Richardine Bartee
When asked if the R&B/Soul singer-songwriter LeToya Luckett and actress felt nervousness or excitement for the release, she replied. “What, I am so all of the above!”
Then, she insisted otherwise in the midst of laughter.
You know what? It’s one of those things. I’ve done my part. I’m putting everything out there. That’s all that I could do. At the end of the day, it’s not about the sales. It’s about expressing myself.
Many a time, people yearn to sell as many copies as possible. Depending on who you are, associations and everything else, others will expect you to sell more than your goal. In today’s world, if you sell anything you should consider yourself one of the blessed and highly favoured ones.
She continued,
It’s allowing me to share what’s in my heart.
More than anything else, LeToya Luckett seemed happier to encourage and hopefully help fans feel confident. Also, knowing she might have given someone the strength to exit an abusive relationship, she would be satisfied. She would look at it as a job well done.
You’re asking me to choose my favourite kid…
Luckett said when asked if she had any favourites on the album. “They’re all from different experiences in my life, so I love them all equally. As the conversation continued, she shared that ‘Disconnected’ was her favourite song to hear. She compared it to walking in her truth.
I know we all felt that before. It was a vulnerable moment for me. It’s the only song on the album where it’s just me and the piano. Also, ‘I’m Ready.’ It just gives me that Marvin Gaye vibe. ‘Show Me’ is my parents’ favourite because it has that 80s vibe.
Luckett continued to explain why she liked each track. When it comes to “Back 2 Life”, her preference is evident. It is the title track. It is also how she feels now.
I’m getting back to my life. I’m getting back to what makes me feel full. I appreciate where God has me right now; Having the strength to walk away from what isn’t for me.
As she explained further, she clarified that it is a hard decision to make, no matter what kind of relationship it is.
But having that strength to recognize it and say ‘I’m [unfulfilled] in this space anymore… I’m [unauthentic].
Regardless of what you’re going through, I think LeToya Luckett has a song or a triggering lyric on the album for you. Relatable and variant, ‘Back 2 Life’ covers the different stages in a relationship.
The album opens with ‘I’m Ready’, a song that hints at new love. Wanting to be loved in return is fine. If it means being receptive to someone to the point of selflessness, I guess it works. Nonetheless, loving someone else more than yourself is unhealthy. However, it is normal. I could count people on the fingers and toes of thirty-two football teams.
Next, ‘Back 2 Life’ shatters the ambition of the first record. The opening of the track starts with a fiery argument between her and her boyfriend. In realization of a bad situation, she empties the house and moves on in the music video. Something that most people aren’t able to accomplish. As far as sampling goes, Soul II Soul’s ‘Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)’ is a salient part of the chorus. For the youngsters, Soul II Soul is a rich London-native group from the late 1980s.
‘Show Me’ lightens up the mood. It’s a slick, uptempo track that evokes the same feelings an early Michael Jackson record would. If we were to assume the tracklisting is in chronological order, it would mean that the next person is LeToya Luckett’s life would have to show and proven. Talk isn’t enough because it is cheap.
Sonically, ‘Used To’ has to be the most current and on trend track that is on the album. It’s a personal favourite because of its dense layers, drums, and vibe. Addressing a significant other about cheating, the singer reassures him that she is irreplaceable. She showed him things in life, and their experiences are unforgettable and immeasurable. Also, the blind date section of the music video is unrealistically comical. ‘Middle’ is similar considering its rap ethos, but varies in its message. It’s about compromise.
In 2009, LeToya Luckett and Ludacris teamed up for ‘Regrets‘. The new collaboration ‘Grey’ begs that they don’t have to fall in love. There’s no need for them to stay in the grey as the lyrics suggest. But the Atlantan rapper’s verse blames her for wasting his time and playing games. ‘In the Name’ brings back the sentiment of the first track. The lyrics for ‘My Love’ describe a lover who knows you like yourself. They know what you’re going to say before you say it. For that reason and more, no one else can receive her loving. On the production end, it sounds like what Pharrell is known for in the mid-2000s.
The introduction on ‘Worlds Apart’ questions love. The minimal instrumentation, made for the ballad, puts her vocal talent at the forefront. As she sings about self-worth and separation, the dramatic violin sells the deal of denouement. Alright, LeToya. Being the girlfriend for the weekend works when the other person isn’t aware. In the real world, sharing harsh truths is as good as ending your weekend thrill before it starts. The truth hurts, miss. I’m speaking from experience. Men, in particular, don’t like it because they aren’t in control. However, I respect the song. I think it takes a brave and free woman to sing such a thing.
The last three tracks on the album fill in the gaps. Encapsulating a sexy and slow tempo, ‘Higher’ equates love to a euphoric elevation. ‘Loving You’ contours knowing when someone isn’t right for you, but you stay with them; Even if you are arguing and fighting. It ends with a ballad about feeling distance, separation and why it is happening.
Luckett is a former member of the original Destiny’s Child. She won two Grammys with the R&B group and sold over 25,000,000 records. Before ‘Back 2 Life’, she released two albums. Her debut album is platinum. Her follow-up LP, ‘Lady Love’ debuted on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart at #1 and #12 on the Billboard 200, and she still cares for the well-being of others. In my world, we call that a humanitarian.
On her way out, Miss Luckett did advise aspiring musicians and people on the rise to “Keep following [your dreams].”
She continued,
Don’t stop. Stay true to yourself. Be authentic in it. Learn to trust yourself.
What Luckett is saying is, if you don’t trust yourself, you will be easy to sway.
Luckett addressed the idea of overnight celebrities,
“If you’re trying to do this for a check baby, get out of this now! Don’t be looking on the ‘gram, thinking: Damn, they became a superstar overnight. If that’s what you’re in this thing for, drop out now. [You should be] about the art. It should be about telling your story. Don’t be afraid to be creative. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Do not be afraid to tell your story because if you don’t, and you try to do something else, they won’t believe you. It’s already a LeToya Luckett out there. There’s already a Beyoncé out there. There’s already a Drake out there. Don’t be afraid to do something different. There isn’t another you out there. So share you. Be you. That’s probably the best advice I could give.”
‘Back 2 Life’ is out everywhere on May 12. Pre-order the album now on iTunes..
