kirbyourmusic: The Most Manufactured Album in the History of Music. . .

Now I love me some Rihanna. I feel like she has a wonderful voice, beautiful, trendsetter, and very talented. However, Rihanna's album include the "elite" of production and songwriting. The list includes:

-The Dream (writer/producer for Rihanna smash hit "Umbrella")
-Tricky Stewart (producer for Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)")
-The Neptunes (they need no explanation. . .)
-Ryan Tedder (co-writer/producer of Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" and OneRepublic frontman)
-Max Martin (producer of Kelly Clarkson's "Since You Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes" as well as Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl")
-Soulja Boy ("elite?" well i don't know about this one)
-Justin Timberlake (singer/songwriter/producer)
-Drake (new, hot emerging artist)
-Sean Garrett (composed Chris Brown's "Run It", Usher's "Yeah", Ciara's "Goodies", and Beyonce's "Diva" and "Ring the Alarm")
-Timbaland (legendary music producer)
-Stargate (collaborated with Ne-Yo for Rihanna's "Unfaithful" and Beyonce's "Irreplaceable")
-Kanye West
-Tyson Ritter (All American Rejects' frontman)
-James Fauntleroy (writer for Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown's "No Air" and Ciara's "Love Sex Magic")
-Jay-Z (Hip hop legend)

Now this is the most expensive album in Def Jam's recording history. I hope that all goes well with Rihanna and this album proves to be groundbreaking in its own right. However, I have one question:
When did music become not who the artist is but who they are working with (i.e. producers, songwriters, etc.)?

Although in my few years in this Earth, I remember a time when it was all about the artist. I remember anticipating a Mariah Carey single just to hear her hit that whistle tone. Or anticipating the amazing multi-octave range of Whitney Houston. Nowadays, it's not who you are but who you are working with. You're a nobody if you are not working with the best producers in the business. . .

Has the originality of the artist become secondary to a sure-fire hit? Is music essentially as Jamie Foxx said in Dreamgirls "meant to sell"?

Now I wish no ill will toward Rihanna and I will be buying her album when it is released, but I hope that all that "star power" doesn't outshine the talented Miss Rihanna. . .

But while you mellow on that for a bit, enjoy her new song "Te Amo" which is set to be released on her new album (whose name has yet to be released)