Ray J and Brandy’s mother recently experienced a health scare after a negative reaction to IV therapy. Reportedly, she began feeling light-headed following the treatment, raising concerns about the risks associated with this popular wellness trend. Treatment Gone Wrong? Sonja Norwood, the mother of both Brandy and Ray J, recently underwent an IV therapy treatment, […]
The first week of November may seem a bit early for some to be blasting Christmas music, but according to Brandy, there’s no time like the present to prepare for the season of giving. This past New Music Friday (Nov. 3), the songbird unveiled her first solo original holiday song, titled “Christmas Party for Two.” The sultry single is the first we’ve heard from next week’s festive album, and based on what she’s serving up vocally, we’re sure things will only get hotter as we celebrate Christmas With Brandy on November 10.
Brandy’s new arrival boasts production by Ron “Neff-U” Feemster and David Williams III, which beautifully compliments her singing. “Let me sit beside ya / I warmed up some cider / I’ll relax your mind ’cause / I can recognize you need someone to make you feel the way that I do,” she croons on the first verse. When the chorus comes around, she lyricizes about getting undressed for her lover, and being his present in exchange for feeling his presence with her. “That’s all that I’m askin’ of you,” Brandy promises him.
As HipHopDX notes, the “Vocal Bible” hitmaker has plenty of Christmas-themed events to gear up for this month. On the 16th, Netflix’s Best. Christmas. Ever! will debut on the streamer, starring Brandy opposite Heather Graham. Just a week later, on the 23rd, you can catch the 44-year-old bringing life to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, where she’s set to perform some of her new arrivals.
Learn the lyrics to Brandy’s “Christmas Party for Two” in the video above, and make sure to add it to your holiday playlist on Spotify/Apple Music. Are you looking forward to more festive releases from your favourite artists? Let us know in the comments, and find more HNHH release recommendations on our Fire Emoji update below.
R&B icon Brandy is spreading holiday cheer by releasing her new romantic yuletide single, “Christmas Party For Two.” With its soulful and sultry vibes, this track promises to ignite a spark during the festive season, making for some unforgettable not-so-silent nights. The single is the lead track from Brandy’s highly anticipated holiday album, Christmas with Brandy, set to drop on Nov.r 10.
Brandy’s holiday spirit doesn’t stop there; she’ll be taking the stage at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 23, helping to kick off the season with her incredible vocals. Additionally, fans can catch her on the upcoming Netflix original film Best. Christmas. Ever! alongside Heather Graham, premiering on Nov.16. It looks like Brandy is all set to make this holiday season truly special.
Brandy’s status as an R&B icon is unquestionable. The singer, songwriter, and actress have had a prolific career, releasing timeless classics over the course of seven studio albums. Nearly 30 years since she released her debut album back in 1994, the Vocal Bible is still actively releasing music with a brand new Christmas album dropping this month. Known for her impeccable vocal range and intricate overdubbing that continues to shine on records like Ty Dolla $ign’s “No Tomorrow Pt. 2,” Brandy has her fair share of hit songs including seven that cracked the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. As we anticipate Christmas With Brandy, here are her biggest top 10 hits. Take a look at the list below.
The album version of “Brokenhearted” from Brandy’s 1994 self-titled debut album was originally a solo track. However, the single version was reimagined as a duet alongside Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men. The reworked edition of “Brokenhearted” was the fourth and final single from Brandy’s debut album and became one of her biggest hits. The ballad reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, joining her debut album’s first few singles to chart within the top 10.
6. “What About Us?” (2002)
Brandy’s 2002 album, Full Moon saw her dive into the pop realm. It drew inspiration from electronic dance music genres like UK garage and electro. The album’s lead single, “What About Us?” is a Rodney Jerkins-produced electro-funk track, over which Brandy smoothly expresses her frustrations over a former lover. The song’s clunky instrumentation exemplified the deviation in sound from her first two albums. While “What About Us?” was met with mixed reception at the time of its release, it still performed successfully on the charts, landing a spot at #7 on the Hot 100. It is also her most recent single to crack the top 10.
Brandy’s debut single is a bonafide classic. “I Wanna Be Down” embodies the pairing of R&B and hip-hop that defined the music of the 1990s. The lighthearted and flirtatious content of the song was fitting for Brandy, who was only 15 years old at the time of the album’s release. While her subject matter eventually matured, “I Wanna Be Down” is a definitive song in Brandy’s catalog. It has been sampled numerous times in hip-hop, dance, and pop music. Brandy’s debut single performed quite well on the charts, landing the No. 6 spot and marking her very first top 10 hit.
4. “Baby” (1994)
Brandy’s second single from her debut album performed even better than “I Wanna Be Down.” Charting at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Baby” captivated audiences through its hip-hop drum break, soulful melodies, and catchy chorus. Much like “I Wanna Be Down,” it became a ’90s R&B classic over time. In addition to its position at #4, “Baby” also spent four weeks atop the Hot R&B singles chart.
“Sittin’ Up in My Room” supported the 1995 movie, Waiting to Exhale, starring Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett. The Babyface-produced instrumental utilizes a slapping bassline and upbeat grooves to perfectly complement Brandy’s vocals. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was her biggest track until the release of her second album.
2. “Have You Ever?” (1998)
Brandy’s 1998 album, Never Say Never contains both of Brandy’s biggest top 10 hits. “Have You Ever?” is a soft R&B and pop ballad with luscious instrumentation. In the lyrics, she pleads her love to someone who does not reciprocate, framing the emotion in the form of a series of questions. “Have You Ever?” was the second single from Never Say Never to top the Billboard charts. The song’s only rival is another massive track from Brandy’s second album.
“The Boy Is Mine” is undoubtedly Brandy’s biggest track. A duet with Monica, the song marked the first No. 1 hit for both singers. It was the lead single for both Never Say Never and Monica’s second album, The Boy Is Mine. In the song, the two fight over a man, emulating Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney’s duet off of Thriller, “The Girl Is Mine.” While the song saw Brandy and Monica playfully fight each other over a shared love interest, it sparked a rumored rivalry between them that has since been squashed. “The Boy Is Mine” remains an important song for both the careers of Brandy and Monica. In addition to being her first No. 1 hit, it was Brandy’s fifth top 10 entry and is still her biggest track to date.
Prepare for a double dose of holiday magic, courtesy of the incredible Brandy! A recent Instagram Story from A&R executive Jaha Johnson spilled the beans about Brandy’s upcoming Christmas album, with a possible title hint— A Brandy Christmas. While the release date remains a mystery, it might just coincide with Brandy’s next film project.
In March 2022, Brandy shared her excitement about starring in Netflix’s original film, Best. Christmas. Ever. She’s set to play Jackie, a woman whose seemingly perfect life gets a reality check when an old college friend, Charlotte (played by Heather Graham), reenters her world right before Christmas. The film promises twists, turns, and a heartwarming holiday tale.
As a bonus, a sneak peek at Brandy’s potential Christmas album surfaced when her manager, Ryan Ramsey, was seen brainstorming 11 song titles on a whiteboard. Could this be a glimpse of what’s to come?
In addition to her music career, Brandy has ventured into acting, starring in television series like Moesha and taking on notable roles in films such as Cinderella and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. Her latest project, Best. Christmas. Ever., on Netflix, showcases her acting prowess in a heartwarming holiday story.
Brandy continues to captivate audiences with her remarkable talent, making her a beloved figure in both the music and entertainment worlds.
Mark your calendars for November 16, 2023, because that’s when Best. Christmas. Ever. lands on Netflix. Keep an eye out for more details on Brandy’s festive album, and get ready to celebrate the holidays in style with this superstar!
Brandy and her 21-year-old daughter, Sy’Rai, appear to have a close relationship. Similarly, in most mother-daughter relationships, it makes sense that they can joke around with one another. In an hilarious clip that has made its rounds online, the singer’s daughter tries to pull off a prank involving Kali’s “Area Codes.” In this case, the trend involves reading lyrics from the song to someone unfamiliar with them.
“So I got a white boy on my roster,” Sy’Rai began, to which Brandy followed up with “What does that mean?” She continued: “He be feeding me pasta and like lobster, mama.” As the “Boy Is Mine” singer’s confusion builds, her daughter tries to hold in her laughter. “Who feeds you pasta and lobster? Who is this person?” Brandy asked.
Brandy Isn’t The Only One To Be A Victim Of The “Area Codes” Prank
In fact, the hilaious trend has been all over TikTok as of late. Dozens of videos have appeared online of people attempting the joke with a loved one. The tune behind the prank, “Area Codes” was released by Kali back in March. “Got a white boy on my roster, he be feeding me pasta and lobster / He just hit me up on Tuesday like ‘What you doing bae? let me take you shoppin,’” she raps on the track. On the music side of things, Brandy offered fans a glimpse into what she’s been working on.
Prior to this, the Grammy-Award winning singer released her last project in 2020, B7. “Fans are going to be shocked to know what I have up my sleeve. It’s not the typical regular R&B Brandy album, I’ll just say that,” Brandy revealed to E! News. In spite of the outlet trying to pry about possible collabs, she didn’t give up the goods. “So many people!” she says. “And that’s kind of the surprise, so I can’t really get in too deep.” The subject of health came up, and the singer offered a bit of advice. “I just think everybody should take care of themselves. Eat right. Drink water. Exercise. You know, keep your mind as positive as possible!”
The 2024 Hollywood Walk Of Fame inductees list has been revealed, and Dr. Dre, Gwen Stefani, and Def Leppard are amongst the 31-person list of honorees. Last year, Stefani delivered her speech as she joined her husband, country music star Blake Stelton, during the ceremony to reveal his placement among the legends.
Dre himself has attended several ceremonies in the past when his friends were being acknowledged by the organizing committee, including the ones for 50 Cent (2020), Ice Cube (2017), and Snoop Dogg (2018). Now, all eyes are on him as the producer will bring out a host of special guests when his ceremony is held.
Brandy Norwood, Charles Fox, Darius Rucker, Glen Ballard, Sammy Hagar, and Toni Braxton round out the rest of the new inductees. However, those aren’t the only musicians to be honored next year. The late Otis Redding will also receive his posthumous star. Instead of being recognized for his impactful music career, the soul legend is being honored for his contributions to live theater. The same goes for Sheryl Lee Ralph, whose career started in musical theatre. Ralph is being acknowledged in the television category.
Although the official date of the ceremony has not been revealed, radio personality Ellen K shared her excitement for the big day as an official selection committee member. “The committee did an amazing job choosing these very talented people,” said Ellen. “We can’t wait to see each honoree’s reaction as they realize that they are becoming a part of Hollywood’s history with the unveiling of their star on the world’s most famous walkway.”
Monica Denise Arnold, simply referred to as Monica, is R&B royalty. With a career spanning over three decades, she’s become ingrained in any conversation surrounding the genre. As a singer, Monica’s earned several number-one albums and has a host of iconic chart-topping songs to her name. She has also received numerous accolades for her music.
Besides her career as an R&B singer, Monica has delved into many other music genres. She has made a successful transition into country music and is expected to release her first country album soon. Her most memorable hits include: “Angel of Mine,” So Gone,” “Before You Walk Out Out of My Life,” and of course, her Grammy-winning duet with Brandy, “The Boy Is Mine”. She’s also appeared on screen a few times, with roles in the television shows, Living Single, and Felicity, to the movie, Almost Christmas.
Monica was always destined to be a singer. At the age of 2, she was already performing at church in her native Georgia. By the time she was 10, she was traveling around the country performing with a gospel choir. A year later, popular record producer Dallas Austin discovered her in Atlanta. Monica has always been vocal about Whitney Houston being her biggest musical influence, so it was no surprise that she was singing “Greatest Love Of All” when Austin offered her a record deal with Rowdy Records.
Monica’s Ascent to Fame
Her partnership with Austin would prove a game changer for the young artist. Monica’s debut album Miss Thang, was released when she was just 14 years old. Miss Thang enjoyed a steady sales rise, eventually going on to sell over three million units. Monica went on to win a Billboard Music Award for her work on the album.
In 1998, Monica attained her first-ever chart-topper on the Billboard Hot 100 with “The Boy Is Mine.” The single, which stayed atop the chart for 13 weeks, was a collaboration with fellow R&B star Brandy. Part of the success of “The Boy Is Mine” was fueled by rumors of a feud between the two singers, who debuted around the same time. Monica’s album of the same name eventually became the highest-selling album of the singer’s career. Today, both the single and the album are now staples in Monica’s illustrious catalog.
With 8 studio albums to her name, Monica remains one of the most hardworking R&B artists around. She has collaborated with a number of notable names, enlisting some of Hip Hop and R&B’s finest artists. In the same vein, she has featured on tracks by many, from Nas and Jermaine Dupri, to Trina, and gospel singer, James Fortune.
Monica’s upcoming ninth album, Trenches, has been in the works for a couple of years. The title track, which featured Lil Baby, was released to coincide with her appearance on the popular music battle series, Versuz. After multiple years of alleged beef, Monica and Brandy made headlines after being tapped to appear in the famous webcast, Versuz. The episode took place at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, and garnered over 1.4 million views, becoming one of the most watched episodes.
She has stated that her upcoming album Trenches, is all about her personal experiences and the “things that happen in life.” On utilizing her imperfections and transforming them into music, she told ET, “’I’ve always felt that if [the music] is true to what you really feel then you can make other people feel it. How can I make you believe it if I don’t and if I haven’t been there? How can I speak on it? I always make sure that the music embodies the truth of where I’ve been.”
Over the years, Monica’s become notable for her ability to accommodate multiple genres. She has achieved success in R&B, Pop, Hip Hop, and gospel. Now, fans can expect a country music album from the singer. Monica revealed that country music is so dear to her heart, having grown up on the genre. She also credits her stepfather for taking her to the amusement park, Dollywood, which in turn, led to her love for Dolly Parton.
Her upcoming country album is titled Open Roads, and she’s received major support from several country music stars. She is also working with big names in the genre, such as Brandi Carlile and Sean McConnell, as well as country rap star, Breland. At the 2022 CMT Music Awards, Monica performed the song “Pray” live with singer Jimmie Allen and the musical group, Little Big Town.
Monica is a loud and proud mom, often publicly showering her kids with love on social media. She has two sons and a daughter. Her sons, Rodney and Romelo were born in 2005 and 2008 respectively during her relationship with rapper Rodney “Rocko” Hill. She was married to former NBA player Shannon Brown from 2010 until 2019. Together, the pair share a daughter, Laiyah.
Never mind all the bluster about Halle Bailey‘s starring role as The Little Mermaid. The real first Black Disney princess was Brandy. Back in 1997, the R&B icon starred in a made-for-TV production of Cinderella as the titular orphan alongside Whitney Houston as her fairy godmother. For years, Rodgers And Hammerstein’s Cinderella was consigned to the VHS collections of ’90s kids until making its debut on Disney+ in 2021 (Bernadette Peters played the wicked stepmother, a true triumph of casting).
But it turned out that Disney wasn’t content just to bring back the original movie. Late last year, it was announced that Brandy’s Cinderella — along with her Prince Charming, Pablo Montalban — was returning in the latest installment of the Descendants film series, which revolves around the children of Disney heroes and villains (Rita Ora is also cast to play the Queen of Hearts). Today, fans got their first look at the reunited couple in their reprised and revamped roles and caught all the feels, gushing on Twitter about the surge of nostalgia the sight brought on.
Of course, plenty of attention was lavished on a long-running gag about the genetics of the original TV movie continuing in the new one. Montalban, who plays the prince (Christopher Rupert Vwindemier Vlandamier Carl Alexander Francois Reginald Lancelot Herman Gregory James), is Filipino, while his parents, the king, and queen, were portrayed by Victor Garber and Whoopi Goldberg. Suffice it to say, it’s been a source of endless, head-scratching delight for fans of the movie for the past 26 years.
Well, the tradition apparently continues; Cinderella’s son, Chad, is portrayed by Jedidiah Goodacre, who had previously appeared in the prior movies in the series. He’s obviously, well… not Black or Filipino. This is an amusing byproduct of his casting back in 2015 when no one had any idea what the series’ king and queen would look like. Now, it’s an accidental but hilarious nod to the colorblind castings of yesteryear and fans couldn’t help but point that out.
I love how this is supposed to be their sonlove the attention to detail that none of the DNA makes sense for the royal family pic.twitter.com/zQ2DBRRN3k