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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2006 > December > 08 > Entry
12/8: Paris signs with indie label (UPDATED)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Idol Chatter blog at USA Today a couple days ago noted that Fayetteville’s Paris Bennett had signed a record deal with an indie label but didn’t identify which one. Well, she’s kept it in the family. Paul Jones, her uncle, is heading the label in question, 306 Entertainment, which is based out of the Twin Cities, where Paris grew up. He noted that the site has not been updated with Paris’ name yet but there are three other artists on the label: J. Isaac, Jamecia (her mom) and Knowledge MC. (The 306, Jones said, stands for the room number of the hotel in Memphis where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot in 1968.)
Jones said Paris is still working on her first album, due out in March and not surprisingly, it will be R&B pop. “It will be something all her ‘American Idol’ fans will love,” he promises. “She loves ‘American Idol’ everything. She loves what they’ve done for her. She’s appreciative.”
I was sent a couple of her songs, including a mid-tempo dance tune “B-Bye” and a Mary J. Blige-style R&B tune “Dreamin’ ” which has a hook that reminds me a bit of Blu Cantrell’s “Hit ‘Em Up Style.” Jones said “Dreamin’ ” is going to be made available in January on iTunes. Among the producers she’s working with are Jon Jon Traxx, who has worked with Beyonce; Darren Lighty (who wrote the hit “Too Close” by Next) and Rodney Jerkins, who has produced for Mary J. Blige, Beyonce and Mariah Carey, to name a few.
She’s working on her her album primarily in Minneapolis but still considers Fayetteville her home base and hopes to eventually find a place in Atlanta for herself at some point, Jones said.
Paris’ publicist in New York, Double XXposure, is setting up an interview for me by phone for next Thursday so if you have any questions for Paris, email me at rho@ajc.com. And I’m supposed to be talking with Kellie Pickler by phone Monday prior to her Arbor Place Toys for Tots appearance Tuesday Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. so if you have any questions her, pass them along, too.
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By Carla
December 8, 2006 8:28 AM | Link to this
Well at least she’s signed now. Hopefully she’ll put out an album that is true to her voice and style.
By Shay
December 8, 2006 8:30 AM | Link to this
306 Entertainment??? Him who?? What?? As good as she could sing, what happened to the big labels picking her up. And who the heck are Isaac, Jamecia and Knowledge MC. Don’t you mean Isaac Hayes, Jamie Foxx, and Young MC because those are the only names that come close to those other people. Knowledge MC?? WTF??
By Ty
December 8, 2006 9:06 AM | Link to this
I couldn’t agree with Shay’s comment more. I am really surprised that she hasn’t been picked up by a major label. I suspect if she gyrated her hips,had minimum vocal ability and was able to do complicated dance moves while lip synching live she would get signed to one of the biggies…
By bgirl
December 8, 2006 9:08 AM | Link to this
Come on, Shay, you know the deal! The big labels didn’t pick her up because she 1) can really sing—no chance of lip-synching, and 2) she doesn’t have the “look”. Nuf said.
By da rodster
December 8, 2006 9:17 AM | Link to this
yes need to put some c** pics on her cd cover
By Shay
December 8, 2006 9:17 AM | Link to this
Yep, Ty and bgirl you both are right. Now if she took off half of her clothes and danced around the stage singing about nothing, then she would make the top ten list. That’s sad that the music industry will let good talent get away.
By die hard Paris Fan
December 8, 2006 9:23 AM | Link to this
Uhm yall a hot mess…
This child aint even 18 yet therefore having her shaking her moneyshaker isnt gonna happen
because of her family’s background. Very good Christian folks.
Wait till she get 18.
I am just surprise that Clive Davis didnt make an attempt to sign her since Clive doesnt have Alicia Keys anymore.
By Eric
December 8, 2006 9:24 AM | Link to this
Let’s be honest: the main reason she didn’t get a contract from one of the majors is - I hate to say it! - her looks!
R&B has gotten so far away from its roots. Right now, fair-skin and tone bodies are the prerequisite for success, and promotion!
Paris never had a chance!
Cire
By greg
December 8, 2006 9:26 AM | Link to this
LOL!!!!
By Tee
December 8, 2006 9:27 AM | Link to this
Go Paris. All you haters out there….get a life!!!!!!!!
By Showstopper
December 8, 2006 9:34 AM | Link to this
I agree with the above comments. I hope she blows us all away with her impeccable vocal style. Sad to say but I wish she was a little bit older, it’s hard to be young and accepted in the Jazz/blues music genre. I just hope she stays true to it and brings Jazz to a younger audience. I just hope she doesn’t mimic Fantasia and go strictly R&B and end up drowned out by the beats.
By jex
December 8, 2006 9:40 AM | Link to this
I think you guys are right. Look at that funky big headed Beyonce wanna be Rihanna. Skinny little light skinndeded thang shakin what her momma gave her – Top of the Charts. And Paris has to sign with the likes of 69 Entertainment. That’s messed up.
Good Morning by the way.
By LYNN
December 8, 2006 9:44 AM | Link to this
I agree ! She can really sing, thats she has to sign unknown labels. I so happy she has a deal though !! I love Paris ! She was my favorite, I wanted her to win American Idol ! I hope everyone supports !
By attention06
December 8, 2006 9:45 AM | Link to this
Two things to point out…
1) Everyone is correct, music these days isn’t about talent.
Your look predicts your marketability more than your vocals or your song writing ability.
3) Its not what you can do, but who you know.
Jamica (or however you spell her name) who is signed to 306 Ent is Paris’s Mother.
By Shay
December 8, 2006 9:53 AM | Link to this
Jex, you are too funny!!!! LMAO!!
By Spartan
December 8, 2006 9:53 AM | Link to this
The majority of the final 4-5 from each year have received “record deals.” Some who finished even lower have received deals. Technology has made it possible, and relatively cheap, for dozens of “indie” labels to pop up and even larger labels can sign someone just to take a look. Anyone care to guess what happened to the great majority of these record deals? The disappear just as fast as they appeared.
By jules
December 8, 2006 9:56 AM | Link to this
Great another screamer that cant sing. Thank god for country
By heather
December 8, 2006 10:07 AM | Link to this
I wish she was on a better record label. NONE of 306 entertainment’s artists have gone national. They barely hit the circuits in Minneapolis, where I am from. J. Isaac is alright, but sounds like R.L. from Next. JAmecia can sing, but hasn’t gotten very far. I hope this works out for her. She is way more talented than Ashanti.
By tryjahlove
December 8, 2006 10:07 AM | Link to this
Ty, you are right about everything you said, except you forgot to mention that she must be able to pull off a shake dancers move using a tricked out microphone! Don’t want to digress heavily from the topic of true talent like Paris Bennet, but has anyone seen the new Ciara video?? WTF?
By Peechez
December 8, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
I wish her her the BEST LUCK and may GOD guide every step she makes and have first hand in every decision she makes. Lord knows she will need it in the music industry.
By Graham
December 8, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this
Jules,
Just because Paris’ style isn’t what you prefer doesn’t mean that she can’t sing. Open your mind to the reality that there are talented singers not in the country music field. Listen and enjoy!
By Erika
December 8, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this
Paris is on her way to the top! She comes from a good Christian home and she has something that not all the artist today have and that is favor from the Lord. With that and Faith she can’t be stopped!
By jex
December 8, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this
Yes, jules. Thank goodness for country and all other genres of music that allow every one to enjoy what is pleasing to them.
By Dana
December 8, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this
It’s true that it’s not about voice anymore…LOOK AT CIARA!!!!!!! CAN’T SING WORTH A LICK BUT CAN DANCE AND GOT THE LOOKS…THAT’S ALL THE INDUSTRY IS LOOKING FOR NOW…..
By jules
December 8, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this
The child cant sing, she SCREAMS at the top of her high pitch squeely lil lungs and its like nails on a friggen chalk board.
I want to check to see if someone is poking her with a stick pin or something…
By Shay
December 8, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this
I disagree about Ciara.
By jules
December 8, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this
Paris sing? You have got to be kidding?? These lil blond bimbets?? They cant sing either.
By Shay
December 8, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this
Paris has a very strong powerful voice. Nothing even remotely close to a “friggin chalk board”. I could understand that comparison to Fantasia’s voice who I still like, but not Paris. To me, she had the best voice of the competition. She was just too young at the time and America didn’t think she was ready.
By teheran height
December 8, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this
Everybody is talking about her looks. She is not a ugly girl. Maybe because she is dark complexion. Which is crazy in R&B. If fantasia can make it with her looks, im certainly sure she can. Not talking bad about fantasia, just the truth.
By jex
December 8, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this
I’m not crazy about Paris’ singing style either. She is a little screechy. BUT…I think she has more natural talent and potential then sine if these “pretty girls”. I’ll bet you buy the time she does come out with a single, she’ll be rail thin like all these other little waifs runnin’ around here.
They need to each a sandwich. Or at least give it to me. I’m hungry!
By jex
December 8, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this
Guys! Holly Jolly Christmas is on!
Ho Ho the mistletoe hung where you can see/Somebody waits for you/Kiss her once for me.
By Shay
December 8, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
She will be rail thin when she finally comes out. When I heard Ciara say she was overweight in her “goodies” video, I was like WTF??? Hollywood will mess you up and have you thinking you aren’t good enough.
By j
December 8, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this
She is a pretty girl but she screams.
What happened to “real” music were they sing and carry a beat.. Not this ganster thug garbage were every other word is MF this and MF that.. I cant stand that stuff that makes YOUR ear drums pound.
By Nea
December 8, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this
306 Entertainment’s artist roster also includes Knowledge MC, Jamecia Bennett, daughter of renowned gospel singer Ann Nesby and mother to American Idol wunderkind Paris Bennett.
By jex
December 8, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this
Thanks Nea. We didn’t know that. Too bad no one mentioned it before.
By Shay
December 8, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this
ooooookkk!
By Shay
December 8, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this
the sarcasm jex the sarcasm.
By Orlando
December 8, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this
If Paris’ mother was signed to this label, why was’nt she herself already signed to the label?
By jex
December 8, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this
I can’t help it Shay!
Does it feel good to do that? Yeah. It do.
By David
December 8, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this
Please don’t use Ciara as an example to compare with. It is stupid. Yeah, she is hot. Yeah, she can dance. But, she does have a good voice. She is no beyonce on the mic, but she can hold her own.
On side topic, I bought that chris daughtry cd for my sister for christmas. She is into that kind of music. She doesn’t like that Hick guy because he is all an act…hehe
By nick
December 8, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this
There was a good reason why Paris was voted off American Idol. She can not sing. She might as well go “flip” burgers at the local Wafflehouse, because evenyually, that is where she and her singing career will wind up.
By Ms. Mott
December 8, 2006 1:12 PM | Link to this
Paris can sing now? Will Paris and Nicole make a album together. Wow….
By Shay
December 8, 2006 1:17 PM | Link to this
WTF? We are talking Bennett and not Hilton right? I thought so!
By Nkeijo J. Wright II
December 8, 2006 1:27 PM | Link to this
She is still a baby so I’m pretty sure her voice will be even more powerful if she continues to work on her vocals!! :-)
By David
December 8, 2006 1:30 PM | Link to this
Does it matter? zing!
By Shay
December 8, 2006 1:44 PM | Link to this
Mini Janet looks better in that picture but I must say it looks like they cut and pasted her face on that body. It looks strange to me.
By jex
December 8, 2006 1:50 PM | Link to this
They’re already making her appear lighter and thinner.
By bgirl
December 8, 2006 1:56 PM | Link to this
Shay, yes it’s definitely a PhotoShop job — and a bad one!
By Rodney Ho
December 8, 2006 2:12 PM | Link to this
I agree. The longer I look at that photo, the stranger it seems.
By dyldyl
December 8, 2006 2:21 PM | Link to this
Who knows, maybe a big lable did try to pick her up. Unlike most of us, some families are very loyal to each other no matter what. My understanding from the article is that she kept it in the family. If she’s a break through artist, she will put another black label on the map while helping her realitive build his or her business. It’s good to see families sticking together. She’s young, she can move to a bigger lable in due time if she chooses to.
By Shay
December 8, 2006 2:31 PM | Link to this
dyldyl, I thought about that after I went to the website of this label. Its obvious the label is small and probably belongs to someone in the family or close friend so that makes sense. So her loyalty makes sense. My only concern with that is will they have enough money to promote her and her album. I haven’t heard music from anyone on that label so that concerns me. It could be the beginning of the end of her career if they don’t promote this album correctly.
By The greatest Fan of all
December 8, 2006 2:40 PM | Link to this
I feel like the previous comment….I feel like Paris should have won in the first place, then we would have to post these d*$&^ comments and figure out who 360 is. However, in the least, I am very happy for her and I plan to support her all the way….Let the (music)games begin!!!
By Eve
December 8, 2006 2:43 PM | Link to this
Paris is a great singer and will probably be picked up by a bigger label eventually. If looks were the reason for her not getting a label then a lot of performers out today would not have a record deal. Also why do some of you have to compare Paris to Ciara, Fantasia, Ashanti etc. They all have totally different styles and sounds and are platinum selling artists so they must be doing something right. Go Paris, and do YOU!
P.S. Rodney, you didn’t say if the songs you were sent were good or not. Were they?
By David
December 8, 2006 2:43 PM | Link to this
The life of an A.I. runner up…
By Shay
December 8, 2006 2:50 PM | Link to this
As we have seen with these AI artists, they don’t have time to waste on their careers because the Idol hype dies down quite fast and so will their music careers if its not done right the first time. That’s all I was saying. But I wish her and her family the best!! I just wish Clive or someone else had picked her up because I do think she has the potential to be a star:>)
By jake
December 8, 2006 3:11 PM | Link to this
Labels know she can sing but you might want to listen to her with your eyes closed. Fantasia is even less attractive yet she got a deal. I know why . ., it was probably because, SHE ACTUALLY WON!
By Shay
December 8, 2006 3:31 PM | Link to this
Whoever arched Paris’ eyebrows, I owe them $10 bucks and thanks!! Now she looks cute to me. I couldn’t stand those bushy eyebrows.
By jex
December 8, 2006 3:56 PM | Link to this
Yeah, a mini-makeover makes all the difference. Doesn’t it shay?
By Shay
December 8, 2006 4:09 PM | Link to this
Any makeover makes all the difference Jex!!
By jex
December 8, 2006 4:18 PM | Link to this
You were supposed to say, “It do!”
By Shay
December 8, 2006 4:34 PM | Link to this
Oh!!
It do, It do makes all the difference.
By jean
December 8, 2006 5:23 PM | Link to this
i agree wth eve, why do we have to make comparisons?? unless they are positive!!! from what i am reading in the comments about what is going on in the industry, it is business as usual with black folks , we are still brainwashed about who we are. i am a black female 51 years old and when i came up in the 70’s we really were proud about who we were and are. i love the current generation, however you all do lack a certain amount of pride about your heritage. do not take us back go forward. Do not let another race dictate to you what is beautiful and what is not. God says he created us in his image, and as far as i am concerned that means we all are beautiful in some way. love each other. peace….
By missy jones
December 8, 2006 5:29 PM | Link to this
what is up with the makeovers!!! God don’t need no help. love who you are quit hating yourselves. especially this generation of fake people, you are so vain!!!! use your brain and quit imitating. we did not even have the money for that mess at one time now the whole country hung up on stupid!!! present company included. speak on it!!!
By Pen
December 8, 2006 6:47 PM | Link to this
I think it’s pitiful that only her family label would pick her up…or was that her choice, to help keep the money in the family. She is a bit too young to know much about the biz. Could just be a marketing strategy, or family pressure. That said, I think she is a great performer, but as someone said, listening to her with your eyes closed isn’t always a pleasure. Some songs were great and others somewhat painful.