Last week, news broke that Jive Records had “released” “American Idol” runner-up from its artist roster after disappointing sales for “The Other Side of Down.” The story seemed to mark another chapter in the struggle many “Idol” contestants have faced to stay on the pulse of the music industry.
In a new video blog, Archuleta, however, denies that he was dropped and instead says that he made the decision to part ways.
“They’re changing as a company…and I’m changing as an artist,” notes Archuleta, who adds, “There were offers to continue working with them, but it didn’t feel like the right thing now.”
So, he decided to not continue working with Jive because he’s changing the direction of music, and Jive released him as a result. In fact, I have never seen him on TV to promote his new album or heard his new songs on radio. Go to a label that promotes artists. I heard Ciara wants to be released too.
David Archuleta made the right move. His album “The Other Side of Down” is a great record with soulful pop gems like the title track, “Elevator,” “Stomping the Roses” and “My Kind of Perfect” … if Jive had let more people know it was released, sales would have reflected that.
Ciara, also with Jive, learned from the radio station PD’s that the label ITSELF told them not to play her most recent work.
The same was done to David. They were told not to play any of his post-“Crush” material, no matter how voluminous the requests there were for it.
Obviously, you can’t sell CD’s under those circumstances when you’re still a fairly new artist.
And I don’t think Jive ever claimed to have dropped David, only that he “has been removed from our roster”. It was his management company, whom David also dropped, who seemed to vindictively imply he’d been released involuntarily.
Just FYI, David’s THE OTHER SIDE OF DOWN album sold 67,000 legal copies and over 500,000 copies were ILLEGALLY downloaded. That at least shows the popularity of David’s music.
Too bad Jive didn’t give any support to this album after all of David’s hard work.
Also, too bad something can’t be down about illegal downloading of music.
David’s vlog tells the truth: he decided to leave Jive for the right reasons at the right time. Jive announced they released David, not dropped. 3-album contract was fulfilled, they offered him to stay but he declined. David deserves to be with a label who gets his musical genius, integrity and values and who will promote him well,esp. on radio play. The Other Side of Down is an amazing album BTW!!!
I think David made the right decision. He will have more freedom to express himself as the unique and incredibly talented artist that he is. Whatever decisions he makes in the future I’m sure will be more in favor of that and if he does sign with a new label, hopefully they will give him the support he deserves. He is an amazing young man and a phenomenal artist. He has my support all the way! I love his album The Other Side Of Down. Some people are just discovering it, there was almost no promo given for his latest effort, he deserves better. With all the changes happening with record labels these days, it makes it very difficult for a lot of good artists to get their voice out there. Selling 67,000 copies is not bad considering the serious lack of promotion. I look forward to more from David in the future and have the utmost respect and admiration for him.
David made the decision to part ways with Jive and with WEG, his management team. He wants to do music HIS way. They were pushing him to be the next “Beiber” or something. Certainly not the direction he wants for himself. I am very thankful for his choice and will continue to support The Brilliant VOICE until I no longer breathe!
I think David made the right decision. I don’t think Jive knows how to promote their artists correctly. I learned about David’s new album by accident. David deserves something better than whatever Jive has done for him.
I wish the best to David, and fans like myself definitely want to hear and see more of him for a long time to come.
It is a shame “The Other Side Of Down” was not promoted properly (at ALL, it seemed);it got many good reviews & there were marketable, solid songs on this cd, performed flawlessly by David. He deserved and deserves better…and I hope he soon finds a great musical fit for himself, because he is musically gifted, has lots to bring and belongs in this industry.
If that is true about the illegal downloads that’s a shame that is not counted too.
David…hang tough, follow your instincts and heart…your fans are hanging in with you for the long haul. Keep on singing.