Brandy (entertainer)

Early life

Norwood was born in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Carson, California. Her father, Willie Ray Norwood, was a pastor and choir director, and by the age of two, she was singing at his church. Her mother, Sonja Bates, is a cousin of legendary blues singer Bo Diddley. Brandy became a fan of Whitney Houston, and she told her father that she wanted to be a singer, like Houston. At the age of nine, the Norwoods moved to California, where Brandy began her artistic career singing at talent shows in 1990. At 11, she met a record producer who took her to various record companies and led her to backup singing jobs with two groups: Norment and the more successful Immature.

Music career

Early career

Image:Brandy-94-lp.jpg When Brandy was 15, she was able to land a record deal with Atlantic Records, and in 1994 her first album, Brandy, was released, reaching gold status in less than two months, and Quadruple Platinum status soon after. It would eventually sell 4 million copies in USA alone and 3 million copies in other countries around the world. The album contained the gold certified singles "I Wanna Be Down," and Brokenhearted, as well as the platinum certified single "Baby," and made her an MTV star throughout 1995 and into early 1996. Awards started to come soon after. In the fall of 1995 she attended the Billboard Music Awards taking home the awards for "Best New R&B Artist" and "Best R&B Female". At the 1996 MTV Movie Awards she eclipsed a category that comprised U2, Whitney Houston and Seal to win the "Best Song From A Movie" award for "Sittin' Up In My Room". She was nominated for a 1996 "Best New Artist" Grammy and "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" Grammy Award, also for her smash hit "Baby"; in 1996,she took home all the Grammies! She won an NAACP Image Award for "Outstanding New Artist" which was given to her by who is a good friend of her, Brad Pitt. Between 1995 and 1996, she won a total of seven Soul Train and Soul Train 'Lady of Soul' Music Awards, including categories like "Best New Artist," "Best R&B/Soul Artist, Female," "Best R&B/Soul Song of The Year,". At the 2nd annual Lady of Soul Awards, Brandy was also honored with the Aretha Franklin Award for Entertainer of the Year in 1996.Also at the 1996 Japan Music Awards, Brandy brought home the award for "Best International New Arists"!

In 1996, she recorded a duet with rock star Lenny Kravitz for the Batman Forever soundtrack, penned and produced by Kravitz after viewing one of her videos on MTV and proclaiming he "had to have her". The sensual torch song was never released officially due to its mature theme and content (at the time, Brandy was only 17). Also that year, a remix of her fourth single, "Brokenhearted" with Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men, stormed into the top 10 of the Billboard singles charts. Towards the end of that year, she contributed a song to the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack, which yielded "Sittin' Up in My Room," a platinum selling smash hit single that inhabited the top of the Pop charts throughout early 1996.

Later in 1996, Brandy teamed up with Tamia, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight, for the single "Missing You," released from the Set It Off soundtrack. Even with the superstar lineup, it was Brandy's least successful single yet, but was still a moderate hit, and peaked in the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. The song won a Grammy nomination in the "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals" category.

Never Say Never (1998)

Image:Brandy never say never.jpg In 1998 Brandy followed-up with the release of her sophomore album, Never Say Never, where she was heavily involved in Production and Writing, Co-Writing 6 of its songs. Rising R&B producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and his team were hired for the job of executive production and had a hand in 12/15 of its tracks, including the singles: "Top Of The World", "U Don't Know Me" and the No.1 smash, "The Boy Is Mine", a duet with singer Monica. The song was released in spring 1998 and in the course of the months it became one of the most successful records of year, staying on top of the Billboard Hot 100 for more thirteen weeks and eventually selling 5 million copies in USA alone and 14 million copies worldwide . In Europe and Asia it also went ahead the single charts, expanding the prominence of both singers on an increasing international clientel. The song also made distinction by becoming the most succcesful female duet ever in the history of pop and rock n' roll music.

The song was nominated for an American Music Award, and a total of four Grammys, eventually winning the "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group".

The second single from Never Say Never was "Top Of The World", featuring rapper Ma$e, with a video directed by Paul Hunter. A remixed version of the song featuring Latin rappers Fat Joe and Big Pun was the #3 Most Played song on American Radio that year and Charted at #2 in the UK.

The album's third single (GOLD certified), "Have You Ever?" was the first number one single of 1999 as it hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and dominated US radio airplay for a record three months and topped the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart for nine weeks. "Almost Doesn't Count" a guitar-laden acoustic ballad was the fourth single, accompanied by two different versions of another interesting video.

While the album still had potential for a number of additional single releases, "U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)," was the last single from Never Say Never. Again, two versions (one featuring female rappers Da Brat and Shaunta) of the song with corresponding music video clips were released. Both were minor hits late 1998 and through 1999.

Interim

In late 1999, as part of her campaign to help UNICEF, as their International Spokesperson for Youth, "One Voice" (a selection from the Never S-A-Y Never LP) was made the official song of the organization. During this time, her record company, Atlantic Records, issued a 9-track remix EP entitled "U Don't Know Me... Like U Used To".

For the next three years, Brandy completed the remaining three seasons of her sitcom Moesha and starred in a number of widely successful and critically acclaimed television specials and movies. She also landed a multitude of endorsement deals with CoverGirl cosmetics, which she represented for several years. Brandy was the subject of a major advertisement campaign for DKNY Jeans for three seasons, and modeled Candies shoes in an eye-catching ad campaign photographed by Dave LaChapelle.

In 2000, Mattel released a Brandy Doll.

After a lengthy hiatus that saw the end of her Moesha television series, and a flurry of tabloid headlines discussing her bout with "dehydration", the singer quietly "married" Rodney Jerkins' cousin, record producer Robert Smith, in the summer of 2001. The union did not become known until February of 2002 as the singer was preparing for her impending album release. A four-part reality series surrounding the birth of their daughter, Sy'rai Iman Smith, aired on MTV in the summer of 2002. Shortly after the birth of their child, Brandy "divorced" Smith. The "marriage" itself was later exposed as not of legal status. It is speculated that the "marriage" was made up as an attempt to keep Brandy's "wholesome" image rather than having her be known as an out of wedlock mother. Brandy stated it was a Non Traditional Spiritual Marriage, and that at the time it was her firm belief that they were married.

In 2001, Brandy and her brother, Ray J, were chosen to remake Phil Collins' 1980s hit "Another Day in Paradise" for Urban Renewal: A Tribute to Phil Collins. The song was released internationally and became an instant hit going Multi-Platinum, topping the charts in over Thirteen countries worldwide and taking the #1 spot in Germany, and #4 on the UK charts.

Full Moon (2002)

Image:Brandy-Full Moon.jpg Brandy's third album, Full Moon, was released in March of 2002, and spawned the hits "What About Us", produced by Rodney Jerkins, and "Full Moon," produced by Mike City. 'What About Us' became one of the fastest rising singles of Recent Chart History and entered the Top Ten Charts. The song was streamed on AOL a record 1.6 million times, a first for the internet outlet. The "Full Moon" video disguised the fact that Brandy was now five months pregnant; the song's lyrics explained how Brandy felt when she first locked eyes with her husband Robert Smith at a party."He Is" became a third single, this one produced by Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell, was chosen from the album in fall 2002. The Album and Singles has little promtion as a heavily pregnant Brandy was unable to perform. The album was a total re-collaboration with now super-producer Rodney Jerkins who Brandy had previously hooked up with to produce her 1998 album "Never Say Never". Brandy Co-Wrote 5 songs from the album andd was heavily involved in Production, especially Vocal Production. Jerkins again, Co-Produced and Co-Wrote on almost the entire album with his mega-successful writing team. After the most successful single from the album "What About Us?" however, no more collaborations with Jerkins were released. The album is however a unanimous favourite among both Brandy and Rodney Jerkins fans.

Full Moon sold over a 1.1 million copies in the US (Soundscan) and 3.5 million copies Worldwide, and received lukewarm reviews. Rolling Stone Magazine rated the album two out of five stars, stating that, "... this interminable (seventeen-track) product is frantic, faceless, fake-sexy R&B." Still, the album was rather quietly and cautiously declared as a flop by the media. Brandy ignored the rumblings and settled further into motherhood. The more she retreated from public life, the more she was hounded by gossip hounds and paparazzi. Brandy entered the studio to record new material with Smith in December of 2002.

Afrodisiac (2004)

Image:B0001Z4P32.01. SCLZZZZZZZ .jpg Returning from yet another hiatus, Brandy's fourth album Afrodisiac was released on June 29 2004, amidst both her weakest promotional blitz ever and the well-publicized termination of her short-lived business relationship with entertainment manager Benny Medina. Brandy ended her relationship with Medina's Los Angeles-based Handprint Entertainment after less than a year of representation.

Controversy surrounded Medina's handling of the lead single "Talk About Our Love", produced by Kanye West, a puzzling VIBE magazine cover in which the singer appeared prostrated with headlines: "What's Behind Brandy?," and failed talks of a purported co-headlining tour with R&B singer Usher Raymond that was instead handed to Kanye West, another Medina client, as an opening gig.

Despite the negative blitz, Afrodisiac became Brandy's most critically-acclaimed album to date. Afrodisiac featured tracks primarily produced by producer Timbaland, in place of Jerkins or Smith, and Brandy worked with the producer to create a new sound. Both People and Rolling Stone rated the album four stars, with Rolling Stone comparing it to "Janet Jackson at her best..".

The album debut at number 3 on the Billboard Top 200 Album charts, and number 4 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Album charts. The singles, however, did not perform as well: "Talk About Our Love" became a moderate hit peaking at #36 on the Billboard Top 100 charts and #16 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Single & Tracks charts, while the follow-up "Who Is She 2 U" was a minor hit, never making it out of the lower half of the Billboard Hot 100. The title track "Afrodisiac", released overseas as a single, was a Top 20 hit in the United Kingdom. At the end of 2004, Brandy asked for and received a release from Atlantic Records. As a direct consequence she brought a collection of all of her singles, The Best of Brandy, on the market, before starting shopping for a new record deal under Knockout Entertainment.

In the meantime she has already begun creating her fifth studio album, which is scheduled for a December 2006 release and involves producers Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, The Neptunes, Bryce Wilson, Tim & Bob, Bryan Michael Cox, Rockwilder, and Wyldcard. She also signed a contract with Czar Entertainment. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Discography

Albums

According to Brandy, Atlantic Records and RIAA, Brandy has sold over 30 million albums and singles worldwide. During an interview with Vibe Magazine in 2005, Brandy stated that Never Say Never is her biggest selling album, selling over 14 million worldwide.

• Brandy (1994) #20 US (US Certification: 4x Platinum), 7 million worldwide
• Never Say Never (1998) #2 US (US Certification: 5x Platinum), 14 million worldwide #19 UK
• Full Moon (2002) #2 US (US Certification: Platinum), 3.5 million worldwide #9 UK
• Afrodisiac (2004) #3 US (US Certification: Gold), 1.5 million worldwide # 32 UK
• The Best of Brandy (2005) #27 US, #24 UK
• TBA (2006)

Singles

Guest vocals

Album appearances

• 1997: "Thank You" (with Ray-J; from Everything You Want)
• 1999: "Rock With You" (Michael Jackson remake; from From Q With Love)
• 2001: "Love Shared" (with Willie Norwood; from 'Bout It)
• 2001: "I Know Now" (from the Bad Boy presents "Thank You" Album-unreleased)
• 2001: "Unbreakable" (back-up vocals; from Michael Jackson's Invincible)
• 2002: "Formal Invite (Remix)" (with Ray-J & Shorty Mack; from CD Single)
• 2003: "N 2 Da Music" (with Timbaland & Magoo; from Under Construction Part 2)
• 2005: "Bring Me Down" (with Kanye West; from Late Registration)
• 2005: "War Is Over" (with Ray-J; from Raydation)

Soundtrack appearances

• Waiting to Exhale ("Sittin' Up in My Room"; 1995)
• Batman Forever ("Where Are You Now?"; 1995)
• Set It Off ("Missing You"; 1996)
• Osmosis Jones ("Open"; 2001)
• The Wild Thornberrys Movie ("Dance With Us" featuring P. Diddy & Bow Wow; 2003)

Grammy Award History

Career Stats

• Career Wins: 1
• Career Nominations: 12

Acting career

Brandy starred from 1996 until 2001 in the popular television sitcom Moesha, in which she played the lead character, a teenager. (This was not her first TV role; she had previously appeared in the short-lived 1993-1994 sitcom Thea, starring Thea Vidale).

In 1997, she played the title character in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s television version of Cinderella featuring a multi-cultural cast that also included Whitney Houston, Jason Alexander, Whoopi Goldberg, and Bernadette Peters. The TV-Movie garnered over 66 million viewers and won an Emmy award.

Other roles include a television movie she co-produced and starred in with Diana Ross entitled Double Platinum; and a role in the franchise-flick I Still Know What You Did Last Summer where she portrayed the sassy Karla, best friend to Jennifer Love Hewitt's lead character. Brandy was said to be the considered lead in a Diana Ross biopic planned by the legendary singer. There has been no word on this project since 2001, however.

Brandy has also guest-starred in several television shows such as House and American Dreams. She recently did two guest star appearances in the UPN sitcom "One on One" alongside her brother Ray J.

In February 2006, Brandy is supposedly in talks to star and portray legendary singer and Oscar-nominated actress Diahann Carroll in a televsion biopic entitled The Time of My Life: The Diahann Carroll Story directed by Spike Lee. Most recently in a TV Guide tv interview Brandy stated that her upcoming new sitcom is slated to start production in March.

Filmography

• Arachnophobia (1990)
• I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
• Osmosis Jones (2001) (voice)

TV

• Thea (1993-1994)
• Moesha (1996-2001)
• Cinderella (1997)
• Double Platinum (1999)
• Hercules (Voice) (Late 1990's)

Other information

In early 2004, she was Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher's crew members.

In late July 2004, New York Knicks guard Quentin Richardson (nicknamed "Q" and then a member of the Los Angeles Clippers) proposed to Brandy at a private reception in Los Angeles with friends and family, according to People magazine. The engagement ring Richardson presented to Norwood was reportedly worth US$1 million. However, before the proposal, controversy once again arose when former lover, music producer/songwriter Robert Smith, shocked radio listeners in an interview in New York when he revealed that he and Brandy did not legally get married in the summer of 2001 as reported. In the late 2005, it was rumored Brandy and Q broke up and she changed her tattoo of him into a cat. Brandy is living on the west coast working on her album and a new sitcom, while Q is a part of a New York basketball team, according to Ray J during a Sister to Sister interview in 2005. brandy and q are slated to be back together after she consoled him after his brother's death.

Brandy has also been linked to Boyz II Men front man Wanya Morris, Kobe Bryant, singer Tyrese Gibson, and rapper-turned-preacher-turned-rapper Mase prior to the affair with Smith and the engagement to Richardson.

Early on in her career, Brandy styled her hair with a hot comb but after suffering severe 3rd degree burns and hair loss, she used braids initially to keep her styled while she recovered. Evidence to this can be seen by watching the sitcom Thea. In the beginning her hair is smooth, but later it's braided. It would soon become her signature style for years. At one point, her braids actually had to be redone longer and longer because her real hair was almost the same length.

Brandy is also in the works of a soundtrack for a video game which she will be providing the voice for one of the main characters. Also she appeared on the UPN sitcom One on One on Monday, February 20 and Monday, February 27. She is also the lead spokesman for Pro-Ten hair products. Brandy is a mother of a girl named Sy'rai (born June 2003 on Father's Day. she also had a show on MTV that showed Brandy's pregnacy and a few weeks after the baby was born.

Another little known fact about Brandy is that she is a practicing Scientologist.[6]

See also

List of best-selling music artists

External links

• Brandy's official website
• fansite
• {{{2|{{{name|Brandy (entertainer)}}}}}} at The Internet Movie Database
• All Music Guide Brandy page
• Brandy at CelebrityWorld.tv