Brandy
Vocal Type: Lyric-Mezzo Soprano
Vocal Range: 3 octaves and 5 semitone. G2- E6
Vocal Pluses: Brandy possesses an extremely dexterous voice that allows her to sing complex vocal runs effortlessly and subtly [Warm It Up (With Love)]. This skill can be used through the registers, meaning she can begin a vocal run at the top of her range and end up at the bottom with a speed and delicacy that belies its true skill [Over the Rainbow].
Brandy’s vocal tone is often noted as one of its defining trademarks. Smoky and airy with a slight edge to it, the voice has a timbre that lends itself well to being layered. This allows her to create harmonies that not only maintain the unique characteristics of her singular voice but also allows for them to remain light and bright despite multiple overlays [A Capella (Something's Missing)].
With a developed lower range, Brandy’s voice find unusual strength and beauty in the low and midrange. The lowest notes are dark and maintain the characteristic “hazy” quality of the rest of the voice (bar the upper belts)[Sittin Up In My Room (live)]. However, not particularly weighty or full, they point to the singer not being a true contralto- as many consider. Her midrange has an easy, effortless quality to it, as well as a slightly metallic colouring [All In Me]. Brandy can also solidify and round out the wispy edges of this part of her voice if needed [rapping in Whenever You Like], which adds to the textural variety of the voice.
Brandy’s belting range is light, bright and slightly more solid in timbre than the lower part of her range [What About Us]. Her mix is flawless, meaning notes in the fifth octave are hit without strain or a decline in the quality of the voice. It is possible for her to produce notes that are more resonant, and fuller if she forgoes this mix, but this is produced in such a way that it is harder to control the dynamic of the note, or to hold it without putting strain on the vocal chords [A Change Is Gonna Come (A Capella)].
Vocal Negatives: Brandy’s belting range can sometimes sound nasal, and often lacks resonance, especially the higher it gets.
