When Fashion Rocks Magazine asked Jennifer Hudson about the musical direction of her new album, she declared that it wouldn't be tailored to anything of the hip-hop genre. I can understand and respect the first part where she simply says it's not hip-hop, it's the oddball reasoning she adds to the answer.

The answer she gives after the initial is "Let’s just say that. I don’t have anything against it, but it’s not the music that I like to sing. There’s some pop in there, and some R&B-soul, but,” and we follow with a pause at this point with once again, "not hip-hop".

So what is she saying here? Hip-hop is too sinful for her. In that case, she is right to go for the ever so pure land of R&B soul and pop where the topic of choice is usually over the quest for love. I can only think of Marvin Gaye when it comes to someone who got beyond that to talk about something relevant (at the moment anyway).

This is often told to me by my parents, but there was a time people thought Ray Charles was crazy for tailoring some of his music into the country genre. Well, he went there and according to legend, seemingly did very well. You could argue it had more to do with his talent than his diversity of musical tastes, but Ray was also a fan of the art of listening. Not just to the words people spoke to him, but also to sounds.

Jennifer Hudson's success in music, in anything, is going to depend on how well she can separate her personal tastes from that of the public's. You can't completely turn off the latter and hope to win at the former this early in the game. Just ask Kelly Clarkson.

As a matter of fact, skip her. Go and consult with Justin Timberlake. He benefits from his crossover success despite the musical history that he has to carry with him from his days with N'Sync. And hey, Double J (allegedly) hit it — which is the black seal of approval as far as I'm concerned.

Getting back to the point, I agree that Ms. Hudson doesn't have to sing anything in relation to "hip-hop". But, she should withhold the extra commenting and give it some thought. Consult with Ye or Tim, or even a NERD to figure out which sound is right for her.

And you know half of the people waiting for you to fall are part of the B crowd who believe brother Matthew's daughter is Jesus in a woman's body.

Ms. Hudson should get a taste of the genre she supposedly won't sing before she decides to add on the extra reasoning as to why she won't sing it. Smell the dollars, J-Hud. They could come if you give a "hip" and a "hop" to your music. That comes with a side of the common sense I hope your getting as you realize the mistake in your words.

Hell, I'm sure Superstar James wouldn't say something like that and he looks "hip-hop".