After a brief break from the spotlight, it feels like Brandy is not just back but also here to stay.
The Vocal Bible serves up a chapter and verses in fierceness in the latest issue of PYNK magazine. And while her looks are as luscious as ever, it’s her accompanying interview that resonated with us most.
B-Rocka, who is presently garnering praise for her role in hit Tyler Perry movie ‘Temptation’, waxes honest about the sales of her latest album ‘Two Eleven’, whether she’d do reality TV again, fellow R&B divas Kelly Rowland and Beyonce, and much more.
Peep quotables and more pics below…
You hit the ground running with the release of ‘Two-Eleven’. You were everywhere promoting the album. Do you feel as though your hard work paid off? Were you pleased with how the album performed?
“I feel like my hard work paid off because my fans love the album. Of course, I would’ve wanted the album to reach more people but I just feel blessed to be able to do what I love. Sales chart positions and all of those things don’t really define me…I define me.”
How do you feel about the current state of R&B? Are there any newcomers you listen to and would like to collaborate with?
“I’m not okay with the current state of R&B. That’s why ‘Two-Eleven’ was so important to me. I wanted to do an album that contributed to that genre of music. I think it was very necessary for the music industry and the hearts of people. As far as newcomers, I hadn’t really been paying attention because I was so focused on the album but I can’t help but pay attention to Kelly Rowland. I admire her so much and would love to collaborate with her. Beyoncé is phenomenal and Rihanna is amazing too.”
You’ve helped to musically influence an entire generation of singers and many of your fans feel that you have gone unrecognized for the impact you’ve had on R&B music. Do you agree? Why or why not?
“Sometimes I agree with it because I know there are a lot of talented people that have shown me a lot of love on top of my fans really expressing their love for me. Sometimes I think your ego gets in the way because you know you want everybody to feel that way about you. You want to get the credit. You want to get the props but I try not to live in that space because I know it’s ego. I’m just happy with being me. I’m happy with being able to be so connected in my being that I’m able to express that in my music. There are so many people who get the credit but they’re not really connected to their music. I would take the honesty and the connection with my music over the credit any day…but both would be nice! [laughs]”
You and your family experienced great success doing reality TV. Would you ever do reality TV again?
“You know, I think I did reality TV at the wrong time. When I was on [Family Business] I wasn’t as consistent in my career. I wasn’t connected to my purpose at the time. After that, I said I wouldn’t do reality TV again but there are shows out there now like the ‘Mary/Mary’ show that are good. I would consider it if it were centered more on my career.”
It’s great to see the soon-to-be Mrs Press on such a career high again. She’s clearly much more realistic about the state of the industry as well as open to new opportunities.
Indeed, we remember being a little annoyed with her at two points during the press run for ‘Two Eleven’. Once, when she claimed the LP was her “last chance” (super talented artists like her should never speak things like that into existence) and another time when she dismissed the idea of doing reality TV again. Why? Because, as the success of Monica‘s BET hit ‘Still Standing’ proved, a music-focal reality show can greatly help the commercial performance of its resulting album. Given that she has personality for days and has the masses rooting for her, we’d see the ‘Put It Down’ singer become the focus of such a series.
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Brady looking GOOD! So s***, her and Kelly Rowland.
Sorry for shading you in one of the posts Bran! But one of your starz TRIED IT!
I live for Brandy. I have ALL of her albums and ALL of them are the s***! Two Eleven had so much potential, but whatever. I’m glad shes happy and she was great in Temptation! Hate that last outfit though :-/
LOL! at the first sentence!
it be like that sometimes.
Like I have nothing against Rihanna but some of the Navy Members be trying Beyonce!
and the same can be said about the HIVE as well. It would be nice to see more positivity on these post. But I will say all the shade helps the work day go by faster lol.
Lol!! Yes it indeed makes my school and work day go by faster. I’ve calmed down a lot though because the Stan wars are so repetitive and draining after a while. I’d be lying if I said that I don’t indulge a little though haha
Cuz y’all are lame. Stan wars on a blog? O………k
Love Brandy and how she kept it real regarding the state of R&B,im so sick of all this electropop/dance-pop s*** taking ov music… but why did she mention rihanna when asked about r&b?? LOL ‘Two Eleven’ is amazing i must say!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ‘No Such Thing as too late’ is beatiful
Because Rih is black, so you know how that goes…but she loves Rih & Rih loves her….
bahahah true that; well i do love rih’s old R&B influencedtracks (i still play ‘we ride’ lol)
I think Brandy was being sarcastic when she commented on Rihanna.
Anyway, I really wish she her success because she really deserves it.
Gurl bye Brandy is a Rihanna fan, and brandy is one of Rih’s faves. STAY PRESSED
Who want to eat my p****?
Love Brandy to death and I love her honesty. Brandy isn’t going anywhere. She is here to stay. I hope her next album will be commercially successful. RCA really drop the ball with the promo of Two Eleven. That album could have been huge. Glad she is making moves and I really hope her and Kelly work together. I can definitely see that happening.
Not that it’s important,he networth is a cool $60 million….clearly she spent her time at the top wisely and she’s hardworking as well to add to her 6 consecutive critically successful albums
Ohhhh and Brandy should definitely work with Keri Hilson!!!!!!!!!!!!! that would be one amazing R&B track :’)
why yall delete the kelly post wtf when she talks about bey n rih???
…..STOP…. asking other black female stars about what they think of beyonce….beyonce is a ripp off copy cat and love to steal from dead people who cant defend themselves…STOP F****** ASKING BRANDY, CIARA AND OTHERS ABOUT THAT B****….
They didnt ask her about Beyonce. SHE did that!
STOP F****** ASKING BRANDY, CIARA AND OTHERS ABOUT THAT B****….
Why is that every black female is always asked about Beyonce f*** that h** next
No, f*** haters. They asked her about new comers in the genre and clearly and she is a fan of the people she named.
I don’t understand why all of these celebs quit their projects so soon after it starts badly. Do they expect that it is the record company’s job to promote their product?
Can any Brandy fans tell me if she’s done any touring to support this Two/Eleven album? I haven’t seen blogs post any footage so I’m guessing the answer is no.
Yes she did a lot of shows last year. I went to her show at the Howard theater last year. She started her Two Eleven tour in February….I really wanted her to drop “Do You Know” but unfortunately I don’t think her label is gonna pay for anymore singles….
Luv Brandy! I’m so happy she’s still popping out music. She’s one of the Best n The Game! Whether the sales are there or not. @ My Foerhead though……Lmao I was thinking the same thing about the Rihanna comment lol. She definitely doesn’t think Rihanna is amazing. People name drop the word amazing these days so much. Most of the stuff they describe amazing. Is medicore at best.
How are you gonna say what BRANDY thinks you foolish, pressed queen!
Child @ Navy Sailor……I know u like the bac my hand. I knew ur ass was gonna comment on what I had to say lmaooo. Its so nice to have an fan. Someone who follows ur every move lmao. I luv u Navy Sailor! #KISSESSSSSSSSSSS
“an” fan? Kii you’re dumber than what I originally thought. And you can keep those kisses gutter breath.
Now that she is back on the scene and people checking for her, it’s time to drop another album.
Can’t stop listening to without you
Love this woman
Well @ Navy Sailor…..if u don’t won’t my kisses, then stay off my big d***. U stupid f**. And I’m never pressed. Saying I’m pressed, is like saying Hoeianna has talent. U see, the two don’t mix.
Ewwww what a f**!!!!!!
Brandy, just know that your real fans are & have always been-I adore you & LOVE EVERY SINGLE ALBUM! 211 is so under-rated! thats life tho, they support JT ole dusty wack self like he brought back “R&B”, chile this music world is a mess, KELLY FANTASIA & BRANDY ARE KILLIGN R&B right now, it is sad to see them just tossed to the side!!! BUT we here for u boo!!!
Damn, Brandy look gud.
You can tell by her answers that she has God in her life.
She’s right. If you let ego dominate your career then you lose sight of your blessings and you end up in a murky place.
You won’t always have the best chart position. You won’t always have the biggest sales, but if you remind yourself of how blessed you are to even have the opportunity to reach so many people and that your music regardless of what it sold now will always be there for future generations…God Bless Brandy, you’ve got your mind in the right place.
I love Brandy. I wish she would’ve promoted 211 better.
@Navy Sailor let me find out you from Nw, Ne, Sw, or SE boo…
Lol I’m from Alexandria but I go to Howard. My father is from SE 🙁
OK Cool I’m from Nw , But live in Atlanta and NYC…….
Loving the beautiful dark-skin chicks Kelly Rowland, Azealia Banks and Brandy.
I stopped reading after she heaped undeserved praise on Kelly, Beyonce and Rihanna. Out of the 4, Brandy is the one committed to a real purpose. She’s sucking up to the wrong people.
Would you have rather she “Keyshia Cole’d” the interview? Please, Brandy has been in the game too long to comment out of pocket. The music industry has sadly become like high school – the cool kids rule & unfortunately right now, Bey & Rhi are the head cheerleaders.
LOVE Brandy
I think She duets with Males Better IMO
A new Frank Ocean Collab Would be So Dope, they are both storytellers, seperate from that a collab with Kelly would be interesting
Whatevr Happens just keep slaying B!
Yes Brandy, she is so honest yet professional in everything she does! Love her.
This one is such a fighter and I love her for it. She’s here to stay. She’s beautiful inside and out and has talent for days. I pray she gets to play Whitney Houston. That would be EPIC!
I love love love Brandy!!! B-Rocka!!!
Wow, she looks amazing in these pictures. To be quite honest, I didn’t expect high sales for “Two Eleven” because in today’s current state of R&B, Usher and Alicia Keys are even struggling to get past gold and platinum status. All I wanted was Brandy to release a good quality R&B album and she did JUST THAT. Actually, it was a GREAT quality R&B album. Brandy will always be one of my favorite R&B singers.
My thoughts exactly. She did what she was supposed to do in the studio and up’d her stage performace immensely. 20 plus years in the industry. She is legend.
Rihanna is a Big fan of Brandy so of course Brandy is going to compliment her back…makes sense. Rihanna is cool. She’s ok. Amazing? Uhh not quite. Her music makes ppl think otherwise tho with the thousands spent on great production.
Brandy Rayana Norwood is one of my favorite vocalists EVER. The regular ear cannot hear the dopeness in her voice. Her TONE, HARMONIES, runs, control….she actually uses her voice as a damn instrument. She is one of THE BEST vocalists in the game. People sleep on her, but I know the deal. 😆 Anyway, she came to my city unbeknownst to me, so I missed her. 🙁 I’d looove to see her live!
YAAAAAAAASSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! when people call her an ‘ordinary vocalist’- Im just like WTF -__________-. Seriously those runs and riffs that she can do are just breathtaking, plus her voice is just beautiful
Brandy…. the illest ever! I can’t wait until I get the chance to work with her, love her to pieces. That is all I’m gonna say because I could write a novel about the admiration that I have for this woman.
I love Brandy, and love her new album. But I’m sad to say that she has been replaced with Dawn Richard.
It’s definitely not Brandy’s fault why Two Eleven won’t get anymore singles, it’s her labels fault, they waited too lomg to have her start promoting Put It Down, which could’ve easily been a WW hit and multiplatinum single tbh. It receieved very good from most music critics. That song was released in May but never got a live televised performance until August. Two Eleven could’ve been 2012’s biggest R&B albu, tbh. Wildest Dreams was never released to radio, which was stupid as f***. That song would’ve murdered radio, especially in the summer time alongside Put It Down, then she could’ve followed up with singles such as Without You, No Such Thing, Hardly Breathing and Let Me Go. Two Eleven could’ve had much higher 1st wk sales than 65k, it could’ve easily did a solid 150-175k in the 1st wk tbh. Even though Two Eleven is a soild R&B album, it still had plenty of songs (Without You, Let Me Go, Hardly Breathing, No Such Thing) that cold’ve crossed over to Pop markets. This album coudl’ve sold a solid 800k in the US and around 2 million WW. I just can’t believe how RCA basically just ledt Brandy in the dust after the album was released. I mean 180k is axtually bad for an artist who at point was selling 180k in the 1st few wks of release for previous albums
brandy tried her best on the album and I love the album as her true fan, I blame her label for releasing wildest dreams as her second single and on top of that the label didn’t promote the single as they should have done,atleast if they should release so sick or no such thing as too late it would have atleast introduced brandy to the new generation,i love the album n proud of it wish she could do another one like two eleven.