In this King B world, it’s hard out here for a female R&B singer. Magnify that difficulty by a thousand for the girls who shared her spotlight on the come up. Especially for Kelly Rowland. Just as beautiful, trained to belt out the same notes while dancing full out in heels, she has all the ingredients needed to become one of Pop music’s greatest confections. Yet she’s struggled since Destiny’s Child disbanded a decade ago, with disappointing solo efforts.
But as Beyonce’s recent album, 4, is any indication, life as Mrs. Carter is treating her pretty well, leaving the Pop lane (slightly) open for single girl anthems. With a string of feel good tracks on her latest album, Here I Am, Kelly Rowland finally gets to have her time in the sun.
The album’s momentum is mainly fueled by her biggest hit to date, the leg-numbing “Motivation.” 
With sexual charges popping all over the track and a guest spot from Weezy, a VIBE cover featuring her jumblies seemed inevitable. Big Sean assists her on the second single, “Lay It On Me.” The island tempo makes it radio friendly, but Big Sean keeps the track afloat: “Girl it’s your world, I’m just chillin’ on the map.”
On the “night out with the girls” anthem “I’m Dat Chick,” she lets us know that Kanye’s “light-skinned girls and some Kelly Rowland’s” accolades were duly noted. The heavy bassline and schoolyard chant almost begs for a dance floor and heels. But scoring your own Kelly Rowland requires some effort. Lil Play joins Kelly on “Work It Man,” as she lays down the rules: “Ain’t no other place he’d rather be, than putting in 9-5 with me.”
She truly shines on the album’s ballads. On “Feelin Me Right Now,” she acknowledges her own badness, falling in love with herself as she catches glimpses of her reflection in the mirror: “Don’t give me your number, it’s already in my iPhone.” She gives us a lovemaking lesson on the mellow track “All Of The Night,” featuring Rico Love. She vows to never give her love away on the sweet and sincere “Keep It Between Us.” The sultry track sounds like a secret love note to keep the fire burning. It would make for a great remix with Trey Songz (or maybe that’s what I secretly wish for).
In a smart move, Kelly remembers the dance community that held her down for the past decade. Here I Am includes the David Guetta dance hit “Commander.” And you can almost see the flashing lights all over the club banger “Down For Whatever.”
Here I Am is a solid effort by Destiny’s other child. Kelly shines on the material, but leaves us wondering what she could do with an album full of powerhouse producers. Come get your girl, ‘Ye.
addictive tracks on here! “motivation”, “lay it on me”, “feelin me right now”, “turn it up”, “commander” & “down for whatever” all are hot hot hot! and “heaven & earth” is the most beautiful ballad i’ve heard in a long time. empowering. right on kelly! love you!
lOVE THE ALBUM FROM START TO FINSIH. GREAT JOB MISS KELLY
I’m lovin this CD right now 🙂
SO YOU REVIEW THIS NON-HIPHOP ALBUM ON A HIPHOP SITE BUT STILL NOTHING ON LYRICAL LAW!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
THIS IS WHY HIPHOP IS DEAD!
Sheesh. Get over yourself.
hip-hop is better than ever, go to sleep virgin
Better than Beyonce’s latest thats for damn sure. I’ve always liked Kelly and this is a great album she put together. I hope this does the numbers it deserves to do.
I THOUGHT THIS WAS A HIPHOP SITE!!!!!
NEXT TIME SOME REVIEWS OF TECHNO ALBUMS???
Kelly Rowland can suck my dick.
So i’m guessing you love the CD?
damn.
@ kenneth Thomas, I doubt kelly would fuck with you if you were the last nigga on earth, with ya lil dirty lookin ass
@Kenboy. Keep dreaming bitch. With you looking like a cracked out Insecticon you aint getting head from anybody.
You garbage can smellin, dirtier than a scum suckin goblin lookin’ punk-ass twat. better not even think about me anymore, it sickens me to even think that you’d have any kind of dick even worth kicking with my manolo heels, let alone suck!? hahahaha, not even in another life you little scrub…keep dreaming!
YOU SHOULD SUCK YOURS BITCH ASS NIGGA !!!
Excellent Album!
This Cd must be heard in your ride! It certainly bumps… The Production is so tight on this one. She is on point with this.
yea this album is hot!
sexy!!!
who care about this bitch
who your mom? I sure don’t, that’s why she stays my bottom bitch. suckin’ dick, lickin rectum, then she kisses you and your pops with them lips….
SMH when rooting for the underdog goes wrong, this is her weakest album by miles, and i hate the new image she is trying to sell.
Kelly is something she and beyonce have that awful good vibe!
Nice Jada, nice! Congrats on the article!
Vakill should have a full review.
people need stop hating. Kelly has always been sexy , so what are you guys talking about ? There’s a few songs on here that are good , not all. Kelly debuted at no. 3 on the album charts. She has a different sound than beyonce . Leave her alone !
Liked Kelly since I was 7 years old, dead serious lol
I like this
Nice!
this is hot
I really like this album. Nice beats and songs and she definitely in her “Grown A$$ Woman” bag.
so bad as for Kelly…
only Motivation
Good