R&B singer Brandy Norwood is in search of a new record deal.
BV Buzz has learned exclusively that the 30-year-old singer was just dropped by her label Epic Records because of the lackluster sales of from her comeback CD, ‘Human.’
Released on Dec. 8, 2008, the CD has only sold 196,509 units to date according to SoundScan.
“Her friend Brandon Creed that works as an A&R representative at Epic Records has been making calls to see if other labels would be interested in signing her,” a record company source told me.
In addition, Brandy has also parted ways with her management.
The former ‘Moesha’ star had been represented in recent months by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Management.
The McComb, Miss.-bred singer’s relationship with Roc Nation supposedly dissolved because of “creative differences.”
A rep for Roc Nation did confirm the split to BV Buzz.
“Roc Nation no longer reps Brandy,” the publicist Jana Fleishman said in an e-mail yesterday.
A source tells me that Brandy’s business relationship with Roc Nation “is what kept Epic Records from dropping her months ago.” Since the singer is no longer repped by the firm, the label “didn’t see the benefit in giving her another album.”
“She was signed to Epic when Charlie Walk was president of the label. Now that Amanda Ghost is president, she is the one who decided to let Brandy go,” the source explained.
Coincidentally, Roc Nation had also represented Ghost, who in addition to being president of Epic Records is a Grammy-nominated songwriter who has written for Beyoncé, Jordin Sparks and Shakira.
Brandy’s last CD ‘Human’ was her first release in more than four years and her debut album for Epic Records.
Prior to signing with Epic, the singer had recorded exclusively for Atlantic Records, where she released four CDs before parting ways with that label in 2005.
A rep for Brandy denied that the singer has been dropped from the label.
“They have not dropped her. We are trying to get a release from them. We’re in waiting,” her rep told me, before adding: “And Brandy and Roc Nation parted amicably.”
BV Buzz’s call to Ghost’s office was forwarded to Elisa Goldman in the publicity department. That call has gone unreturned.
A message was left for Creed as well, though he has yet to respond.{Source}
What ever is said in the weeks and months ahead by both parties, there’s no denying that this is a real sad situation for Brandy – if true, considering all the problems she’s been through over the last couple of years.
The situation really highlights the bogus state of the industry today; Ms. Norwood churns out one of last year’s best efforts with ‘Human’, yet goes on to sell the worst she has with any of her albums. All this despite being promoted relatively well, a point I feel important to note as many are oft quick to say their favourite wasn’t promoted right, yet if I recall right I remember seeing Brandy on numerous shows, as well as having her own BET special. As cut-throat as it may sound, it’s easy to see that Epic had no choice, as no sales=no money. That said, it’s real, real sad when an immensely talented artist in the form of Brandy, currently at her creative peak isn’t able to shift records, yet a whole bunch of nonsense can. SMH. Here’s hoping another label snaps her up swiftly.
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