'Complicated’ [Jive]     Genre: R&B

Her presentation sets her apart from other female artists in the industry (such as Ashanti), having a more appealing and melodic charm for delivery. Nivea hit the scene with her debut single "Don't Mess with the Radio," from her self-titled debut album (as well as being featured in Mystikal's "Danger"). Her opening lead to other opportunities; working with Organized Noise (known from TLC) for production; as well as featuring Brandon Casey (Jagged Edge); and notice came from the R. Kelly produced second single, "Laundromat," in 2002. Following in route, the Grammy nod (Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals) and Billboard Singles Top 40 position of #4's, "Don't Mess with My Man," featuring Jagged Edge hit radio waves across the board in late 2002 (throughout 2003). She was almost M.I.A. in 2004, with the exception of background vocals offered on Cee-Lo's sophomore LP (Cee-Lo Green... is the Soul Machine), only to return with her second studio set, Complicated. The title track is a smooth layered love story, describing the highs over lows with breeze-like vocals. The first single "Okay," featuring Lil John and YoungBloodz, bleeds with Lil John's signature style (persistent ad-libs), meanwhile Nivea's voice courses effortlessly throughout the various horn hinted track. With ironic truth, "Parking Lot," riffles an almost comedic, but interesting love affair, directed toward the McDonald's parking lot. With a slight change in projection, "Can't Mess with You," featuring Dream (sampling Mary J. Blige's "Everything is You"), Nivea tries a more raw sound. "Breathe (Let it Go)," is electronically driven, while the injecting backdrop entwines with it's lyrics in an almost seamless pull. "Quickie," featuring Rasheeda and "Indian" dance serve as the more modern, club-tracks in light of "Okay." With a realistic tell story, "No More," covers the stresses of responsibilities, giving Nivea's unique voice a chance to shine. Teaming up with R. Kelly for the second round, "Gangsta Girl" indefinitely proves his involvement with a triple-beat, guitar-braided set, with a nice "Ya Ya Ya" parody. The West-Side remix of "Okay" reminds me of the same balance between Destiny's Child's "No, No, No" double version; featuring Red-Cup, as Nivea delivers a variant remake (that even brings to mind Mariah Carey's flow on "Breakdown," featuring Bone Thugs). As the album comes to a close, "So Far" gives a sensual R&B scent, as "It's All Good," closes with a tech-like substance, calling out the low rifts of "the fake people" and wanting peace in life. It seems that with the second-coming, Nivea holds strong to her individuality and though there may be a thin layer of the "new-comer" clouds over her, she's headed in the right direction with such a complicated follow-up.

© Tionne Myles 2005, All Rights Reserved