As we celebrate the 21st anniversary of Brandy’s sophomore effort ‘Never Say Never,’ this week’s From The Vault salutes one of its most notable numbers – ‘Top Of The World.’
Released on June 9th 1998, ‘Never’ was a gargantuan record, spurning colossal classic ‘The Boy Is Mine’ featuring Monica and putting R&B on the map like never before.
Amongst the many Darkchild produced gems housed on the album, ‘World’ was selected as the second international single. With its #2 placing in the UK – and #1 in the R&B charts – it proved that there was more to Ms. Norwood than that fire duet that dominated the airwaves earlier in the LP’s trajectory.
Lyrically, the track saw the singer staying true to her roots and who she was before fame, it had a guest rap verse courtesy of Diddy’s then-partner in crime Mase.
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Paul Hunter directed the single’s accompanying video. It featured Brandy levitating in New York City and cranking out 90s flavored choreography on a rooftop with a group of dancers… and Mase.
The pair briefly reunited a few years back and busted out the same moves during the Soul Train Awards where Brandy was fittingly honored with the Lady Of Soul Award.
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Here at That Grape Juice, we’ve long admired B-Rocka’s talent and output, and we can’t wait to see what she has been cooking up for her first album since since ‘Two Eleven.’ Also, it will be interesting to see how she approaches the project as her first independent release.
Though it’s impossible to predict the fate of an LP, musically there’s little room for debate – Brandy always delivers.
So, ready when you are, B!
I hope that whatever Brandy is putting together comes out soon!!! My body is beyond ready!!!!
Brandy is so legendary. Her music is unparalleled
JAM ?
ICONIC. LEGENDARY. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aFR1jfeDH4
Love everything this woman does!❤️
Brandy has been giving us filler albums for the longest. That’s why she hasn’t top the charts. Her, Monica, cb, usher need a new sound. They are the perfect example of people liking their old material so they keep producing the same formula in a song. And no one buys it. Rihanna, Beyonce, tamar, Mya keep us on our toes. You don’t know what to expect.
Did you really just say Tamar and Mya keeps people on their toes and said Brandy makes filler albums? ????? BYE and GOOD NIGHT!
mya def serves the same thing.
I’m just realizing how many top R&B artist of back then didn’t use big tours to boost their reach. I’m sure Brandy and Monica did tours but they weren’t on the level of top tier artist of today. I honest think that’s one of the main elements that Brandy lacked, causing her to drop from super stardom to B-C list status. It’s cool watching this video.. to see how dark skin and wide nostrils were at the top of the chain.
Dark skin and wide nose???!!!??……what has that got to do with her music…Mya is mix race with a straight nose and she still not selling out tours etc. Thats a load of BS!!