2009 debut from the all-girl R&B/Pop singing group. Paired with Grammy Award-winning writing/production team The Dream and Tricky Stewart, Electrik Red's edgy brand of Hip Hop and R&B exemplifies the future sound o... more »f music. Comprised of Naomi, Sarah, Lesley and Binki, the multi-talented group's debut is heavily anticipated thanks to the massive buzz surrounding their first single, 'So Good.' The slinky, yet hard hitting atmospheric song showcases the girl's flowing harmonies and envelope pushing lyrics . The mix of street and seduction makes it clear Electrik Red is taking mainstream R&B to an entirely new level.« less
2009 debut from the all-girl R&B/Pop singing group. Paired with Grammy Award-winning writing/production team The Dream and Tricky Stewart, Electrik Red's edgy brand of Hip Hop and R&B exemplifies the future sound of music. Comprised of Naomi, Sarah, Lesley and Binki, the multi-talented group's debut is heavily anticipated thanks to the massive buzz surrounding their first single, 'So Good.' The slinky, yet hard hitting atmospheric song showcases the girl's flowing harmonies and envelope pushing lyrics . The mix of street and seduction makes it clear Electrik Red is taking mainstream R&B to an entirely new level.
"This is worth swiping the card. Electrik Red held their own with How to Be a Lady, Vol.1. It's about time we have a girl group that is out there because we don't get that much often except for male R&B groups, solo artists, etc. When this group came out with "Drink In My Cup", there was something about this group I liked and I had to check them out when the album was released. You know what? I'm glad I did. I expect good things from them and more music in the future. There's nothing negative I can say about this album. All of their songs are hot especially Devotion, Bed Rest, Freaky Freaky, W.F.Y., So Good (originial & remix), & Drink In My Cup. Much luv and I wish you ladies the best. The-Dream & Tricky Stewart did their work on the production. SWIPE THE CARD!!!!!!!!!!! This is an album you must get."
I luv em'
Camille C. Hinds | 06/04/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i had to see what all the hype was with these girls and i'm glad i did.best girl album in a long time.{Kill Bill,P is for power,
freaky freaky and we f**** U....my songs}i hope they stay in da' game and don't fade like the rest."
Sassy, Vulgar Sound
Meesh | 09/14/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The ladies of Electrik Red (Kyndra, Lesley, Naomi and Sarah) have something to tell you: they're strong females who have massive quantities of sexy sex. The strength of the ladies is undermined, as usual, by the fact that the slick production and otherwise overall appeal of the album is due to two talented male producers, The-Dream (Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Usher, etc) and Tricky Stewart (Fabolous, Beyoncé, Mya, etc).
The album title is misleading - How to Be a Lady - and meant to challenge stereotypes about promiscuous women (i.e., whores). The album cover and lyrical content, however, elevates the stereotype that whores are not ladies. That aside, the musical content of the album is strong. The lyrical content of the album is all about sex (with the exception of "Bed Rest"), which becomes problematic for some songs like the poppy "P is for Power." I've mentally changed the lyrics from "you ain't gettin' no P" to "you ain't gettin' with me" because it's embarrassing to listen to such idiotic lyrics. "W.F.Y." has the same lyrical problem; although it's anthemetic, insanely driving electronica-R&B at its best and the most atmospheric song on the disc.
The club banger "Drink in My Cup" is an obvious first-single that'll be the theme-song of too many frat parties. It's along the lines of Lil Jon & the Ying Yang Twin's "Get Low" minus the non-stop, sweatin' energy loss. But if you've been hooked by "Drink in My Cup" (and not "Friend Lover" or "So Good"), then the only other song that sounds similar to it is "W.F.Y." The standard R&B fare is found in the slinky "9 to 5" and sensual "Go Shawty", the latter sounding like a B-side from TLC's "FanMail." The easily identifiable tracks helmed by The-Dream are the seriously catchy "Freaky Freaky" and 1990's Janet Jackson sounding "Bed Rest". "Muah" sounds like "Purple Kisses" from The-Dream's album "Love/Hate", which means it sounds like an updated, updated Prince song.
"Kill Bill" is the weakest song on the album. It's shouty and very young sounding for an otherwise overly mature album. But you can't know excellence without knowing inferiority.
Save for the nonstop sexually revolting lyrics (blame it on The-Dream's ability to 'empathize' with the female condition), The-Dream and Tricky Stewart have compiled one strong, full-sound electronica-R&B late-night horizontal-dance cd. Even the more forgettable songs, "So Good" and its subsequent remix and "On Point", fail to compel me to change to a more interesting track. I highly recommend this album if you like electronica/Over-Auto-Tune-R&B (e.g., Ciara, Beyonce, Rihanna, etc). If you don't like listening to whores tell you they're not whores, then I suggest you buy the clean version of this album.
Albums like this: The-Dream's "Love/Hate", Destiny's Child "Survivor"/"This Is the Remix", TLC's "FanMail", and Kelis' "Kaleidoscope"/"Tasty"."
3 1/2 stars. It's not that deep
Mikeisha Best | Mitchellville, Maryland United States | 09/11/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Electrik Red caught my attention with their song called "So Good" because the beat is amazing, the lyrics and hook are catchy and Lil' Wayne is featured and you know if Wayne speaks, hip-hop fans listen. After hearing the song, I saw its video on 106 and Park and was surprised because I didn't think this was a group, I thought it was one newcomer. Soon after seeing the video I was on the telephone with my friend and she kept singing songs. I said, "What are you singing?" Her reply? "Oh, it's a song on Electrik Red's CD! You have to listen to it." So I listened to it, all of it, and it's a decent debut.
As you know, Electrik Red is The Dream's group and boy is his sound all over it! He can be heard saying things and singing. Also, anyone who is familiar with his production would be able to notice his influence from the first song. Too, his famous one-liner, "Radio Killa" is heard here more times than I can shake a stick at. Too, there are influences from other artists such as Ciara, Adina Howard and Prince. If these women have good singing voices, it was not displayed here anywhere. All 14 tracks contain women singing in a breathy manner, probably because most of the subject matter is sex. The only song that has some actual singing is track 4, "Freaky Freaky." Can you take a stab at what this song is about? It's a mid-tempo number about getting freaky. Yeah, I know, not too creative. "Kill Bill" is an obnoxious track about how the women were inspired by the movie and will not tolerate disrespect. "Drink in My Cup" and "Go Shawty" are weaker moments on this album, but alright nonetheless. "Go Shawty" really brings Adina Howard to mind.
There are no profound lyrics here. In fact, the vast majority of them are quite explicit and obscene. The beats are really good and futuristic, which was a huge plus for this album. My suggestion for their sophomore effort (if there ever is one) is that the women SING and not do whatever it is they called themselves doing on this album. Not bad, though. 3 1/2 stars.
Mikeisha's Top 5
1. "So Good"
2. "Devotion"
3. "Friend Lover"
4. "Bed Rest"
5. "Muah""
Sexy Sassy Fun
JJ | 06/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just got through with my first listen of the CD and I must say, I'm impressed. There's been a severe lack of decent girl-groups lately, and while I don't want to go around comparing artists to each other, the sassy attitude of Electrik Red is reminiscent of TLC in its heyday. Here's to years of success for Electrik Red!"