Elope (album)

Elope is the up-coming Fourth Studio Album by American R&B and pop singer Christina Milian, scheduled to be released in the third quarter of 2009. The album will be her first release since departing with Def Jam Records in 2006. The album was originally titled Dream in Color; however, Milian changed the title to Elope because the album was "AbOUT taking responsibility for yourself and making your own decisions". In 2008, Milian signed an open deal with MySpace Records. After collaborating with The-Dream in 2009, she signed to his label Radio Killa Records. The album's first single, ballad "Us Against the World", was written by Milian and produced by Madd Scientist. According to Milian the second single will be a duet with The-Dream called "Supersonic".

Production

Background and record label

Four weeks after the release of her previous album, So Amazin' (2006), Milian's representative confirmed that she had left Def Jam. Both parties said that they decided to end their relationship due to "creative differences", and that it was "a mutual decision". Despite this, various publications reported that low album sales were the main factor in Milian being dropped from the label. Milian believed that she was dropped as a budget cut, and that Def Jam wanted to spend more money on label mate Rihanna. She revealed, "It was embarrassing. It was a week after my album [So Amazin'] got put out. I would be in my room a lot of the time crying by myself."

Following her departure from Def Jam, Milian was unsure if she wanted to continue her music career. At a club, she encountered her childhood idol Janet Jackson, who remarked, "Girl, do not let them stop you. I'm a fan and you make good music". Milian said that this event encouraged her to begin working on a New album. Before signing with a label, Milian began writing songs for the album whenever she became inspired, which she felt built her self-esteem. For her album, Milian wanted to get her "vocals and music right... I wanted to be clear with the lyrics instead of just a bunch of mumble jumbo with a hot beat." Milian stated that she was "moving on to better things and new things", and although she had received numerous offers, she was "pretty sure I know where I'm going". The singer wanted a slower process for the album, and said that it would be a "mixture of everything I've done".

In September 2008, Milian confirmed that she had signed an open deal with Myspace Records. Milian explained her decision by saying that she was "over the traditional approach, especially with all of the changes in the music industry", and that the world had become very "digital-driven". The singer said that although a traditional record label could support her with more money, an independent situation better suited her as a non-traditional artist. Milian said when Myspace Records first approached her for a record deal, she was hesitant, but agreed to meet with the company. She found she could be "more real and one-on-one", and do her own thing without being told what to do.

Recording

Milian began recording songs for a new album in 2008, some of which took place before signing with Myspace Records. Milian collaborated in the studio with Cool & Dre, J. R. Rotem, The Runners, Danja, Madd Scientist, T-Pain, Jim Jonsin and Toby Gad. After recording songs during the summer with the aforementioned producers, Milian took a break from music and started filming Bring It On: Fight to the Finish. When Milian returned to music, she concentrated on promoting her single "Us Against the World", and shot its music video. Since then, Milian said that she became "a little bit more meticulous with what I feel deserved to be on the album", and resumed recording.

In 2009, Milian began working with The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, with additional collaboration with Los Da Mystro. Milian's collaboration with The-Dream led to her signing a record deal with Radio Killa Records. The-Dream said that when he was building his label, he collaborated with Milian because he believed she was a talented singer. After Milian signed with Radio Killa, The-Dream said that he was "trying to put my heart into it and make sure I deliver her the same records I gave everybody else". Milian later revealed that aside from "Us Against the World", The-Dream and Tricky Stewart would be producing all the songs on her album, which was "taking on a new approach since the beginning of the year". In April 2009, Milian and The-Dream held a listening party of the album for Interscope Records' executives, including chairman Jimmy Iovine. Milian received a standing ovation after playing the tracks for the executives.

In December 2008, Milian confirmed that Kanye West would appear on a track called "Diamonds". In June 2009, Rap-Up reported that Teairra Marí had bought the track and would be releasing it on her album At That Point. Mari said that the track was among a selection of Milian's tracks that she had recorded while with MySpace records. Milian had not paid for any of her recorded songs, and when she left to sign with Radio Killa, all the tracks were available for purchase. In June 2009, The-Dream said that the album was finished. He said that they had just finished recording two songs, "not because we have to, just because we can and we end up just coming up with certain things and I always want to try her on whatever the record is. Singles and everything, it is just about whether she feels like doing it or not."

Concept

Milian was featured on the cover of Rap-Up{{'}}s 2008 Winter issue, in which she announced that the album's title was Dream in Color. Milian compared the title to Dorothy Gale's journey in The Wizard of Oz, "she was living this black and white life and next thing you know this tornado sweeps her off to the land of Oz. As she goes down the yellow brick road she learned so many life lessons. So when I was thinking about all these songs and how I am as a person [...] I just think that part of life is by dreaming. I think that this album is the colorful life of Christina Milian on her way to see the Wizard." In March 2009, Milian said that although she loved the title Dream in Color, she had retitled the album Elope because "a lot has changed". Milian stated, "the definition of elope is to run away secretly with one's beloved. This next album is about taking responsibility for yourself and making your own decisions. That is why I am changing the album title to Elope. That one word says a whole lot."

Music and lyrics

In the early production of the album, Milian described Elope{{'}}s genre as "pop-urban-international", and "very feminine, strong and independent". Milian later said that she was excited because the album was not based on any single genre. The singer felt that radio had changed, and although in the past urban stations would not play pop songs, music had evolved and all genres had found a common bond. Milian said that the genre of the album did not matter, because "at the end of the day it's all about music". Compared to her previous album, Milian says that Elope has "a fresher more feminine touch to it". During the production of So Amazin{{'}}, Milian was dealing with her break-up with Nick Cannon, which was reflected in the songs' lyrics. For Elope, Milian believes that she has managed to write records about real things she has gone through in the last two years.

Milian wanted Elope to "step [her] game up in every way possible". She said that she had matured as a woman from her previous album, and knew what she wanted. Milan felt that growing up she could be indecisive, whereas as her newest records expressed her honesty in what she wanted and liked. Milian said that being a Latina, there was a "fiery side that comes with me", and wanted her songs to be edgy, sexy and passionate. She wanted to find happiness and portray it in her songs. Milian described "Us Against The World" as a ride-or-die type of record, explaining it means "that I know you will always have my back and we're here to fight together. Sometimes life is a battle and it depends on who are you gonna have around you. Are they gonna turn on you and start fighting against you, or are they gonna be right next to you and help pull you up and make your stronger?"

Milian said she was comfortable working with The-Dream and Tricky Stewart because the songs were "from the eyes of a woman and the mind of a woman. I don't know how they understand that, but somehow they do. It's mature but at the same time it's so relatable to any girl." Milian said that they were writing songs that "females are going to be with and they're definitely gonna understand". Milian felt that Madd Scientist "brought the best out of me" while producing "Us Against the World", and "was really able to do some amazing things with my vocals". When Milian began recording with The-Dream and Stewart, she found the songs they produced together was "'that extra fire that Christina needed'. And these are songs that I always wanted to put out, but never had the opportunity to do before."

Singles

The album's first single, "Us Against the World", was written by Milian and produced by Madd Scientist. The single, described as a "cinematic power ballad", premiered via MySpace on October 6, 2008, and was made available by digital download the next day. It reached number 86 on the Billboard Pop 100 based on downloads alone.

The-Dream initially said that "Zipper" was the second single, but later told MTV that "I'm a Cheat" had been selected instead. However, Milian confirmed to Latina that the second single would actually be a duet with The-Dream called "Supersonic", comparable to a collaboration between R Kelly and Aaliyah. Milian described it as "super sexy, like an 'I got this, you got that' kinda vibe", with a summer release date.

Possible tracks

  • "Us Against the World" (produced by Madd Scientist)
  • "Supersonic" (featuring The-Dream) (produced by The Dream, Tricky Stewart)
  • "Zipper" (produced by The Dream, Tricky Stewart)
  • "I'm a Cheat" (produced by The Dream)
  • "Elope" (produced by TBC)
  • "Punch You In Your Sleep" (produced by Danja, additional product by The Dream & Tricky Stewart)