Blake Lewis – I Wasn’t Dropped – FOX 5

wow–talk about splitting hairs. His contract with Arista, which had an option to renew, expired. Arista declined to renew. Ah–Blake! That’s what being dropped is. The only other path for Arista would have been to break the contract and pay liquidated damages. Of course they’ll jump ship when the contract expires.

Poor Blake.

Re: the song. Isn’t this the one he did on AI? I think it’s catchy, but I hate the beatboxing background and the echo on his voice. All that other noise makes it hard to hear his voice, the melody and the lyrics (kind of the point of a song, isn’t it? the melody and the lyrics?) From 4:00 thru 4:20, when the ancillary noise is cut you can hear what a great song it could be. Blake has a very pleasant voice. It’s just hard to hear it with all that other stuff.

Oh PUH-LEASE. You’re option running out and not getting renewed is the SAME THING as being DROPPED.

He might as well have just said, “Basically they realized if my sales were this bad on my first album, then imagine how my second album would sell…so they dropped me.”

I’ve always thought of him more as an artist than a singer. He was always a little too cocky for me.

Wasn’t he saying he was dropped in the radio interview? Now he is not? I am glad your major label does not force another record with you. And Blake, it’s called dropped.

This is what I’d compare Blake’s situation to: parents waiting until their misbehaving child turns 18 so they can kick him/her out.

“My parent’s didn’t kick me out! I turned 18 and they’re not obligated to take care of me anymore!”

Oh Blake, please shut up! He can sugarcoat it all he wants but the fact is his CD bombed, he has no hit singles to his name and Arista didn’t want him anymore. Kat and Bo at least managed to get a radio hit out of their deals, Blake is in Diana/Justin territory.

Blake just digs himself a deeper hole every time he speaks. He has already made unfavorable comments about other idols. He better try to make friends not lose them.

Thanks MJ for posting this information about Blake. I am glad that he is letting us know what is going on. I wish him the best of luck. Loved his version of How Many Words. His beatboxing in that video with Coolio is just sick. What a talented guy. Glad to know that the artists respect him and want to perform with him. I have seen several videos where Blake performs at after parties with some amazing musicians. I think Blake isn’t sugarcoating it at all. He didn’t have to tell us what was going on. He could have just not said anything and just let us wait for a press release.

Like I said the other night Blake is a musician and he will continue to do what he loves to do. He is extremely talented, and I wish him well in the future. I liked his first cd, and am looking forward to what he does in the future. Maybe this is splitting hairs or semantics, can’t a person try to save face?

Maybe this is splitting hairs or semantics, canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t a person try to save face?

I agree. It doesn’t matter one way or the other. Dropped, options not renewed….the bottom line is that he is not with Arista any more. We also don’t know what his PR people have told him to say. It’s all good. We understand what Blake is telling us. Glad he is still forging ahead. He is a very hard worker. I bought ADD and really enjoyed it. I thought it was a really great album. I look forward to his next one.

I’ll have to use Blakespeak in my life…I didn’t get fired, they just wouldn’t pay me anymore (and they took away my key)…my boyfriend didn’t break up with me, he just left and never returned one day…I’m not short, I’m just vertically challenged…I don’t sing off key, I just can’t make melodic noises come out of my mouth. Yes, life is so much rosier with Blakespeak.

The way to save face would have been to both not exercise the option. the contract probably had a reciprocal clause–both parties need to opt in to extend the contract for another term. They could have mutually dropped, which would have protected his pride a bit. (Maybe that did happen?)

“He says his option ran out, and they decided not to renew his contract.”

yeah blakey…that’s called being dropped

Kat and Bo at least managed to get a radio hit out of their deals, Blake is in Diana/Justin territory.

do you by any chance remember how well “the real thing” (the song) did?

*Looks at the screencap* That is seriously a face only a mother could love.

And boy am I sick of the spin that he’s going to become the next Timberland when the “music” he put on his own album bombed massively. Why in the world would anyone want to export that??

As far as his newly touted “indie” carrer is concerned, he’ll have another thing in common with Constantine, LOL. Even though he’ll be lucky to match his sales. Nice career move there Blake!

I’m not even going to touch the rest of the pitiful little spin, let’s just say expect to hear from Blake talking about how he wasn’t dropped from 19E in a few months.

The fact that he’s not quite as overweight as before should be proof of where things stand.

I bought ADD and really enjoyed it. I thought it was a really great album.

So did I.

ONLY the winner is guaranteed a record deal. Which is why I don’t understand why labels pick up the runners up and then fail to promote them. I think it was pretty clear what kind of album Blake wanted and was going to make. If Artista wasn’t interested in that kind of artist, they shouldn’t have signed him in the first place. I’ve NEVER heard any of Blake’s songs on the radio or seen any kind of promotion for the CD whatsoever. I know there are exceptions, but typically, it’s tough to sell CDs when no one (or no one outside of the AI audience) knows who you are.

None of the runners-up, aside from Clay, have gotten very good promotion, IMO. Kat’s and Bo’s singles did OK, but they weren’t really promoted like they should have been.

I’m not a fan of all of the runners up or anything, but if a company is going to sign someone, I think it should be their duty to try to promote that person too.

And, like someone said before, Blake is trying to save face. I would do the same thing, honestly.

JMHO, folks!

As far as his newly touted à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“indieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  carrer is concerned, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll have another thing in common with Constantine, LOL. Even though heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be lucky to match his sales. Nice career move there Blake!

Elliott has been very successful going Indie.

Lol Sparkles! I think I’m going to use Blakespeak too. Hey I didn’t fail that exam, the professor just didn’t give me enough points. Wow, it works.

Which is why I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t understand why labels pick up the runners up and then fail to promote them.

I think it’s the selfish part of their business model. They only sign the runners up so no one else can. They hope for the best, don’t spend too much money, and when their cd’s fail, it’s no big deal to the record company. Nice knowing you, bye, bye.

Their worst fear is the runner up being picked up by another company and outselling their winner. That’s why they can’t take the chance, and they have to sign them. That’s my theory anyway.

I didn’t particularly like Blake’s cd, but my tastes don’t always coincide with popular radio. So, I can’t say one way or the other whether if he had a bigger push from the record company, he could have received more airplay. But, I guess we’ll never know.

I’m not that fond of Blake these days, but I can’t blame him for trying to put a positive spin on the “dropping”. I wouldn’t expect anyone who actually wants a career in the music industry to go on tv and say “yeah, I failed to sell cd’s, so they dropped me like a hot potato”. Projecting a positive image is his only PR move right now. For his future career’s sake – I think this is really the only thing he CAN say.

*Looks at the screencap* That is seriously a face only a mother could love.

Well, I’m not his mother and I think that boy is pretty hot!

Thanks for posting the performance MJ! I enjoyed both.

I don’t blame Blake for not just blurting out that he was dropped; it’s not like the interviewer said he was dropped and he rudely interrupted and corrected her. He’s doing and saying what he has to do to promote himself now, and I wish him lots of luck.

I think ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the selfish part of their business model. They only sign the runners up so no one else can. They hope for the best, donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t spend too much money, and when their cdà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fail, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s no big deal to the record company. Nice knowing you, bye, bye.

That’s an interesting theory. I never thought of it that way. I thought though that part of the prize for coming in second was an automatic record deal? Does anybody know if that is true?

“Elliott has been very successful going Indie.”

Apples and Oranges, Elliott can actually sing.

“Well, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not his mother and I think that boy is pretty hot!”

If crooked chins, bulbous noses and non-existent lips turn you on than more power to you.

elliott is also the only one who’s been successful being signed to an indie label so i wouldn’t really say it’s the best option for an idol…he is an exception right now amo imo he’ll be in trouble if he doesn’t have another WFY on his next cd

They only sign the runners up so no one else can. They hope for the best, donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t spend too much money, and when their cdà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fail, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s no big deal to the record company. Nice knowing you, bye, bye.

Didn’t RCA say that they dumped millions into Kat and were really disappointed when she didn’t catch on? I could have sworn I read that somewhere.

I agree with SpenserJ that it’s just the selfish part of the business model. Morally, we’d all like to think that if you have the option on someone and you sign them to ensure that their success is your success, you’d at least try to make an effort to… well, ensure their success, right? But, no, that’s not how it works, unfortunately.

I’m not really a fan of Blake’s music, but I haven’t given it more than a passing listen — so I guess, being fully honest, I can’t attest to whether he’s a secret genius or whether he’s a hack. I know enough about his personality to be absolutely repulsed by him, but I don’t know how much his attitude would affect J’s desire to promote him. (Then again, there are a lot of people who are all too willing to point to Taylor’s supposed arrogance and insistence on doing things “his way” as the cause of J’s failure to give him the push he could have used, so what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, I say.) He’s saving face just like Taylor did when he was dropped (and yeah, I know, Taylor is really a business wunderkind who foresaw and masterminded getting signed and then dropped by J Records when he first signed on for Idol, and really his plan the entire time has been to form a small independent label that will eventually revolutionize the music industry as we know it). But the whole “I wasn’t dropped, I was just not renewed” is just such an unfortunate parsing of words that it makes him sound worse than he probably means to come off.

But then again, maybe tomorrow he’ll tell Clive Davis to stick his titties in Blake’s mouth.

Elliott is also the only one, as far as I know, who had a relative with record label experience. Very handy if you want to go indie!

But then again, maybe tomorrow heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll tell Clive Davis to stick his titties in Blakeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s mouth.

Now that I would pay money to see! :clap_tb:

Well, I just watched the video and I didn’t see anything wrong with what Blake said. What’s wrong with putting a positive spin on his situation? Plus, he emphasized that he’s still with 19, so THEY haven’t dropped him.

As for going indie, I see no shame in it. Most indie artists have respectable careers without Top 40 airplay. Elliott is an exception, not the rule, when it comes to indie artists. Most don’t even seek top 40 airplay.

I can understand why a few people would be turned off by Blake, but I would argue most of his comments have been pretty harmless. I doubt the AI community had anything to do with his being dropped. Even if he lost 100K in sales from disgruntled Sanjaya or Archie fans, he probably still would have been dropped. Taylor was dropped with 700K. The idols who haven’t been dropped are the ones that have appealed outside of AI… Carrie, Daughtry, Kellie. Blake wasn’t able to do that, for whatever reason.

Blake certainly seems to be well-liked by his colleagues in the music industry, so that bodes well for his future. I’ll be following his career. From what I understand, he’ll have a track on BT’s upcoming album and is working on a trip-hop album with his drummer, KJ.

Thanks for the vids, MJ.

I can understand why a few people would be turned off by Blake, but I would argue most of his comments have been pretty harmless.

Well, except for that “Jewish people have a lot of money” bit. I’d argue there’s a lot of harm in perpetuating stereotypes like that. But I’ll grant that most of his comments have been harmless. Distasteful and sophomoric, but harmless nonetheless.

And no, there’s no shame in going indie.

Whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wrong with putting a positive spin on his situation?

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it per se. It’s just that it comes off as just that — spinning the situation. He’s not the first Idol to do it, of course, but it just sounds dumb.

It seems like a lot of people thought that Blake needed help in the PR department to help him with what he says. Now this time, it seems like Blake was doing the right thing PR wise. He did not make any negative comments against the label (people then would have said he was bitter), did not burn any bridges, and was very gracious with what he said. I think Blake did a good job.

I think ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the selfish part of their business model. They only sign the runners up so no one else can.

This is true. I know a band who got signed was given a ton of money to live on while recording then an upheaval happened within the company resulting in the producer they were working with leaving so they had to scrap all the work they did only to be held onto so that another label wouldn’t get them which resulted in the band eventually having to break up. The music business is harsh. I’m glad I can’t sing!

If crooked chins, bulbous noses and non-existent lips turn you on than more power to you.

Actually, I have a bulbous chin, a crooked nose and really big lips, so I think Blake and I will make a perfect couple!

I think ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the selfish part of their business model. They only sign the runners up so no one else can. They hope for the best, donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t spend too much money, and when their cdà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fail, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s no big deal to the record company. Nice knowing you, bye, bye.

Their worst fear is the runner up being picked up by another company and outselling their winner. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s why they canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t take the chance, and they have to sign them. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s my theory anyway.

Wow, SpencerJ–I’m kind of bummed by your theory because it’s so logical and I really like David Archuleta. I really hope for great success for both Davids this year–honestly, I think they are both differently but enormously talented. I’m just so bummed at the idea that he’s been picked up by Jive basically as a block to protect Cook. It seems needless. I think Cook will sell, sell, sell and Arch will smolder a bit as a he grows up some more (He’s such a kid still). Anyway, this thread is about Blake, but I feel for Arch now. I wonder what he can do to try to get promoted? Maybe don’t let Clive Davis pick your first single–Break Anotha?

Suzanne, Jive doesn’t give a crap about Clive or Cook. Their boss just got Clive’s job.

I think the producers feel Archie is worth their time/effort/money to promote. I can’t see them taking that approach to him. I believe both Davids will have huge careers. I really don’t think you have anything to worry about. However, did they treat Clay like this? I’m unsure as I only watched the show back then but didn’t follow their careers.

Wow, SpencerJà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m kind of bummed by your theory because ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s so logical and I really like David Archuleta.

Suz, don’t let my theory bum you out! There’s always the exception to the rule. There’s still hope for Archie. Although he’s not my cup of tea, I think he’s one of the most beloved runner ups in recent memory. Plus, he’s damn young. He doesn’t need to hit it out of the park on his first try.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll have to use Blakespeak in my lifeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get fired, they just wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t pay me anymore (and they took away my key)à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦my boyfriend didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t break up with me, he just left and never returned one dayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not short, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m just vertically challengedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t sing off key, I just canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t make melodic noises come out of my mouth. Yes, life is so much rosier with Blakespeak

Love, love it. Blakespeak is sooo very useful in real life.

He be DROPPED, and his beatboxing makes me want to press the mute button.

Suzanne, I don’t think Archie is in this context either. He is not the norm for runners up with all the attributes that he brings to the table. Heck, he
probably got as many votes being runner up than most of the winners!

To keep this on topic, I think that Blake will have a career in the music scene even if it may be behind the scenes.

thanks for the comfort, SpencerJ, gingerly, and ianamy. Worry is such a wasted emotion anyway, but it is funny–I am a bit worried. I just hate it when these CDs finally come out and they mostly just sound terrible/disappointing and not like the person who we saw on the show at all.

I believe Clay sued to get out of his contract and renegotiated something with better terms. And is he the only runner up still employed by his label?

It’s such a weird thing, isn’t it? The jump from tv show competition to the music world. I wonder if anyone will release a first CD coming out of AI and not get slammed by the music critics. I think Daughtry’s CD got the highest rating of all of them in Entertainment Weekly, and it was a B plus .

Whining. I know–wait and see.

Thx Igetcranked.

Behind the scenes? Really? does he have another skill, like music producing?

Do you think there’s really a market for the beatboxing he does? I really like Blake’s voice, but I feel like much of his music is muddied with extraneous sound, covering his very pleasant voice.

I wouldn’t worry about Archie. Jive seems to know how to market their artists.
Archie’s fan base is much bigger than Jordin’s and she’s doing fine.

I have yet to see a single connection between album reviews and sales. Reviews mean almost nothing in music. It’s hard not to worry about sales but fans should try to be satisfied if they just put out decent music. The worst thing to do is predict they’ll sell millions of records. That’s like the kiss of death.

Blake has posted a new myspace blog…

…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!

Read the rest here. He tells some stories and gives some updates on what he has been, and will be, up to.

From Blake’s blog-

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..

Huh?

Lu, HMW was remixed by several DJ’s and is on the Billboard dance club charts. I’m sure that’s what he’s referring too.

ETA: Oh, I like this part of the blog:

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.

Whether Blake Lewis was “dropped” or his option wasn’t renewed makes no difference to me. I just find it such a happy coincidence that he lost his record deal shortly after he publically called a former Idol winner a “douche bag.”

Karma, baby.

They turned out great and are rising on the Billboard charts. How Many Words is in the top 40. HOLY SHIT!!!! its currently 29

:ponder_tb:

But notice he doesnt say Top 40 on what chart? And are people actually downloading it? He never could manage decent downloads.

They turned out great and are rising on the Billboard charts. How Many Words is in the top 40. HOLY SHIT!!!! its currently 29

“How Many Words” is currently #39 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. That means it’s getting spun in dance clubs across the country.

ETA:

I just find it such a happy coincidence that he lost his record deal shortly after he publically called a former Idol winner a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“douche bag.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Wow, that story sure got around. lol.

“I just hate it when these CDs finally come out and they mostly just sound terrible/disappointing and not like the person who we saw on the show at all.”

In retrospect, he beatboxed during the competition and his album is full of it. Can’t even hear his voice. He said it was going to be “funky and eclectic” and that’s what it is. His “Break Anotha” was perfect to do aerobics to but nothing else. He had some TV guest appearances doing that song and frankly I was embarassed for him as he jumped up and down and hopped like a monkey all over the stage. His album cover looked odd with him sporting those sideburns and beard. He should have taken more guidance from Clive and done an album Clive knew would sell versus what he & his Seattle buddies wanted to do to ensure he didn’t “sell out to the establishment.”

He was the crowd favorite during the AI tour–and it was as if he had won and not Jordin. Why didn’t that equate to sales? Only 300K! The album/single was terrible–bottom line and I was positive that his label would “drop” him after 1 year. The fact that he is still being managed by 19E means nothing and for once, he’s trying to choose his words carefully and not put the final nail in his coffin.

I just find it such a happy coincidence that he lost his record deal shortly after he publically called a former Idol winner a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“douche bag.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Wow, that story sure got around. lol.

Yah, he said it. But I didn’t think it was public.

Yah, he said it. But I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think it was public.

It wasn’t. LOL