The Showdown: Beyonce’s “I Am Sasha Fierce” vs Keri Hilson’s “In A Perfect World”
So…… As most of you know I was sleeping, snoring and in complete comatose when it came to Ms Keri… That is until I heard her debut album, I LIVE!!!
As you also know, I am a huge Beyonce stan!
I believe that an artist like Beyonce doesn’t benefit from EVERYONE telling her she’s so great, she’s perfect because in actuality no artist is. Honest feedback is the key to staying on top in this game… If she is to remain Queen her fans have to be honest with themselves and her…
In this new article I’m going to compare and contrast two great records from two very different artist, give the pros and cons and ultimately choose a favorite. I’mma jump right in!
Let’s begin with Keri:
Her comments about Beyonce shortly before her album release insured more then a few albums were gonna be left of the shelf her first week. That turned me and a lot of people off and that’s a shame because this is really one of the best albums I’ve heard in a long time.
Pros:
* strong debut
* one of the best produced albums of 2009
* great lyrical content, highly relatable writing
* well thought out and well executed
* extremely listenable
Cons:
* Weak vocals leave you wanted more
Now the Queen B:
When I heard about the concept for this third album I was real excited. I missed R&B Beyonce, last seen on “Dangerously In Love” but couldn’t get enough of “B’DAY”, perhaps the best urban dance pop album EVER! Essentially what I thought when I swiped my MasterCard for 13.99 was one disc r&b and one disc urban dance pop… We all know that’s not what is.
Pros:
* single ladies video
* something for almost everyone
* sasha disc fire
* Something new from Beyonce
* Bold approach
Cons:
* substantially weaker then previous 2 albums
* clear crossover effort
* ill executed concept
The “Sasha” disc is hot but not as hot as the 10 tracks on the original “B’DAY”, not by far…
Basically what we have here is a weak follow up hiding behind the success of 1 or 2 singles, a HUGE promo campaign and left over fire from Sasha’s real introduction” B’DAY”… Not a bad album but not at all what it should have been…
VS
A well calculated debut no one saw coming from a great new artist. Though she’ll never wield as much power, vocal prowess or commercial value as Beyonce, she did come HARD with this one! My only issue with her is in a perfect world she’d have a stronger voice…
I know the Beyonce stans are gonna slay me for this one but it is what it is. She delivered a good album but at the end of the day it looks, sounds and is an experimental crossover album, a science project. “I Am Sasha Fierce” isn’t as rewarding or as strong as it should have been.
July 13, 2009 at 8:23 PM
U TRIED IT lol…that’s all that’s needed to be said. That is your choice cant take that away from you. I also agree with Keri’s album being very decent. Didn’t expect it from her at all. The only thing that turned me off about the album is that she had all this fire power behind it…she had the write lyrics(she’s a good sing writer), good production, good guest artists, but her voice was lacking. I’m sorry you can’t have Kanye and Ne-yo over shadow you on our own track. She has a great voice she didn’t use it correctly. Me and you have bumped heads over the whole Sasha/BDAY topic before so no need to go there again. I just loved how she did something diifferent. If you keep doing the samething over again it’s going to get old. You hit it right on the head when you said you missed the R&B/POP aspect of her first album and the Hard noise edge she gave on her second. She did both on the new album…Hands down I listen to I AM Sasha more then In a pefrect world.
July 14, 2009 at 10:26 AM
I appreciate you not slayin me Jared
To further respond to Dimp:
Keri’s album came out of no where, it’s more listenable and better produced then Beyonce album, can we agree on that? Can’t you play “In A Different World” almost the whole way through without hating too much???
July 14, 2009 at 6:38 AM
oh i so so so so disagree wit the winner. BUt i dont disagree about the albums. I like keri’s album as well as Beyonce’s. i jus think that beyonce offered more of a selection.
July 14, 2009 at 10:24 AM
I like both albums too and yes your right, Beyonce’s is more of a collectionbut that’s only because she was tryin to get the white kids with this one too. There is something for everyone on “I Am Sasha Fierce” but disc one isn’t beyonce at all. That’s beyonce trying to be adult contemporary, trying to increase her market value. Beyonce is a r&b diva by day and a urban dance pop goddess when it’s time to hit the club. This new album isn’t her, not at all…
September 9, 2009 at 3:34 AM
IN DA PERFECT WORLD IS DA BEST I ONLY LYK SWEET DREAMS FROM BEYOUNCE ALBUM
September 24, 2009 at 3:30 AM
im actually listening to Bee’s album right now and its a classic album – variety and what myt be called ”deviance” in her case. i have both albums and i believe both ladies put in their all into their work. keri is on fire and her swag comes through the airwaves like braille, no lies- beyonce done been there already, so lets not even start to compare. cross-over album – maybe, but there’s no crime in that. the strategy and production worked for her. beyonce takes it for me. keri just needs to improve her vocal strength – two amazing albums to. im loving them
to those that say ”I am…” isnt Bee, well, u cant really say that coz u dnt know her like that yea. peace
September 24, 2009 at 7:39 AM
I respect your opinion but you know who my vote is for. Keri delivered a much more listenable album that’s true to form.
ike you said, there is no crime in crossing over but B could have been more graceful with it, she could have done better. “Ave Maria” is a mess and should NEVER have been considered for the album… I think Beyonce had an objective with the album, 2 actually. She wanted to cross over and prove she could dance and she accomplished those goals…
Keri’s goal was to assume a role that’s been vacant since Beyonce left in with B’day, moving from r&b to urban dance pop. Right now there is no badder chick in r&b then Ms Carey, unless we start talking about Mariah Carey…
November 12, 2009 at 7:47 AM
I don’t know anyone on here but I have read all the comments. Beyonce is and always will be a great singer with an awesome voice, a beatifull entertainer, and of course an artist. Each and every last one of her albums are different. Each time she will surprise you and there is just no comparison between the two women. Keri Hilson can hold a tune, a very light touch in her voice. Compare her to Aaliyah, Aaliyah kills her vocals and look and style for that matter. LOL! Don’t get me wrong, i’m no hater of Keri, but she needs to come harder and have variety in her music…People get tired of hearing the same thing…I know I do. Beyonce you will always be on top. Keep doing what you’re doing, attracting not only African Americans, but other races also. THANK YOU B!!!