Toni Braxton Covers UPTOWN With Babyface / Talks Depression, Retirement, & Return To Music

Published: Tuesday 10th Dec 2013 by Sam
cover49_spine.IH.indd

Earlier this Summer That Grape Juice was privy to preview several tracks from Toni Braxton and Babyface‘s new album ‘Love, Marriage, & Divorce’. The taste had us salivating for more, yet more so had us happy that Braxton re-considered her retirement.

The latest issue of UPTOWN magazine sees the Grammy winning diva not only pose it up alongside her longtime collaborator, but  wax honest about her reasons for wanting to retire – which she says revolved around depression and career insecurity.

However, as the #1 success of current single ‘Hurt You’ highlights, the singer has little reason to fret, for there clearly remains ample demand for her brand of grown and sexy.

Toni Braxton Babyface

Toni on reason she wanted to retire:

“I was in a small place in my life and I was going to retire. It’s not even a question. I said, ‘I’m tired of fighting.’ I was feeling sorry for myself. I was depressed over where my career was going. I was also down with my health. I found out that I developed blood clots and I couldn’t get a grip on this lupus. I didn’t know what was going on with me. I was just in a very uncomfortable place in my life and where I wouldn’t wish my worst enemy to be.

[I was] not suicidal, but it was a close relative. I’ve got my kids to live for, but I was in a hopeless stage in my life. It’s like when you’re going through things and you think you’re the only one. [Industry friends such as Michael McDonald, Fantasia and Missy Elliott] told me, ‘We’ve all felt that, and we’ve been there but it’s not time.’ It helped me a bit. But Babyface was the most influential of all those people in getting me back to it”

Toni Braxton Babyface

Babyface on convincing Toni to come back

“Toni was kind of just talking about giving up, just not really wanting to record anymore—she was not just having fun at it anymore,” Face shares. “I didn’t think that was a very good idea. I talked her into changing her mind.”

You know, you can get frustrated with the music industry, but I never get frustrated with the music. The music is what drives us to begin with. So I don’t think I ever lost sight of that.”

Toni Braxton Babyface

Babyface & Toni talk difference working together now vs past

Babyface:

“Working with Toni was a little bit different than working with her years ago, because now, we’re dealing with a grown-up Toni who certainly has her own opinion in how she thinks things should be. So we went through a lot of compromises putting this record together.

We were kind of on and off. We started off good, then we slowed down for a bit and just tried to find the things that made sense. We battled on certain songs.”

Toni:

“When I first met Babyface, I was this wide-eyed artist, I was green and I was just happy to be there. I had the mindset of, ‘Mold me, make me, what do you think I should be?’

But, now, I’m an artist like he is: established. I have my own opinions. I know how I want my music to be, so I had to remind him: ‘Kenny, I’m your baby sister, but I have breasts and I have boyfriends. You have to accept that I’m grown up now.’ That was the one big adjustment for him. It was nothing negative, nothing negative at all.”

*************

Great shoot and an equally engaging interview. Very insightful. {Source}

‘Love, Marriage, & Divorce’ arrives February 4th via Motown.

Your thoughts?

Posted under:

Comments 13

Please Post Your Comments & Reviews

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. RICHIE_RICH December 10, 2013

    Yasss Toni looks good. Glad you’re in a better state in you’re life.

  2. MusicStan December 10, 2013

    Can’t wait on the ablum I know it is going to be Great!!!! Love both Toni and Babyface( I’m listening to Babyface Now)

  3. MelyB December 10, 2013

    Oh, hell yes to their collabo album. I can’t wait to get it! And Ms. Toni, you better werk!

  4. Super Cisus December 10, 2013

    She can sing LIVE take notes Tamuppet

  5. queenB-rules December 10, 2013

    She’s working the shii outa that cover though

  6. #shedidthat December 10, 2013

    OK WAIT A MINUTE! That woman is 46 and she looks amazin! SHE MUST BE ONE OF THE PRETTIEST WOMAN EVER!!!

  7. BEYHIVE_MINAJ December 10, 2013

    Yassssss b**** werk!!!! Way better than tamuppet

  8. JOHNVIDAL December 10, 2013

    Toni looks as good as in 1994 when she won the Grammy for Best New Artist. TGJ posted the video yesterday in a post about the grammys.

  9. Soledad December 10, 2013

    Love Toni forever. Cute interview.

  10. keaneazxvxz December 10, 2013

    Black Men Dating White Women,White men Seeking Black Women on
    —————- BlackMenDatingWhiteWomen.o/r/g————. Thousands of Black Men, Black Women, White Men and White Women Free Join Here Everyday.Here a 100% safe, serious and real community for black & white single seeking interracial relationships, friendships, dating ,love and more. The site has established 12+ years. Millions of singles have joined it.xcbxcb

  11. anonymous December 10, 2013

    @cicus fool dont you know Tamar already explained that she busted a blood vessel in her vocal chords. thats why. of course she aint gon sound good.

  12. anonymous December 10, 2013

    congrats Toni. Beautiful as always. cant wit till your album with Babyface comes out.

  13. Marcel December 11, 2013

    Toni looks amazing… wow I wish her all the success in the world I use to love her albums

    Check out “Dare” by new artist Marcel
    http://youtu.be/UjNYIt2znVo

Recommended Posts
..**