R&B Bridgez: 20th Anniversary of Nivea’s ‘Complicated’ + UB Interview

Today May 3rd, is the 20th Anniversary of singer/songwriter Nivea‘s sophomore album release. Originally released May 3rd, 2005.

“Complicated” is hands down, one of the Top 5 R&B albums released in 2005.

UB conducted a Pre-album Interview with Nivea for “Complicated” in April of 2005.

Today we spotlight that album and interview on it’s anniversary, as “Complicated” is the true definition of R&B Bridgez!

Nivea grew up in Savannah, Georgia, and is the youngest of three sisters.

Though she grew up in a house full of vocalists, Nivea was extremely shy and never thought she’d wind up a recording artist. She admited, “I never wanted to be a professional singer.” At seven she was inspired to shake her stage fright when she heard Mariah Carey sing but eventually learned it was actually easier to sing for strangers. “I hated singing in front of my family,” she recalls.

The public got a taste of Nivea’s vocals when she appeared on “Danger.” Having recorded the track shortly after landing her deal with Jive, the then-18-year-old songbird was caught off guard when it took off and she found herself on stages across the country. “It was crazy,” she recalls. “We were on every television show. And I had never even participated in talent shows or anything like that.”

Nivea’s 2001 self-titled debut included “Laundromat,” and “Ya Ya Ya.”

The album produced five singles, including “Don’t Mess with the Radio,” which became a Top 20 hit in Australia, and the Grammy nominated “Don’t Mess with My Man“, a collaboration with Brandon Casey and Brian Casey from Jagged Edge, which became a Top 10 hit in France, New Zealand and on the Billboard Hot 100.

When it came time to record the follow-up, Nivea wrote many of the songs and had plenty from which to draw for lyrical inspiration. “I went through a bunch of changes [over the last two years],” she revealed, adding that “Complicated” is “much more relatable, especially for women. They’ll listen to it and be like ‘Girl, me too!’”

It presented a mix of party records and ballads, which she has an affinity for. “I love slow songs. It’s actually more of a challenge to sing as fast song, for me. I’m more soulful anyway. To just hold out a note and scream through a song, that’s me.”

Her most personal story at the time was “No More.” Reflecting on the period during which she wrote it, she said, “I was fed up at one point. My family was going through it. I was going through it. It was kind of like that release record.”

The lead single from “Complicated,” “Okay” featuring Lil’ Jon and YoungBloodZ, peaked at #40 on the Billboard Hot 100, #16 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart, #46 on the Billboard Pop 100 chart, #32 on Billboard’s Pop 100 Airplay chart and #14 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, staying on the chart for 27 weeks.

May 3rd, 2005 Nivea, released her sophomore album “Complicated” which peaked at #37 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

Due to Nivea’s pregnancy with her first child, promo plans for the album were halted.

In May of that same year, Nivea gave birth to her daughter Navy Talia.

Due to promotion, Jive Records canceled the release of the album’s follow-up singles the title track and “Parking Lot.”

Aries from UB spoke to Nivea about the release of “Complicated.”

Nivea shares how the project came together, her favorite song from it and more!

UrbanBridgez.com: First let me say congratulations on your pregnancy and are you excited about being a mother?
Nivea: Oh my goodness, thank you so much. Yes I am very excited about being a mother. I’m having a girl and I’m going to be able to do all the little girlie things with her (laughs).

UrbanBridgez.com: Our site is co-sponsoring a contest with Jive for your upcoming release, where one winner will win a gift certificate to a Naomi Sims salon to get there hair did. The contest is playing around the theme of your “Okay” video. So here is the question, how long does it usually take Nivea to get ready when you’re about to go clubbin, from start to finish?
Nivea: Wow that’s a cool contest, so when do we know the winner?

UrbanBridgez.com: May 9th is when we pick the winner.
Nivea: Aww man it really depends on how long it takes me. I’m trying to think of my last appearance. Like hair takes the longest, so that depends, then it depends on what type of style I’m trying for. So if the hair needs to be done, it will be an all day thing (laughs), but if it’s done, not that long.

UrbanBridgez.com: What makes “Complicated” different from your debut and why the title “Complicated?”
Nivea: It’s definitely more R&B then the first one and more mature. I named it “Complicated” because it’s from a woman’s voice. We as women are very complicated.

UrbanBridgez.com: Some fans feel that your album isn’t going to be out soon enough to ride the success of “Okay. ” Do you feel the same?
Nivea: No I don’t feel that way. I mean it’s a great song and it’s still climbing the charts, I mean we’re hitting crossover now. Plus we just did a remix with Dream which is really a brand new song. My online fans are excited and they’re talking about a video. So it’s far from done.

UrbanBridgez.com: How much writing did you do for this project?
Nivea: Quit a bit. The majority of it actually. I think all of them except three. It was great, I did most of the writing with Dream. He’s been teaching me a lot, because that’s what he does, write. That’s his specialty. So with that, I just came in to add my flavor. With him, I actually learned because he was so easy to work with and to learn from. I hate when other producers/writers just put you in the studio and it’s like, sing. So I enjoyed working with him a lot.

UrbanBridgez.com: Tell me about “No More?”
Nivea: When the fans hear it, it’s self explanatory. It’s about my family, business, stuff like that. I placed a little message in the song also. Everybody goes through it, at one point or another. Just keep going and don’t give up.

UrbanBridgez.com: My favorite track is the title track, what’s your favorite and why?
Nivea: Mines too! (laughs). I love that song, it talks about where I am now and how I feel. It’s just so soft and sweet. That’s another one I did with Dream. Wow, all I can say is I love it!

UrbanBridgez.com: Tell me something about you where most of your fans would be shocked to know?
Nivea: Shocked? Not really anything I don’t think. Let’s see. I want to do so many things then just Nivea the singer. I want to direct films, we have this idea for a spa and cafe that I would like to get up. I want to do photography, I want to be a chef (laughs). A good mommy, wife, work with other artists. Man there is just so much stuff I want to do.

UrbanBridgez.com: Do you have any plans to write for any other artists soon?
Nivea: Definitely, when the opportunity comes up, I’ll be down for it. At the moment I don’t have anything set up.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s coming up for Nivea?
Nivea: This album, hitting the road with some promotion. Being a mommy.

UrbanBridgez.com: Any last words for your fans?
Nivea: Just thank you!

Take A Trip Down Memory Lane with “Complicated” on 20th Anniversary!