have to check it out

[@livtaylor991]

I can't believe it's been that long since Ctrl came out. I still listen to it all the time.

[@SagittariusQueen1980]

Cassie is beautiful, but she can't sing. She's better off as a model.

[@shawnparker5095]

Azealia's album is one the best albums ever! so good

[@Landiiana]

crazy how sza ruled 2023

[@naomi.cannibal]

Been a great year for sza indeed

[@collinmichaelkahn3918]

You’re amazing. Your videos just get better. Love your voice and your “voice.” You have so much of value to share and say and so glad you keep saying it. Cheers Naomi Cannibal (and you need greatness to back-up such a phenomenal moniker). ❤️

[@naomi.cannibal]

This is such a sweet comment! Thank you for it, it means a lot 💕

[@angeldeactivated]

Plsss do a video on Jhene Aiko! I’m not a fan but her story seems so interesting, how she debuted at like 13, went through a rough patch, and was able to rise again nearly a decade later as an artist

[@messychicken]

this is the funniest comment i've read IN A WHILE🤣🤣🤣

[@Deenique16]

@@messychicken why is that huh

[@messychicken]

@@Deenique16 the juxtaposition between "PLSSS DO A VIDEO ON JHENE AIKO!" & "I'M NOT A FAN" stan down bb lol

[@samirsaleh2889]

Love this video! Just became a new subscriber!

[@user-hc2tu7ul7j]

I love your videos. And your user name is as iconic as your ‘make it or break it’ videos. May the lord bless you

[@naomi.cannibal]

Awwww thank you 💕 that’s so kind!!

[@doctorwhowhenhowwhy5919]

Omg I didn't expect you to show us your K-pop CD collection! Great taste!

[@naomi.cannibal]

It’s not mine! It’s another creator’s!

[@doctorwhowhenhowwhy5919]

@@naomi.cannibal Oop- my bad! 😭😭

[@b.b-notebrown]

It seems to me that streaming has truly skewed the landscape with the flood of disposable music. This makes it so hard to decipher what music is part of a specific project or era. I don't know if it is a reflection of the current time or if labels have just become sloppy with the treatment of mainstream artists. I wish that labels and artists could get back to basics, restoring much-needed A&R and cohesive artist development to create artists with longevity. Better yet, I think that the mainstream should take a look at artists within the House music genre. Many of them have had productively sustaining careers spanning decades consisting of not only great music and remixes released at a reasonable frequency while maintaining relevance and visibility worldwide. The vast majority of these artists are independent, some with stellar management and distribution that keeps the entire engine (artist) running through all trends of economy/industry.

[@naomi.cannibal]

I think disposable is the best way to describe this. When we have almost every song made at our disposal and artists are able to keep churning them out, I feel like collectively we have less appreciation for a lot of their music, even if we don’t really realize it

[@esther589]

@@naomi.cannibal 100% I ve found myself downloading songs because they re fine like oh thats cute…what else though 😂 All of my older music hits differently like its not nostalgia or whatever its literally the quality of the music.

[@katmonroe4611]

I love love this video 🔥great job!!

[@naomi.cannibal]

Thank you 💕

[@korykent5645]

I’m really tired of the “promising and lying” trend, this is just a new tactic to keep people talking about music that takes years to come out. Normani’s sad little fans helped set this precedence because they continue to worship her on Twitter as long as she mentions the album once a year. We gotta start paying the girls dust if we don’t get music and send a message to their label I’m sorry

[@sohnaminta.9264]

"Normani's sad little fans" 😭😭

[@babyloco9719]

"she mentions the album once a year"

[@slylover123]

Long way 2 go is still in my rotation

[@naomi.cannibal]

saaame I was just listening yesterday

[@cantaloupemfpeterson817]

I’m not sure how I came across your channel but I have been watching your videos and I am a definitive new subscriber! I’m enjoying your commentary semi documentary type stuff GREAT JOB 👏🏾

[@naomi.cannibal]

Thank you so much!!

[@themissmay]

It’s crazy I just heard long way 2 go at work a few weeks ago and now I am utterly obsessed and I cannot believe I never heard that song

[@_Kim_Possible]

Male artists w/one album to their name: Conor Maynard (his debut album is bomb), Austin Mahone, Joe Jonas, Nathan Sykes, Emblem3, Colby O'Donis (his Thinkin' Bout Ya song is bomb), JC Chasez. This was a cool video, and yes it seems like I don't know any current/more recent male artists (within 5 years) stuck w/1 album. The industry is pretty sexist and male artists even smaller/unknown ones are able to push out multiple albums which is insane to think about.

[@naomi.cannibal]

Agree! Thanks for the ones you shared though. But like you said it’s wild that it’s so hard to think of “relevant” male artists this also applies to. Also damnnn Colby O’Donnis is such a throwback

[@nicolesherman8974]

Since we’re talking about streaming, I remember reading an article somewhere of people making long albums to get more streams and to manipulate sales charts. People who recently released an album will follow up with a deluxe version a whole month later, not even waiting until the album is saturated with the GP.

[@ranii7895]

This is 100% true because streams pay so little less than a cent per stream

[@naomi.cannibal]

I wonder… because I guess it makes sense if you’re not fully into your next era to just do a “deluxe version” rather than a new album. But sometimes they either do it way too soon after the album dropped or way too late

[@nicolesherman8974]

@@naomi.cannibal absolutely. A good example was Jazmine Sullivan with Heaux Tales. Heaux Tales was an album that was praised by lots of people (mainly Black women) so instead of dropping a deluxe right away, she decided to release it earlier this year. I felt like that was a smart move on her behalf because saturating fans will lots of music becomes overwhelming.

[@chrissmoove1137]

This is a great video, could you please do a “No Album wonder” video, artist that had a couple hits and/or a highly anticipated album but no album has released. Normani & Saweetie mainly but you can add more people

[@naomi.cannibal]

Thanks! I did one on Normani about a year ago! But I haven’t done one on saweetie yet

[@videomaster952]

thank you for covering azealia! love ur channel!

[@naomi.cannibal]

thank you 💕

[@halotheheavenlybody]

Bwet is an amazing album!!! A bop and can be played from front to back.

[@LuvBang28]

i love your channel SO much you do you your research so properly and show what a lot of people wouldn't know who weren't fans. i was a mega obsessed CASSIE fan when she came out. in highschool people would associate (probably still do) as the one who's always talking about Cassie. i was always trying to promote her music in my way own way ha.ha. i even did an art portrait of her in art class. i hooked so many people onto her music and NOT just her official debut album but all the leaks and mixtapes etc. up until King Of Hearts. i was younger and would personally get frustrated at her thinking she was being lazy about music as if it were all on her terms BUT now realizing how the industry works i know better and that it was in fact not because she was lazy. to be honest i haven't listened to her music in maybe 8 years or so..? ever since king of hearts failed which i was so excited over i just lost my interest point blank. my genre of music style has changed a lot too since.. in highschool i was all about r&b , hip-hop, and pop but now i listen to a lot of euro-pop and electroncia 80's type music. i still follow her on instagram and see she is happy with her life and that makes me happy. i always thought she was one of the most beautiful woman on earth and thought she should be a victoria's secret angel but maybe she's too short (5'6)? i surprisingly have none of her music on my itunes since i've been through maybe 4 computers over the last 15 years but maybe i'll revisit and go on a hunt and download everything which won't be easy especially finding HQ leaks but it will be nostalgic. aside from the label changes etc. i don't think Cassie was music superstar material. she had the looks for sure and music BUT missing the stage presence and came off quite boring on stage and in interviews.. looks will only get you so far in Hollywood there's millions of gorgeous people who never make it so that's not all that it takes. Stage fright is an excuse in the beginning and she wasn't able to get over it although maybe she has since she's done some new gigs but some never do and you can't be a singer and not sing live for people that makes no sense unless you're a performer and dancing than lip syncing is understandable. also the constant switch in her genre mixtape or leaks.. as a dedicated fan i loved everything but most people don't want to hear r&b/hip-hop and then a dance/pop song (when rockabye baby mixtape came out she teamed up with Diamond Supply clothing which was sold at Pacsun and it just didn't make sense to me why her image was being sold at a skater shop?) only big time artists with a huge following can getaway with that because it won't affect their careers.if it potentially fails her whole music career was experimental and it almost seems like it was done as a joke at first but they realized they made some hits and went with it. her career kind of reminds me of Rachel Stevens an australian singer who was part of S Club 7 but went solo she had 2 solo albums which were great BUT her 2nd album "Come and Get It" was a pop masterpiece and to this day is praised as one of the best pop albums straight through BUT her issue was she was just a really pretty face and an OK voice with lack of stage presence and never did live vocals along with boring interviews. she couldn't sell herself other than being a pretty girl. i apologize for writing an essay and some probably doesn't make sense but it took me back to memory lane on my Cassie obsessed days lol 💗

[@naomi.cannibal]

Lmaooo you’re totally fine!! And I always wanted more for Cassie tbh bc I do think she really could’ve blown up w the correct team behind her

[@LuvBang28]

@@naomi.cannibal thx doll i also loved another video of yours on amerie.. whom you did great coverage on.. new subscriber 😘

[@messychicken]

just when i thought **i** was doing the most in the comments 🤣

[@naomi.cannibal]

@@LuvBang28 awwww I appreciate it! Also I love the essay ass comments

[@JiaPia3]

I cannot believe I get US and K-pop in the same videos about *Music*. ***_what?!?!_* Where have you been all my KZbin LIFE?! I am just over here quietly freaking the hell out. You are super smart and extremely brave. There are some tough crowds in here.

[@bhadboij]

This is a good video and been waiting for someone’s to bring up this topic especially wen I feel like it’s applies to sza n cardi

[@naomi.cannibal]

💕💕👀

[@yeoshiiii]

seeing this after sos was released makes me hope rca is giving sza more attention!!

[@naomi.cannibal]

Me too! I Really loved sos

[@AnAdorableWombat]

Azealia has so much talent, charisma and stage presence. She has IT! But she ruined her own career. Her social media attitude destroyed it.

[@amazing5392]

What a good channel... liked and subscribed!!!! Greets from Germany

[@EatBugsSeeGod]

Another great vid sis! 💗

[@naomi.cannibal]

💕💕💕

[@jeniferespinoza1482]

sza new album is killing it!!!

[@cameronlupke2057]

Blame the era of streaming and wanting to just keep putting out singles. Beyonce said it best in an interview "people don't put albums out anymore". It's one thing Latin artists do is still put out albums hence why I've shifted towards them mainly. I actually think physical albums are gaining traction again. Streaming is irritating with ads and disruptions

[@naomi.cannibal]

It’s the way she said that before it even got BAD BAD too… I wonder what she thinks of it all now

[@samtriginelli]

Girl I’m loving your video! Have been binge watching all of them! Haha

[@naomi.cannibal]

Yaaaay I’m glad 💕

[@sian5936]

nah the quality of this channel is impeccable

[@naomi.cannibal]

Thank you ✨🫶🏾

[@esgay7512]

sza released sos. the world is healed.

[@payyourrentbabes]

I wish Azealia would have realised she's a black woman she can't get away with being controversial like kanye her music is tew good.And Sza really broke my heart I was expecting a summer album but it's definitely that RCA curse

[@louisianacookingwithkay]

1:45 My daughter and I still listen to this song by Cassie "me and you", and especially "long way to go". This song came out when I was about 14 or 15, and I've turned my daughter on to it and so many other songs. I love it. I love timeless music like this.

[@MACMAMI]

Great video, Naomi! 🙂 One thing that has really frustrated me as of late I've taken notice of...............is this trend where an up-and-coming, aspiring pop singer/songwriter whose ascension has been primarily fueled via TikTok or other media..................scores a breakout mainstream Top 40 hit..................but their respective label hasn't announced a proper follow-up single months later. Dove Cameron just had a major breakout hit with "Boyfriend" that fell just short of #1 on the Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart earlier this year...............and yet her label hasn't made a genuine concerted promotional push behind a follow-up to that. Em Beihold earned a major breakout hit with "Numb Little Bug" that went to #6 on the Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart and #18 on the Billboard Hot 100...............yet her label still hasn't pushed a proper follow-up and I can EASILY see "12345" charting well especially considering it already has a great music video. gayle recently hit #1 on the Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart and #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "abcdefu", and nothing has gotten a genuine push from her label since then. And so on. I just feel all these womens' careers are being terribly mismanaged and I'm worried it's setting them up to one-hit wonder status. Which I certainly hope doesn't happen. 🥲

[@sedi2066]

That Cassie clip never ceases to obliterate me 💀. Another klassik Ms Cannibal

[@naomi.cannibal]

rightttt I fold every time I watch it

[@antonyware]

I love the Cardi overview! She definitely was VERY nervous to put out the sophomore because of the pressure of Invasion and doing the same numbers. But watching that overview, Cardi been on top for a minute! She really has not really dropped the ball since she hit mainstream!

[@carlosdelagarza6354]

As much label support as she has, only a fool would stop that bag. LOL😅😅😅

[@philiana61]

me coming back to this bc SZA is coming on FRIDAY WOOO !

[@naomi.cannibal]

Riiiight!! We won!!

[@mermaidbrothels]

I love your videos!

[@yvonneisi]

SZA fiiiinally just dropped hers, I hope this video is driving the album manifestation lol

[@jbell7105]

Sza really pissed me off cause CTRL was the soundtrack to my life at the time! She has a solid fan base and stays featuring on someone else song! Wtf??!!

[@danclayton9551]

This was a great video! Also Sky Ferreira would be another example, who knows if her second album will ever be released

[@naomi.cannibal]

I mentioned her at the end of the video!

[@danclayton9551]

@@naomi.cannibal sorry 🤦🏼‍♂️ should watches the whole way through

[@naomi.cannibal]

@@danclayton9551 lmaooo u were just excited to comments it’s fine 💕

[@Deenique16]

I loved her first album and her voice and sound around that time would be really big today on tik tok etc

[@eugenekey7876]

Broke w Expensive Taste Album, 1991 EP, Anna Wintour and Big Big Beat will always have heart