Posted July 11, 2008- Judging by the title of Robin Thicke’s new project, he, along with presidential hopeful, Barack Obama is driven towards change. Something Else, Robin’s 3rd solo Lp, which is slated to hit stores September 9, exemplifies political and musical alteration. And if you let Robin dictate it, he’ll agree 100%, “It’s time for something else” he asserts. The blue eyed crooner opened up to BET.Com about the climate’s affect on his music, igniting a change and who really feels the affect of illegal downloading.
Since the success of Robin’s last effort, The Evolution of Robin Thicke, this was certified platinum in the states, Robin’s material has graced the slots of not only the Billboard 200, but also Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Hoj R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, and Hot Adult R&B Airplay. However, the meaning behind Robin’s new album title, Something Else, exemplifies the ambiance of a different artist, with a different mind frame. “I think it’s just the age of hope and change with the war, the recession and the oil crisis going on. It’s Barack Obama time; it’s time for something else, something different” Thicke said candidly.
And with the almighty dollar one of main reasons some are in the business of distributing music, Robin feels it’s time give the people what they really want, “Forget all the rules of milking people of that extra dollar because we can’t afford that anymore since we’re stealing music off the internet anyway, we might as well give them something that we need.”
Without saying, the role of music blogs in today’s budding music digital age doesn’t rub Robin so well and it’s not because his material is being unlawfully retrieved, it’s a reason many real musicians are starting to deal with. “It’s the reality of when you take advantage of the buyer and the people who make the art. Musicians don’t get barely of the money and their ones who make the music” Robin clarified. He added “A change just has to happen. The problem is that the small time musicians make all these records and don’t get their money or recognition as well the writers and performers on these actual records, those are the guys that miss out.”
With music blog sites taking a front seat to how music is presented to the masses, climate control amongst the industry is a conversation that occurs everyday. And while the climate is extremely unpredictable, Robin’s thoughts on the issue aren’t even up for discussion, “The climate has nothing to do with my music” Robin confirmed. “My music is something that people need in their life’s, so they’re going to track it down and go get it.”
Robin’s third solo offering, Something Else, is set to hit stores September 9th via Star Trek/Interscope Records.
Thicke’s first single, "Magic" can be heard here and a brief album review can be found here.