By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
R&B singer Brandy Norwood’s latest album Two-Eleven is being regarded as one of her best works. However, nowadays it just pretty much seems like R&B is one of the least selling genres, well at least if your name isn’t Justin Timberlake or Beyonce. Regardless, Brandy wasn’t going to let the current state of the music industry determine what kind of album she was putting out, and that’s simply because she has a real loyalty and dedication to the genre that made her a big star and household name when she was only 16. Brandy covers the upcoming issue of Pynk Magazine, and opens up about her devotion to R&B, why she’s not worried about album sales, and even why she feels a bit underrated at times.
On why chart positions and album sales don’t define her:
“I feel like my hard work paid off because my fans love the album. Of course, I would’ve wanted the album to reach more people but I just feel blessed to be able to do what I love. Sales chart positions and all of those things don’t really define me…I define me.”
When it comes to the state of R&B, Brandy says she’s not happy about it. But she does have love for Beyonce, Rihanna, and bff Kelly Rowland:
“I’m not okay with the current state of R&B. That’s why ‘Two-Eleven’ was so important to me. I wanted to do an album that contributed to that genre of music. I think it was very necessary for the music industry and the hearts of people. As far as newcomers, I hadn’t really been paying attention because I was so focused on the album but I can’t help but pay attention to Kelly Rowland. I admire her so much and would love to collaborate with her. Beyoncé is phenomenal and Rihanna is amazing too.”
Brandy also admitted that at times, she feels a bit underrated:
“Sometimes I agree with it because I know there are a lot of talented people that have shown me a lot of love on top of my fans really expressing their love for me. Sometimes I think your ego gets in the way because you know you want everybody to feel that way about you. You want to get the credit. You want to get the props but I try not to live in that space because I know it’s ego. I’m just happy with being me. I’m happy with being able to be so connected in my being that I’m able to express that in my music. There are so many people who get the credit but they’re not really connected to their music. I would take the honesty and the connection with my music over the credit any day…but both would be nice! [laughs]”
Check out the cover below:
Honestly, Brandy had a lot of success in her heyday. She even had her own Barbie doll! Lol. She’s also a real actress now. She’s done pretty good in my opinion.
Love her! And that album is fire! R&B just doesn’t have the same crossover appeal it used to. She has a lot more to fall back on than most…she still acts and people still have lots of respect for her.
People always say album sales don’t define them when they aren’t selling well…
I respect Brandy and she is right r&b is not what it use to be. It’s not even about talent anymore which is ridiculous and her album was good.
Pop is where it’s at. That’s the only genre that sales for the most part. Brandy couldn’t do Pop music and doesn’t seem to want to. But that doesn’t matter because she had a good run in her teenage years.
Two-Eleven is my ish!!!! LOL!
Brandy looks incredible on that cover! I love it.
She is gorge!
Meh… 211 is not an album that will not bring R&B back.
Now what Brandy needs to do is get her lil’ brother and make him have a seat. that song he is putting out money is quite sad and pathetic.
Someone needs to tell Brandy that yes, album sales do matter. The sooner she realizes that, the sooner her career will get back on track.
Brandy is extremely underrated. She is a beautiful model and I love her singing voice. Beyoncé Knowles does not have a great singing voice. It is moderate, at best…however, her stage presence is phenomenal. It has carried her career to the stars. Brandy really is just too nice and doesn’t have enough stage presence…needs new management; I’ve always loved her. Hope things pick up!