Check out the official album cover for Brandy's much anticipated comeback LP 'Human', which has been pushed back according to some, yet still on course for a November 11th release according to others.

Anyway, Ms. Norwood stopped by the Angie Martinez show on New York's Hot 97 radio station this week; discussing everything from the tragic car accident she was involved in, her brother Ray J's relationship with Kim Kardashian (and 'The Tape'), her first 'marriage' and much more. A great listen, I must say. Peep parts 1 and 2 below:

Your thoughts?

Labels: Brandy

Check out these promotional shots for Brandy's forthcoming album 'Human' (due November 11th). She looks great!

Labels: Brandy

It's so refreshing to see an artist so genuinely psyched to be back doing what they love. There is an immense buzz surrounding Brandy and her 'comeback', so things are looking real good for the 29 year old.

Randomess: The acappella of 'Right Here (Departed)' sounded fantastic.

Your thoughts?

Labels: Brandy

Brandy's long awaited comeback video for new single 'Right Here (Departed)'premiered literally within the hour on Yahoo Music. Though the clip is pretty simplistic, it does the song awesome justice. I've said it many a time, but can't say it enough "Welcome back Ms. Norwood!".

Whst do you think of the video?

Labels: Brandy

With Brandy now putting the finishing touches to her 'comeback' LP 'Human' (due November 11th via Epic), a snippet of a track presumed to be from the set has surfaced titled '2nd Thought'. Though little is known about the cut in the way of producers etc, the song itself speaks volumes. The piano-driven mid-tempo sounds top-notch both production-wise and vocally from Ms. Norwood. Good stuff.

Labels: Brandy

With Brandy's 'comeback' single 'Right Here (Departed)' heating up the airwaves, a snippet of, what is said to be, the 2nd single from her forthcoming 'Human' LP has surfaced. Produced by Hit Boy, 'First N' Luv' isn't really sounding like the follow-up I'd been expecting.

LISTEN: 'First N' Luv' (Snippet)

Labels: Brandy

As reported, Brandy filmed the video for comeback single 'Right Here (Departed)' in Los Angeles this past weekend. Peep pics snapped on set above and below.

What's more the 28 year old songstress spoke with MTV about the video, reuniting with hitmaker Darkchild, launching her 'Human' LP on Oprah and more:

She has enlisted some hip-hop heavyweights, including director Little X (Usher’s “Yeah”), for the video and is reuniting with producer Rodney Jerkins for the first time in six years. Brandy insists she and Rodney have moved far beyond any past conflicts, saying, “The chemistry brought Rodney and I back together. It’s undeniable, it’s magical. … We are back, and I’m never leaving Rodney again.”

And if that weren’t enough, Human’s official launch will take place on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on November 10, the day before it drops. For Brandy, that day can’t come soon enough.

“It feels so great to be back on the scene,” she said. ” … I went through a struggle, and I really needed to get myself together and connect with my purpose, which is music. Music is all I know how to do, so to be on this set today, I feel really blessed for the second chance and for the opportunity … and for everybody here just showing me so much love and support. … It just feels good to be back, and I never want to leave again for that long!”

On the set, Ms. Norwood’s genuine excitement to be back must have been contagious, as both Jerkins and her brother Ray J showed up to make cameos in the video. “I canceled all my plans to be here in this video, because I know how important it is to her,” Ray J said.

Brandy said that her dedicated fans are the main priority: “I just really hope the world embraces me back, because I’m embracing them with my music. I made it for them.”

Brandy's people really are not playing this go round. Everyone and their mother knows Oprah usually equals sales...well most of the time lol. After less than a week since being unveiled, 'Right Here (Departed)' has debuted on the Billboard Hot R&B Chart at #70. November 11th couldn't come sooner...

Your thoughts?

Labels: Brandy

Great to have Ms. Norwood back on the scene. The 'Right Here' video is set to premiere early September.

Your thoughts?

Labels: Brandy

Just days after Brandy's 'comeback' single 'Right Here (Departed)' surfaced, the R&B star's new label Epic Records have issued a press release regarding her forthcoming album. Titled 'Human', the set will arrive in stores on November 11th. Check out the press release below:

NEW YORK, Aug 15, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Epic Records proudly announces the release of "Human," the new full-length studio album from the multi-platinum-selling Grammy-winning R&B/pop music superstar Brandy, available online and in stores on Tuesday, November 11.

Brandy's Epic Records debut and first new album since 2004's Grammy-nominated RIAA gold-certified "Afrodisiac," "Human" is a bold new collection of songs reflecting the artist's evolution as a musician and an individual.

"'Human' is my most personal album to date," said Brandy. I have grown so much since my last album. Being able to express myself and my journey through my music is a feeling I can't describe. With this new chapter of my life it feels good to have Rodney, a familiar face, by my side again. He brings out emotions in me like nobody else."

Reunited with executive producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, who first collaborated with Brandy on her 1998 multi-platinum-selling collection "Never Say Never," Brandy has created the most emotionally resonant album of her career with songs and performances reflecting the truth and complexity of her experiences.

"It feels good to be back in the lab with Brandy again," said Rodney Jerkins. "We've always made great records and I'm humbled and honored to be continuing our legacy. The sound might be new, bigger, and more uplifting but we've kept our musical promise by making great songs and great music once again. There is no musical combination like ours!!!"

The album's title is a real life mirror of Brandy as a woman, an artist, a musician and a performer, communicating what it means to be fully "Human": strong yet vulnerable, candid and triumphant, in love with life and in touch with the things of the spirit.

"Right Here (Departed)," the first single from "Human," will impact Pop radio on September 16. The single and ringtone are scheduled to be released on August 26, with a digital pre-order for the album slated the same day.

Other key tracks on "Human" include "Fall," which Brandy co-wrote with the chart-topping British dance/pop singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield, as well as the new songs "Long Distance," "Piano Man," and "Torn Down." Brandy's other musical collaborators on Human include Brian Kennedy (Rihanna/"Disturbia"), emerging production whiz RedOne (Kat DeLuna, 2006 World Cup Official Single "Hips Don't Lie" with Shakira & Wyclef Jean), and James Fauntleroy (Jordin Sparks/"No Air").

Labels: Brandy

While not the best collaborative effort I've heard from Brandy and Darkchild, I am very impressed with this one....very. The beat has a serious 'knock' and everything from the vocal arrangements to the hook are on-point. Put simply, this song has a lot of commercial potential. Welcome, Ms. Norwood.

Brandy's Epic debut is slated for a late 2008 release.

Hit or Miss?

Labels: Brandy

{Click pic to enlarge}

Check out this new promotional picture of R&B songstress Brandy for her as yet untitled Epic Records debut. It's good to see her looking on-point again, as there were some image issues IMO the last go round with her 'Afrodisiac' project.

The 29 year old's forthcoming LP is tentatively set for a 'late 2008' release. Roll on 'late 2008' lol.

What do you think of the pic?

Labels: Brandy

As R&B songstress Brandy continues to mould her much anticipated new album - her first under new label Epic, a track, said to be from the record, has surfaced. Produced by The Underdogs, 'The List' is a well crafted cut that sounds unlike much of what is dominating the musical sphere at present - a good or potentially not so good thing, I guess. If the track, which features Brandy's trademark vocal arrangements and harmonies, is indicative of the LP's overall direction, I'm even more amped for her record than I previously was. As though 'selling' is no doubt a priority, there has always been something qualitatively that sets Brandy apart from the pack - even if her sound isn't as readily serviceable to commercial radio as, say, your typical Rihanna track. Anyway, enough of my babbling...

Labels: Brandy

Damn lol. How old was Brandy when 'Moesha' was on, again? Regardless, it was still pretty lame of him to start opening his mouth now about the supposed occurrences. Considering he has a project coming out, I guess that was the free publicity was rationale behind his loose mouth. It's worked too. SMH...

Your thoughts?

Labels: Brandy

Both albums are definitely highly anticipated. So it'll be interesting to see if they deliver the goods.

Whose album are you looking forward to most: Britney or Brandy?

Labels: Brandy, Britney Spears, Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins

Following months of speculation, AOL Black Voices have confirmed that R&B star Brandy has indeed signed with Epic Records, with plans to release a new album by the year's end. The singer, 28, will no doubt be hoping that her new beginning over at Epic will allow for her to leave recent troubles in the past.

Labels: Brandy

Now that the legal drama surrounding Brandy has subsided, the R&B songstress is focusing, once again, on her career. This new track 'Dig This' features on the soundtrack for Tyler Perry's upcoming movie 'Meet The Browns'. Despite being produced by The Underdogs (Tyrese, the entire 'Dreamgirls' score etc), the piano-driven ballad sounds like a vintage Bryan Michael-Cox cut ('We Belong Together', 'Be Without You' etc). In any case, the song great; Brandy trademark vocals, the lyrics, the instrumentation, everything!

LISTEN: Dig This

Labels: Brandy

Sonja Norwood, the mother of R&B singer and brother Ray J, filed a lawsuit against Kim Kardashian Monday accusing her of credit card fraud. Check out the report below via PEOPLE.com:

The suit, which also names Kardashian’s siblings Khloe, Kourtney and Robert Jr., alleges they ran up the charges on the mother’s card in 2006 and 2007. It seeks the return of the money plus 10 percent interest. Kim Kardashian denied the allegations, telling PEOPLE she and her siblings had Norwood’s permission to make the purchases.

“We have her signature on all items,” Kardashian says.

In the lawsuit, Norwood’s mother, Sonja Norwood, who is also her manager, alleges Kim Kardashian had only been authorized in 2004 to make one purchase on the Norwood American Express card in Kim’s then-capacity as a stylist for Brandy (Brandy’s brother, Ray J, also appeared in the infamous sex tape with Kim).

But later, Kardashian, now starring in the E! reality show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, made unauthorized purchases and passed on Norwood’s card number to her siblings, who also then made unauthorized purchases, including for items in two Kardashian family-owned clothing stores, Dash and Smooch, for a total of $120,636.

I can see that this whole Ray-J and Kim Kardashian mess is getting worse. I'm thinking Sonja should check her son, who is pretty much a joke thesedays, before suing anyone though.

Any thoughts?

Labels: Brandy, Ray J

R&B singer Brandy was snapped by the paparazzi whilst shopping in Los Angeles on Thursday. Hmmm......

What do you think of the pic?

Labels: Brandy

Following a tumultuous year for Brandy, it was confirmed yesterday that the R&B star will not have to face charges regarding the crash she was involved in that a killed another driver. The singer's high-powered attorney Blair Berk released the following statement to TMZ after the news was announced:

“We are extremely pleased that after a more thorough and extensive investigation by authorities, the Los Angeles City Attorney has determined that Brandy Norwood should not be charged with any crime whatsoever relating to the accident back in 2006.”

She continued, “These past 12 months have posed an extraordinary hardship for Brandy and her family, who have been unfairly forced to live under a cloud of suspicion initially caused by the ill-advised and premature press release sent out by the California Highway Patrol accusing Brandy of wrongdoing before the police investigation was even finished. However, Brandy continues to be mindful that she was so fortunate to be uninjured in this accident and there was a life lost that should be remembered.”

I'm glad this whole mess is over with. Now she can move on with her life.

Any thoughts?

Labels: Brandy

Things seem to be taking an unexpected turn in the Brandy-car accident episode. According to TMZ, Brandy may actually be a victim and not the one in the wrong. Check out their report below:

TMZ has learned the hang-up in deciding whether to file vehicular manslaughter charges against Brandy is that Brandy may have been a victim, not a culprit.

A CHP source tells TMZ the woman who died in the car accident involving Brandy actually struck the vehicle in front of her before Brandy made any contact. The law enforcement source says Awatef Aboudihaj, the woman who died, struck the car in front of her -- which was going 65 mph, and then slammed on her brakes. We're told the sudden stop caused Brandy to hit the dead woman's car.

What's more, L.A. County Coroner spokesperson Captain Ed Winter tells TMZ that toxicology reports show Aboudihaj had "slight traces" of marijuana in her system at the time of the crash.

The L.A. City Attorney has until the end of the business day on Friday to decide whether to file criminal charges against Brandy -- that's when the one-year statute of limitations runs out. Sources tell TMZ there is significant division in the City Attorney's office, and a decision still has not been made. The problem for the City Attorney: if they file manslaughter charges, they have to prove Brandy did something negligent -- and we're told that could be difficult if not impossible.

Labels: Brandy