Regular PopWatch readers know that American Idol’s third-season champ, Fantasia Barrino, is among by most obsessed-over obsessions. (Does that phrase make anyone else think of Animotion?) Anyhow, after a rather lukewarm reception to the delectable "Hood Boy" — Corporate radio? Can you handle it? I don’t think they can handle it! — I was pleased to see her lovely followup, "When I See U," has climbed to 14 on this week’s Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.
The song’s video clip, which just premiered on Yahoo Music (click here to see it), isn’t anything revolutionary, but it looks like the folks at J Records at least spent a little money filming the pastiche of scenes most of us have seen in million different videos: Tasia belting in front of the Manhattan skyline, Tasia soaking in the tub, Tasia strolling the green-screened city streets — and our braces-clad heroine looks great doing it all, too. I just wish I could figure out what the heck is that silver cylinder thing that the director uses to separate the various scenes. It looks a little bit like a garbage can, or maybe a street lamp. Either way, it’s an unfortunate distraction to an otherwise cute clip. What say you, PopWatchers?
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I still don’t understand the underwhelming reception fanatasia’s
second album received. “hood boy” was a SOLID single that didn’t get much radio play. I am absolutely addicted to fantasia’s second single “when i see you”. i hope we start hearing this blasted from the airwaves!
Love it!!! I too have been diggin on Tasia since they very beginning. However, I think I a lot of people (middle -america) might miss out on her if you are not tuned into strictily R&B….I dont remember seeing her video on either VH1 or MTV which are crucial in this video driven society.
That said, I love her and support her cause she is my American Idol, or at least the only one that motivate me to actually vote.
When I heard this song back in the fall, I knew she had to release it. The girl DESERVES a hit song. I really think this could do it. There isn’t anything revolutionary about it, but it somehow manages to make me happy every time I hear it. Thanks for sticking up for Tasia, Slezak!
Looking forward to getting this girl a big hit! It’s about time.
Also, Slezak, the word in your first paragraph should be “my”, not “by”. Sincerely, your Friendly Neighborhood Typo Pointer-outer.
Love this song and video, I hope that this song go far.
the metal things are the pay-per-use binoculars for sightseeing
Slezak, you are right on when it comes to Tasia!! The song is delightful! I think the video is refreshing (compared to some of that garbage out there) and just in time for summer
Hot Hot Hot! Get it girl!
It’s about time somebody else recognized Fantasia.. I like this song. I didn’t even know it was Fantasia..The video is cute.. I am going to go and get this CD. Her first CD is still in rotation in my CD player and MP 3.Me, too is right though. I think only the strictly R&B listeners will hear it.. Hood Boy was seriously underrated.. The beat was thumpin’ and Big Boi.. The song was hot!Keep representing, Fantasia.. I will keep buying.
Hey Slezak.
Have you seen her in TCP?
more people need to buy this album. it’s awesome.
Still not so much with the Tasia’. Something about the voice still feels like chalk on a blackboard to me. can only listen to her for seconds before I turn away. i can’t explain it, she has a nice voice and her lyrics are catchy, but there’s something underneath it all that makes affects me negatively. I wish I could figure out what it is.
Mozz, you are an idiot. How can you stop listening to such an awesome voice?
You don’t even know your reason for being negative towards her; dismiss that foul spirit, and dwell on the good that is you and that exudes from Tasia’s music. This song is da bomb!
I don’t get the Fantasia love, she’s just a Mary J. wanna-be. I would rather listen to Sanjaya than her!
Wow. Gorillas in the mist. Sweet!
Fantasia is “after” her time…she would have been a great (and still could be) blues singer…I see her as a 1960s Ruth Brown type singer…I think the reason she’s had trouble finding her place isn’t about the songs but her voice. It’s an “old soul” voice.
Won’t be long before Fantasia is joining Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks on the “American Idols That Nobody Listens To Tour.” It can’t come soon enough.
I, like Slezak, am a huge Fantasia fan. She deserves to be a big star, and I really don’t understand all the hate on the below posts (Gorillas in the mist?… wth). Her style is straight up R&B so if you’re not into that sound, steer clear. But the album this song comes from is a GREAT R&B album, and is worth a listen. She’s a great talent and I will listen to anything she sings for me.
this is a nice song and all, but I was under the impression that “baby makin’ hips” was to be the second single.
If that song is not released, I’d count that to on par with the holocaust in terms of crimes against humanity. IT’S AN AMAZING SONG!!!
I don’t think Fantasia can sing. I mean she seems like a sweet girl and I like her personality, but her singing is pretty bad. The best American Idol of all time is Carrie Underwood.
I loved her on Idol, but not so much on CD. (Of her singles, only “Hood Boy” has really done it for me.) I’d still love to see her cross over, but I’m worried that her voice isn’t going to hold out. I’ve seen live clips on YouTube and the raspy shouting is out of control. And I’d say the last third of this song suffers from the same. Part of her appeal was being able to pull off something like “Summertime” but she’s not going to be able to do it much longer if she doesn’t rein it in a bit.
Fantasia is out-of-place these days. She would have lauded as one of the great R&B/Jazz hybrid singer if she came out in the 60s/70s/80s. But today, she just will not become that “star”. If I was Fantasia’s manager, I would steer her to Broadway or Las Vegas. Especially Las Vegas.
I am not one of her fans, but the video featuring scenes of New York city (home) is nice. And she looks so classy in this video. Congratulations Fantasia.
Sorry, Michael, but I am just not a fan of Fantasia’s voice. I expect to see her on ‘The Surreal Life’ or Celebrity Fit Club’ soon(perhaps with the even more annoying Taylor Hicks???)
Well I am most definitly a fan of Fantasia and I love her voice and always will. Fanstasia I love you!!!
I didn’t love her during idol, but I totally love Fantasia now. This album is amazing and no one’s heard it. Check out ‘Not the way that I do’ – it’s crazy good and innovative.
I don’t understand why this girl is so polarizing. Pink is raspy. Kelly Clarkson screams and some of her live performances leave alot to be desired (youtube it). I will admit she does squal, but I think TCP will tame this and demonstrate to her that you do not have do that to get an emotional reaction in a song. I think her squalling is a result of being schooled by Mary J Blige. I hope she proves all the naysayers wrong. Her list of fans is pretty amazing: Quincy Jones, Oprah Winfrey, and the like. In the R&B community she is well regarded similar to artists such Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, and Gerald Levert. But her pop appeal is weak.
I love anything Fantasia sings. I’ll always be her #1 fan. I like soul in my singing and Fantasia proves that she is one of the best. I’ve been to several of her concerts and she really performs with all of her heart and soul.
Maybe she would be more famous if she wasn’t so d— hideous looking. Just an observation!
Why does everyone love Fantasia? She isn’t bad, but I don’t understand the draw to her. Could someone please explain why an R & B star like any other R & B star gets gushed over so much? She’s allright, but she’s not more amazing than anyone else.