Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins was a heavy hitmaker back in the late 90s, as well as 2001. When he finally set up his own label, he signed artists like Canela, Rhona, So Plush and Fats to the label. They began recording their debut albums with the heavy involvement of Jerkins. However, none of them saw a release and they were all sadly shelved. But I was able to get their debut albums before stores took them off the shelves.
Hearing all the material off each album, I grew curious as to wonder whether or not Rhona was a background vocalist on all of Rodney’s tracks. Her voice was so breath-taking and her voice always cried for a lead, but unfortunately it wasn’t Rhona. Examining the debut albums’ liner notes it was a female vocalist who went by the name of Carmen Lampson…
I always wondered if she recorded a debut album. I checked but nothing came up. I did however noticed her again, when I spotted her credits in Michael Jackson‘s “Cry” song off his “Invincible” album. I would hope that like few female background vocalists, she got a chance to record solo material and release it. Unfortunately it never happened. As years went by, I no longer spotted Carmen at all especially in Darkchild’s works. After the fallout and closing of Darkchild’s label, I guess Lampson was like Rhona and Plush retired. However, my assumptions were wrong. The craziest and breath-taking day happened to me yesterday. I was able to talk with Carmen Lampson!!! Excuse my excitement. I had to ask her some questions and her whereabouts as to what she was doing now:
Jay: I got Rhona’s CD along with all the credits. I loved your vocals and work on “Miss the Way”. That’s my favorite jam on the whole CD hands down – INCREDIBLE! If it’s okay with you, I just wanted to ask you a couple of questions right quick: What was it like working with Darkchild and Rhona? Is it true you performed vocals with Michael Jackson on “Cry”?
Carmen: Thank you so much, I’m flattered! I never really thought anyone payed any attention to my work since it was so long ago… working with Rhona and Darkchild was a wonderful learning experience. Some of the best years of my life! And yes, I co-wrote and performed vocals on Michael Jackson’s ‘Cry’ as well.
Jay: THAT’S TERRIFFIC! Wow it must have been huge and a 1 in a trillion lifetime chance to work with Michael. You are so lucky! A few more questions if you don’t mind me asking. Did you ever record any other songs with Darkchild and did you ever get a chance to work with people in his camp back in ’01 like Brandy, Plush, or Canela? Were you able to record your own solo debut album? Who would you like to collaborate with? Since it’s the ninth anniversary of Aaliyah’s passing, what was your reaction to her death and did you ever get a chance to collaborate with her? What’s your view on R&B today?
Carmen: LOL! Ok, lemme try to take each question one at a time… working with Michael was truly a blessing. The best thing that ever happened to me… I have been a fan of his since I was 9, so to hear him sing a song that I helped create was more than anyone could have ever dreamed of. When Michael passed, I felt like part of me died with him…Aaliyah… OMG … when she passed, that killed me too! I remember it like it was yesterday, because my writing partner and I had just gotten word that she was working on a new album and was still looking to a few more songs to complete it. We wrote a song specifically for her named “Someone”. It still haunts me how much I sounded like her on the demo.
As far as other recordings with Darkchild, my partner and I had written over 50 songs during the course of our time working with them. But that’s a whole other story. I noticed you have a few songs from So Plush as well. Here’s a little secret about the group… 95% of their vocals are really me, except the lead vocals… they really can’t sing. Unfortunately, I was not able to record a solo album because I was told that “my look wasn’t marketable enough…” Well, that’s the industry for ya…*sigh*. I have a long list of people I would love to collaborate with if I ever had the chance. Marsha Ambrosius, Stevie Wonder, India Arie… too many to name!
My honest view on R&B today? In a nutshell, it sucks! LOL!
Jay: hahaha girl you are too much! LOL! Wow!! 50 songs thats a lot. And I can’t believe that people actually said that to you “not marketable” – girl you can sing and make tons of hot ass songs but wow, I never get that about the industry. They’re always looking for females who have to be sexed up and acting like a slut rather than having class. 10 years later it’s still happening – only it’s gotten worse. Such a shame that most of the Darkchild projects were shelved though and got released like years later in online markets or overseas. Ugh, the music industry. And yeah. I feel you. I was gonna say the same thing. R&B pretty much is wack. Too much auto-tune, beat biting, singing off key & definently too much ‘swagger-jackin’. There’s no such thing as creativity in R&B nowadays. Such a shame
Carmen: Yeah, tell me about it. My partner and I were very young at the time and the Darkchild camp knew that. They took advantage of our eagerness to succeed and milked us for all we were worth. If you know anything about Rodney Jerkins, there are several people who can attest to how shady the music industry was, and still is.
Jay: That “Someone” demo song you did for Aaliyah, was that going to be on her last album if you don’t mind me asking? I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. It means a lot to me.
Carmen: Oh, it’s no problem at all. It’s nice to finally run into someone with a genuine interest in music and some of my work from the past. As far as the Aaliyah song, my partner and I were hoping at the time that it would get chosen, but due to her unfortunate and sudden passing, we were unable to submit the song at that time…
After doing the interview and thanking Ms. Carmen Lampson like a million times, I was shocked to find that Rodney would take advantage of her. Even producers that you may find normal could be doing the same thing like Rodney today to many other vocalists like Carmen (very sad). I hope Carmen does get a chance to record solo material that would be great and I wish her all the best and again I thank her for taking the time to answer my questions.
Via Lost & Found
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