influence does not mean sound alike.....beyonce has been in different mediums of entertainment just like brandy was....I do believe since Brandy came out before beyonce and was a cover girl, acting in movies and tv, became the first black cinderella, all while releasing Never Say Never....I think beyonce has followed a mold...I dont think she tries to make her music like brandys though....but JoJo was right.....the industry would not recognize Brandy as the Vocal Bible if she wasnt groundbreaking