It was whilst recording within the studios with Guetta that Rowland caught the attention of the head of Universal Motown, Sylvia Rhone, which led to the new deal. Then in May 2010, speculation of Rowland's new record ended when an official press release revealed that she had signed to Universal Motown Records. Kelly (2007), was not commercially successful. She was dropped because her previous album, Ms. Despite earlier claims, Rowland told Entertainment Weekly in 2010 that she didn't leave Columbia Records of her own accord. In October 2009 it was suggested that the success of the single had made Rowland consider signing a new record deal with EMI Music. Jason Lipshutz of Billboard said "the success comes at an intriguing time in Rowland's career", having noted that she had landed a hosting job on Bravo's The Fashion Show and was in between labels. The song went on to be a worldwide success for the duo. I want to thank everyone at Columbia for the love and support they've shown and I will never forget how many good times we've had over the years." It was also announced in March that Guetta was releasing "When Love Takes Over", his collaboration with Rowland. Speaking of her decision to leave, Rowland said, "as a solo artist, I felt the need to explore new directions, new challenges, and new freedoms outside my comfort zone and my friends and family at Columbia have been incredibly understanding about my evolution. In March 2009, it was revealed that the singer was parting ways with Columbia Records. However Columbia Records were not impressed with the new sound and the record was left unfinished until it was rediscovered by Guetta, when compiling his One Love album. After falling in love with the song, Rowland would take it back to London to write and record the vocals with Australian songwriters, The Nervo Twins. It was here that she met French disc jockey (DJ) David Guetta and heard the foundations of " When Love Takes Over", a song that would leave a lasting impression on the singer. She then travelled the South of France for vacation in Summer 2008 where she was exposed to dance music. It inspired her to pursue a new sound for her then untitled third album. Kelly Rowland at the Love Music Hate Racism Festival in 2009ĭuring her 2008 performances at T4 on the Beach in Weston-Super-Mare, United Kingdom, Rowland was exposed to British bands and live festival music. To date, it's Rowland's highest debuting album in the United States. Here I Am debuted at number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number three on the US Billboard 200 albums chart, selling 147,000 copies. Here I Am was received well by critics, many of whom praised the strong productions and vocal performances but questioned some of the guests and a lack of the up-tempo dance sound Rowland had spoken of. It was greeted with a positive reception from critics and topped the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart as well as peaking in the top-twenty of the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Rowland's second most successful single as a lead artist in the United States. Love wrote half of the songs on the album, while Rowland co-wrote three songs on the album.Īfter re-recording the majority of the album, a new single featuring Lil Wayne titled " Motivation", preceded the album in the United States. Production of the album was handled by the likes of Rodney Jerkins, Guetta, Jim Jonsin, Hit-Boy, RedOne and The Runners. Here I Am also features guest performances from Lil Wayne, Nelly, Rico Love, Lil Playy, The WAV.s and Big Sean. The international version of the album features seventeen songs including ones excluded from the US editions and some remixes. Three other singles: " Forever and a Day", " Rose Colored Glasses" and " Grown Woman", all had limited commercial success and are subsequently included on selected editions of the album or excluded altogether. " Commander" (2010) produced by and featuring David Guetta topped the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart and became a top-ten hit in the United Kingdom and some other European territories. Originally scheduled for release in 2010, the album was pushed back after the first round of singles were released to mixed critical and commercial reception. It follows Rowland's assertion that "no one puts her in a box" with common themes around womanhood, sexual intimacy and love. Here I Am is predominately a pop, R&B and dance album. The album is Rowland's first release since parting ways with her manager Mathew Knowles and longtime Sony Music record label Columbia Records (through Knowles' Music World Entertainment). Here I Am is the third studio album by American singer Kelly Rowland, released through Universal Motown and Universal Music Group on July 22, 2011.
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