| Brandy | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 27, 1994 (1994-09-27) | |||
| Recorded | 1993–1994[1] | |||
| Studio | ||||
| Genre | R&B[2] | |||
| Length | 55:46 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Producer |
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| Brandy chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Brandy | ||||
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Brandy is the debut album by the American singerBrandy. It was released on September 27, 1994, byAtlantic Records. Chiefly produced byKeith Crouch, the album contains a range of contemporary genres, includinghip-hop,pop-soul, andR&B. Aside from Crouch, Norwood worked with a range of other writers and producers, including R&B groupSomethin' for the People, Arvel McClinton,Damon Thomas, and Crouch's brother Kenneth.
Upon release,Brandy received generally positive reviews from music critics, who complimented Norwood's appearance, as well as the album's timeless appeal. While the album initially sold slowly, it reached number 20 on the USBillboard 200 and was certifiedquadruple platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over two million copies in the United States.[3]
Four singles were released from the album. "I Wanna Be Down" was chosen as the album'slead single and peaked at number six on the USBillboard Hot 100.[4] The song was critically lauded and was regarded as a standout track onBrandy. The album's second single "Baby" was also well-received and peaked at number four on theBillboard Hot 100.[4] The following two singles, "Best Friend" and "Brokenhearted", peaked at numbers 34 and nine on theBillboard Hot 100, respectively.[4]Brandy and its singles garnered Norwood nominations for various awards, including twoGrammy Award nominations.[5] The success of the album allowed Norwood to establish herself as one of the most successful of the then-new generation of R&B female vocalists who emerged during the mid-to-late 1990s.
In 1990, Norwood's talent led to a binding oral contract with Teaspoon Productions, headed byChris Stokes and Earl Harris, who obtained her gigs as abacking vocalist for their R&B boy bandImmature.[6][7] The agreement, also called for Teaspoon to represent her and attempt to secure her a record deal.[6] Norwood first auditioned forAtlantic Records when she was 11 years old.[8] Unfortunately, the executives at the label turned her away as they felt she was too young and urged her to come back when she turned 14.[8] Coincidentally, on the same day in 1993 Teaspoon Productions had negotiated a deal for Norwood withEast West Records, while her parents organized a recording contract with Atlantic Records.[6] During her audition at Atlantic she auditioned for the company's director of A&R, Darryl Williams.[7] Williams, recalled Norwood's audition saying, "Brandy stood out. She was just energetic and had an incredible voice for a 14-year-old."[7] Norwood subsequently dropped out ofHollywood High School later and was tutored privately from tenth grade on.[7][9]
During the early production stages of her debut on the Atlantic label, Norwood was selected for a role in theABC sitcomThea, portraying the 15-year-old daughter of a single mother played byThea Vidale.[9][10] Broadcast to mediocre ratings, the series ended after one season, consisting of 19 episodes.[11] Norwood appreciated the cancellation of the show as she was unenthusiastic about acting at the time; also taping caused scheduling conflicts with the recording of her album.[9] According to Norwood, "I wanted to sing so badly that I was miserable when I had to cancel studio time to tape".[9] She further discussed the shows cancellation saying, "When Thea was canceled I was like, ‘Okay, I can now put all my focus into my album."[8]
Recording ofBrandy commenced in 1993.[12] Williams initially consulted all-male R&B groupSomethin' for the People and musicianDamon Thomas to work on the album, with Somethin' for the People contributing "Sunny Day", "Give Me You", and "I Dedicate," the latter of which was later split into three interludes.[13] Thomas co-wrote "I'm Yours" and produced "Love Is on My Side."[13] A then 16-year-oldRobin Thicke scored his first co-writing credit on the latter.[14] While they produced the majority ofBrandy, Williams brought in the then-21-year-old, relatively unknown writer-producerKeith Crouch, nephew of gospel singerAndraé Crouch, towards the end of the project to work with Norwood on the bulk of the throwback,funk-soul production of the album.[15] In a 2012 interview withVibe magazine, Norwood elaborated that her collaboration with Crouch "was very important for me as a young artist. At the time he was not trying to be like anyone else on radio. He was all about his own sound. [He] gave me real music. He didn’t give meteenybopper records. It was age appropriate, youthful records, but it was still real music. We had a great connection."[8] Crouch would go on to work on 50 percent ofBrandy, setting much of the tone of the album, with four from his five tracks becoming singles.[15] While recording her vocals with him, Norwood was inspired by several singers, citingWhitney Houston and gospel groupThe Clark Sisters as major inspirations, particularly on "Movin' On."[15] However, she struggled to identify with some of Crouch's material at first, especially on "Baby", whose lyrics made her afraid of not being old enough.[15]
WithBrandy consisting mostly of street-oriented R&B songs with influences fromhip hop,[2] the lyrics highlighted her youthful and innocent image.[16] Norwood later summed up the songs on the record as young and vulnerable: "I did not really know much – all I wanted to do was sing. You can easily understand that it is a person who sings genuinely, without any real experience. I sang about being attracted to the opposite sex but had no experience of it."[17] The album's fourth track, "I Dedicate (Part I)", is the first of three where Norwood thanks artists who inspired her for a career in music. In the first part, which lasts one minute and 29 seconds, she mentions Whitney Houston as her "mentor" and "role model".[18]
"I Wanna Be Down" was released as the album'slead single on September 5, 1994, to positive critical reception. The song peaked at number six on the USBillboard Hot 100[4] and atop theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[19] Internationally, the song peaked at numbers 12 and 11 in Australia and New Zealand, respectively.[20] It was certifiedgold by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 4,[21] selling over 600,000 copies in the United States by the end of 1994.[22] The song's accompanyingmusic video, directed by Keith Ward, portrays Norwood in her tomboyish image, dancing in front of aJeep near a forest, surrounded by backup dancers.[23] The Rhythm Nation Hip-Hop Remix of the song, featuringMC Lyte,Queen Latifah andYo-Yo, was included on the B-Side single for "Baby".[24]
"Baby" was released as the second single on December 24, 1994, to positive critical reception. It became an even larger commercial success than "I Wanna Be Down" peaking at number four both on theBillboard Hot 100 and in New Zealand,[4][25] while becoming her second consecutive Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one.[19] The single sold over one million copies by the end of 1995,[26] being certified platinum by the RIAA.[27] Its accompanying music video, directed byHype Williams, features Norwood and her company dancing in skiing outfits inTimes Square.[28] The song was nominated forBest Female R&B Vocal Performance at the38th Annual Grammy Awards.[5]
"Best Friend" was released as the third single on April 11, 1995. Although positively received by critics, the song failed to duplicate the commercial success of the previous two singles. It peaked at number 34 on theBillboard Hot 100,[4] but fared better on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, where it peaked at number seven.[19] Internationally, the song charted only in New Zealand, where it peaked at number 11.[29] Its accompanying music video, directed byMatthew Rolston, features Norwood and her backup troupe displaying theirhip hop dancing skills in front of a garage; Norwood's younger brotherRay J, to whom the song was dedicated, appears in the video.[23]
The re-recorded duet version of "Brokenhearted", withWanya Morris fromBoyz II Men, was released as the fourth and final single on August 8, 1995, to mixed critical reception. It became Norwood's thirdBillboard Hot 100 top-ten single, peaking at number nine,[4] as well as peaking at number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[19] Additionally, it peaked at number six in New Zealand.[30] The single was certified gold by the RIAA on November 10 for shipments of 500,000 units in the United States.[31] Norwood reunited with Williams, director of previous videos for the Human Rhythm Hip Hop remix of "I Wanna Be Down" and "Baby", to film a music video for "Brokenhearted" inside theOheka Castle.[32]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [33] |
| Robert Christgau |  [34] |
| Entertainment Weekly | C[35] |
| Los Angeles Times | [36] |
| Music Week | [37] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide |  [38] |
In his review forAllMusic, Eddie Huffman wrote that "this teenage R&B singer hit the Top Ten late in 1994 with "I Wanna Be Down", a representative track from her solid debut album. Brandy knows her way around a hip-hop beat, layering tender-tough vocals over spare arrangements like a lower-keyJanet Jackson or a more stripped-downMary J. Blige. Good songs and crisp production make Brandy a moody, moving success."[33] In 2007,Vibe ratedBrandy among the 150 most essential albums since its launch.[39] The magazine found that "Brandy's debut is slow, deliberate, and naive — not for lack of accomplishment, but because the best moments here sound as wide-eyed and new as a first date."[39]
People compared the effort withAaliyah's debut albumAge Ain't Nothing but a Number, which was released four months prior, writing: "While everything about Aaliyah screams here-and-now, Brandy's well-groomed blend of gently lilting hip hop and pop-soul has a more timeless appeal. With the poise and sassy confidence of a diva twice her age, Brandy mixes her love songs with tributes to her little brother ("Best Friend"), God ("Give Me You"), the perfect man ("Baby") and older crooners likeAretha andWhitney ("I Dedicate"). While this isn't groundbreaking stuff, Brandy has the pipes to become more than the latest teenage next-big-thing."[40] Anderson Jones fromEntertainment Weekly was less enthusiastic with the album. He gave the album a C rating and considered it as: "An album that seems based on the philosophy 'If Aaliyah can do it, why can't I?' except that in singing about best friends, heroes, and puppy love instead of about making love, teen actress Norwood (TV'sThea) acts her age. A premature effort, at best."[35]In his Consumer Guide,Robert Christgau gave the album a "neither" score,[34] and said it "may impress once or twice with consistent craft or an arresting track or two. Then it won't."[41]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Soul Train Music Awards | Best New Artist | Brandy | Won | [42] |
| Best R&B/Soul Album – Female | Brandy | Nominated | |||
| Best R&B/Soul Single – Female | "I Wanna Be Down" | Nominated | |||
| 1995 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Rap Video | "I Wanna Be Down"(The Human Rhythm Hip-Hop Remix) | Nominated | [43] |
| Best Choreography in a Video | "Baby" | Nominated | |||
| 1995 | Billboard Music Video Awards | Best New R&B/Urban Artist Clip | Won | ||
| Best New Rap Artist Clip | "I Wanna Be Down" | Won | |||
| 1996 | American Music Awards | Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist | Brandy | Nominated | [45] |
| Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist | Won | [46] | |||
| 1996 | Grammy Awards | Best New Artist | Nominated | ||
| Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | "Baby" | Nominated | |||
| 1996 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Cinematography in a Video | "Brokenhearted" | Nominated | [47] |
Brandy debuted at number 94 on the USBillboard 200 for the week ending on October 15, 1994.[48]In its 25th week on the chart it peaked at number 20, remaining on theBillboard 200 for 89 consecutive weeks.[49][3] On the USTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart the album debuted at number 11.[50] In its 14th week on the chart it peaked at number six, where it charted for 87 consecutive weeks.[51][52]Brandy was the 52nd best-selling album of 1995, with 1.2 million copies sold in the country.[26] By March 2002 the album had sold 2.12 million copies in the United States, according toNielsen SoundScan.[3][53] To date the album is certifiedquadruple platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for four million shipped units.[54]
In Canada,Brandy debuted onRPM' s Top Albums/CDs chart at number 46 during the week ending on January 30, 1995.[55] In its third week on the chart the album reached its peak at number 20, during the week of February 13, 1995.[56] Overall, the album had spent a total of 28 consecutive weeks on the Top Albums/CDs chart.[57] On June 27, 1995Brandy was certified gold byMusic Canada for denoting shipments of over 50,000 copies.[58] The album also peaked at number 26 in Australia.[59] In the United Kingdom,Brandy never got higher than number 119 on theUK Albums Chart, but sold more than 60,000 copies, resulting in a silver certification from theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI).[60]
With the release of her debut album and the combined commercial success of its singles, Norwood had established herself a successful solo artist. The album led her to successful endeavors before the release of her second albumNever Say Never (1998), including a joint tour with vocal groupBoyz II Men, songs landing on successful soundtracks for films such asWaiting to Exhale (1995) andSet It Off (1996), her first starring TV role in the sitcomMoesha, and starring as the first African-AmericanCinderella inCinderella (1997).[61]
Widely acclaimed,Brandy was named one of the 50 best R&B albums of the 1990s byComplex.[61] Americanneo soul singerErykah Badu revealed onTwitter that her debut studio albumBaduizm (1997) was partly influenced byBrandy, tweeting: "Brandy's first album was one of my inspirations when writingBaduizm. I looove that album [...] songs i liked were "I Wanna Be Down" and "Always on My Mind"... nice."[62] Fellow neo soul artistJill Scott particularly praised the songs "Sunny Day" and "Always on My Mind", saying "I listen to her shit all the time".[63] Pop groupKarmin's song "Brokenhearted" was inspired by Brandy's song of the same title.[64] Canadian recording artistDrake sampled all three parts of "I Dedicate" on his fourth studio albumViews (2016) for the song "Fire & Desire".[65] Gospel recording artistsThe Walls Group covered the song "Always on My Mind", turning it into "God on My Mind".[66]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Movin' On" |
| Crouch | 4:27 |
| 2. | "Baby" |
| Crouch | 5:13 |
| 3. | "Best Friend" |
| Crouch | 4:48 |
| 4. | "I Wanna Be Down" |
| Crouch | 4:51 |
| 5. | "I Dedicate" (Part I) |
| Somethin' for the People | 1:29 |
| 6. | "Brokenhearted" |
|
| 5:52 |
| 7. | "I'm Yours" |
|
| 4:01 |
| 8. | "Sunny Day" |
| Somethin' for the People | 4:29 |
| 9. | "As Long as You're Here" |
| Somethin' for the People | 4:45 |
| 10. | "Always on My Mind" | Kenneth Crouch | Kenneth Crouch | 4:06 |
| 11. | "I Dedicate" (Part II) |
| Somethin' for the People | 0:55 |
| 12. | "Love Is on My Side" |
| Thomas | 5:09 |
| 13. | "Give Me You" |
| Somethin' for the People | 4:25 |
| 14. | "I Dedicate" (Part III) |
| Somethin' for the People | 1:01 |
| Total length: | 55:46 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15. | "I Wanna Be Down" (The Human Rhythm Hip Hop Remix) (featuringMC Lyte,Queen Latifah andYo-Yo) |
| Crouch | 4:07 |
| Total length: | 59:53 | |||
Credits adapted from the liner notes ofBrandy.[67]
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[78] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[79] | Silver | 60,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[80] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000[53] |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | September 27, 1994 | Warner Music | ||
| Canada | ||||
| France | ||||
| United States | Atlantic | |||
| United Kingdom | December 5, 1994 | |||
| Germany | February 3, 1995 | Warner Music | ||
| Japan | April 25, 1995 |
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)click on the winners tab for the list of winners/nominees.
click on the winners tab for the list of winners/nominees.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)| Studio albums | |
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| Related topics |
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