There are many musicians who have made an impact in pop culture. Artists that were game changers in their respective genres like – Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Billie Holiday, The Supremes, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Mary J. Blige and Sade. Today, not many artists have the same impact but have made stood considering today’s music is very generic. In an era where hip/hop and rap rules, there have been leaders and followers. Some of the artists making an impact today include – Rihanna, Beyoncé, Eminem, Lady Gaga and Drake. But what of those artists that somehow fly under the radar and that have contributed brilliant music? Such artists like – Faithless, Joi Cardwell, Billie Ray Martin, Roisin Murphy, The Knife, Deee-Lite, Oh Land, Robyn, Royksopp and Bjork.
Kristine Weitz – known as Kristine W, has been an active artist – mainly in the dance/club scene in North America. Her first commercially released single, “Feel What You Want” was a success in Europe and became her first of 8 consecutive Billboard Club Play #1 hits. Saying this, let’s take a look at her body of work. As mentioned, Kristine’s first number one hit on a Billboard Chart, was “Feel What You Want”. Since then, Kristine W has tallied 16 number one singles on Billboards Club Play Chart. As of April 2015, Kristine W is currently in the top 5 artists with most number one’s on this chart. Here is the current ranking of most number 1’s on Billboard’s Club Play
- Madonna (44)
- Beyoncé and Rihanna (22)
- Janet Jackson (19)
- Mariah Carey and Donna Summer (17)
- Kristine W and Jennifer Lopez (16)
For an artist who hasn’t had much airplay on commercial/pop radio, it’s pretty amazing to be in a ranking with such high-profile artist such as Beyoncé, Rihanna and the Queen of Pop – Madonna. As a matter of fact, Kristine W was named Billboard’s # 3 artist of the 2000’s only behind Beyoncé and Madonna.
In my opinion, Kristine W, has released one of the best pop/dance/electronic albums – Land of the Living. This album is a perfect amalgamation of pop/jazz/club and electronic music. Land of the Living is a powerful and passionate album that comes from the heart and a place of love. It’s an album that has a message about perseverance, determination and becoming independent. Land of the Living reinforces that the dance community is not only about beats, fun and drugs but that it cares about social issues and is as legitimate as the other genres in pop culture.
Here is a bit of background surrounding Kristine W’s releases:
- She has released 8 full-length albums: Perfect Beat (1986, re-released in 1994), Land of the Living (1996), Stronger (2000), Fly Again (2003), The Power of Music (2009), Straight Up With A Twist (2010), New and Number Ones (2012), New and Number Ones Club Hits Part One (2013), New and Number Ones Club Hits Part Two (2014).
- Has officially released 20 singles.
- All of her commercially released singles were # 1 singles on the Billboard Club Play Chart except, “I’ll Be Your Light” (2), “So Close To Me” (2), “Everything That I Got” (4) and “Love Come Home” (4). “Love Come Home” war originally released in 1994 and did not chart.
- Her most successful charted single was, “One More Try” which hit Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart and peaked at # 78.
- Her album “Straight Up With A Twist” includes jazz and chill out reinterpretations of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven”, Donna Summer’s “On The Radio” and Eagles “Take It To The Limit”. It also includes reinterpretations of her own classic hits, “Wonder of It All”, “Stronger”, “Some Lovin”, and “Feel What You Want”.
I have had the opportunity of seeing Kristine W each time she has come to the Toronto, Ontario Canada region and even met her on several occasions. She really does give everything she’s got when performing and greeting her fans. I am inspired of how hard she works to get her music out to her fans especially without the backing of a major record label.
I continue to have much of her music on repeat on my phone, computer, home stereo and record player! Yes, I revisit and play vinyl as often as I can – the music is so crisp and clear on vinyl. It also provides that comforting ‘old school’ feeling of when the purchase of music was just as exciting as listening to it. I have many favorite singles from all of her albums. It’s hard to pick one song that is the best but, there is always one song I always go back to when I need motivation, inspiration and a reminder that LOVE can conquer anything. That song is “Let Love Reign”. Hope it inspires you as much as it inspired me. Here are the lyrics, YouTube audio follows:
Let Love Reign
Maybe it’s only in my mind
Where love reigns all the time
Do you believe? I still believe
Our brother’s sleeping all alone in the park
His head is resting on a pillow of hope
Then he says dance for me, he gives me smiles for free
He trades a joke for mine and the world is fine
And we let love reign
We reach out, don’t be afraid
Everything you do
It will be coming back to you
Let love reign
A rich man’s sitting on his velvet couch
His kingdom rains until he’s drowned in my dreams
And then he says sing for me, give me your song for free
I’d trade his soul for mine if I could only make him kind
And he would let love reign
We reach out, don’t be afraid
Everything you do
It’s coming back to you
There’s a kingdom of kindness where love is
And a rainbow will come with the rain’s kiss
And love remains when love reigns
Let love reign
We reach out, don’t be afraid
And everything you do
It will be coming back to you
‘Cause only love reigns
With my love reigns
Everything you do
Is coming back to you
I do believe that love remains
I do believe that love reigns
I do believe that love remains
I do believe that love reigns
I do believe that love remains
I do believe that love reigns
I do believe that love remains
I do believe that love reigns
I do believe
I do believe
I do believe
Let our love reign
COALITION OF POSITIVE ENERGY 