An Open Letter to Ciara

Dear Ciara,

I was a big fan of yours when you stepped into Aaliyah's lane upon her untimely death to grab some shine and team up with Petey Pablo for the chart topping "Goodies". I was even front and center when you dropped "Evolution" and continued charting crunk pop and R&B territory with an offering that, although filled with studio gimmicks, was a pretty solid offering for an artist with such a limited vocal range. But then came "Fantasy Ride" a project purported to be 3-disc release that then turned into a one disc turd and this ladies and gentleman is where the wheels began to fall off.

Ohh Ciara, how wayward you have become. Your video for the recyled, cheap "Love, Sex, and Magic" with Justin Timberlake (that by the way, was dropped off his own project - "Futuresex/Lovesongs") only goes to show how much you have been turned out by tinseltown. Lets forgive the obvious swagger jacking to focus on how everything is on display but your music. With hardly any dancing to its credit, JT get yet another pass to objectify black women in a conept that has you looking like a coked out, 60's club whore. Ciara, you are a very sexy and pretty girl, but I never imagined that you would slip into the role of vixen and put your snatch on display in order to sell records.

Speaking of records, then there is the dics, much delayed, much overhauled by concept and idea - most of the tracks, if not all, have leaked months if not years ago and now the whole thing is online for those savy or stupid enough to even download it. The tracklisting alone inspires groans. With guest appearances from JT, Ludacris, Missy Elliot, The Dream, Young Jeezy, and Chris Brown (Man, the Chris brown track is pure comedy), the album is basically dead upon arrival and a mishmash of styles that culminates into a migrane headache. If anything, your music only makes an argument for how Aailyah inevitably left a huge legacy to be filled. Sadly, your heels are not big enough to step into her shoes.

Every single track on your album is bad - which now I understand why the 17 differnt release dates, but why they didn't just can the project all together and start anew ala Mya is beyone me. In fact, like Mya's exceptional "Sugar and Spice" (no sarcasm intended) maybe this should have been a Cambodia only release. Poor thing, its really time for you to hang your tacky lacefronts up and maybe think of joining the cast of the "Justice League Superheroes" show at Six Flag Magic Mountain. Now that is a fantasy I could endure and swallow a little bit easier.