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Two years ago, Ciara's goal was to make it to the top, and with her acclaimed debut, Goodies, she did just that. With Ciara: The Evolution -- out today -- it's time to move forward.
Ciara took a more hands-on approach to Evolution, co-producing several tracks and writing or co-writing all of the songs. The result, she says, reflects her own artistic and personal growth.
"Having a clear vision of what I wanted to say musically made a big difference," says Ciara, 21, whose sultry single Promise is steaming up the charts. "I was 18 when I made my first album, and a lot of things have changed."
Goodies sold nearly 3 million copies. It was propelled by the No. 1 title track, which stayed atop Billboard's Hot 100 for seven weeks. It was followed by 1,2 Step (No. 2) and another No. 1, Oh. She received four Grammy nominations, winning as a collaborator on Missy Elliott's Lose Control video.
She won a slew of other awards as well, and her electric dance moves established her as a scene-stealing performer. Still, Ciara refuses to be defined by Goodies, produced by crunk master Lil' Jon and featured rapper Petey Pablo.
Yet thanks to it, the Atlanta-based singer was dubbed the Queen of Crunk & B. "It was never a fitting title," she says, laughing. "It was so funny when people would call me that. I had so many different sounds and types of songs, it just didn't make sense in the big picture."
That's even truer of Evolution, which shows her versatility as a singer and songwriter. The album includes interludes about her evolution in music, dance, fashion and self. Among her producers; Jazze Pha (who ignited her career by signing her to his Sho'Nuff/Zomba label), Rodney Jerkins, The Neptunes, Will.i.am, Polow Da Don and Lil' Jon.
Evolution is edgier than Goodies, but Ciara says she didn't worry about straying from her winning formula.
"I didn't want to overthink it," she says. "With my first album, I did what felt good to my soul, and that's pretty much all I know how to do."
She hasn't had any problem catching the ear of radio listeners. This year, she already has hit the top 10 twice, featured on Field Mob's So What and her Get Up with Chamillionaire from this summer's Step Up soundtrack.
Three years of recording, touring and maturing have broadened her perspective. Much of what she has experienced is in her songwriting. "There are so many things that I've been through and the women around me have been through," Ciara says. "A lot of those things are addressed on this album."
*Evolution review, 4D
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