When the rumor mill started whirring last summer, it seemed like it had to be someone’s idea of a joke. Were we seriously to believe that Irv Gotti — the hip-hop impresario best known for bringing the world Ja Rule — was on the brink of signing piano-pop princess Vanessa Carlton ("A Thousand Miles") to his label? But it was true: Last November, Gotti (pictured, left) formally announced that Carlton (right) had joined the family formerly known as Murder Inc. Unable to contain my curiosity any longer, I dropped by the Universal Music Group’s offices yesterday afternoon to meet Gotti and get a sneak preview of Carlton’s album Heroes and Thieves, currently scheduled for an October 9 release on The Inc. Records.
Gotti’s faced his share of drama, including high-profile 2005 money-laundering charges against him and his brother. (Both were acquitted.) He was remarkably open about those legal woes, recalling the advice he gave Carlton when she was ready to sign her contract: "I said, V, before you fully [commit], Google me!" But with The Inc. on an upswing thanks to the recent success of R&B smoothie Lloyd ("You"), Gotti was in a downright buoyant mood yesterday, singing along enthusiastically to every word of Carlton’s new compositions.
He’s acutely aware that his love for Carlton’s music might strikeoutside observers as a bit unlikely — but as far as he’s concerned,they couldn’t make a more natural pair. "I make great chick records,"Gotti argued with characteristic bluntness, citing his past work withartists like Ashanti. He’s got a point. Aside from superficialstylistic distinctions, how different was "A Thousand Miles," really,from a pop-friendly R&B cut like Ashanti’s "Foolish"? Besides,Gotti said, major-label honchos work with artists outside of the genreswith which they’re most closely associated all the time. "They signhip-hop. Why can’t I sign a pop act or a rock act?"
Cogent as they were, all those points would have added up to emptytalk if the music didn’t work. Luckily, the five new songs Gotti playedsounded pretty great.Turns out he didn’t try to transform Carlton intoan urban diva after all. ("I think [her fans] would have beat me up,"he explained.) Instead, the new material was upbeat, melodic,brightly-hued pop, full of twinkling arpeggios and tasteful strings —in short, a bunch of new Vanessa Carlton songs. It’s always hard topick out a hit after an isolated listen, but if lead single "NolitaFairytale" — "Take away my record deal/You know, I don’t needit/…I’ve found some kinda fairytale" — isn’t in heavy radio and MTVrotation by the end of summer, I’ll be surprised. And possible secondsingle "Hands on Me" (Irv: "It reminds me of The Breakfast Club!") sounded tailor-made for a rom-com trailer coming soon to a theater near you.
Gotti couldn’t resist hyping a few of his other upcoming projects.There was a time when I never thought I’d say these words, but I’llactually be checking for Ja Rule’s new album (also due this fall), ifonly to catch the song where they somehow managed to get clearance fora prominent sample of the Beatles’ "Eleanor Rigby." Gotti was alsoexcited about the upcoming VH1 reality show which, he said, chronicleshis stormy relationship with his ex-wife and his attempts to mount amusic-biz comeback after his federal acquittal. ("Run’s House is like The Cosbys; they say my show is like The Sopranos," he said with customary modesty.)
So whose second act are you looking forward to more, PopWatchers:Vanessa Carlton, Ja Rule, or Irv Gotti himself? And which unlikelyartist should The Inc. sign next? (Say, what’s Michelle Branch up tothese days?)
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To answer your question, Michelle Branch is singing and touring as part of The Wreckers, a pop-country duo. I hope she goes back to solo work soon!
What a cute pair–I hope she makes a guest appearance on his show.
They do make kind of a cute pair…though that’s probably 85 percent due to the fact that Vanessa Carlton is beautiful.
I’d actually kinda forgotten that Ja Rule existed, and I’d also become convinced that Michelle Branch had just formed a band with Santana…thanks for clearing that up eliz. s
that is great at last. you go gotti.[smile]
The Wreckers are Jessica Harp and Michelle Branch. If Marverick don’t want them,(they’re with Marverick and Warner Nashville) they could get signed and do country records like they love to do. And I love them.
All I can think when I read this article is Gotti singing along to “A Thousand Miles,” a la “White Chicks.”
Ja Rule sampling The Beatles? That is disrespectful to one of the greatest bands of all time, dammit.
This is probably the weirdest combo since Natalie Imbruglia and that mime guy on “Torn”.
I’m so happy to hear there is a release date for the album. I am looking forward to hearing new material from Vanessa. She never disappoints me. I hope her promotion is better this time, b.c the quality of her music was great last time around, but the CD didn’t do that great due to people not KNOWING it existed. Thanks for the scoop!
I hope people reading this don’t get the impression that all Vanessa fans are narrow-minded zealots who’d never forgive her if she chose to go urban – I, for one, think it would be interesting, but she hasn’t gone urban so that’s a moot point.
I hope her new album does well; her last CD (Harmonium) failed miserably but it’s beautiful and deserved to do well.
Why don’t they look into signing Kelly Clarkson. She’s been having a hard time with Clive, and it seems like Irv Gotti let Vanessa Carlton do her own thing, like a producer should. All they should do is support an artist in seeing their musical visions through. I think it could work!
The idea sounds pretty slick to me. If it makes $$ and the songs hit, it’ll maybe motivate more hip hop empresarios to go cross gen. Imagine if Debbie Gibson made a comeback on Death Row! They could call the album Debbie and Dr. Dre.
Vanessa is such an insperation, although i find her record company choice a bit strange im glad shes still sticking to who she is. I heard her new song “Nolita Fairytale” its so awesome, the new record is going to be well worth the wait!
I’ve been a Big Vanessa fan since I first heard A Thousand Miles. There is no doubt in my mind that Vanessa made a smart decision , I am still impressed at how many people are fans, it is Truly remarkable at how much nessa fans love her music and am looking forward to Heroes and Thieves.
Um personally, i can’t wait until her new album come out. i just simply love her. She’s the best and has an Amazing Voice
“Nolita Fairytale” is a great song! Hopefully it’s a great comeback for Vanessa (God knows she deserves some recognition and success).
I’m sorry but vanessa is the biggest loser and she should be slapped with a donkey.
I am truly impressed with Vanessa Carlton’s music, and though impatient, I will still buy her new cd with glee, and will be rocking out if she comes to san diego
Vanessa Carlton is AMAZING. I love her so much. she’s such an amazing songwriter and pianist. “Harmonium” was amazing…I thought it was way better than “Be Not Nobody”, but “Be Not Nobody” got way more attention. Oh well.
the wreckers broke up recently, did you know that? so hopefully Michelle is back to solo work…”Hotel Paper” is pretty much the best album in the history of the world. I love Michelle Branch too.
I hope ‘Hands On Me’ does become the second single, not ‘Home’. Home is okay, but ‘Hands On Me’ is SO much better.
Hands On Me:
Home:
I.HEART.VANESSA.CARLTON.
SHE’S DA BOMB!!
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ON THOSE ALBUMS BABE~