Patti LaBelle speaks out on Celine Dion, race and record sales

[marc-02]

THE CANADIAN PRESS 47 minutes ago

 

MONTE CARLO, Monaco - R&B legend Patti LaBelle says one of the biggest obstacles she's had to face in her career has been watching friend and fellow diva Celine Dion soar up the charts with a song she recorded first.

 

LaBelle tells the online magazine MonacoRevue.com that racism in the music industry is what kept her from reaching the same heights with the single "If You Asked Me To."

 

Dion's 1992 rendition soared to number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while LaBelle's version three years earlier peaked at number 79.

 

LaBelle says Dion had the sales "because she's a white girl" and that people pay more respect to white artists who sing well than black women.

 

Nevertheless, she went on to refer to Dion as a friend, and said that she's satisfied with her lengthy career and is grateful for the blessings in her life.

 

Both LaBelle and Dion were honoured with career achievement awards at the World Music Awards in Monaco earlier this month.

 

"Why do I think Celine had the sales and I didn't? Because she's a white girl," LaBelle tells the Canadian-owned magazine based in Monaco.

 

"You want me to be honest? That's why."

 

"People pay more respect to white artists who sing well before they do black women," she continues in the question-and-answer piece, posted Nov. 23.

 

"I've been singing for 45 years and that's an obstacle that I'm still ... I'm getting over it because I'm fabulous. You know, so you can't beat me up. You can't make me feel less than I am because whenever I get the microphone I'm gonna show you who I am. But the industry is very racist."

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20071127/ca..._labelle_dion_1

[VintageCeline]

That is ridiculous!

 

Im so angry that when people refer to race for the reasoning of something, its an excuse.

 

Petti LaBelle isnt that famous over here in the UK because she didnt make that much of an effort to promote herself, and comparing herself to Celine - Where she has made an effort to promote herself, and release singles/albums over here.

 

If Celine would say it, but reverse it on Black people, she would be seen as a "rasist". Its a joke.

Edited November 27, 2007 by VintageCeline

[beelee]

Now, I'm not agreeing with Patti on this particular example, but she's speaking some truth there.

 

It's a well known fact that black artists were not always supported 100% by radio back in the day.

[Alex_Incognito]

Welcome to the USA, where everything is black and white. BS.

 

Now...let's take a look at US charts.

 

There are more african americans on the pop charts topping with hits, while Celine doesn't even make the cut anymore. A la Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, 50 Cent, etc, etc. This whole white vs black thing is blown out of proportion today. But that card gets overplayed and lawsuits run wild because of this.

 

She needs to take a vacation and realize that Celine made that song.

Edited November 27, 2007 by Alex_Incognito

[beelee]

Welcome to the USA, where everything is black and white. BS.

 

Now...let's take a look at US charts.

 

There are more african americans on the pop charts topping with hits, while Celine doesn't even make the cut anymore. A la Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, 50 Cent, etc, etc.

 

She needs to take a vacation and realize that Celine made that song.

Let's keep in mind that she's not talking about today. She's talking about when she first started out.

[VintageCeline]

Welcome to the USA, where everything is black and white. BS.

 

Now...let's take a look at US charts.

 

There are more african americans on the pop charts topping with hits, while Celine doesn't even make the cut anymore. A la Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, 50 Cent, etc, etc.

 

She needs to take a vacation and realize that Celine made that song.

 

I agree! x

[Alex_Incognito]

"If you asked me to" was in 1992---hello---the rap era.

[beelee]

"If you asked me to" was in 1992---hello---the rap era.

Yes, but we're not talking about rap; we're talking about black female singers.

 

Historically, there's only been a handful of black women who have been successful genre-wide. The majority of them were only successful in the urban market.

[Dionesque]

LaBelle's version was released in 1989, in 1992 it was only Céline's version. So don't talk about rap era, it wasn't that back in '89!

 

I agree with Patti about this racist aspect...

 

But of course in this particular case it might not have been the only factor why her version of the song flopped...

[Alex_Incognito]

I don't think the fact that Nat King Cole was black made him any less successful, same goes with Billie Holiday, Etta James, Donna Summer, Dionne Warwick, Johnny Mathis, and the list goes on.

 

If you listen to Celine's "If you asked me to" compared to Patti's, you can see why one was a hit.

 

I think, as with the case in most music, music is good because it's good. There's not much about colour to it.

 

PS-rap was very big in the US in 1989!

Edited November 27, 2007 by Alex_Incognito

[Ted]

Now, I'm not agreeing with Patti on this particular example, but she's speaking some truth there.

 

It's a well known fact that black artists were not always supported 100% by radio back in the day.

 

Well, it's not true today. It's all R&B, Hip Hop, Rappers. They have taken the shows over (like Billboard Awards). I can't stand Hip Hop and Rapper music.

10 years ago music was darn good. Then it happened the baggie pants, and music videos that made me shudder. In the past 10 years the music went down hill.

[peo]

Wow! Patti is really harsh in this interview. Edited November 27, 2007 by peo

[rodrigo_alka]

and Whitney ? she's black too... hehe and she sells album... Edited November 27, 2007 by rodrigo_alka

[Cambroneroj]

Whatever Patty, stop the racism talk . U didnt make it as good as Celine too bad ,don't blame it on Racism its gotta be something else.

 

Just like Michael Jackson blamed Motola when his album flopped, same statement Racism! Whatever, MOVING FWD...

[PrincesseJen]

Patti, don't hate cuz white girl got soul.http://www.smileysets.us/temp/PRINCESS/sleep.gif

 

 

 

[peo]

Patti, don't hate cuz white girl got soul.http://www.smileysets.us/temp/PRINCESS/sleep.gif

 

 

 

 

You go Girl!

[idroveallnight]

It is ridiculous. Rap, Hip Hop, and RnB have predominated the charts since Celine had her last hit with TTWII in 1999. I hate when people use the race card as an excuse. Bottom line is that Celine clearly has a better voice than Patti (and Celine's appearance back then was less than stellar so she can't blame her success on her good looks).

[PrincesseJen]

It is ridiculous. Rap, Hip Hop, and RnB have predominated the charts since Celine had her last hit with TTWII in 1999. I hate when people use the race card as an excuse. Bottom line is that Celine clearly has a better voice than Patti (and Celine's appearance back then was less than stellar so she can't blame her success on her good looks).

 

 

Yeah, Celine's big hair on "If You Asked Me To" could have easily passed for a fro. http://www.smileysets.us/temp/PRINCESS/unsure.gif

[Lawna]

I agree with you all! It may have been the case back in the day...but let's face it! Celine's version totally out does Patti's...sorry girlfriend but your version was not poppin'! hehe.

 

Patti's statement would be like if Celine says that she doesn't get anymore #1s because she isn't a black woman singing hip hop and R&B in todays music...this is a load of crap, I like Patti but I can't believe she would stoop so low as to say that has been an obstacle (seeing Celine's version be successful and not hers) in her career.

 

I do understand the racism factor...but let's be serious here...Celine has so many other factors that we can call obstacles...remember her teeth lol or her bad hair? or style? or how skinny she is? or how people hate her voice, or her mannerism or her accent??? HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!! This has not stopped Celine from being the biggest selling female artist of all time...and it sure hasn't stopped Celine's passion or confidence. Let's not make excuses Ms. Labelle.

Edited November 27, 2007 by Lawna

[Bellamy]

I don't think racism is a big issue in music industry. There're so many successful and respectable black singers.

[deelicious07]

I agree with most of you. I mean, has Patti LaBelle taken a look at the music charts lately? In my opinion racism is not as prevalent in the music industry as it once was. There are indeed many African American musicians out there doing really well. Celine Dion has done covers for a lot of songs and did a wonderful job with each of them including Tina Turner's "River Deep Mountain High." Patty should not use "racism" as an EXCUSE. Mariah (even though she is half white) and Whitney have had amazing careers and were making hits before Celine did. Celine came from behind and garnered HUGE SUCCESS!!! She didn't make it up there because she is white. It takes talent and hard work, all of which Celine has proven time and time again.

[Bellamy]

Actually it was harder for Celine sometimes, cause many people think white singer can't sing with soul. That's bullshit.

[AndrewAK6324]

Whatever Patty, stop the racism talk . U didnt make it as good as Celine too bad ,don't blame it on Racism its gotta be something else.

 

I agree, sounds to me that she is being racist just because Celine is selling twice as many records than her.

Edited November 27, 2007 by AndrewAK6324

[Nando Férri]

Who knew that today you need to be a black singer to sell.

 

And I can't agree with her. Look at Whitney, Aretha, Tina.. It's ridiculous. But who cares...

[PopMusicBoy]

Yeah that's why so many rappers nowadays aren't popular.

[WaterFromTheMoon]

Pattie talks about the same stuff on this vid.... check it out

 

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=5WIOyA8NuEU&watch_response

[Krys]

she's just indulging herself. let her be

[CelineFreak]

I agree with most of you. I mean, has Patti LaBelle taken a look at the music charts lately? In my opinion racism is not as prevalent in the music industry as it once was. There are indeed many African American musicians out there doing really well. Celine Dion has done covers for a lot of songs and did a wonderful job with each of them including Tina Turner's "River Deep Mountain High." Patty should not use "racism" as an EXCUSE. Mariah (even though she is half white) and Whitney have had amazing careers and were making hits before Celine did. Celine came from behind and garnered HUGE SUCCESS!!! She didn't make it up there because she is white. It takes talent and hard work, all of which Celine has proven time and time again.

 

 

Oh no she DIDN'T! Did she really play the race card? Seriously? Was she living under a rock in 1992? Yes, Whitney was HUGE in 1992 and I believe Maria was right behind her. Labelle comes from the 60s/70s... she has a different sound. Someone hip new and young comes along, of course they're gonna blow her out of the water. Whitney blew her out of the water...forget about Celine. Celine took the same song and made it connect with early 90s listeners.

 

I can't believe SHE of all people is whining about racism. African American's have come SO far and she can't even see that.

[smw]

hmmmm....I'm going to stick with the fact that Celine is by far and away the better singer. Patti ain't up there with Whitney and Celine.

[Javier_Natalio]

When I read "race" on the title of the thread, I thought "race"? Who's racing? Is Céline sprinting? hahahahaha, I honestly did. Edited November 27, 2007 by wacko.javo