We all know that Amy Winehouse is a bit of an oddity, quite unique, and a 100% rebel to conformity. Amy was discovered in London after a friend sent in a demo tape. Her first album called Frank was released in 2003 in the UK and earned Amy industry recognition and a jump start into fame. Her first red carpet debut was the following year at the Brit Awards for her nominations for Best Female Solo Artist and Best Urban Act.
She was growing in popularity and fame, but this would catapult into exponential growth in 2007 upon the release of her second album Back To Black in the UK and the United States. The hit single off the second album, Rehab, would be the ticket into the American market. Little did anyone know at the time that her lyrics were not just for our entertainment.
After a string of drunken stupors on stages through her scheduled tour during 2007, Amy was forced to cancel the tour. Obviously this would upset and anger fans, but more importantly to the press, it would shed light on Amy’s substance abuse. Amy would soon overdose on a concoction of drugs that would kill an elephant including heroin, cocaine, ketamine, and marijuana. She went to rehab for a measly three day stint. Unfortunately for her, musicians of this day and age, where one cannot control the amount of free music downloads get distributed, most rely on public performances and concerts. If you cannot perform live, your career as an artist will be severely limited.
According to a British online publication The Daily Mail Online, Amy’s mother was quoted in an interview saying about Amy:
She’s reckless, very determined and if she wants to do something she will just do it. No one can stop her once she’s made her mind up but she never thinks of the consequences.
Luckily for her, her career was not a shambles yet. The Grammy Awards nominated her for six awards and voted her to receive five awards in 2008 for Rehab and Back To Black. This would skyrocket her sales and popularity. Also in 2008 she would receive the NME Awards nomination for Villain of the Year as well as Best Solo Artist.
Here is her music video for Pumps off her first album Frank:
The rest of the year would involve drug related arrests in Norway, and in the United Kingdom involving marijuana and crack cocaine. Not good for the press and tabloids that used horrific pictures of Amy in complete distress. Unfortunately for Amy, the negative press regarding her rebellious nature wouldn’t end in 2008.
Just when we thought Amy might be sincerely apologetic for making a mess of her fame, in 2009 a video came about that would shock the nation and world once again. Amy Winehouse had been filmed at a private residence singing an extremely racist song offending African Americans, Pakistanis, Asians, deaf, blind, mentally challenged, and gay people all at once. Shortly after Amy would apologize, claiming that she’s one of the least racist people around. Really?
She has not released anything since Back To Black however, there are rumors that she launched her own record label called Lioness Records and that we can expect a new album in 2011. Let’s hope the worst of her rebellious and drug induced era is over, and that she utilizes her beautiful voice and amazing musical talent to produce some awesome music that the world can enjoy once again.
