Early 2000s talent was abundant. Blu Cantrell stood out. The blonde bombshell’s hit record ruled the radio. Cantrell was unable to maintain her fame like her peers. Where did the singer go?
Tiffany Cobb, from Providence, Rhode Island, began singing backup vocals for Sean “Diddy” Combs in the late 1990s. Teddy Riley recruited her into 8th Avenue. 8th Avenue was dropped once Riley left Backstreet. Usher recommended her to Tricky Stewart (“Umbrella,” “Single Ladies”), another big endorsement. After a bidding battle, L.A. Reid signed Cobb after Stewart introduced her.
The in-demand artist, Blu Cantrell, had to record her debut album under unusual circumstances. She was divorcing and caring for her comatose sister. They inspired music. Her sister’s struggle inspired “I’ll Find a Way,” while divorce inspired “Hit’ Em Up Style (Oops!)” with Dallas Austin. Her biggest hit, released on April 23, 2001, peaked at #2 on the Billboard charts.
While “Breath” featuring Sean Paul reaching the Billboard Hot 100, her second album was less successful. Since L.A. Reid left, Cantrell left Artista Records when it merged with J Records to form RCA Music Group. Cantrell has been “working” on her third album for over a decade.
Blu said the music industry “robbed” her and others in 2012. She claims the label gave her lawyers who repped the label and counseled her to make bad decisions. I was exploited. They published most of my writing. I never noticed the cheques come in. “Arista never paid me,” she said.
Unfortunately, the trauma broke Cantrell in 2014. The singer ran around Santa Monica at 2 am, claiming she had been poisoned. She was arrested for psychiatric evaluation. She called herself a “one-hit wonder” and asked police whether they knew her and her song.
The singer has kept quiet since then. Since 2016, @iamblucantrell has not updated her Instagram account. Fans are still posting, with others wishing her a Happy Birthday last week.
Her 2020 Blast Off Tour performance of “Breathe” was her last. “Thank you, Manchester,” she wrote. I’m excited to meet you again.”