Ciara Daily

Over the course of her eight-year career, Ciara has worked with more than her fair share of artists, producers, and collaborators in a variety of ways.  The following relates the many surprising faces in Ciara’s life, and how each one has gotten her to where she is now.

• Carrie Underwood:  Underwood was one of many of Ciara’s collaborators on the 2008 charity song Just Stand Up!.  Other performers included Beyonce, Sheryl Crow, Miley Cyrus, and many more.
• Bow Wow:  Ciara dated rapper and actor Bow Wow from 2005-2006, during which time they recorded the single “Like You” for Bow Wow’s album Wanted.  Bow Wow later recorded a song about their break-up, “Outta My System”, with T-Pain and Johnta Austin. Click here to continue reading »

Ciara is well known for her musical ambition and variety, but only true fans know of her forays into acting.  In 2006, she appeared in the MTV television film All You’ve Got as Becca Watley.  The movie chronicled the rivalry between two high school volleyball teams determined to make it to the top, making it easy for Ciara to bring her personality into the film.

But Ciara’s got another film that’s been stuck in limbo for the past year with no word as to why.  That movie is Mama, I Want to Sing!, based on the gospel stage musical that has been running off-Broadway.  Ciara plays main character Amara Winter, the daughter of a famous gospel singer, who wants to create her own success in the secular musical world. Click here to continue reading »

Ciara was born in Austin, Texas in 1985, and hasn’t stopped moving since.  With her father in the army, she never stayed in one place for long, putting in time in Germany, New York, California, Arizona, and Nevada.  It was in Atlanta that Ciara caught hit girl-group Destiny’s Child performing on TV during a day home from school.  This lucky incident caused her to dedicate her life to music and performing.

Ciara’s first musical output was as part of a similar girl-group called Hearsay, but like Destiny’s Child, they eventually disbanded due to individual conflicts.  Ciara’s first hit song was one she wrote for Fantasia Barrino, which appeared in 2004–the same year as Ciara’s own debut album, Goodies. Click here to continue reading »

The name is inspired by the 1992 neo-noir film starring Sharon Stone as an ice-pick wielding killer.  That should be enough to tell you that Ciara’s new album is going to sound dangerous—and very sexy.  This blend is what has gotten the video for the first single, “Ride”, banned from BET and UK music channels due to its content.  Reviewers have commented on the song’s sleek feel, with its slow-tempo and heavy bass that is sure to make it a summer hit.

Despite that, the album’s cover is relatively mysterious, simply showing one of Ciara’s steely eyes, the other being covered by her flowing hair.  That same attitude comes out on the second single, “Gimme That”, which will be released July 27.  Far from slow, this song is full of energy and fast beats, with Ciara screaming over it all. Click here to continue reading »

If you can’t wait for Ciara’s new album Basic Instinct to drop, and you’ve already spun out all her other ones, we’ve got the list for you.  These artists all rock just like Ciara, while bringing their own unique feel to the music.

• Keri Hilson:  Hilson’s actually written hits for Ciara, along with Britney Spears, Usher, and Ludacris.  It’s no surprise that her 2009 debut In a Perfect World… has the same infectious energy, backed up by futuristic electro beats.  The single for her new album, featuring Lil Kim, is due in August.
• Kelly Rowland: Rowland’s group Destiny’s Child was a major inspiration for Ciara.  While Kelly hasn’t hit the same solo popularity as Beyonce, her two albums, Simply Deep and Ms. Kelly, offer something out of the ordinary.  Simply Deep is a more pop-rock-oriented record, while Ms. Kelly sounds more urban and personal.  Her 3^rd self-titled album will feature a dance flavor and is set to be released this fall. Click here to continue reading »