The talented Toni Braxton has etched her way into R&B lovers hearts for the last two decades. Now faced with the task of bringing that classic contralto to new audiences, Braxton embraces the new new with ‘I Heart You’ – the latest offering from her yet titled/summer 2012 due album.
Like so many, the Grammy-winning diva is taking the independent route, and in this quite forthcoming interview with Huffington Post, she flaunts that independence in ways like never before.
Speaking candidly on money troubles, her new album, her future on Braxton Family Values, and love for bleats-over-beats queen Rihanna, get into the thoughts of Miss Toni – an eye opening read indeed:
Congratulations on your new song, “I Heart You.”
I’m excited. It’s overdue.
And your upcoming album, titled Heartstrings & Synagogue Vibes.
I don’t know where that came from! Someone came up with that. What did you say it was?
Heartstrings & Synagogue Vibes. It’s all over the Internet. It’s described as an album that will fuse dance and pop music with Jewish and Arabic music.
That’s kind of brilliant. I did not come up with that. But no, it is not the album title. I don’t have an album title.
Once you do select a title, what can people expect?
I’m definitely going to have more “I Heart You”s on it. I’m also going to do some sad love songs. It’s going to be half and half. The three faces of Toni may appear.
How will this album be different from your others?
I hate to say the word “different,” because it won’t be different. Who I am as an artist is what I want my music to show. I think in the past there were slow songs that we made dance songs. These dance songs will be dance songs. I’m going to push the envelope a little. Not for anyone else but for myself. I’m feeling kind of sexy. I’m going to be a little more freelance with my sexiness.
What about the rumor that you’re involved with Eddie Murphy?
That’s just a rumor. We’re just friends.
You are very interested in finding your inner slut. Has that been hard for you?
It’s a work in progress. I was married for all those years. Now I’m getting out there and dating and figuring out sex. Everyone says you have to wait this long, and some people say you can do it whenever you want. I’m trying to get comfortable with that part.
We could talk sex all day, but let’s get a little more serious. How are you different now from how you were when you first signed your solo record contract in 1992?
Well, a lot older. As a performer and artist, I’m a lot smarter and have more understanding of the business. It’s changed from the ’90s. It’s completely different now. The younger artists, I feel sorry for them sometimes.
How would you say the business has changed?
Marketing, marketing, marketing. It’s not always about even selling records anymore. It’s about how big you can make your personality, which creates this image that people want. Now you make records as a platform to tour. At least before, you could make a few pennies from record sales, but that doesn’t apply anymore. Now record companies do 360s where they get a part of everything, from the record to touring to merchandising, and the artist doesn’t get a big percentage of their monies anymore.
What do you wish could be done to change that?
I wish there was something like they have for athletes where they have pensions. Performers and singers don’t get that. We have nothing. You see these big performers, and then they die penniless.
What younger artists do you admire?
My favorite of all the girls is Rihanna. I love her. She’s not afraid of her sexuality. I think in our generation – -and not that I’m a million years older than her or anything — but we could only take sexuality to a point. The brave one was Madonna. She did it. She got beat up a lot for it, but she didn’t care. She broke down the original barriers.
No matter what you’ve gone through in your life and career, the one that that always remained constant was your gay following.
I love my gays!
The show you’re on currently is The Braxton Family Values, with your mother and sisters. It’s coming back for a third season, but are you?
Well, I’m going to cut back. I’m going to still be on the show, but I’m not going to be as involved as I was in the past.
You have so many hit songs. Do you have a favorite?
I don’t really listen to myself. When I hear me on the radio, I turn it immediately. My favorite song to sing is not the ones you think, like “Un-break My Heart” or “Breathe Again.” I like something fun like “Please.” I do like “He Wasn’t Man Enough.”
How important is it for you today to have a top-40 song?
For me, being an established artist, they are important, because they show that I’m still vital. It shows that I’m still current, and that I still matter. For me personally, it’s all about the music. It’s really just getting out there and doing something that will allow me to tour.
After everything you’ve accomplished, what are you the most proud of?
That I’m still here. That’s really a big deal.
Read the interview in its entirety here.
Your thoughts?
i love toni but didnt she diss rihanna now she likes her shes a flip floper
Rihanna= legend of this generation!!!
I wish she did more songs like “please” live that song.
Great Lacefront-
“Rihanna= legend of this generation!!!”
Ugh b**** you make me sooooo f****** sick to my stomach with your yellow self.
But really Toni?….out of all the girls out right now you chose Rihanna? B**** that’s why for the past few years you’ve been irrelevant and why you are going to continue to be irrelevant. I would’ve thought that an artist of your stature would have more taste in artists and who is your favorite being that you’re more talented than most of them.
She called Beyonce more talented & was offended that one would compare the two. Now she loves Rihanna? Toni get your story straight, I may be a Riri stan but I don’t like flip floppers! Just like when Simon said Beyonce wasn’t talented than he said she was the best artist of the decade!
RIHANNA IS A GIMMICK. SHE’S DOING EVERYTHING MADONNA DID!!! RIHANNA HAS NO STABILITY WHEN THE WORLD CHANGES OR WANTS TO CHANGE SHE WILL WITH IT, TO STAY RELEVANT!!! YOU CAN’T COME CLOSE TO IDENTIFYING THE RIHANNA WE GUSHED OVER WHEN SHE FIRST CAME OUT, CHANGE IS FOR EVERYBODY BUT YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BE ABLE TO SEE THE PERSON WHO THEY STARTED OUT TO BE!
@wlll kiss me
I think somebody asked Toni in a interview too choose between Rihanna and Beyonce and she said something like “Beyonce for sure” IMO if she liked Rihanna as well all she had to say was I love them both, but….*Shrugs* Everyone flip flops nowadays. Rihanna has consistently been on top all these years, she’s gonna be like our generations Madonna for sure….
CANT WAIT FOR THIS NEW ALBUM!
@HEEEEEY
What are you even talking about?
I love that Rihanna is the only thing that got your tongue wagging out of the WHOLE interview, clearly YOUR obsessed with her.
Shut Up.
Why are these people so stupid. Because Toni loves Riri does not mean she cant love Beyonce or say she is talented. Do you guys only love 1 artist. Toni has said a lot of time that she love Riri, even on twitter so whats the big deal. Some people just find everything to complain about.
Madonna.
she will be here in saint lucia on may 13th for out jazz festival along with melanie fiona and diana ross. cant wait to attend the event! come all! you are all invited. tickets are $65
YASSS EVERYONE SPREAD THE WORD XTINAS BIONIC IS UP IN THE TOP 20 OF ITUNES SELLING…IT SITS AT 17 AND PROBABLY GONNA BE MOVING UP SOON.. AFTER 2 YEARS AND WHERES RIHANNAS BEYONCES GAGAS KATTYS NICKIS… GUESSING PEOPLE ARE FINALLY GIVING BIONIC ALBUM A CHANCE….
http://www.muumuse.com/2012/04/bionic-rises-to-top-20-on-itunes-albums-chart-legendtina-reign-refuses-to-let-up.html/
Now that’s what I’m talking about. Toni and Rihanna are legends, icons, divas!! YESSSSS!
So glad that wasn’t the album title!
Love Toni, still got ‘I Heart You’ on replay!
Lmao Matthew is laughing somewhere
You would think she would stay on the show instead of cutting back. If you are doing a independent album you need all the promo you can get cause you are not getting the big budget of a major record label. Be on the show and show the process of making your album. I don’t get it? Try to get on more shows and promote this song. Don’t cut yourself from it , use it to your advantage. Get your self out there on that tv and work cause just because you are already a name don’t mean nothing these days. I think she should change her mind about that.
toni has the right to change her mind…bey may have been her favorite back when she was relevant…..but rihanna runs the game now
GET EM RHI RHI !!!!
AWWW i love u Toni B,,,, i cant wait 4 season 3 of BFV n Tamar+Vince show,,, how the new music goes well
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so since toni admires rihanna she is irrelavent?? the haters never stop!!!!
first toni was asked who can sing better beyonce or rihanna and of course beyonce was her choice because she can sing alot better!! it wasnt shade she was just telling it like it is and i respect that! but that doesnt mean she cant like rihanna just because bey sings better!!! people get over it!! she like her now move on!!!!
Many people who commented are upset that Toni praised Rihanna because the w****, ass b**** has no talent. Toni… you are pathetic and I really can’t stand you. You were being sexual in your videos too in the past, but at least you could sang your ass off! I don’t get these older singers who praise these untaleneted b****** like Rihanna, and Madonna has no f****** talent either. It’s so sad how brainwashed people can be. Rihanna is nothing but a gimmick and so classless. Any female or male who puts his/her sexuality out there in the open so vulgarly is a pervert and p**.
@ Lola you sound like you have serious issue that you need to deal with, check yourself before your wreck yourself boo.