The Slay You Missed: Naomi Campbell's 'Baby Woman' Album
From runway to R&B, check out the music industry’s best kept secret.
If you didn’t know – Naomi Campbell isn’t just the world’s top model… she’s a singer, too. When the supermodel stunned in the teaser for Miley Cyrus‘ Something Beautiful album, all we could think was, “Is she going to sing???” Well, she didn’t, but we did stumble upon a time when she did.
‘something Beautiful’
In 1994, Campbell released Baby Woman, an 11-track project with R&B and pop influences. It was named after a personal nickname given by Turkish fashion and interior designer, Rifat Ozbek. The album’s cover art was shot by acclaimed fashion photographer Ellen Von Unwerth. Remaining true to her high-fashion roots, the supermodel serves face on the cover as she shaves her legs.
It was clear to many that Campbell was ready to take over another industry and begin her singer era. According to Vogue‘s entertainment director Sergio Kletnoy, “Based on the producers and writers alone pulled together for this album, you know she was taking it seriously! It was a cast of cool kids who don’t work with just anyone. It had all the components to be a successful album, but our society loves nothing more than to put limitations on people and, because most only saw Naomi as a model, her music career fizzled way too quickly.”
Now, the British model is definitely not the first celebrity to tap into music, but her experience definitely made others think twice before switching industries. By far, its hit single was “Love & Tears,” also the only song on the project with a music video. But Baby Woman still received harsh criticism. Others suspect that the album title may have unintentionally contributed to the… side-eyes.
Although some may call it a flop for selling less than 200 copies in the UK, Campbell proved her international fame was real as the album sold over 1 million copies in Japan. Babywoman has also become a cult-classic. Because it was only printed once, it has become a piece of highly sought-after ephemera. So, if you get your hands on a copy, keep it close.
Listen to the album below.
While you’re here, tap into TELFAR TV. In other music news, here’s what you need to know about Cardi B’s upcoming album.
