Jump to content

Brandy (album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brandy
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 27, 1994 (1994-09-27)
Recorded1993–1994[1]
Studio
GenreR&B[2]
Length55:46
LabelAtlantic
Producer
Brandy chronology
Brandy
(1994)
Never Say Never
(1998)
Singles from Brandy
  1. "I Wanna Be Down"
    Released: September 5, 1994
  2. "Baby"
    Released: December 24, 1994
  3. "Best Friend"
    Released: June 27, 1995
  4. "Brokenhearted"
    Released: August 22, 1995

Brandy is the debut studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released on September 27, 1994, by Atlantic Records. Chiefly produced by Keith Crouch, the album contains a range of contemporary genres, including hip-hop, pop-soul, and R&B. Aside from Crouch, Norwood worked with a range of other writers and producers, including R&B group Somethin' for the People, Arvel McClinton, Damon Thomas, and Crouch's brother Kenneth.

Upon release, Brandy received generally positive reviews from music critics, who complimented Norwood's appearance, as well as the album's timeless appeal. While the album initially sold slowly, it reached number 20 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over two million copies in the United States.[3] Worldwide, the album has sold over 6 million copies.[4]

Four singles were released from the album. "I Wanna Be Down" was chosen as the album's lead single and peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100.[5] The song was critically lauded and was regarded as a standout track on Brandy. The album's second single "Baby" was also well-received and peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.[5] The following two singles, "Best Friend" and "Brokenhearted", peaked at numbers 34 and nine on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively.[5] Brandy and its singles garnered Norwood nominations for various awards, including two Grammy Award nominations.[6] The success of the album allowed Norwood to establish herself as one of the most successful of the then-new generation of R&B female vocalists who emerged during the mid-to-late 1990s.

Background

[edit]

In 1990, Norwood's talent led to a binding oral contract with Teaspoon Productions, headed by Chris Stokes and Earl Harris, who obtained her gigs as a backing vocalist for their R&B boy band Immature.[7][8] The agreement, also called for Teaspoon to represent her and attempt to secure her a record deal.[7] Norwood first auditioned for Atlantic Records when she was 11 years old.[9] Unfortunately, the executives at the label turned her away as they felt she was too young and urged her to come back when she turned 14.[9] Coincidentally, on the same day in 1993 Teaspoon Productions had negotiated a deal for Norwood with East West Records, while her parents organized a recording contract with Atlantic Records.[7] During her audition at Atlantic she auditioned for the company's director of A&R, Darryl Williams.[8] Williams, recalled Norwood's audition saying, "Brandy stood out. She was just energetic and had an incredible voice for a 14-year-old."[8] Norwood subsequently dropped out of Hollywood High School later and was tutored privately from tenth grade on.[8][10]

During the early production stages of her debut on the Atlantic label, Norwood was selected for a role in the ABC sitcom Thea, portraying the 15-year-old daughter of a single mother played by Thea Vidale.[10][11] Broadcast to mediocre ratings, the series ended after one season, consisting of 19 episodes.[12] Norwood appreciated the cancellation of the show as she was unenthusiastic about acting at the time; also taping caused scheduling conflicts with the recording of her album.[10] According to Norwood, "I wanted to sing so badly that I was miserable when I had to cancel studio time to tape".[10] She further discussed the shows cancellation saying, "When Thea was canceled I was like, ‘Okay, I can now put all my focus into my album."[9]

Recording and production

[edit]

Recording of Brandy commenced in 1993.[13] Williams initially consulted all-male R&B group Somethin' for the People and musician Damon Thomas to work on the album, with Somethin' for the People contributing "Sunny Day", "Give Me You", and "I Dedicate," the latter of which was later split into three interludes.[14] Thomas co-wrote "I'm Yours" and produced "Love Is on My Side."[14] A then 16-year-old Robin Thicke scored his first co-writing credit on the latter.[15] While they produced the majority of Brandy, Williams brought in the then-21-year-old, relatively unknown writer-producer Keith Crouch, nephew of gospel singer Andraé Crouch, towards the end of the project to work with Norwood on the bulk of the throwback, funk-soul production of the album.[16] In a 2012 interview with Vibe magazine, Norwood elaborated that her collaboration with Crouch "was very important for me as a young artist. At the time he was not trying to be like anyone else on radio. He was all about his own sound. [He] gave me real music. He didn’t give me teenybopper records. It was age appropriate, youthful records, but it was still real music. We had a great connection."[9] Crouch would go on to work on 50 percent of Brandy, setting much of the tone of the album, with four from his five tracks becoming singles.[16] While recording her vocals with him, Norwood was inspired by several singers, citing Whitney Houston and gospel group The Clark Sisters as major inspirations, particularly on "Movin' On."[16] However, she struggled to identify with some of Crouch's material at first, especially on "Baby", whose lyrics made her afraid of not being old enough.[16]

Music and lyrics

[edit]

With Brandy consisting mostly of street-oriented R&B songs with influences from hip hop,[2] the lyrics highlighted her youthful and innocent image.[17] Norwood later summed up the songs on the record as young and vulnerable: "I did not really know much – all I wanted to do was sing. You can easily understand that it is a person who sings genuinely, without any real experience. I sang about being attracted to the opposite sex but had no experience of it."[18] The album's fourth track, "I Dedicate (Part I)", is the first of three where Norwood thanks artists who inspired her for a career in music. In the first part, which lasts one minute and 29 seconds, she mentions Whitney Houston as her "mentor" and "role model".[19]

Singles

[edit]

"I Wanna Be Down" was released as the album's lead single on September 5, 1994, to positive critical reception. The song peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100[5] and atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[20] Internationally, the song peaked at numbers 12 and 11 in Australia and New Zealand, respectively.[21] It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 4,[22] selling over 600,000 copies in the United States by the end of 1994.[23] The song's accompanying music video, directed by Keith Ward, portrays Norwood in her tomboyish image, dancing in front of a Jeep near a forest, surrounded by backup dancers.[24] The Rhythm Nation Hip-Hop Remix of the song, featuring MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and Yo-Yo, was included on the B-Side single for "Baby".[25]

"Baby" was released as the second single on December 24, 1994, to positive critical reception. It became an even larger commercial success than "I Wanna Be Down" peaking at number four both on the Billboard Hot 100 and in New Zealand,[5][26] while becoming her second consecutive Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one.[20] The single sold over one million copies by the end of 1995,[27] being certified platinum by the RIAA.[28] Its accompanying music video, directed by Hype Williams, features Norwood and her company dancing in skiing outfits in Times Square.[29] The song was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards.[6]

"Best Friend" was released as the third single on June 27, 1995. Although positively received by critics, the song failed to duplicate the commercial success of the previous two singles. It peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100,[5] but fared better on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, where it peaked at number seven.[20] Internationally, the song charted only in New Zealand, where it peaked at number 11.[30] Its accompanying music video, directed by Matthew Rolston, features Norwood and her backup troupe displaying their hip hop dancing skills in front of a garage; Norwood's younger brother Ray J, to whom the song was dedicated, appears in the video.[24]

The re-recorded duet version of "Brokenhearted", with Wanya Morris from Boyz II Men, was released as the fourth and final single on August 22, 1995, to mixed critical reception. It became Norwood's third Billboard Hot 100 top-ten single, peaking at number nine,[5] as well as peaking at number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[20] Additionally, it peaked at number six in New Zealand.[31] The single was certified gold by the RIAA on November 10 for shipments of 500,000 units in the United States.[32] Norwood reunited with Williams, director of previous videos for the Human Rhythm Hip Hop remix of "I Wanna Be Down" and "Baby", to film a music video for "Brokenhearted" inside the Oheka Castle.[33]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[34]
Robert Christgau(neither)[35]
Entertainment WeeklyC[36]
Los Angeles Times[37]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[38]

In his review for AllMusic, Eddie Huffman wrote that "this teenage R&B singer hit the Top Ten late in 1994 with "I Wanna Be Down", a representative track from her solid debut album. Brandy knows her way around a hip-hop beat, layering tender-tough vocals over spare arrangements like a lower-key Janet Jackson or a more stripped-down Mary J. Blige. Good songs and crisp production make Brandy a moody, moving success."[34] In 2007, Vibe rated Brandy among the 150 most essential albums since its launch.[39] The magazine found that "Brandy's debut is slow, deliberate, and naive — not for lack of accomplishment, but because the best moments here sound as wide-eyed and new as a first date."[39]

People compared the effort with Aaliyah's debut album Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, which was released four months prior, writing: "While everything about Aaliyah screams here-and-now, Brandy's well-groomed blend of gently lilting hip hop and pop-soul has a more timeless appeal. With the poise and sassy confidence of a diva twice her age, Brandy mixes her love songs with tributes to her little brother ("Best Friend"), God ("Give Me You"), the perfect man ("Baby") and older crooners like Aretha and Whitney ("I Dedicate"). While this isn't groundbreaking stuff, Brandy has the pipes to become more than the latest teenage next-big-thing."[40] Anderson Jones from Entertainment Weekly was less enthusiastic with the album. He gave the album a C rating and considered it as: "An album that seems based on the philosophy 'If Aaliyah can do it, why can't I?' except that in singing about best friends, heroes, and puppy love instead of about making love, teen actress Norwood (TV's Thea) acts her age. A premature effort, at best."[36] In his Consumer Guide, Robert Christgau gave the album a "neither" score,[35] and said it "may impress once or twice with consistent craft or an arresting track or two. Then it won't."[41]

Accolades

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
Awards and nominations for Brandy
1995 Soul Train Music Awards Best New Artist Brandy Won [42]
Best R&B/Soul Album – Female Brandy Nominated
Best R&B/Soul Single – Female "I Wanna Be Down" Nominated
1995 MTV Video Music Awards Best Rap Video "I Wanna Be Down" (The Human Rhythm Hip-Hop Remix) Nominated [43]
Best Choreography in a Video "Baby" Nominated
1995 Billboard Music Video Awards Best New R&B/Urban Artist Clip Won
Best New Rap Artist Clip "I Wanna Be Down" Won
1996 American Music Awards Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist Brandy Nominated [45]
Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist Won [46]
1996 Grammy Awards Best New Artist Nominated
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "Baby" Nominated
1996 MTV Video Music Awards Best Cinematography in a Video "Brokenhearted" Nominated [47]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Brandy debuted at number 94 on the US Billboard 200 for the week ending on October 15, 1994.[48] In its 25th week on the chart it peaked at number 20, remaining on the Billboard 200 for 89 consecutive weeks.[49][3] On the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart the album debuted at number 11.[50] In its 14th week on the chart it peaked at number six, where it charted for 87 consecutive weeks.[51][52] Brandy was the 52nd best-selling album of 1995, with 1.2 million copies sold in the country.[27] By March 2002 the album had sold 2.12 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[3][53] To date the album is certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for four million shipped units.[54]

In Canada, Brandy debuted on RPM' s Top Albums/CDs chart at number 46 during the week ending on January 30, 1995.[55] In its third week on the chart the album reached its peak at number 20, during the week of February 13, 1995.[56] Overall, the album had spent a total of 28 consecutive weeks on the Top Albums/CDs chart.[57] On June 27, 1995 Brandy was certified gold by Music Canada for denoting shipments of over 50,000 copies.[58] The album also peaked at number 26 in Australia.[59] In the United Kingdom, Brandy never got higher than number 119 on the UK Albums Chart, but sold more than 60,000 copies, resulting in a silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).[60] In May 1999, it was reported that Brandy had sold five million copies worldwide; By 2010 the albums global sales stood at six million sold.[61][4]

Impact and legacy

[edit]

With the release of her debut album and the combined commercial success of its singles, Norwood had established herself a successful solo artist. The album led her to successful endeavors before the release of her second album Never Say Never (1998), including a joint tour with vocal group Boyz II Men, songs landing on successful soundtracks for films such as Waiting to Exhale (1995) and Set It Off (1996), her first starring TV role in the sitcom Moesha, and starring as the first African-American Cinderella in Cinderella (1997).[62]

Widely acclaimed, Brandy was named one of the 50 best R&B albums of the 1990s by Complex.[62] American neo soul singer Erykah Badu revealed on Twitter that her debut studio album Baduizm (1997) was partly influenced by Brandy, tweeting: "Brandy's first album was one of my inspirations when writing Baduizm. I looove that album [...] songs i liked were "I Wanna Be Down" and "Always on My Mind"... nice."[63] Fellow neo soul artist Jill Scott particularly praised the songs "Sunny Day" and "Always on My Mind", saying "I listen to her shit all the time".[64] Pop group Karmin's song "Brokenhearted" was inspired by Brandy's song of the same title.[65] Canadian recording artist Drake sampled all three parts of "I Dedicate" on his fourth studio album Views (2016) for the song "Fire & Desire".[66] Gospel recording artists The Walls Group covered the song "Always on My Mind", turning it into "God on My Mind".[67]

Track listing

[edit]
Brandy track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Movin' On"
Crouch4:27
2."Baby"Crouch5:13
3."Best Friend"
  • Crouch
  • Glenn McKinney
Crouch4:48
4."I Wanna Be Down"
  • Crouch
  • Jones
Crouch4:51
5."I Dedicate" (Part I)Somethin' for the People1:29
6."Brokenhearted"
  • Crouch
  • Jones
  • Crouch
  • Jones
5:52
7."I'm Yours"
  • McClinton
  • Thomas
4:01
8."Sunny Day"
  • Norwood
  • Holiday
  • Wilson
  • Young
Somethin' for the People4:29
9."As Long as You're Here"
Somethin' for the People4:45
10."Always on My Mind"Kenneth CrouchKenneth Crouch4:06
11."I Dedicate" (Part II)
  • Norwood
  • Holiday
  • Wilson
  • Young
Somethin' for the People0:55
12."Love Is on My Side"Thomas5:09
13."Give Me You"
  • Norwood
  • Holiday
  • Wilson
  • Young
Somethin' for the People4:25
14."I Dedicate" (Part III)
  • Norwood
  • Holiday
  • Wilson
  • Young
Somethin' for the People1:01
Total length:55:46
Brandy – Japanese edition (bonus track)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."I Wanna Be Down" (The Human Rhythm Hip Hop Remix) (featuring MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and Yo-Yo)Crouch4:07
Total length:59:53

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Brandy.[68]

  • Cat Daddy Ro – keyboard
  • Jerry Conaway – programming
  • Keith Crouch – producer
  • Kenneth Crouch – piano, producer
  • Derrick Edmondson – flute, saxophone, horn
  • Sherree Ford-Payne – vocal assistance
  • Rochad Holiday – producer
  • Kipper Jones – producer
  • Robert Jones – programming, drums
  • Tiara Lemacks – vocal assistance
  • Arvel McClinton III – programming, producer
  • Glenn McKinney – guitar
  • Brandy Norwood – lead vocals
  • Derek Organ – drums
  • Thomas Organ – guitar
  • Chacha Orias – bass
  • Rahsaan Patterson – vocal assistance
  • Robin Thicke – vocal assistance
  • Damon Thomas – piano, keyboard, producer
  • Darryl Williams – executive producer
  • Curtis Wilson – producer
  • Jeffrey Young – vocal assistance, arranger, producer

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Brandy
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[79] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[80] Silver 60,000^
United States (RIAA)[81] 4× Platinum 2,100,000[53]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for Brandy
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Australia September 27, 1994 Warner Music
Canada
France
United States Atlantic
United Kingdom December 5, 1994
Germany February 3, 1995 Warner Music
Japan April 25, 1995

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Golden 1999
  2. ^ a b Samuels, Anita M. (2 April 1995). "UP AND COMING: Brandy; At 16, Her Debut Is a Sweet Success (Published 1995)". The New York Times.
  3. ^ a b c Basham, David (March 14, 2002). "Got Charts? The Long Road To #1 And Those Who Rocked It – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Michael Bolton Demands Apology From Bruno Tonioli". ABC News. American Broadcasting Company (ABC). 2010-09-29. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Brandy Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d "The 38th Annual Grammy Nominations: The Complete List of Nominees". Los Angeles Times. January 5, 1996. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Brandy And Her Parents Sued For Breaking Management Agreement". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 1995-05-15. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  8. ^ a b c d Helligar, Jeremy (1998-06-08). "Starry-Eyed". People. People.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2009. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
  9. ^ a b c d "Full Clip: Brandy Breaks Down Her Entire Catalogue Feat. Babyface, Monica, Timbaland, Kanye West, Diddy & More". Vibe. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 2012-09-13.
  10. ^ a b c d Gerston, Jill (1996-02-11). "Brandy, Pop Star, Plays a Teen-Ager, Though Not Just Any Teen-Ager". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  11. ^ Hoadri Coker, Cheo (2004-07-01). "Not That Innocent". Vibe. p. 93. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  12. '^ "Theas Brandy Bounces Back With Hit Album". The Victoria Advocate. 1995-03-12. Retrieved 2010-06-28.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ "Damon Thomas on Working with Robin Thicke at 16: People Called Him "Brian McWhite" (Part 2)". VladTV. April 18, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2024 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ a b Brandy (Media notes). Brandy Norwood. Atlantic Records. 1994.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Fennessey, Sean (2007-04-01). "Natural Selection". Vibe. Retrieved 2012-09-20.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ a b c d Hampp, Andrew (2014-09-27). "Exclusive: Brandy Breaks Down the Songs of Her Self-Titled Debut 20 Years Later". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  17. ^ """Thea's Brandy Bounces Back With Hit Album"". news.google.de. The Victoria Advocate. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  18. ^ "ChicagoPride.com interview with Brandy". 11 January 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-01-11. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Sweet Brandy She May Be Young, But Brandy Norwood's Sophisticated Voice Is Taking Her Where Her Dreams Are Leading". www.spokesman.com. The Spokesman. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  20. ^ a b c d "Brandy Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  21. ^ "Australian-charts.com – Brandy – I Wanna Be Down". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  22. ^ "American single certifications – Brandy – I Wanna Be Down". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  23. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1994". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 3. BPI Communications. January 21, 1995. p. 57. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  24. ^ a b Porter, Nina (January 25, 2000). "The Brandy Star Profile". Master Dance Tones.
  25. ^ Baptiste, Suzanne (March 25, 1995). "Rhythm Section". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 12. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 27.
  26. ^ "Charts.nz – Brandy – Baby". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  27. ^ a b "Best-Selling Records of 1995". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 3. BPI Communications. January 20, 1996. p. 56. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  28. ^ "American single certifications – Brandy – Baby". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  29. ^ "The Best R&B Videos of the '90s". Complex. November 9, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  30. ^ "Charts.nz – Brandy – Best Friend". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  31. ^ "Charts.nz – Brandy – Brokenhearted". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  32. ^ "American single certifications – Brandy – Broken Hearted". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  33. ^ "(1995) Entertainment Tonight - Brandy and Wanya Morris". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved August 9, 2021 – via YouTube.
  34. ^ a b Huffman, Eddie. "Brandy – Brandy | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-08-20.
  35. ^ a b Christgau, Robert. "Brandy". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  36. ^ a b Jones, Anderson (November 11, 1994). "Music Review: 'Brandy' (1994)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2016-01-02. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  37. ^ Johnson, Connie (October 30, 1994). "In Brief (Brandy: Brandy)". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  38. ^ Brackett & Hoard 2004, p. 102
  39. ^ a b "Brandy – Brandy (1994)". Vibe. March 1, 2007. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  40. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Brandy". People. 1994-10-24. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-09-28.
  41. ^ Christgau, Robert. "CG 90s: Key to Icons". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  42. ^ Sources for Nominations/Winners:
  43. ^ "1995 MTV Video Music Awards - Highlights, Winners, Performers and Photos from the 1995 MTV VMAs". MTV. Archived from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2023. click on the winners tab for the list of winners/nominees.
  44. ^ Atwood, Brett (November 25, 1995). "Spike Jonze, TLC Are Big Winners At Billboard Music Video Awards". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 47. p. 103. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  45. ^ "Music Popularity Awards Show On ABC". Hartford Courant. January 29, 1996. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  46. ^ "Brooks turns down artist of year award". CNN. January 30, 1996. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  47. ^ "1996 MTV Video Music Awards - Highlights, Winners, Performers and Photos from the 1996 MTV VMAs". MTV. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2023. click on the winners tab for the list of winners/nominees.
  48. ^ "Billboard 200". Billboard. October 15, 1994. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  49. ^ "Billboard 200". Billboard. April 1, 1995. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  50. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. October 15, 1994. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  51. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. January 14, 1995. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  52. ^ "Brandy- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  53. ^ a b "Brandy's Return Burns With Desire". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 26, 2004. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  54. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  55. ^ "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 60, No. 26 Jan 30, 1995". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  56. ^ a b "Top Albums/CDs – Volume 61, No. 2, February 13, 1995". RPM. RPM Music Publications Ltd. February 13, 1995. Archived from the original on 2017-12-07. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  57. ^ "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 61, No. 27 Aug 07, 1995". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  58. ^ "Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA)". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2012-02-25. Retrieved 2012-10-09.
  59. ^ Kent 2003
  60. ^ "Chart Commentary > Albums Factfile" (PDF). Music Week. March 9, 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-05-10. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  61. ^ "Our Diva Is America's Cover Girl". Billboard. May 29, 1999. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  62. ^ a b "The 50 Best R&B Albums of the '90s13. Brandy, Brandy". Complex Networks. Archived from the original on 2015-10-04. Retrieved 2015-10-03.
  63. ^ "ErykahBadoula: 28 Sep 12". Twitter. 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2012-09-30.
  64. ^ "Celebrities Congratulate Brandy on 20 Years & She Reacts!". TrueExclusives. 2013-10-16. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  65. ^ Karmin (26 April 2012). "Karmin - Brokenhearted (Acoustic)" – via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  66. ^ "Here Are The 15 Songs Sampled On Drake's 'Views'". 29 April 2016. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  67. ^ TheBrandyBlog Fan Mail (8 June 2014). "The Walls Group Discusses Upcoming Song Collaboration with Brandy titled God On My Mind". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via YouTube.
  68. ^ Brandy (liner notes). Brandy. Atlantic Records. 1994.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  69. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Brandy – Brandy". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  70. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Brandy – Brandy" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  71. ^ Zobbel.de
  72. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  73. ^ "Brandy Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  74. ^ "Brandy Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  75. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 1994". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2015-10-03. Retrieved 2015-06-15.
  76. ^ "Billboard 200: Year End 1995". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2017-01-06. Retrieved 2017-11-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  77. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 1995". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2015-10-03. Retrieved 2015-06-15.
  78. ^ "Billboard 200: Year End 1996". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2018-04-27. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  79. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Brandy – Brandy". Music Canada. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  80. ^ "British album certifications – Brandy – Brandy". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  81. ^ "American album certifications – Brandy – Brandy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  82. ^ Anon. (n.d.). "Brandy: BRANDY". Australia: Amazon Music. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  83. ^ Anon. (n.d.). "Brandy: Brandy". Canada: Amazon Music. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  84. ^ Anon. (September 27, 1994). "Brandy" (in French). France: Fnac. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  85. ^ Huffman, Eddie (September 27, 1994). "Brandy – Brandy". AllMusic. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  86. ^ "Releases for 5 Dec – 11 Dec, 1994" (PDF). Music Week. December 3, 1994. p. 30. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  87. ^ Anon. (n.d.). "Brandy: Brandy" (in German). Germany: Amazon Music. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  88. ^ Anon. (n.d.). "ブランディ – Brandy" (in Japanese). Japan: Amazon Music. Retrieved September 5, 2021.

Bibliography

[edit]