Genres: Rap/Hip Hop,Pop,Soundtracks,Electronica/Dance,Soul/R&BCiara has created a successful career in hip-hop soul and RnB music by being a songwriter first and then the sexy image of a diva which is an important aspect of the business. Even before the hit singles and multi-platinum selling records, it was her songwriting skills which got her the recognition and attention of record labels and producers.
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Ciara - The future Mistress of Hip Hop
"Being in this industry makes you develop more quickly than a typical child would. You mature faster." - Ciara
The Hip-Hop Maiden
Ciara has created a successful career in hip-hop soul and RnB music by being a songwriter first and then the sexy image of a diva which is an important aspect of the business. Even before the hit singles and multi-platinum selling records, it was her songwriting skills which got her the recognition and attention of record labels and producers.
A genre where there are so many pretenders, Ciara's creative songwriting and the sexy yet rough image even got her a Best New Artist nomination at the 2006 edition of the Grammy Awards. Ciara has sold nearly 7 million albums world wide and has also acted into two motion pictures, toured with rap superstar Jay-Z; Ciara has also won the coveted "Woman of the Year" at the 2008 Billboard Music Award.
Around the World
Ciara was brought up all around the world as her father was in the army. She spent some time in Germany where her father was posted. Her various experiences made her a more rounded and well informed person.
As a teenager she was inspired to become a singer after watching Destiny's Child perform on TV. Ciara started her own all-girl band called Hearsay; the band started rehearsing and recording demos. Though it was short-lived it gave the Ciara the right experience in performing and songwriting which would help her in her future.
She managed to get a songwriting deal and wrote her first single for the 2004 American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino debut album "Free Yourself". The song "Got me Waiting". The song got her attention of producer Jazze Pha who would introduce Ciara to the world and be her mentor. Jazze Pha would not only mould her career but would help Ciara become a star.
The Goodies
Ciara along with Jazze Pha recorded several demos while she was still college. By the end of 2003 she singed to Babyface record label "LaFace" with the help Jazze Pha and by 2004 she debut her first album "Goodies". Ciara was lucky to get many notable collaborations on the album including superstar R.Kelly who co-wrote "And I" and rapper Ludacris.
The videos featured a sexy but rough Ciara, an image different from the rest of the bandwagon. The album featured all four demos recorded with Jazzy Pha four years before. The title track was a No.1 hot single making the album go triple platinum. Two more hit singles and a small tour later Ciara crowned the effort with 2 Grammy nominations.
The Evolution
Her next album "Ciara: The Evolution" released in 2006 was co-produced by Lil Jon and Jazze Pha debut at No.1 in the US charts. Apart from her two favorite producers, the production duties were handled by many star producers including The Neptunes, Will.I.Am and Bryan Michael Fox who has worked with artists such as Usher, Mary J Blige and Mariah Carey.
Ciara this time was more open in her songwriting and included fashion as theme into her music. There was heavy promotion of the album and Ciara herself went on a 17-city headlining club tour called The Evolution Tour. The album also contained softer ballads apart from the hip-hop and RnB style which is her defining style.
Ciara also collaborated with rapper 50 Cents for the song "Can't leave 'em Alone". A moderate hit with a slightly raunchy video. The album was certified platinum. In 2006 she also made her acting debut with the movie "All You've Got".
Fantasy Rides
Ciara released her third album titled "Fantasy Ride" in May 2009. Even though it did debut in the top 5, yet it is her weakest selling album to date. The album tried several concepts like Ciara's alter ego comic character Super C. It even had collaboration with Justin Timberlake on the track "Love Sex and Magic" and Chris Brown on "Turntable". The video were concept driven. The album has tried various new ideas yet it lacked a cohesive effort of where to take that idea.
There was heavy promotion and marketing campaigns in media. Ciara performed at several day time and prime time talk shows like Good Morning America and Jimmy Kimmel. She also toured with Britney Spears as an opening act for her Circus London tour. She co-headlined with Jay-Z for 6 shows in the US.
In 2009 she also signed a multi-million dollar modeling contract and her clothes line is on the cards. She was the cover of Jay-Z clothing line Rockefella. She also acted in her second movie Mama I want to Sing which will be released in 2010. Ciara is planning her fourth album which will again feature Justin Timberlake
- Ciara created controversy when she appeared nude for Vibe magazine photo-shoot. She claims that the magazine edited the image
- She is the face of the Verizon's smartphone
- Ciara collaborated with several superstar artists for the Just Stand Up song which is a charity against Cancer
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