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Nicole Scherzinger Album Preview

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The Pussycat Dolls’ lead singer Nicole Scherzinger is about to break out from the mega-selling girl group with her solo debut album Her Name Is Nicole. The sexy Hawaii-born singer came up with the title because people recognized her as PCD’s frontwoman, but most didn’t know her name. But that’s about to change…

Her Name Is Nicole is a mix of R&B, pop, hip-hop, and rock. Producers include heavy hitters Polow Da Don (“Whatever You Like”), Timbaland (“Physical”), Akon (“Puakenikeni”), Pharrell (“I.M.I.S.S. You”), and will.i.am (“Baby Love”). Nicole co-wrote all except two songs on the album. The first single, “Whatever You Like” featuring T.I. can be heard here. A video has already been shot.

Rap-Up was one of the first media outlets to hear seven full tracks off the album, which is scheduled for release in October. After our listening, we have no doubt Nicole is on her way to becoming a household name.

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1. “Whatever U Like” featuring T.I.
Produced by Polow Da Don

The first single off Her Name Is Nicole is a hit in the making. This club banger will get play on urban and mainstream radio. It’s a perfect lead single and a good song to release in the summer. The beat has those distinctive Polow Da Don sirens that are reminiscent of Kelis’ “Blindfold Me,” which Polow also produced. “She hot as a stove, her name is Nicole!” is repeated by songwriter Sean Garrett throughout the song. The chorus goes, “I wanna do whatever you wanna, I’ll do whatever you like.” Nicole sings about doing whatever her man likes, including “riding it like a Harley.” T.I.’s rap is towards the middle of the track. This same beat can previously be heard on songs by TLC’s Chilli (”Straight Jack”) and Mase. Listen to the song here.

2. “Super Villain”
Produced by Mad Scientist

This is already the label’s frontrunner for the second single. Another danceable jam with a catchy chorus: “I want ’em super bad, super bad, bad boys drive me crazy.” There is a reggae/dancehall break in the middle. Nicole sings, “I wanna be Lois and Clark, I wanna be Bonnie and Clyde, ’cause I’ll ride all day.” The song oozes sexiness.

3. “Physical” featuring Timbaland
Produced by Timbaland

The upbeat song has a thumping baseline and starts off with a rap by Timb. The hook goes, “Let’s dance, let’s get physical, work your body like some cardio. Let’s dance, let’s get physical, let’s get emotional and take off our clothes.” Some of the song can be heard in the movie Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer.

4. “Baby Love”
Produced by will.i.am and written by Kara Dioguardi

Nicole’s pick for the second single. This has top 40 radio smash written all over it. The midtempo song features a guitar. The laid-back vibe is similar to the Pussycat Dolls’ “Stickwitu.” Chorus: “We so in love, you are my baby love, you make the sun come up, oh boy, you’re my every, everything that I could ever dream of.” A gushy love song that 14-year-old girls and pop radio will eat up.

5. “Puakenikeni”
Produced by Akon

The uptempo song is named after a Hawaiian flower. Starts off with Akon’s signature Konvict Muzik cell bars slamming, yet it doesn’t sound like an Akon produced track. This love song then goes into a Hawaiian chant. Nicole sings, “Don’t you wanna pick my Puakenikeni? Nothing’s sweeter than my Puakenikeni.” Nicole’s favorite song on the album.

6. “Happily Never After”
Written by Ne-Yo

A ballad about leaving your lover. “I don’t think I want this anymore as she drops the ring down to the floor,” Nicole sings. Ne-Yo does what he does best by telling a story through the song. Sample lyrics: “No happily never after, that just ain’t for me, I know I deserve better after all, I’ll never let another tear drop fall.” Fans will be pulling out their lighters/cell phones when this song is played at a concert.

7. “Just Say Yes”
Produced by Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol

A soft and slow song with a pulsing, electronic beat. Everything about it is understated. Something you would not expect to hear on this album. This would be categorized as more alternative/soft rock music, hence it was produced by Gary Lightbody of the rock band Snow Patrol. Sample lyrics: “Please take my hand, it’s so simple and you know it is, I can feel your heartbeat through your shirt, it’s all I want, just say yes, nothing holding you back.”

Rap-Up’s Favorite Tracks: “Whatever You Like,” “Super Villain,” and “Baby Love”

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46 Comments

  1. jl_crack
    July 2nd, 2007 at 3:25 am

    OMG!!! thank you very much! This album is gonna be SO HOT!!!! I can퀚´t wait to hear that album! the single is the hottest song!!

  2. Chanté
    July 2nd, 2007 at 3:55 am

    I don’t know if I like all of this, pretty girl full of potential and energy, she was the lead of the group for a reason, she naturally stands out, that’s why she caught my attention and I love her though I never loved the group. So I was waiting for her but all this seems too PCD-ish for me. I expected the unexpected, guess not! *shrug* Oh well, good luck Nicole anyway.

  3. rap-up-player
    July 2nd, 2007 at 4:46 am

    t4p. i think its goign to be hot.

  4. Trent
    July 2nd, 2007 at 6:15 am

    Ihope it’s way more then just 7 songs cuz wow that’s not much of an album but i do think it’s going to b hott

  5. AMERIEFAN!!
    July 2nd, 2007 at 6:57 am

    thanks i will defenity buy her album she always has confidence and a swagga and also that sexy look that i love which makes the pussycat dolls sooooOooO orginal.
    *thanks rap-up for the preview

  6. lamont
    July 2nd, 2007 at 7:45 am

    I’m really lookin’ forward to her album.

  7. u idiot
    July 2nd, 2007 at 8:10 am

    u moron, they only “heard” a sample of 7 songs. what cd do you know has ever had 7 songs?

  8. jl_crack
    July 2nd, 2007 at 8:31 am

    Can we hear the songs?????.. Or the single!!!.. I want to hear it! I can퀚´t wait!

  9. snowbunny
    July 2nd, 2007 at 8:47 am

    Thank you so much for this. I have been wanting to hear about her project for awhile. I always thought when she hit she was going to blow. And now I see my assumption may be right. And she is on Interscope they will give her all the support she needs.

  10. Anonymous
    July 2nd, 2007 at 11:29 am

    her first single is stated to be steam. a song produced by my favorite producer – b.cox. its quite an old song but its a good dance song. ashanti and 7 aurelius tried to copy the beat with a song called heres my number babe.sadly they failed horribly.

  11. Anonymous
    July 2nd, 2007 at 11:33 am

    oh yeah steam and that ashanti song sample “kraftwerk – numbers”

  12. chris
    July 2nd, 2007 at 11:52 am

    No her first single is NOT steam, that won’t even be on the album, the first single is ‘Whatever You Like’

  13. Anonymous
    July 2nd, 2007 at 2:17 pm

    I don’t know how she’s gonna match the Backstreet Boys’ version of “Happily Never After”. They’re known for their ballads. Poor girl’s got big shoes to fill.

  14. Anonymous
    July 2nd, 2007 at 2:39 pm

    The Backstreet Boys have also recorded Happily Never After. It was supposed to be on their next album but I guess it isn’t anymore.

  15. Anonymous
    July 2nd, 2007 at 3:28 pm

    She can outsing most of bsb. They aren’t known for anything anymore.

  16. Jack Al-Sabban
    July 2nd, 2007 at 7:30 pm

    “Happily Never After” isn’t it the new backstreet boys song from their next album ???
    I realy loved this song by the backstreet boys , even thought that we (guys) not a big fans of the backstreet boys . but i heared Happily never after and another song called “helpless when she smile” , they’re great . and i think Nicole version would be amaaaazing too . ;)

  17. Ness
    July 2nd, 2007 at 8:58 pm

    luv it luv it luv it!! OMG OMG OMG ‘her name is nicole’ is gona be released on my birthday! wat a slammin present! luv it

  18. nury
    July 2nd, 2007 at 11:41 pm

    omg!! i just cant wait!! luv her

  19. LOL
    July 3rd, 2007 at 5:13 am

    WHEN IS WHATEVA YOU LIKE COMING OUT IT SAID ON HERE MYSAPCE THAT IT WILL BE OUT LAST!!! OMFG HOW LONG DO WE HAVE 2 W8 OMFG SHE IS PISSING ME OFF

  20. Alex
    July 3rd, 2007 at 10:46 am

    WOOOOAAAAAH, this album will be perfect!!! Whatever You Like will be a summer hit!!! that’s for sure!!!

  21. Nanda
    July 3rd, 2007 at 11:11 am

    OMG…I’m so excited!I can’t wait!I wanna hear the songs or the first single!I luv her,shes deserves the Best of The Best!:)

  22. Anonymous
    July 3rd, 2007 at 12:28 pm

    Thank goodness, somebody other then Beyonce is
    coming out with and Album…Thank You Nicole!!!!

  23. Rula
    July 3rd, 2007 at 6:02 pm

    Whatever .. Who Cares .. Poor Girl ..
    anyway try to do your own songs .. bitch

  24. sldsadsadewew
    July 4th, 2007 at 12:23 am

    WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE COPY N PASTE THE INFO

  25. dark wood man
    July 4th, 2007 at 11:59 pm

    WOWOWOWOWO wait guys happily never after is a backstreet boys’s song why did she stole it?

  26. Ian aka AnGeLGuY2008
    July 5th, 2007 at 8:51 am

    Wow… i can’t wait…
    but is that all? hehe

  27. Ellen
    July 5th, 2007 at 10:57 am

    I can’t wait. It’ll definitely be a MASSIVE hit. I like the sound of Baby Love and Whatever You Like xD

  28. max
    July 5th, 2007 at 11:33 am

    when will the single be able to be downloaded or listened 2. i really wanna hear it.

  29. axianbeauty
    July 5th, 2007 at 5:17 pm

    Happily Never After is a Backstreet Boys song for their new album.. Why does she have it?!

  30. NicoleFanSince2000
    July 5th, 2007 at 7:37 pm

    I CAN’T WAIT… I’VE HONESTLY BEEN WAITING FOR HER SOLO ALBUM FOR OVER 7 YEARS… AND NOW IT’S HERE! I ALMOST CAN’T BELIEVE IT… IM SO HAPPY FOR HER AND IMMA CONTINUE BEING A FAN FOR LIFE… SHE’S SO AMAZING… SO BEAUTIFUL… SO PERFECT!!!

  31. Lwlc
    July 6th, 2007 at 4:39 am

    I love PCD, and love Nicole, but man that lead single is bad bad bad. I hope rest the album is better

  32. Antz
    July 6th, 2007 at 5:49 pm

    Ive heard baby love and it is an amazing track. BEP frontman Will.I.Am does and amazing job on providing a smooth simple beat and the guitar makes the song. It will more than likely leak within the week

  33. Josslin
    July 7th, 2007 at 2:09 am

    i have already listened to “whatever you like” it will beat this summer. if you want to listen to it, http://www.youtube.com... fantastic.

  34. phil
    July 7th, 2007 at 2:34 pm

    that will be a damn good album!!love her…the single is so HOT!!!…hope the PCD album will come out this year,too!

  35. Ronny
    July 7th, 2007 at 7:59 pm

    Cant u Just Post Baby love or no send it 2 me plz heres my e-mail ronizfine @yahoo.com

  36. Antz
    July 9th, 2007 at 11:55 pm

    Puakenikeni was just sent to me, im guessing that these will leak within the week. Awesome beats on this track and Nicole sizzles with her voice. Man she has worked very hard for this and she has done an amazing job.
    You guys will love it

  37. Alex
    July 10th, 2007 at 1:41 am

    “Happily Never After” is recorded by Backstreet Boys already. It sounds very good.
    I dont understand how is this song becomes Nicole’s song?

  38. ron
    July 10th, 2007 at 12:32 pm

    ronizfine@yahoo.com can u plz send it to

  39. Ronny
    July 10th, 2007 at 7:02 pm

    ANTZ CAN U SEND ME Puakenikeni AND Baby Love PLZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!

  40. Ronny
    July 10th, 2007 at 7:03 pm

    mY e-MAIL iS RONIZFINE@YAHOO.COM

  41. Antz
    July 11th, 2007 at 4:24 pm

    Dude i am not going to leak the songs. They will in time leak, but i will not be responsible for that!
    Sorry

  42. Ronny
    July 11th, 2007 at 7:31 pm

    y? som1 obviously leaked them 2 u i promise and swear i wont leak them if u want me 2 no crossies included

  43. Rap-Up.com:// often imitated, never duplicated » Blog Archive » New Music: Nicole Scherzinger - ‘Super Villain’
    August 14th, 2007 at 9:59 am

    [...] Nicole’s second single. 퀚 It has hit written all over it! 퀚 Read our preview of the album퀚 here.퀚 퀚 Nicole seems to have her fair share of haters already, so you can bet she has a long career [...]

  44. Rap-Up.com:// often imitated, never duplicated » Blog Archive » New Music: Nicole Scherzinger - ‘Baby Love’
    August 18th, 2007 at 12:00 am

    [...] This is Nicole Scherzinger’s week! First we got to hear “Super Villain,” then we saw the video for “Whatever U Like,” Thursday she performed on “So You Think You Can Dance,” and now another new song off her album has leaked called “Baby Love.” This one was produced by will.i.am and written by Kara Dioguardi. It’s a top 40 mid-tempo love song that 14-year-old girls will eat up. Read our album preview of Her Name Is Nicole here. [...]

  45. Eric
    August 30th, 2007 at 11:38 am

    Eric…

    Interesting and pretty much agreed….

  46. Rap-Up.com:// september/october issue on sale now » 2007 » September » 23
    September 23rd, 2007 at 4:08 am

    [...] If you missed it, read our preview of Her Name Is Nicole here. [...]