Michael Arceneaux hails from Houston, lives in Harlem and praises Beyoncé’s name wherever he goes. Follow him on Twitter.
Amber Rose
As most can imagine, not everyone swooned over Rose singing about the burdens of quasi-celebrity on her debut single, "Fame." However, that hasn't stopped the model and TV personality (otherwise known as rap's most famous girlfriend) from making plans to release a follow-up, "Loaded." This attempt at a musical career might seem strange, but Amber comes from a long line of celebrities who don't seem to have any business singing but do so anyway. Here's a look back at some of the worst turns from non-singing stars.
Terrence Howard
Following the success of Hustle & Flow, the Academy Award-nominated actor thought he was going to be the next Jamie Foxx. Instead, his Columbia-released album, Shine Through It, and its first single, "Love Makes You Beautiful," performed about as well as his '90s UPN show Sparks. Don't cry for Slick Back, though. Just go see Red Tails. Oh, and pray for Howard as his nasty divorce trial looms. Shine through it, indeed.
Kim Kardashian
When the reality star announced that she would be working with The-Dream on a single "for fun," fans expected that the Prince enthusiast might try to mold Kardashian in the image of, say, Apollonia. Instead we got "Jam (Turn It Up)," which basically sounded like Kidz Bop meets narcolepsy. Much like her soon-to-be-ex-husband, we're thinking never again.
Deion Sanders
When the football star decided to live out his rap dreams, not many expected Sanders to be good. They were right. 1994's "Must Be the Money" is kind of like Taco Bell: cheesy, not especially authentic and sure to haunt you later. Nevertheless, it's kind of catchy and, thanks to YouTube, always available when we need a laugh.
Shaquille O'Neal
In the early 1990s, Shaq, with the help of folks like Erik Sermon and a host of other legitimate rappers, released a couple of rap albums. Some actually went gold, though it wouldn't be surprising if even Shaq himself couldn't name any of his songs. That is, besides the deserting-daddy-themed track "Biological Didn't Bother." It was … OK, which is quite a feat for any athlete-turned-rapper.
Kobe Bryant
On the modestly titled 1999 single "K.O.B.E.," featuring Tyra Banks, the man soon to be hailed as the greatest basketball player in the NBA rapped, "When God talk to me, give me a signal. But until then, all my ears hear, just let me flow." Evidently, God heard our prayers and let Vanessa's ex know that the studio was not for him. Or us. Amen.
Allen Iverson
On the surface, Iverson embodied several of the same characteristics as many of the popular rappers in 2000. That doesn't necessarily mean he should have tried, though, especially if, on songs like "40 Bars," he raps like Silkk the Shocker. If you're confused, that's not a compliment. Not now or ever.
Naomi Campbell
Nay-Nay's life has been one of heaven-level highs and fourth-circle-of-hell lows. When it comes to her short-lived music career, let's just say that when she released the album Baby Woman and its first single, "Love and Tears," in 1994, Jesus was not jiggin' to the supermodel's beat.
Tyra Banks
In 2004, surely inspired by the vocal powerhouse known as Jennifer Lopez, Banks tried to launch a music career with the single "Shake Ya Body." Naturally she used her show, America's Next Top Model, and its eager contestants to shoot a video for the Rodney Jerkins-produced cut. Unfortunately, most wanted Banks to limit her singing career to mimicking Beyoncé in the mirror … without a camera crew.
Oprah Winfrey
The hugely successful talk-show deity and now cable-channel owner never professed to be a songbird, yet she sure did try her vocal cords out for size when she decided to sing her own theme song. Unfortunately, the song was scrapped after much ridicule. For the record, Ms. Winfrey, there are plenty of us who love "Run On" and would sing it with Gayle King anytime you asked.
Jasmine Guy
Perhaps she got lost in the popularity of her role as Whitley Gilbert, but Guy's singing career never took off despite her solid voice, great stage presence, even better dance skills and production from then-hit makers Full Force. Maybe the rest of the world couldn't get it, Ms. Guy, but we'll always love you for "Try Me."
Tisha Campbell
Like Jasmine Guy, perhaps Campbell was a bit before her time. These days, the novelty of celebrity alone can garner widespread attention for one's newfound ambitions. You didn't make it big as a singer, Lady Campbell-Martin, but know that "Push, you got to push, you got to push until you get it right" became the credo for so many people's lives.
Kim Zolciak
She can't sing or dance, but since that hasn't really mattered for recording artists in at least the last 20 years or so, it's no wonder the Real Housewives of Atlanta star managed to score a hit with "Tardy for the Party." Too bad she didn't have her co-star (and actual singing professional) Kandi Burruss help her with her follow-up single, "Google Me," which bombed. This is why you pay producers and songwriters, Kim.
Sheree Whitfield
Taking a cue from Lil' Kim and Nicki Minaj, Whitfield took her reality-show beef with NeNe Leakes to the studio to record the dis track "Who Gon' Check Me Boo?" Even though she said the song was for charity, she should have just cut the babies in need a check and saved the shade for the Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion show. Also: Please put out a fitness DVD already.
Eddie Murphy
No matter how musically inclined he's reported to be and the relative hit that was "Party All the Time," Murphy has never managed to get people to take him seriously as a singer. If you need an answer as to why that is, check his cut with Michael Jackson, "Whatzupwitu." Even with the random members of the Boys Choir of Harlem doing laps in the clouds with him and M.J., all we can think while watching is, "Take a look, it's in a book … a reading rainbow." That is, when we're not laughing.
Brian Austin Green and David Faustino
David from 90210 and Bud from Married With Children tried to launch rap careers in the 1990s; what could go wrong? Everything. But if their children dropped albums right now, they'd have a great shot at going platinum.