Kelly Rowland, whose album, Ms Kelly, comes out next month, stopped by Fuse yesterday looking a bit less effervescent than usual. I’m sure it wasn’t for any lack of excitement about her solo CD, which she has been promoting nonstop. She had this to say about it recently:

“Writing and recording Ms. Kelly has definitely been a learning process,” said Rowland. “And I like that it was. I needed to prove something to myself: that I can make great music, stay true to who I am and, more importantly, be my own woman, in and out of the studio. Making Ms. Kelly made me grow up, in every aspect of my life.”

Featuring production by Polow Da Don, Sean Garrett, Tank, Scott Storch, Rockwilder, SoulShock and Karlin, and Billy Man, the set follows her No. 1 debut Simply Deep. The album coasted on the international succcess of the Grammy-winning track “Dilemma.”

Despite the kudos, Rowland felt the need to expand with her second album.

“I’m totally proud of what I initially worked on but the more I lived with it, the more I grew to realize that I wanted to really focus on where I am today. I said, ‘Kelly. You’re 25 years old! You like to party and you want your songs to be played in clubs.’ I wanted my new record to sound as young as I feel, so that’s what I focused on.”

I’m sure she’s focused on recording young, fun songs, but is she also focused on how to rise above Beyonce’s overpowering fame? That’s probably a pointless thing to waste her time thinking about, and I’m mean for bringing it up! But to continue on that vein, if you’re more of a Bey fan than a Kelly one, her North American tour dates were just announced. I’m there.

[HHRBS]