Can't Take That Away from Me
Encyclopedia
Can't Take that Away from Me is the first mixtape
by American pop-R&B singer JoJo. The free mixtape was released exclusively to Rap-Up.com
on September 7, 2010, as a prelude to her third studio album Jumping Trains, formerly titled All I Want Is Everything.
"—the final single from her second album The High Road
—in late 2007, JoJo stated that she had been writing and working with producers for her third studio album, but would not go into the studio until early 2008. In mid-2008, JoJo revealed that the album, previously titled All I Want Is Everything, was scheduled for a fourth quarter release that year, to coincide with her eighteenth birthday in December. However, the album's release was delayed due to issues with her record label, Da Family Entertainment, which had encountered financial difficulties. Eventually, JoJo decided to sue the label in order to be released from her contract. JoJo won the case, and her label Blackground Records
reached a deal with Interscope Records
for distribution. To prepare for the release of All I Want Is Everything, now titled Jumping Trains, in 2011, JoJo decided to release a mixtape in 2010.
and Chester French
. In January 2010, JoJo shot a viral video for a track called "In the Dark". The video's release was then delayed because JoJo wanted to make sure that the timing was right, as its direction was so different than anything that she had done before. The mixtape's black-and-white cover was designed by Mowie Inc. and photographed by Steven Taylor.
The mixtape's recording took place over one year. JoJo thought that it was more experimental than her album because she "was able to explore the full spectrum of things that interest me and inspire me musically", which resulted in a broad range of sounds, such as pop, hip-hop and soulful records. Compared to All I Want Is Everything, which comprised pop records and radio hits, the mixtape allowed JoJo to be "more soulful, incorporate live instruments, and say things that I wouldn't normally say on an album. I was just able to take more of a risk." In addition, while the album has a cohesive sound and a common thread like a continuous body of work, the mixtape jumps around and is "all over the place, just like me."
", premiered on August 30, 2010 on Rap-Up.com
. Produced by Jordan Gatsby and co-written by JoJo and Gatsby, the singer thought that the song was unlike anything that she had previously released because "it's a very sensual record and there's an undertone of sadness to it." The track's "experimental sound" was not meant to reflect the material on All I Want Is Everything, but was released as "a thank you to her loyal fans who've stuck by her throughout the years". The song's viral video was released on September 9. Directed by Nicole Ehrlich and Clarence Fuller in New York, the scenes were originally shot in color, but it was later decided that black-and-white imagery would best convey the lyrics and mood. Rap-Up
wrote that "JoJo sheds her good girl image for a more risqué one in the viral video" as "the blindfolded singer gives into her physical desires in the provocative clip."
experience in North Texas on February 2, 2011. She then performed the song at the Girls Who Rock 2011 Concert benefiting She's The First where she also debut her the song "Jumping Trains" from her upcoming third album of the same name She has also performed the song on the Joe Jonas & Jay Sean Tour
as their opening act and has performed it a few other times.
Mixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
by American pop-R&B singer JoJo. The free mixtape was released exclusively to Rap-Up.com
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
on September 7, 2010, as a prelude to her third studio album Jumping Trains, formerly titled All I Want Is Everything.
Background
Following the release of "AnythingAnything (JoJo song)
"Anything" is a song by American pop-R&B singer JoJo from her second studio album, The High Road . Written by Beau Dozier, Mischke Butler, and Justin Trugman and released as the album's third and single in May 2007, the track contains a sample from Toto's 1982 song "Africa"—a former number-one...
"—the final single from her second album The High Road
The High Road
The High Road is the second studio album by American recording artist JoJo, released in the United States on October 17, 2006 by Da Family Entertainment and Blackground Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during late 2005 to mid 2006 in California, New York City, and Miami...
—in late 2007, JoJo stated that she had been writing and working with producers for her third studio album, but would not go into the studio until early 2008. In mid-2008, JoJo revealed that the album, previously titled All I Want Is Everything, was scheduled for a fourth quarter release that year, to coincide with her eighteenth birthday in December. However, the album's release was delayed due to issues with her record label, Da Family Entertainment, which had encountered financial difficulties. Eventually, JoJo decided to sue the label in order to be released from her contract. JoJo won the case, and her label Blackground Records
Blackground Records
Blackground Records is an American record label owned by entertainment attorney and artist manager Barry Hankerson and his son Jomo Hankerson.-History:...
reached a deal with Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
for distribution. To prepare for the release of All I Want Is Everything, now titled Jumping Trains, in 2011, JoJo decided to release a mixtape in 2010.
Recording and composition
In late 2009, JoJo stated that she would be working on her first mixtape with producers Clinton SparksClinton Sparks
Clinton Sparks is a Boston-based radio, mixtape & Club DJ as well as a recording artist, writer, producer and TV personality.-Biography:...
and Chester French
Chester French
Chester French is an American indie pop band consisting of lead vocalist and songwriter David-Andrew 'D.A.' Wallach and multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Maxwell Drummey...
. In January 2010, JoJo shot a viral video for a track called "In the Dark". The video's release was then delayed because JoJo wanted to make sure that the timing was right, as its direction was so different than anything that she had done before. The mixtape's black-and-white cover was designed by Mowie Inc. and photographed by Steven Taylor.
The mixtape's recording took place over one year. JoJo thought that it was more experimental than her album because she "was able to explore the full spectrum of things that interest me and inspire me musically", which resulted in a broad range of sounds, such as pop, hip-hop and soulful records. Compared to All I Want Is Everything, which comprised pop records and radio hits, the mixtape allowed JoJo to be "more soulful, incorporate live instruments, and say things that I wouldn't normally say on an album. I was just able to take more of a risk." In addition, while the album has a cohesive sound and a common thread like a continuous body of work, the mixtape jumps around and is "all over the place, just like me."
Promotion
The track, "In the DarkIn the Dark (song)
"In the Dark" is a song recorded by DJ Tiësto with vocals from Christian Burns in 2007 and released in March 2007. This song is off the album Elements of Life. The song was composed by Christian Burns, Tiësto and D.J. Waakop Reijers-Fraaij....
", premiered on August 30, 2010 on Rap-Up.com
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
. Produced by Jordan Gatsby and co-written by JoJo and Gatsby, the singer thought that the song was unlike anything that she had previously released because "it's a very sensual record and there's an undertone of sadness to it." The track's "experimental sound" was not meant to reflect the material on All I Want Is Everything, but was released as "a thank you to her loyal fans who've stuck by her throughout the years". The song's viral video was released on September 9. Directed by Nicole Ehrlich and Clarence Fuller in New York, the scenes were originally shot in color, but it was later decided that black-and-white imagery would best convey the lyrics and mood. Rap-Up
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
wrote that "JoJo sheds her good girl image for a more risqué one in the viral video" as "the blindfolded singer gives into her physical desires in the provocative clip."
Live Performances
JoJo has performed the song "Boy Without A Heart" several times since the release of the mixtape. She performed the song for the first time at 4th annual Jordin SparksJordin Sparks
Jordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
experience in North Texas on February 2, 2011. She then performed the song at the Girls Who Rock 2011 Concert benefiting She's The First where she also debut her the song "Jumping Trains" from her upcoming third album of the same name She has also performed the song on the Joe Jonas & Jay Sean Tour
Joe Jonas & Jay Sean Tour
The Joe Jonas & Jay Sean Tour is the first co-headlining tour by American singer Joe Jonas & British singer-songwriter Jay Sean in support of their studio albums Freeze Time & Fastlife. The 19-city intimate club trek kicks off in Boston on September 6 and will stop in major cities across North...
as their opening act and has performed it a few other times.
Concept
The mixtape's title, Can't Take That Away from Me, was personal to JoJo because it reflected what she was going through "professionally as well as personally. Starting with the fact that I want to release music and you can't really take what comes naturally to me, away from me." Upon the mixtape's release, JoJo said that "in releasing this mixtape, I'm affirming that even though some have tried they CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME. What is THAT? My voice, my spirit, my drive, my dreams. As you listen to these songs, I hope that they make your head nod, your mind tick, your emotions move, your belly laugh, and maybe elicit a 'stanky face' or something."Commercial Performance
The mixtape performed well when it comes to commercial performance which saw over 185,000 downloads the first week of release. As of September 2011 saw over 400,000 downloadsTrack listing
External links
- The mixtape on BandcampBandcampBandcamp is an online music store, as well as a platform for artist promotion, that caters mainly for independent artists. Artists on Bandcamp have a customizable microsite with the albums they upload. All tracks can be played for free on the website and some artists offer free music downloads...