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

[Tal]

girlfriend needs to straighten her wig and show some humility...

 

 

As many of you have pointed out, there are multitudes of successful black artist out there...in 1992, before 1992 and after 1992. Patti's isnt the only song Celine covered that became a huge success. Look at what a huge success All By Myself was, a cover of a white man's song. This BS she's spouting makes her seem catty and completely detached from reality. If she seriously thinks the only reason Celine's version was more successful was because of race, I think we should all mail her a box of Q-Tips.

[PrincesseJen]

girlfriend needs to straighten her wig and show some humility...

 

 

As many of you have pointed out, there are multitudes of successful black artist out there...in 1992, before 1992 and after 1992. Patti's isnt the only song Celine covered that became a huge success. Look at what a huge success All By Myself was, a cover of a white man's song. This BS she's spouting makes her seem catty and completely detached from reality. If she seriously thinks the only reason Celine's version was more successful was because of race, I think we should all mail her a box of Q-Tips.

 

:lmao:

[meanttofly]

I think talking about racism to explain part of the differences between her comercial success and Celine´s on the same night when Celine is being awarded is at least unapropiate.

LaBelle preffers not to see the fact that other non white female singers where enjoying a huge success at the time. On the other hand she forgets obvious reasons like, promotion (wich makes big difference between Celine and Platinum Weird, for example) and the better commercial reception that always helps younger new artists over old popular ones, no matter how talented they are.

I can understand the talented Miss LaBelle might have been a victim of racism during her life, but I don´t think it had much to do with Celine´s version of that song being better received by the american public.

[sgcpc]

he deserves to jail!!! it is totally bullshit!!! look at the music industry now, there are plenty of black singers and plenty of black producer, and they all amazing, not only have sales, but also respected by the others!! and only because his songs didnt peak on the chart, doesnt mean people are racist, its just ppl dont like his music or his way of singing it!!!

 

this guy is a total #ss!!! go to hell!~~

[k2thed]

Hi all. New to posting here.....amazing site by the way!

 

On topic, doesn't seem like Patti's got anything against Céline specifically, but against the state of the music industry at the time.....I think there's no denying that black artists have had a tougher road to the top and while music should be about music and transcend race, that didn't / doesn't always happen, and she's just saying what she thinks is "honest". Though the race card can be played waaay too often, I think there may be some truth to what she's saying. Céline's version of "If you asked me to" was the better version though.

[takingchances83]

i cannot agree with labelle. look at whitney! labelle has an amazing voice but i doubt she has promoted herself as tirelessly as celine or had the amazing managment celine had in the 90s.

[luvnceline5]

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

 

 

that's so dumb because whitney houston was huge.. and she's black.. celine's just better that's all lol

[miracle_girl]

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

 

 

that's so dumb because whitney houston was huge.. and she's black.. celine's just better that's all lol

 

 

yeah exactly

 

Blahh Blahh Blahh!!..............................................

[CSCfan]

(UPDATE) Labelle: Celine got props for being white!

 

Posted by: Kevin McCullough at 9:51 PM

 

Oh no she di'in't!

 

Yeah... she did...

 

Patti Labelle played the race card simply because she got outsung by Celine.

 

Labelle was suffering in Monte Carlo yesterday when she related to the press that the only reason Celine's version of "If You Asked Me To" made it all the way to number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, while hers only made it to number 79 three years previous - was because she was a cracker...

 

"Why do I think Celine had the sales and I didn't? Because she's a white girl... You want me to be honest? That's why," Labelle told the MonacoRevue.

 

"People pay more respect to white artists who sing well before they do black women," she continued. "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."

 

NOTE TO PATTI: A little dose of reality... Could it just be that Celine sang circles around you on the actual recordings? Let's test the theory - CLICK HERE to listen to both versions. Then fill in the blank.

 

"_________________" is the reason that Celine's version got to number 4 on the Hot 100.

 

UPDATE: Welcome to all the "Butterflies" who are flying by. Look argue all you want about the industry being rigged. Motown was developed by entrepeneurs specifically to counter what were at the time the types of prejudices Patti was referring to 20 years previous to her showdown over the single with Celine.

 

At the time that Celine's version of the song emerged - Celine was but a mere babe in the recording industry, barely spoke english and had no "industry heft" to toss around. Merely three years prior - LaBelle had more than just some. She was a catalyst and icon to the R&B, Pop, and Gospel communities across the world - and FAR MORE well known to the masses than Dion at that given time.

 

With her millions of dollars, legions of fans, and already firmly established industry presence - the only comparison between the two at the time - was that LaBelle was at the top of her game and Celine was merely beginning. (Not one gold record to her name at the point in time.)

 

IT IS LUDICROUS for LaBelle to argue that in the late 80's or early 90's that some upstart had more radio, marketing, branding cache. And if that was true - SHE should have fired her PR operation and found competent people.

 

Overlooked in all the "Kevin's just a racist, closeted Celine lover" stupidity is the fact that the arrangements - from a purely musical prespective are overwhelmingly similar. The voicings of the instruments on Celine's version have much more presence and pop to them. And most overwhelming is the clear command Celine's voice has of even the opening notes - much less the soaring bridge and final choruses down the stretch.

 

LaBelle - is and always has been a LEGEND. She will go down in the music hall of fame for doing what few could - sustain a legendary career over FIVE decades. But the reason her version of this song only made it to 79 on the Hot 100, and Celine's made it to 4 HAS NOTHING AT ALL TO DO with Celine being white.

 

It had to do with the product - and LaBelle's, on this individual song, at this one isolated place and time - was the inferior.

 

Be a true lady, admit that the other one - outsang you. Don't be some AlJesse wannabe and blame it on mysterious white people conspiracy theories. Deal with facts. Open your ears - and if you really think you could have done it better - then get back in the studio erase the original tracks and kick it...

 

And I say this as a former Radio Music programmer using my professional judgement of what would and would not have made a quality single.

 

Pro-musicians know that thick skin is a requirement in the industry. Taking criticism and making the most of it is the key to success... not making excuses.

[marckvls]

Racism can be an explanation for lots of things, but NOT THIS ONE!!!

I know people that wanted to be black just to be a great rapper [idiots!!]

[nystrele]

so i was just in a drugstore in new york city and i'll be damned.... patti labelle's version of "if you asked me to" came on! i made sure i frowned and scowled a lot and looked generally disdainful!!

[dj4celine]

so i was just in a drugstore in new york city and i'll be damned.... patti labelle's version of "if you asked me to" came on! i made sure i frowned and scowled a lot and looked generally disdainful!!

 

OMG!! Chuck, you're hilarious

[luvnceline5]

so i was just in a drugstore in new york city and i'll be damned.... patti labelle's version of "if you asked me to" came on! i made sure i frowned and scowled a lot and looked generally disdainful!!

 

HHAHAHAHAHAH

[PrincesseJen]

so i was just in a drugstore in new york city and i'll be damned.... patti labelle's version of "if you asked me to" came on! i made sure i frowned and scowled a lot and looked generally disdainful!!