Rebellious Soul

Rebellious Soul is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter K. Michelle. The album was released on August 13, 2013, by Atlantic Records. Its songs were mostly co-written and co-composed by Michelle and Bianca Atterberry. Other artists who collaborated on the album include Tank, Priscilla Renea, Meek Mill, Jack Splash and Barry White. Musically, Rebellious Soul was inspired by Michelle's love for emotional ballads, and the 1970s and 1980s eras in music. She incorporated different combinations of musical genres, including electronic, R&B, hip hop, soul and gospel, for the album's songs.

Rebellious Soul
Studio album by
K. Michelle
ReleasedAugust 13, 2013 (2013-08-13)
Recorded2012–13
GenreR&B, soul
Length44:35
LabelAtlantic
ProducerAlonzo Harris, Andrew "Hit Drew" Clifton, Pop & Oak, Bridgetown, David "Swagg R'Celious" Harris , Eric Hudson, Ezekiel Lewis, Happy Perez, Jack Splash, Nexx Generation, Tank, Troy Taylor, Stridah Von
K. Michelle chronology
0 Fucks Given
(2012)		 Rebellious Soul
(2013)		 Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart?
(2014)
Singles from Rebellious Soul
  1. "V.S.O.P."
    Released: May 20, 2013
  2. "Can't Raise a Man"
    Released: January 13, 2014

Upon its release, the album debuted at number two on the ‘’Billboard’’ 200, and peaked at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, selling 123,000 copies in its first week. Rebellious Soul produced two singles, "V.S.O.P.", released on May 20, 2013, and “Can't Raise a Man” was released on January 13, 2014. Michelle promoted Rebellious Soul through an album release party, televised live performances, radio interviews and a concert tour.

The album sold over a million copies worldwide by 2014 and Michelle won the Soul Train Music Award for Best New Artist at the 2013 Soul Train Music Awards. Michelle embarked on the album's first supporting concert tour, Rebellious Soul Tour, in November 2013. Reviews of Rebellious Soul were generally positive, with critics applauding Michelle's personal themes.

Background

In 2008, K. Michelle signed a recording contract with Jive Records.[1] She was working on her debut album titled Pain Medicine. Featured on the album were Trina, Gucci Mane, Akon, Usher, and R. Kelly.[2][3][4] Michelle parted ways with RCA in 2011 after initially signing with Jive. "I wanted to get out of my label contract because of things that I couldn't control that happened to me. I did not get dropped. They didn't understand me, and a part of me thinks that I didn't understand myself," K. Michelle says. In 2012, K. Michelle began appearing as one of the main cast members on the VH1 reality television series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.[5] Because of the publicity given to her from starring on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, she signed a recording contract to Atlantic Records and began working on her debut studio album.

Michelle later announced that the title of her debut album was Rebellious Soul on January 2013.[6] On April 23, 2013, "I Just Wanna" was released as her official buzz single for the promotion of the album.[7] On July 15, 2013, Michelle revealed the album cover artwork for Rebellious Soul.[8] Which she posed with her famous red hair, black dress that showed her curves, while standing in a room with rose petals and lit candles. The cover gives you a since of seduction in an elegant way.[9] About the title of the album Michelle explained, "I decided to name my album ‘Rebellious Soul’ because it’s basically me. I’m always in trouble for my beliefs and I’m not a very scary person. If I believe it, I say it. If I feel it, I do it. And I don’t really care who’s there to judge because I’m being me."[10]

Singles

"V.S.O.P." was released as the album's lead single on May 20, 2013. The song was produced by Pop & Oak, and contains a sample of "Very Special" performed by Debra Laws, as well as "That's How Long" performed by The Chi-Lites.[11][12] "V.S.O.P." reached at number 89 on the US Hot 100 Singles[13] and number 27 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.[14] The music video (directed by Benny Boom) was released on June 29, 2013.[15][16]

The album's second single, Can't Raise a Man, was officially released on November 16, 2012 and was later reissued on January 13, 2014 for the album. The song peaked at number 23 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 94 on the US Hot 100 Singles charts. The music video (directed by Benny Boom) was released on February 8, 2014.

Critical response
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic71/100[17]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[18]
The Guardian[19]
The New York Timesneutral[20]
PopMatters[21]
Starpulsepositive[22]
VIBEpositive[23]

Rebellious Soul has received mostly positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 71, which indicates "generally favorable reviews", based on 5 reviews.[17] Andy Kellman of Allmusic praised the material influenced by classic soul, citing "Damn" and lead single "V.S.O.P." as key examples, overall referring to it as a "compact, lyrically diverse debut."[18] Stacy-Ann Ellis of Vibe notes Michelle's "rough around the edges" demeanor as evidenced in her role in Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, but points out that the album shows more to her than just the " 'shaking the table' moments, Piscean dramatics and a mouthful of expletives. Her keep-it-real charm drew fans in, and her rebellious soul will keep them there."[23]

Maura Johnston of MSN Music wrote, "Reality TV junkies might know this fiery singer from VH1′s ‘Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta,’ but she's been releasing real-talk-filled mixtapes for the past three years ... She shows off her super-raunchy, defiantly strong and maternally devoted sides, among others. All of these lyrics sound like they were written in moments of high passion, thanks in part to her take-no-prisoners voice."

Ayara Pommells of Soul Train said, "Overall Rebellious Soul is a great effort from K.Michelle. You can expect to be serenaded with tales of heartbreak, sexual encounters for grown folks and mantras of female empowerment. The production is complementary to both K.Michelle’s heavy vocals and candid lyrical content. She does not drown in the instrumentals. The beats are relatively simple without ever crossing over into vanilla territory. Every detail on this album has been carefully constructed so as to allow K.Michelle to shine her brightest."

Elias Legit of PopMatters was more critical, promptly reminiscing of 2009 buzz single "Fakin' It" as a sign of her manipulation over men and pumping up their egos, while lamenting that the same power was nowhere to be found on Rebellious Soul.[21] Jon Caramancia of The New York Times praised Michelle's "tremendous promise," but was critical of her foul language and lack of boundaries in regards to subject matter, stating, "What she’s missing is restraint."[20]

Commercial performance

Rebellious Soul debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts with 72,000 units album sales.[24][25] In its second week the album dropped 12 places to number 14.[26] In its third week the album dropped 14 places to number 28.[27] In its fourth week the album dropped 15 places to number 43.[28] The album spent 14 consecutive weeks before dropping out of the Billboard 200 chart on the last week ending November 2013.[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]

Promotion

To promote the Rebellious Soul album, K. Michelle embarked on her very first headlining tour, The Rebellious Soul Tour presented by BET Music Matters. The 19 city tour kicked off in November 4, 2013 in San Francisco and ended on December 3, 2013 in Boston. It included stops in Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, and Atlanta. Opening acts featured Chris Brown protégé Sevyn Streeter and Tiara Thomas.

On December 20, 2013 on BET’s 106 & Park, K. Michelle announced that she would be joining Robin Thicke on the North American leg of his Blurred Lines Tour, kicking off on February 21, 2014, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Track listing

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes[39]

Rebellious Soul – Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."My Life" (includes "The Right One" interlude)
  • Nexx Generation
  • Spruill
  • Taylor
5:03
2."Damn"
  • Hudson
  • G-Eron[a]
3:18
3."I Don't Like Me"
  • Pate
  • Atterberry
  • James Alonzo Harris
  • David Harris
  • Harris
  • Harris
2:51
4."Can't Raise a Man"
  • Taylor
  • Lewis
3:28
5."V.S.O.P."
3:29
6."Pay My Bills"
  • Pate
  • Atterberry
  • Nathan Perez
  • Frank McDonald
  • Chris Rae
Happy Perez3:21
7."Sometimes"
  • Pate
  • Atterberry
  • Jessyca Wilson
  • Jack Splash
  • Phillip Guilbeau
Splash6:16
8."Ride Out" (includes "Coochie Symphony" prelude)
  • Harris
  • Harris
  • @Oakwud
3:56
9."Hate On Her"
  • Pate
  • Atterberry
  • Hudson
  • Clifton
  • Hudson
  • Clifton[a]
4:03
10."When I Get a Man" (includes "Rebuild This Heart" interlude)
  • Pate
  • Atterberry
  • Hudson
  • Clifton
  • Harris
  • Harris
  • Hudson
  • Clifton[a]
5:00
11."A Mother's Prayer"
  • Pate
  • Harris
  • Harris
  • Harris
  • Harris
3:57
Total length:44:43
Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)[40]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
12."Better Than Nothing"
 
13."The Right One"
  • Taylor
  • Spruill
  • Babbs
  • Taylor
  • Spruill
 
14."Same Man"
  • Pate
  • Harris
  • Harris
  • Harris
  • Harris
 
Notes
  • ^[a] signifies an additional producer
  • ^[b] signifies a co-producer
Sampling credits
  • "V.S.O.P." samples elements of "Very Special", written by Lisa Peters and William Jeffrey, and That's How Long, written by Walter Boyd and Elijah Powell.
  • "Pay My Bills" samples elements of "Night Moves", written by Frank McDonald and Chris Rae.
  • "Sometimes" samples elements of "Sometimes", written by Phillip Guilbeau.
  • "Ride Out" samples elements of "Somebody Is Gonna Off the Man", written by Barry White.
  • "Better Than Nothing" samples elements of "Goa Dreams", written by Karsh Kale, Gaurav Reina and Wayne Sharpe.

Charts

References
  1. Rodney Ho, Radio and TV Talk (September 11, 2012). "2012 flashback: Memphitz sues K Michelle for defamation". ajc. Retrieved 2014-05-27.
  2. https://www.thecut.com/2017/09/k-michelle-on-r-kelly-allegations-im-not-surprised.html
  3. "K. Michelle: "I'm the Happiest I've Been in My Career"". bet.com. August 2, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  4. Canada, Danielle (July 1, 2011). "K. Michelle Says "Fawk Jive Records", Talks R. Kelly Mentorship, Crush on Lupe Fiasco". hiphopwired.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  5. "K.Michelle | Love & Hip Hop Atlanta". VH1.com. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  6. "Twitter / kmichelle: MY ALBUM "REBELLIOUS SOUL"". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  7. "New Music: K. Michelle "I Just Wanna"". YouKnowIGotSoul.com. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  8. "Twitter / kmichelle: Tonight at midnight my album..." Twitter.com. 2013-07-15. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  9. "K Michelle REBELLIOUS SOUL - 5YEARS LATER". August 13, 2018.
  10. "K. Michelle Talks About New Album "Rebellious Soul"". TV One. February 1, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  11. http://madamenoire.com/284327/pass-or-play-k-michelle-shows-her-skills-in-new-v-s-o-p-video/
  12. "BRAND NEW MUSIC: K. Michelle's "V.S.O.P" Single | The Young, Black, and Fabulous". Theybf.com. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  13. https://www.billboard.com/artist/276636/k-michelle/chart?f=379
  14. https://www.billboard.com/artist/276636/k-michelle/chart?f=367
  15. BRIAN Davis / July 1st, 2013 (2013-07-01). "Music Video: K. Michelle – "V.S.O.P." – Concreteloop.Com | Quality Not Quantity". Concreteloop.com. Archived from the original on 2013-09-25. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  16. Exton, Emily (2013-07-01). "Watch K.Michelle's Music Video For "V.S.O.P." | Reality TV + Gossip". Blog.vh1.com. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  17. "Rebellious Soul Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  18. Kellman, Andy. "Rebellious Soul - K. Michelle : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  19. Macpherson, Alex (2013-08-08). "K Michelle: Rebellious Soul – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  20. Caramancia, Jon (2013-08-12). "CDs From K. Michelle and Leo Genovese". NYTimes. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  21. Legit, Elias (2013-08-14). "K. Michelle: Rebellious Soul". PopMatters. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  22. Faulkner, Brent (2013-08-13). "Review: K. Michelle Has A 'Rebellious Soul'". Starpulse. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  23. Ellis, Stacy-Ann (2013-08-13). "Review: K. Michelle's 'Rebellious Soul' LP Is Girl Talk, Unfiltered". VIBE. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  24. Tardio, Andres. "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 8/18/2013". HipHopDX. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  25. "Billboard Hot 200 Album Chart Archive August 31, 2013". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
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  38. "Billboard Hot 200 Album Chart Archive November 30, 2013". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  39. Rebellious Soul (booklet). Atlantic. 2013.
  40. https://www.amazon.com/Rebellious-Deluxe-Edition-ndash-Tracks/dp/B00EIS7VDE/
  41. https://www.billboard.com/artist/276636/k-michelle/chart?f=305
  42. http://www.billboard.com/artist/276636/k-michelle/chart?f=333
  43. "K. Michelle Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard.
  44. "Billboard 200 Albums - Year-End". Billboard. 2013-12-31.
  45. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  46. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
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