Armed with an arsenal of timeless hit singles and award-winning albums, R&B quartet Jagged Edge is ready to release another soon-to-be classic for their fans. The group’s upcoming album, set for a summer release, will be their seventh studio album. Singersroom was given the opportunity to speak with the dynamic performers about their forthcoming project.
First up, J.E. tells Singersroom that amidst the pressure to compete with younger artists like Trey Songz and Chris Brown, they still feel their music can stand on its own.
The group says, “It’s competition in a sense but not by design. It’s competition because any business when you put out a product you’re going to compete but I think at the same time I believe that Jagged Edge is its own thing. We can hold our own.”
However, with six previously released albums how does the group manage to stay relevant and keep themselves ahead of the curb? To them the answer is simple: “Well music changes so much that I think one of the keys to our success has been that. We aren’t afraid of change with music. If you want us to sing real fast, we’ll do one or two songs where we sing real fast. If you want Autotune, we’ll do one or two songs with Autotune [Laughs].”
Jagged Edge goes on to say, “I feel like that’s what you can expect from this album as well. Of course, the things people have grown to love us for which are usually our ballads and meaningful heartfelt records will be on the album as well. So we take that and add in all the trendy stuff.”
Change is key with Jagged Edge and has allowed the veterans to stand the test of time. The group speaks on balancing your identity as an artist with the imminent change of the industry in saying, “First of all you don’t want to lose who you are as an artist but at the same time you want to infuse what’s new and what’s different. Every year music grows and goes to different places and you don’t want to be so stuck in who you are and your identity that you forget to add the old in with the new.”
For over two decades, the R&B group Jagged Edge has kept their audience captivated with timeless music that speaks to real life experiences. After taking a break from the spotlight for seven years, they’ve returned and are determined to keep up with today’s ever-changing trends in music. On their mission to stay relevant and compete in an oversaturated industry, we sat down with Jagged Edge to hear how they plan on doing it.
The Atlanta based quartet consists of twin brothers Brandon and Brian Casey, Kyle Norman, and Richard Wingo. Throughout their career, they have released six albums that spawned nine Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart including “Where The Party At,” “Let’s Get Married” and “Walked Outta Heaven.” But despite all of their success, staying ahead of the game is still paramount in order for them to remain competitive.
In this exclusive interview with Jagged Edge, they give insight into what motivates them as artists while also breaking down some of the pressures involved when trying to maintain longevity within the music industry. They discuss everything from remaining humble in spite of fame to learning how to ride out the storm when dealing with criticism. Read on as Jagged Edge talks about staying relevant and competing against other acts for respect!
Maintaining A Musical Legacy
In the music industry, it is no small feat to maintain a successful career and remain relevant. This is especially true for veteran hip-hop group Jagged Edge, who have been in the game since 1997. As time marches on, staying ahead of trends can be quite difficult; however, this group has consistently demonstrated their ability to stay at the top of their genre.
Jagged Edge has had several hit singles over the years that still get airplay today. Their sound often combines elements of R&B with rap lyrics and production that manages to feel both classic and modern all at once. Although they are widely considered one of the most influential groups in the history of hip hop, there’s always pressure from new artists trying to make their own mark on the music landscape.
In light of these challenges, Jagged Edge continues to release material that sounds fresh while also acknowledging their roots as performers. They recently released two brand new albums which showcase their signature style while not shying away from experimentation and pushing themselves creatively. With such an impressive track record spanning decades, it looks like Jagged Edge will continue leaving their indelible imprint on hip-hop culture for many more years to come.
Challenges Of The Music Industry
Despite the success of veteran groups like Jagged Edge, there are still many challenges that come with navigating the music industry. As established acts make their way back into the spotlight, they face stiff competition from up-and-coming artists who can often be more tech savvy and adept at marketing themselves for maximum visibility. Additionally, streaming services have drastically changed how people access and consume music, leading to a decrease in revenue for artists across all genres.
The need to keep up with trends has also become increasingly important as well; however, it can be difficult to incorporate new sounds and styles without alienating long-time fans or straying too far away from an act’s original sound. It is therefore essential for any artist trying to stay relevant to find a balance between innovation and staying true to their roots.
Jagged Edge has certainly accomplished this feat over their decades-long career; they continue releasing material that both pays homage to their classic style while also incorporating modern elements. Their dedication to creating music that resonates with listeners both old and young speaks volumes about their commitment to longevity in the music world.
Conclusion
We have seen that the success of Jagged Edge has been built on their ability to stay relevant and competitive in an ever-changing music industry. They have done this by continually evolving their sound, experimenting with new styles, pushing boundaries and collaborating with other artists. However, staying ahead of the game is not easy; they must constantly be aware of what is trending while also keeping true to themselves and their original vision as a group.
This pressure to evolve can be overwhelming but it’s something that we all face in one way or another. It’s important for us to remember that although there are constant changes in our lives, at its core, success comes from staying true to who you are and embracing change when necessary.
Ultimately, Jagged Edge remind us that great achievement doesn’t come without hard work – no matter how much things may change around us. With dedication and passion, anything is possible!
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