Letoya Luckett “It’s Not Over ‘Til She Sings”
An Album Review by Nfared
Letoya Luckett would probably like to be identified by her own talent and
ability. She would probably like to be defined by her determination to succeed
despite the odds. Instead, the Houston Texas native will probably always be
known as one of the original members that got kicked out of the phenomenon that
is Destiny’s Child. Tainted or not, she has moved on, debuting her self-titled
album this summer. She has lived and she has definitely learned.

While “Gangsta Grillz” is an enjoyable track, it screams Destiny Child’s
“Soldier” louder than it say anything about Letoya’s individual style. The
writing is oddly similar; “I like them gangsta grillz/riding through like did
you see those big wheels…/what you know about a baller shot caller.” The chorus
is no better, “I see you withca candy paint/do you got them dollars man?/It’s
all about the heavyweight/let me hear you holla man…” She breaks out on her own
with the Jermaine Dupri produced “This Song”. Though Jermaine is a little
lackadaisical in the creativity department (it sounds like left over production
from a song for Mariah Carey), Letoya gives it her all as she sings in the
chorus, “I wrote this song, this song/specifically to make love to you boy
all/night long night long/there’ll be no hesitation on my part.” An album
highlight, “Obvious” is the song that will make a name for Letoya. She is solid
even as she sings about an uncertain situation in love; “You say
you wanna get married but boy are you sure/…you say one thing/and you do
another.” She goes on reflectively, “Sometimes we want things/that may not be
right for us/but when you’re in love you tend to look/over the obvious…” The
production of Brian Michael Cox adds to the intimacy of the song. On “Hey Fella”
Letoya is dead honest about her feelings; “I gotta say I ain’t seen a man like
you/on the real boy I really want you/and that’s why I’m tryin to get close to
you.” Though strongly elementary on the lyrics, Letoya’s vocals and the
production pick up the slack. “All Eyes On Me” finds Letoya being watched.
Clearly smelling herself, she tells what she thinks is happening; “Cause I’m
feelin like/all eyes on me/and I know that you/want a piece of me.

Needle Meter Letoya Luckett has a solid debut album. Her voice shines and the
producer list is top of the line. While it is obvious that she has learned over
the years, there are a few lessons she missed. The album’s first single “Torn”
is a track that has been passed around by industry heavyweights for years.
Surely she could have come more creatively with a first single. There’s the
Soldier reject “Gangsta Grillz”, and in an admirable attempt to rep for home
there is a dizzying amount of rap guest appearances that gives the album a
mixtape feel and not that of an R&B debut. All in all though, Destiny’s Child
did her a favor and she is clearly appreciative.
3.5Needles
















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