X-Cell and its formulae
24.12.05 Written by Thomas Mo

This is the very first article done especially for you immensed readers, by the all-new segment on Sarahlicious.

Introduction
Sarah Connor, the German popstress, was launch into the pop stardom with the RnB-tingled "Let's Get Back To Bed - Boy!", featuring one of the most well known US rapper TQ.

Today, once a mention of Sarah Connor in Germany, it becomes an iconic word, a name that all Germans will remember in years to come. Sarah Connor signed on with X Cell, a label which believes Sarah has what the potential to make it as the "real deal". Of course, with Sarah's undeniable talent and good looks, there's no doubt that "Sarah Connor" will fail, as a project for X Cell.

The Formulae
After the European-wide success of "From Sarah With Love" and its platinum-selling album, "Green Eyed Soul", it is obvious that X Cell did not know what to do, at the peak of her early success. They got back the same writers for "Green Eyed Soul", Rob Tyger and Kay Denar; in addition with a high-profile duet with ex-Fugees man Wyclef Jean, for the second album, "Unbelievable".

"Unbelievable" initial sales was a tremendous success, selling over 150,000 units within the first 48 hours, making it Gold instantly. But after a while, the success became inconsistent. Upcoming singles did not help the sales of itself's, it didn't help "Unbelievable" to rise in sales significantly.

Conquering the World
X Cell tried getting Sarah to US, UK, Asia and almost the rest of the world besides Germany with the compilation of "Green Eyed Soul" and "Unbelievable". "Bounce" was a major airplay in US and it hit #14 in UK without much promotion. In South Korea, "Skin On Skin" hit #1 for 2 weeks and with a bit more promotion, Sarah could easily topped the rest of the charts in the world. At that time, Sarah was pregnant with Tyler, so the project to conquer the world, failed.

A Change In The Formulae
When the third album, "Key To My Soul" was released, it is confirmed that X Cell will never change its style of working towards their project "Sarah Connor", the fact they were afraid the sales might not even match up to the declined sales of "Unbelievable". Despite confirmation, Sarah did put in her own effort into the album, both musically and lyrically. Both the singles from the album, "Music Is The Key" and "Just One Last Dance" are ballads, and both hit #1, making Sarah all number ones to be ballads (including her signature song 'From Sarah With Love').

X Cell made use of this situation (being the Germans liked Sarah ballads more than anything else she could offer), and released a ballad before Christmas, "Living To Love You". Yet again, it hit #1. That being said, her previous uptempo work like "Bounce" and "One Nite Stand" deserved the number one as well.

Fans Get Tired Of Ballads
"Bounce" was the last uptempo release from Sarah then, and despite the sucessor of number ones in a row with the ballads, fans were getting tired of Sarah doing ballads for her singles again and again.

So for a change, X Cell hook up "From Zero To Hero", a Max Martin-sounding production, with the anticipated movie "Robots" to appeal to the younger generation. "From Zero To Hero" sounds fresh, and it was the first uptempo song from Sarah since "Bounce", so regular Sarah fans and kids who watched "Robots" will urge their parents to get the single for them.

"From Zero To Hero" hits instantly at #1, being the 4th consecutive number one single. X Cell quickly bomb the album, "Naughty But Nice" into the stores and not to everyone's surprise, it was the first Sarah Connor album to hit #1.

All over again
After "Naughty But Nice" hit #1, it didn't motivate X Cell to release anymore singles off the album, ending the cut weirdly, because there should be singles release for fans, at least, before a new album comes up.

To think that "Naughty But Nice" did not hit its sales target, X Cell releases a Christmas album, "Christmas In My Heart", to cash in on hardcore fans. It contains mostly Christmas carols, thus becoming unworthy. Having said that, sales during Christmas is exceptionally high, because its holiday season and people might just get the album as a gift.

Conclusion
This article just wants to reflect on what X Cell has done for themselves and Sarah based on the decisions they make. Sarah has not transform herself as an artist, but more like a manufactured popstar; they got the same writers and producers for the last 4 albums, same director for the last 10 videos, and every single or album release seems to have an intention to it.

The question is: The formulae works, and it work very well on Sarah, but how long will it work?