Toni Braxton

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Toni Braxton
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Background information
Birth name Toni Michelle Braxton
Born October 7, 1967 (age 39)
Origin Flag of United States Severn, Maryland, United States
Genre(s) R&B, soul
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, actress
Years active 1989–1991 (group)
1992–present (solo)
Label(s) LaFace / Arista (1991–2003)
Blackground (2003–2007)
Associated
acts		 The Braxtons
Website ToniBraxton.com

Toni Michelle Braxton (born October 7, 1967 in Severn, Maryland) is a six-time Grammy Award-winning[1] American R&B singer, songwriter, and actress who was popular during the '90s. She also known as her husky alto vocal timbre.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life and career

Braxton is the oldest of six children. She attended elementary school at Quarterfield elementary,[citation needed] and middle school at Corkran Middle School in Glen Burnie, Maryland.[citation needed] Her father was a clergyman, and the Braxton children were raised in a strict religious household.[2] Braxton's first performing experience was singing with a church choir.[2] She attended Bowie State University to obtain a teaching degree but decided to pursue a musical career.

[edit] 1989–1991: The Braxtons

Main article: The Braxtons

Braxton and her four sisters (Traci, Trina, Towanda, and Tamar) began performing as The Braxtons in the late 1980s and were signed to Arista Records in 1989. Their first single, "The Good Life", was released in 1990.[3] Though the song was not successful, it attracted the attention of Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.[3]

With Braxton's low register sounding similar to that of Anita Baker,[citation needed] Reid and Babyface recruited her to record a demo of "Love Shoulda Brought You Home", a song that they had written for Anita Baker for the soundtrack of Eddie Murphy's film, Boomerang. Baker, who was pregnant at the time,[4] didn't record the song but suggested that Braxton record it. Her recording was later included on the soundtrack along with "Give U My Heart" - a duet by Braxton and Babyface. Braxton, meanwhile, was signed to Reid and Edmonds' Arista-distributed imprint, LaFace Records, and immediately began recording her solo debut album.

[edit] 1993–1998: Toni Braxton, Secrets and Bankruptcy

[edit] Toni Braxton

See also: Toni Braxton (album)
Braxton's debut album, Toni Braxton released in 1993
Braxton's debut album, Toni Braxton released in 1993

On July 13, 1993, LaFace Records released Braxton's self-titled debut album, Toni Braxton.[5] The album, which was primarily produced by Reid, Babyface, and Daryl Simmons peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200 albums chart.[6] The first single, "Another Sad Love Song", peaked at number seven and number two on Billboard's Hot 100 and R&B Singles charts respectively.[7] The album's second single, "Breathe Again" peaked in the top five of both the Hot 100 and R&B singles charts.[7] More singles from Toni Braxton were released in 1994, including "You Mean The World To Me", "Seven Whole Days", and "How Many Ways".[7]

Braxton's debut album won her several awards, including three Grammy Awards (for "Best New Artist" and two consecutive awards for "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" in 1994 and 1995).[1] She also won two American Music Awards (for "Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist", "Favorite New Adult Contemporary Artist")[1] in 1994 and another one in 1995 (for "Favorite Soul/R&B Album").[1] Toni Braxton was certified 8x Platinum and has sales of over 10 million worldwide.[8][3]

[edit] Secrets

See also: Secrets (album)
Braxton's second album, Secrets released in 1996
Braxton's second album, Secrets released in 1996

In 1996, Braxton released her second and most successful album, Secrets.[9] Braxton has said about the album: "The motivation for this album was to include a little bit of everything. Our aim was to come up with material that would have a familiar 'feel' to the people who bought the first album without being musically redundant."[10] Along with Babyface, Braxton also worked with R. Kelly, Tony Rich, and David Foster on the album.[11] Braxton was the co-executive producer of the album and co-wrote two of its songs, including the 1997 single "How Could An Angel Break My Heart" which was also later included on Diana Princess of Wales Tribute, a Princess Diana memorial album.[12]

With help from the album's first single, "You're Makin' Me High" (which became Braxton's first number one hit on the Hot 100 singles chart),[7] the album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 albums chart.[13] "You're Makin' Me High" also topped the R&B singles chart for two weeks[7] and saw similar success in Europe and Asia. The album's second single, "Un-Break My Heart" (written by Diane Warren) - which would later become the singer's signature song[14] - became the biggest hit of her career spending eleven weeks at number one on the Hot 100[3] and also topping the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart for eleven weeks and the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for four weeks.[15] Other singles from the album included the double-side "I Don't Want To"/"I Love Me Some Him" (which peaked at number one on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart)[7] and "How Could An Angel Break My Heart" which featured Kenny G, whom Braxton later toured with.[16]

Braxton topped the Billboard Year-End Charts as the "Top Hot 100 Singles Artist - Female",[17] "Top R&B Artist - Female (singles and albums)",[15] "Top Hot R&B Singles Artist - Female",[15] "Top Hot Dance Club Play Artist", and "Top Hot Adult Contemporary Artist", while "Un-Break My Heart" became the "Top Hot Dance Club Play Single" and "Top Hot Adult Contemporary Track" of the year. She won two Grammy Awards; one for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance"[1] and "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" and two American Music Awards for "Favorite Female Soul/R&B Artist" and "Favorite Soul/R&B Album".[1]

[edit] Bankruptcy

Following the success of her first two albums, which has sold more than 26 million copies worldwide,[3] Braxton made demands, according to her label, for more money. She said that if her demands were not met she would no longer be recording for the label.[citation needed] In January 1998, Braxton filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles.[citation needed] Although her bankruptcy petition ostensibly was filed on the grounds that her liabilities exceeded her assets, music industry pundits believe that the core reason she filed was so the bankruptcy court would void her existing recording agreement with her record label LaFace.[citation needed] The label countersued Braxton for breach of contract.[citation needed]

The label did not acquiesce and Braxton apparently implemented the bankruptcy action in an attempt to extricate herself from what she viewed as an inequitable contract.[citation needed] Her publicist said of the action: "...the only sensible option... She is confident that with the court's protection, she will be able to make a fresh start."[citation needed] A bankruptcy judge ruled in Braxton's favor by denying the dismissal of the claim (as filed by her record label). Braxton has said of the lawsuit: "I can't talk about the suit, but I love those guys very much. It's just business."[citation needed]

[edit] 1999–2002: The Heat and More Than a Woman

In early 1999, Braxton and LaFace resolved their legal conflict. Issued with a brand new contract worth a reported $25 million, a satisfied Braxton continued to record for the label. Though the legalities with her LaFace and Arista subsided, Braxton saw a steep sales decline with her forthcoming releases with the label.

[edit] The Heat

Main article: The Heat
Toni Braxton's third album The Heat released in 2000
Toni Braxton's third album The Heat released in 2000

In January 2000, LaFace Records released "He Wasn't Man Enough", the first single from Braxton's third studio album, The Heat. By June, the song peaked at number two on the Hot 100 chart. Braxton's music video for "He Wasn't Man Enough", which also featured actress Robin Givens, was nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards including "Best Female Video" and "Best R&B Video" and a Billboard Music Video Award for "Best R&B Clip of the Year".

The Heat, meanwhile, was released in April. Debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 albums chart with first week sales of 205,000, it remained in the top 20 for fifteen consecutive weeks. Braxton again worked with producers Babyface and Foster; also included in the staple were Rodney Jerkins, and new beau musician Keri Lewis. Braxton herself also took a more hands-on approach, co-writing and co-producing a handful of the tracks.

The albums second single, "Just Be a Man About It", peaked at number thirty-two on the Hot 100 while the third and final single, "Spanish Guitar", peaked at number ninety-eight. By the end of the year, The Heat was certified 2x platinum, a decline from her previous two albums. Braxton topped the Billboard Year-End Charts as the "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist - Female", "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album Artist - Female", and "Top Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Artist - Female". She also received the 2000 "Aretha Franklin Award" for "Entertainer of the Year" at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards.

While gearing up for the release of her fourth studio album, Braxton discovered she was pregnant with her second child. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to promote the album properly, she unsuccessfully lobbied to get the label to postpone its release until after she was to give birth. Subsequently, the album was released as planned and received very little promotion from the label or Braxton herself, due to a complicated pregnancy that confined her to bed rest. Braxton accused the company of being unwilling to compromise and punishing her from not putting her career over family.

On the show VH1 Inside Out - Family Comes First, she documented the hardships of being pregnant with her second child at the same time as promoting an album.

[edit] More Than A Woman

See also: More Than a Woman (album)
More Than a WomanToni Braxton's forth & final album from LaFace/Arista records, released in 2002
More Than a WomanToni Braxton's forth & final album from LaFace/Arista records, released in 2002

In November 2002, Braxton's fourth studio album More Than a Woman was released. Opening to an instant commercial disappointment, the album peaked at number thirteen, with first week sales of 95,000. The first single, the The Neptunes-produced, "Hit The Freeway", failed at radio and peaked at number eighty-six on the Hot 100. The three singles that followed ("Lies, Lies, Lies", "Give It Back", and "A Better Man") also failed to make a dent and missed the Hot 100 completely.

Prior to the release of the album, a dispute erupted between Braxton and Irv Gotti when he played a rough cut of "No More Love", a song that he produced for the album that was to be the first single. Disapproving of Gotti broadcasting the unfinished track, Braxton withheld it from being released. The same year, Braxton was further annoyed when rapper Jay-Z used the same sample of 2Pac's "Me And My Girlfriend" that she had already used on her track "Me And My Boyfriend" for his and Beyonce's "'03 Bonnie & Clyde". Furious, Braxton lashed out in a radio interview, accusing Jay-Z and producer Kanye West of taking money out of her children's college fund.

Many fans, and allegedly Braxton herself, considered this to be her worst album. Unlike her previous releases, with More Than a Woman, Braxton delved into hip hop with a bevy of guest rappers including Baby and Loon. The album has sold 435,000 copies in the US, falling short of expectations.

[edit] 2003–2006: Move to Blackground and Libra

In April 2003, Braxton abruptly left Arista Records, having been there for fourteen years, and immediately signed with Blackground Records — headed by Barry Hankerson, her manager at the time. The change of scenery, however, did not ultimately help her recording career. As had been the case during her final years at Arista — Braxton's fifth album, and first release on Blackground, Libra was released with scant promotion and accumulated poor sales.

[edit] Libra

See also: Libra (album)
LibraToni Braxton's only album released via Blackground records, in 2005
LibraToni Braxton's only album released via Blackground records, in 2005
Braxton performing Elvis Presley's "In the Ghetto" with Taylor Hicks
Braxton performing Elvis Presley's "In the Ghetto" with Taylor Hicks

In April 2005, Braxton's new label, Blackground/Universal, released "Please" — the first single from her forthcoming fifth album, Libra. The album was originally planned for a June release, but it was pushed back several times and was finally issued on September 27. Unfortunately for Braxton, her troubles with weak album promotion and lack of label commitment weren't over. "Please" peaked at number thirty-six on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks Chart, while altogether missing the Hot 100. The album lacked promotion by Blackground, caused it to go under the radar of many.

Despite this, Libra still managed to debut at number four on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart, selling 114,593 copies in the first week. Libra also peaked at number two on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums; on November 4, 2005 the album was certified Gold by RIAA for shipments of 500,000 copies. Although that is strong for an album with little to no promotion, it became yet another commercial disappointment for Braxton.

The albums second single, "Trippin' (That's the Way Love Works)" received less airplay and peaked at number sixty-seven on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks Chart. The failure was ascribed to the non-video presence of the single and lack of label support. The album was certified gold in late 2005 and has since sold 431,000 copies.[18]

Almost immediately after Libra's release, Blackground halted promotion of the album and later scrapped plans for a re-release. An upset portion of Braxton's fanbase created an online petition to encourage J Records to sign her. Braxton's fans later hoped that "I Wanna Be (Your Baby)" would be a next single off from Libra due to her performing at numerous events, including "Good Morning America" in December 2005, but it was not to be.[citation needed]

Flamingo Las Vegas at night featuring Toni Braxton, Jan. 2007
Flamingo Las Vegas at night featuring Toni Braxton, Jan. 2007

Braxton, meanwhile, recorded a song with Il Divo titled "The Time Of Our Lives". The song was used as the official 2006 FIFA World Cup anthem and was performed at the championship's opening day in Berlin, Germany on June 9.[19] The song peaked at #17 in Germany. As a result Edel Records decided to re-released Libra in Germany, including a new album cover, artwork and the new anthem.

On May 19, 2006, the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas announced that Braxton will replace Wayne Newton as the casino’s new headlining act starting August 3, 2006. The show, "Toni Braxton: Revealed", will be performed six nights a week and run through March 2007. She recently confirmed that she will be extending her show through August 2007.

On June 23, 2006, Braxton re-released the album Libra on the German label Edel Music.[20] The re-release included the song "Time Of Our Lives". The repackaged album also lacked promotion.

Braxton made an appearance on the season finale of American Idol 5 where she performed Elvis Presley's "In the Ghetto" with soon-to-be winner Taylor Hicks.[21]

Braxton performed on the Times Square stage on FOX's New Year's Eve special that aired live from New York City's Time Square as part of the countrys largest count down celebration. The show aired on December 31, 2006.[22]

[edit] 2007–present: Departure from Blackground…

Braxton has been released from her contract with Blackground after a number of disputes with former manager Barry Hankerson.[23]

On January 12, 2007, Braxton filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan against Barry Hankerson for $10 million, alleging "fraud, deception and double dealing" in the matter of mismanaging and destroying her relationship with Arista Records.[24] According to Braxton, Hankerson placed his own personal financial interests ahead of hers during the management of her recording career by using "underhanded double-talk" to compromise and destroy her relationship with Arista Records to lure her to his Blackground label. Braxton alleged that Hankerson told Arista that "[she] no longer wanted to record for Arista," while at the same time telling her that "Arista was not interested in working with her anymore," which, according to her, were false statements on both ends.[24] Braxton also accused Hankerson of failing to send to her on request copies of accounting statements, lying about deals that he made on her behalf and engaging in a vendetta against her by refusing to provide information to other managers that she sought to hire to manage her career.[24] It was also announced that Braxton would be parting ways with Blackground Records after just one album. The suit has been settled.[25]

[edit] Personal life

Braxton met musician Keri Lewis in 1997, when the group Mint Condition (which he was a member of at that time) opened up for her while she was on tour.[26] On April 21, 2001, they married.[26] On December 2, 2001, she gave birth to their first child, [27] a son named Denim Cole Braxton-Lewis. The couple's second son, Diezel Ky Braxton-Lewis, was born on March 31, 2003.[27] The couple currently lives in the Southern Highlands Golf Club. She's also a cigar smoker.

In an October 2006 concert at the Flamingo in Las Vegas, it was reported that Toni Braxton broke down in tears discussing her son, Diezel, who was recently diagnosed with autism.[28] Braxton has been outspoken regarding her doctor's failure to diagnose Diezel's condition earlier, contending that if he had been diagnosed earlier, he could have been helped.[29]

[edit] Acting career

Braxton has appeared on two Disney Broadway shows: "Beauty and the Beast" (as Belle)[30] in 1998 and "Aida" (as Aida)[31] in 2003. Her role in "Beauty and the Beast" marked the first time an African American commanded the leading role of Belle.[32] In 2001, she made her acting debut in the feature film Kingdom Come.[33] In August 2005, Braxton announced that she would be shooting a sitcom pilot for The WB's fall 2006 line-up, though plans to put the show into full-production fell through when The WB announced it would cease to exist in fall 2006 (as part of a merger with UPN to form The CW).[34]

[edit] Discography

Main article: Toni Braxton discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Studio Albums

[edit] Compilation Albums

[edit] Christmas/Remix Albums

[edit] Hit Singles

[edit] Filmography

  • 2001: Kingdom Come
  • 2002: Play'd: A Hip Hop Story (TV-series)

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Toni Braxton. Yahoo! TV (March 14, 2003). Retrieved on December 26, 2006.
  2. ^ a b Toni Braxton Tickets. Premium Seats USA. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  3. ^ a b c d e Toni Braxton. VIBE.com. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  4. ^ Toni Braxton. AskMen. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  5. ^ Toni Braxton: Music: Toni Braxton. Amazon.com. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  6. ^ Discography - Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton. Billboard.com. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Artist Chart History - Toni Braxton. Billboard.com. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  8. ^ Gold&Platinum: Top 100 albums. RIAA. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  9. ^ Secrets: Music: Toni Braxton. Amazon.com. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  10. ^ Toni Braxton. Rock on the Net. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  11. ^ Toni Braxton: Secrets. ArtistDirect. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  12. ^ Diana Princess of Wales Tribute: Music: Various Artists. Amazon.com. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  13. ^ Discography - Toni Braxton - Secrets. Billboard.com. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  14. ^ Il Divo: Music: Il Divo. Amazon.com. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  15. ^ a b c Toni Braxton. Music Fan Clubs. Retrieved on December 26, 2006.
  16. ^ Kenny G and Toni B: Lds Valerie Groth and Justin Collie manipulate one lighting system to create two shows. Live Design (May 1, 1997). Retrieved on December 26, 2006.
  17. ^ Year End Charts - Year-end Singles - The Billboard Hot 100. Billboard.com. Retrieved on December 26, 2006.
  18. ^ Toni Braxton: News. Universal Motown Records Group (November 4, 2005). Retrieved on December 26, 2006.
  19. ^ FIONA: DIVO. Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  20. ^ Discography: Braxton, Toni - Libra (German). Edel Music AG. Retrieved on December 26, 2006.
  21. ^ Soul Patrol Rides On: Taylor Hicks Wins 'American Idol'. MTV News (May 25, 2006). Retrieved on December 27, 2006.
  22. ^ Fox's "New Year's Eve Special". Fox 61. Retrieved on December 26, 2006.
  23. ^ 'Toni Braxton parts ways with label'. MTV News (May 25, 2006). Retrieved on January 12, 2007.
  24. ^ a b c Neumeister, L. (2007, January 12). Toni Braxton sues her former manager. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
  25. ^ Toni Braxton sues her former manager. Yahoo (January 12, 2007). Retrieved on January 12, 2007.
  26. ^ a b Toni Braxton Gets Married. Yahoo! Music. Retrieved on December 26, 2006.
  27. ^ a b Toni Braxton - Profile. E! Online. Retrieved on December 26, 2006.
  28. ^ O.J. Simpson to confess — hypothetically (Plus: Toni Braxton sobs while discussing autistic son). MSNBC (October 30, 2006). Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  29. ^ Braxton Upset with Doctors Over Son's Autism. Contact Music (October 29, 2006). Retrieved on December 26, 2006.
  30. ^ Braxton adds 'chocolate syrup' to 'Beasts Belle role. CNN. Retrieved on December 19, 2006.
  31. ^ Toni Braxton Set To Return To Broadway. Yahoo! Music. Retrieved on December 19, 2006.
  32. ^ Toni Braxton. Lifetime's intimate portrait. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
  33. ^ Kingdom Come. IMDb. Retrieved on December 19, 2006.
  34. ^ Toni's TV Deal. Contact Music (September 20, 2004). Retrieved on January 24, 2007.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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