After Ciara’s 2009 album “Fantasy Ride” failed to meet expectations — selling a meager 195,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan — following the success of 2006’s “Ciara: The Evolution,” which sold 1.3 million copies, and her “Goodies” debut, which sold 2.7 million — many counted her out.

But with the help of lead single “Ride” from “Basic Instincts,” her fourth studio album due Oct. 5 on Jive Records, the R&B singer/dancer/actress is back with a vengeance.

The single, produced by Christopher “Tricky” Stewart and written by the-Dream — who together helmed the entire album — is No. 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 after 13 weeks on each. The track has sold 250,000 downloads to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

“The track has caught on because it’s infectious, memorable and returns Ciara to her fan base,” Stewart says. “The last album we had a number of people in our ears not believing in our vision. This time Ciara drew the line and really fought for what she believed in.”

Another reason: Sex sells. Ciara takes that adage a step further than she did on her “Love Sex Magic” song and video with Justin Timberlake from her last album. Her limber writhing in a bodysuit in the videoclip seems demure compared with “Ride.” The highly sexified, push-the-envelope track finds Ciara boasting about her sexual prowess (“I can do it up and down, I can do circles/To him I’m a gymnast, this room is my circus,” she sings in a breathy tenor) atop a thumping, slinky beat.

The accompanying video, directed by Diane Martel, is just as explicit as the lyrics. The clip features Ciara provocatively gliding and bouncing atop a mechanical bull while wearing a wet T-shirt, among other highly sexualized visuals — so much so that BET Networks banned the video from its channel.

“Ride” isn’t the only promising track gleaned from “Basic Instinct” so far; “Gimme Dat,” a more uptempo but equally brash song was released as a buzz track. “I’ve been gone for too long, now it’s time I take it back,” she confidently opens the song over a lively, bass-driven dance beat. Additionally, a remix to “Ride,” featuring OutKast rapper André 3000, was released on the Internet.

While Ciara’s album was pushed back a number of times and an official second single hasn’t been released yet, her recent chart successes have many rooting for her and the future of her music career. “I am grateful to work with such a talented artist as Ciara,” the-Dream tells Billboard. “I’ve never doubted her talents or her will to succeed.”

Billboard.com

The 24-year-old R&B singer says people regularly confuse her with pop icon Janet, despite Janet being 20 years older than her. Even though she doesn’t quite understand how she could possibly look 44, Ciara insists she is thrilled people think she resembles Janet because the older star is so beautiful.

“Some people have said when they’ve seen a photo that I look like Janet Jackson, which is funny,” Ciara told the British edition of OK! magazine. “Mostly it is if I wet my hair a certain way. She is beautiful. When people say, ‘You remind me of her,’ it is definitely sweet to hear it.”

Ciara also opened up about her encounter with Janet’s late brother Michael Jackson, who died last year. The young singer was lucky enough to speak to Michael on the phone before he died, and says she will remember the experience forever.

“I didn’t get to meet Michael, but I did get to talk to him on the phone,” she explained. “It was cool and really surreal because I love Michael!”

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Ciara urgently and repeatedly calls for dance-floor shaking bass on ‘Gimme Dat,’ the second single from her forthcoming album ‘Basic Instinct.’

‘Gimme Dat’ looks certain to follow ‘Ride’ — Ciara’s recent Top 10 R&B smash hit collaboration with Ludacris — to the high reaches of the charts.

The lyrics are pretty direct: “Got them speakers burnin’ up / Gimme gimme gimme gimme that bass.” Luckily for Ciara, the song delivers the low end in large amounts, together with a hyperkinetic drum beat that’s sure to be blasting out of radios all across the country this summer.

Ciara has built a name for herself with a steady stream of R&B hits from her three previous albums, most recently 2009’s ‘Fantasy Ride,’ which spawned several worldwide singles, including ‘Love Sex Magic,’ her duet with Justin Timberlake.

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We first broke the tracklisting to Usher’s new 9 song release “Versus” last week but there has been one major change we need to inform you about. Ciara will no longer be featured on the new single “Hot Tottie,” the song will now just feature Jay-Z! The new release is in stores August 24th!

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The 24-year-old R&B singer is currently promoting her fourth studio album Basic Instinct, which is due to be released in August. Although her latest record is not even on shelves yet, Ciara is already thinking about her next one, and dreaming about the people she would like to collaborate with.

At the top of her list is fellow R&B star Usher, because he can dance well, and Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie.

“If I could work with anyone it would be either Fergie or Usher,” Ciara told the British edition of OK! magazine. “I love Fergie, I love her attitude.

“When it comes to Usher, it’d be fun to see us dance together – a dance-off would be really fun. He’s an incredible performer and I really respect what he does. I appreciate it and think it would be really fun to do it together.”

Ciara worked with Justin Timberlake on her 2009 hit Love Sex Magic and still can’t believe she got to meet the music icon. She was in awe of Justin the whole time they were in the studio together and says he couldn’t have been nicer to her.

“I had so much fun making the video because Justin is so cool and down to earth and very humble. I was just very overwhelmed,” she explained.

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This week Ride is at #42 (jump from 45) on Billboard Hot 100 and still at #5 on Hip Hop/R&B. Keep requesting the song on radio stations!

iTunes positions:
Main: #99
R&B: #7
Music Videos: #18

She also had rehearsals that day.

It is here: Faith Film Festival 2010 opens tomorrow and runs until the 29 July! Starring Ciara in Mama I Want To Sing, and Dean Kain in The Way Home, this festival is not to be missed!

Wow I cant wait to hear the reviews for this! Congrats Ciara!
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Special Thanks to @tifftiff55

Ciara’s Gimme Dat will be officially sent to radio on July 27th. The Track has already debuted at #160 on the Hot 100 pop chart!!! Pretty good huh?? Sure to be a hit!

Ciara’s labelmate Usher released his tracklist for “Raymond v. Raymond” & “Versus” due on August 24th. The Album has features from Ciara, Justin B., Jay-Z, to Bun B, & Pitbull. Hot Toddy is the track Ciara is featured on along side Jay-z. That Trio sounds like a bread winner to me!

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