If chart success were based on talent alone then all things being equal Donell Jones’ star would be huge. The Chicago native from the La Face stable is a singer, songwriter and producer of considerable flair but has yet to reach the heights of lesser contemporaries. The triumph of 2001’s You Know What’s Up proved that it's possible to marry understated vocal prowess with musical integrity and produce a commercially viable product. Which is why it’s a shame that his 2006 disc Journey of a Gemini has barely registered on anyone’s radar, not because the music isn’t up to the same high standard as his previous offerings (My Heart, Where I Wanna Be, Life Goes On) but because no one except die hard fans know it’s out there. Jones should sack his PR team (if he has one) and instead employ a publicist who understands that regardless of how much talent an artist possesses it’s really all in the spin. Maybe then he’ll finally get the recognition he undoubtedly deserves. SA. Recommended CD: Life Goes On (La Face, 2002)
3 comments:
Hello SoMuchSoul;
I hope that this note finds you well. I would like to comment on your comment on Donell Jones. I actually happen to be his publicist. The name of my firm is 2R's Entertainment & Media and not for nothing for the record, I have done ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that a publicist can do for an artist. A publicist is not the only thing that breaks an artist's career. It goes on Marketing/Promotions/Retail visibility/Adverstisment all these elements come from the Record company. We can start with a video, records being played on the radio, tours...that is not a publicist's job and with out all those key elements in place there is not much that a publicist can do. But on the flip side, did you pick up his 11 page spread on SIster 2 Sister, did you pick up 3 straight issues of Vibe magazine when the album came out? Did you not see it reviewed on Rolling stone, giant, USA TODAY, Billboard Magazine? Did you not see him on 106 & Park? Not sure of what state/city you live in, but trust and believe I was able to secure a placement in the newspaper...My point here is a publicist is to get him seen once those "other" key elements are in place. Not to vent, but it's interesting when somoene is quick to point the finger and diss someone without knowing the true facts. Still till this day the label JIVE/LAFACE cares less about his project and what did I do, get him on the red carpet for the BET Hip Hop Awards that will be airing tomorrow. Also look out for him in the next issue of XXL Hip Hop Soul. So in closing, and I mean no offense by this, before pointing the finger to a specific department or agency or person, do your research.
Regards,
Ra-Fael Blanco
VP of Media Relations
2R's Entertainment & Media
TwoRsEnt@aol.com
Dear Ra-Fael,
Thanks very much for your comments.
I must admit that I haven't seen any of the articles / interviews that you refer to because I'm based in London, UK and not in the USA. Which is what I was primarily referring to when I said there's been no action on the publicity front for Donell Jones.
So thanks for clarifying but I will also clarify then that my point is that the PR team in the UK, and by that I mean his record company in the UK, are not doing anything to promote this exceptional artist. I know Donell is due to perform in London at the end of the month with Ginuwine (and that he performed with Jodeci in London earlier this year) but this has received little to no publicity. In fact, the other day I was raving to my friend about Journey of a Gemini and she was like, and I quote, "I didnt even realise that good old Don had a new album, what happened to publicity an' allll that stuff?"
I really think it would be good if Donell performed a headline residency in smaller, intimate venues like the Jazz Cafe in North London, which regularly hosts sell out week-long concert series with artists like Floetry, Jon B and many other equally talented but less hyped performers. That way, Donell could showcase his music to his small but dedicated fanbase while at the same time introducing newcomers to his sound and no doubt converting people who don't know to his music.
I respect what you do and know it ain't easy so keep up the good work Stateside. In the meantime, I'll continue to spread the word about Journey and all Donell's other great albums.
Peace.
Bravo, what phrase..., a brilliant idea
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