Pharrell has a habit of putting out these smooth instrumentals that work perfectly for Snoop’s laid back style. This time the Doggfather teams up with Brandy (no, she’s not rapping again) for Special. The beat makes the record… it works for me. Malice N’ Wonderland in stores December 8.
Hey wait a minute, ain’t that Brandy… rappin’? Yes, Ray J.’s big sister tries out a new sound on this record for Timbaland’s Shock Value II, and it involves her new persona Bran’Nu spittin a few bars. Ray J. put this one out via Twitter last night and I’m kinda likin it. I think it works for the track, Brandy does her thing. This just builds my anticipation for Shock Value II in stores this week.
Yesterday I posted Ne-Yo’s demo of the new Rihanna Stupid In Love Track, appearing on her Rated R album. Here’s Brandy’s take at the Ne-Yo written, Stargate produced track. I’m guessing she passed on it and RiRi took it instead? Sounds good nonetheless.
DOWNLOAD: Brandy – Stupid In Love
WOW!! Brandy delivers a stunning version of the classic Somewhere Over The Rainbow, live and direct from… her bathroom? Yep, that’s right! She admits she flubbed the lyrics, and she hits more vocal runs than a Bobby Jones Special, but vocally this is a SWEET TREAT and she still sounds great in my opinion. Oh Brandy, how I await the day that you’ll announce a tour and sing your way into my heart live on stage. The Human album: CLASSIC!
Though she hasn’t mentioned any definite details of a new project, Brandy spends her fair share of time in the studio churning out new music. Tell Em might be new but it has that throwback Brandy sound that takes me back to her softer singing days, the Never Say Never era, maybe even Full Moon. To keep it totally real, this isn’t her next hit, not even close, but it’s not a bad song. Brandy is one of those artists that continues to evolve so I look for only great things to come from her. Stay tuned for B-Rocka.
Check it here: Brandy – Tell ‘Em
It’s no secret that we’re living in tough times. We complain a lot about the things we don’t have, never realizing that there’s someone out there with even less. The economy is bad, but even before the recession there were people who were struggling with medical conditions, finances, and general lack of ability to provide for themselves and their families. This weekend, I had a conversation with one of my best friends about volunteerism, and giving back to others who aren’t quite as fortunate. I consider it a moral obligation to help someone else in need, one that I’ve always been happy to fulfill. If we all did our part to help at least one other person along the way, we would quickly find an end to hunger, homelessness and depression. Brandy and Ray J. came together to record a cover of a Phil Collins classic, Another Day In Paradise and it speaks to the fact that many of us take our blessings for granted and overlook those in need. This week, I challenge everyone to find some way to make life just a little bit better for at least one other person. Happy Monday and enjoy your week.
Brandy ft. Ray J – Another Day In Paradise – Brandy ft. Ray J
Artist: Brandy
Album: Human
Release Date: 12.9.08
More than 4 years after the release of the very introspective Afrodisiac, which was released during a period of evolution and frustration, Brandy re-emerges with her fifth studio album. This release is equally as personal but with a considerably lighter feel. Human is an album about the discovery of self and finding joy in that discovery. It’s very melodious in nature with some understandably solemn undertones, stronger vocals and a focus on more mature content. Longtime fans will notice less up-tempo tracks, replaced by more slow jams and mellow mid-tempos.
The album opens with an interlude of Brandy defining what it means to be human, followed up by The Definition. This song marks the official return of B-Rocka, an alias coined for the songstress by longtime collaborator Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, the producer on this song. A soft piano melody is the highlight of Piano Man, one of the many emotive mid-tempo tracks: “Play me a song about heartache, I promise I can sing every word…” The second single, Long Distance, is a vocal highlight, a power ballad that showcases Brandy’s vocal maturity and is another product of her reunion with Darkchild. Camouflage is an anecdote about finding comfort in your own skin and not in the perspectives of others. Love is welcomed throughout this album, but given a disclaimer on Shattered Heart. This song is a highlight for me because it just sounds good all around, from the haunting vocal background to the depth of the story and metaphoric lyrics. 1st and Love is just plain cute: Brandy recounts her first interaction with the object of her affection on that figurative corner. Vocally, True is also quite notable as is Fall, the closing ballad co-written by Natasha Bedingfield. The only downfall on this project is Warm It Up (With Love); though inspirational in nature, it comes off as slightly cheesy and rather poppy.
There’s a lot to be said for putting out such a great album after 14 years in the industry – and I STILL wanna be down! I was quite impressed at how poetic this album is, from start to finish. With each new release, her vocals have gotten stronger, her content has matured as she has grown, and she reaches new heights. It’s also great to see that after one album without him, she and Darkchild have rekindled their musical chemistry and are as great now as ever. The past few years have proven to be a test of Brandy’s will to persevere and still return to the one thing that gives her the most joy – her music. Through love lost and found, there is an inner strength and peace that Brandy seems to have found that shines through on this entire album… and that’s what makes her human!
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Video: Brandy – Long Distance
Video: Brandy – Right Here (Departed)
