Brandy Norwood

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11 Feb 2024

Brandy Norwood

Brandy Rayana Norwood, better known simply as Brandy, was born on February 11, 1979, in McComb, Mississippi, but she was raised in Carson, California. She began her career as a backing vocalist for various teen pop groups before signing with Atlantic Records in 1993.
At the age of fifteen, Brandy released her self-titled debut album in 1994, which included her breakout hit "I Wanna Be Down." The album sold six million copies worldwide and set the stage for her successful career. Alongside her music, Brandy ventured into acting, starring in the UPN sitcom "Moesha" from 1996 to 2001, for which she won an NAACP Image Award. She also took on roles such as the titular character in the television film "Cinderella" (1997) and Karla Wilson in the slasher film "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" (1998).

However, it was her 1998 single "The Boy Is Mine," a duet with Monica, that solidified her musical breakthrough. The song became one of the best-selling female duets of all time and won her a Grammy Award. Following this success, Brandy released her second studio album, "Never Say Never" (1998), which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and has sold over 16 million copies worldwide, making it her best-selling album to date.
Brandy continued to release successful albums such as "Full Moon" (2002) and "Afrodisiac" (2004), but experienced a commercial decline with her fifth album, "Human" (2008). However, she bounced back with her sixth album, "Two Eleven" (2012), and independently released her seventh album, "B7" (2020). In 2022, she signed with Motown Records and released her eighth studio album, "Christmas with Brandy," in November of the following year.

Throughout her career, Brandy has also been involved in various television projects, including reality series like "Brandy: Special Delivery" and "Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business," as well as acting roles in shows like "The Game" (2012–2015) and "Queens" (2021). She made her Broadway debut in "Chicago" in April 2015.

Brandy Rayana Norwood was born on February 11, 1979, in McComb, Mississippi, to Willie Norwood, a gospel singer and choir director, and Sonja Norwood (née Bates), who worked as a district manager for H&R Block. Brandy is the older sister of entertainer Ray J and a cousin of rapper Snoop Dogg and wrestler Mercedes Moné. Raised in a Christian household, Brandy's musical journey began at a young age through her involvement in her father's church choir, where she performed her first gospel solo at just two years old. In 1983, her family relocated to Carson, California, where Brandy attended the Hollywood High Performing Arts Center.

Brandy's passion for music and performing blossomed when she became a fan of singer Whitney Houston at the age of seven. However, she faced challenges at school when trying to pursue her dreams, as she encountered resistance from teachers who were unsupportive of her desire to audition for roles. Undeterred, Brandy began participating in talent shows at the age of eleven and performed with a youth singing group at various public events.
In 1990, Brandy signed with Teaspoon Productions, where she worked as a backing vocalist for the R&B boy band Immature. It was during this time that she recorded a demo tape arranged by Chris Stokes and Earl Harris. Three years later, after negotiations with East West Records fell through, Brandy's parents secured a recording contract with Atlantic Recording Corporation after auditioning for Darryl Williams, the company's director of A&R. To support her daughter's burgeoning career, Brandy's mother resigned from her job, and Brandy herself dropped out of Hollywood High School, receiving private tutoring from the tenth grade onward.

During the early stages of producing her debut album, Brandy was cast in the ABC sitcom Thea, where she portrayed the daughter of a single mother played by comedian Thea Vidale. Although the series initially garnered high ratings, it was short-lived, running for only one season. However, Brandy's performance earned her a nomination for Outstanding Youth Ensemble at the Young Artists Awards.
Reflecting on the cancellation of the show, Brandy admitted to feeling relieved as it allowed her to focus on her true passion for singing. She described the experience as a positive one, stating, "I felt bad for everybody else but me. It was a good thing, because I could do what I had to do, because I wanted to sing."

Brandy's self-titled debut album was released in late September 1994 and received positive critical reception. It peaked at number twenty on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and sold over six million copies worldwide. The album produced three top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including "I Wanna Be Down" and "Baby", both of which topped the Hot R&B Singles chart and were certified platinum. Additionally, her duet "Brokenhearted" with Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men became a number-two hit on the charts.

Brandy's debut album earned her two Grammy Award nominations and several other accolades, including Soul Train Music Awards, Billboard Awards, and the New York Children's Choice Award. She also contributed songs to the soundtracks of the films Batman Forever and Waiting to Exhale, with her single "Sittin' Up in My Room" achieving further success.
In 1996, Brandy starred in her own sitcom, Moesha, on UPN, where she played the title role of a Los Angeles girl navigating the challenges of adolescence and family dynamics. The show became UPN's most-watched program and earned Brandy an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress.
Outside of her entertainment career, Brandy, along with her brother Ray J and their parents, established The Norwood Kids Foundation in 1997, aimed at assisting disadvantaged and at-risk youths in Los Angeles and Mississippi through arts and self-help programs.