Unfortunately for Faith Evans, no matter what she does nor how well she does it, her career will never be able to hold a candle to the ridiculous hip hop soap opera that is her life. First woman signed to the then Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs’ Bad Boy label; married rapper Notorious B.I.G. after knowing him nine days; allegedly had an affair with B.I.G.’s sworn enemy Tupac; had her only UK Number 1 with the “Every Breath You Take” murdering “I’ll Be Missing You”, the excruciating duet with Puffy in tribute to her slain, estranged, husband after he’d been shot in a drive-by. "Dynasty" couldn’t match that, what chance has her career?
And it doesn’t end there. Since her last album, 2001’s “Faithfully” she’s parted ways with Bad Boy, put on weight, lost weight and been busted on drugs charges with second husband, record executive Todd Russaw.
Still, at least she’s putting all her trauma to good use, using it as the springboard for her fourth album, "The First Lady". As part of her plea bargain to avoid a trial after her 2004 drugs arrest, Evans entered a ‘spiritual’ rehabilitation program where, of course, she was inspired to work through her issues via music. First single “Again” was the result. Through a bittersweet melody and a sunny ‘70s groove she recounts trials and tribulations new and old, and finds closure in the thought that even if she could, she wouldn’t change a thing, because it’s the dark hours that have made her who she is. The sentiment might be schmaltzy, but the song is by far the strongest she’s done and sets the tone of conquering demons via retro grooves.
From then on she’s immersed in sauntering contemplation, mid-tempo optimism and I’m-over-it partying. “Stop N Go” sways like an early ‘80s wine bar, “Jealous” is cute and coy and for “Goin’ Out”, The Neptunes roll-out their ever-welcome cyber-thud and make her sound like a slightly less crazed Kelis.
Throughout the tone is resolutely upbeat. She’s turning her troubles of the past into positives. And while there’s nothing big and bold enough to actually eclipse them, the quality is unmistakable and confirmation enough that she deserves to be remembered as more than just Biggie’s widow.
