Brandy Performs Medley Of Hits @ Soul Train Music Awards 2016

Brandy was the recipient of The Lady of Soul Award at the 2016 Soul Train Music Awards. With such an accolade being bestowed, Brandy had to come out and represent her material. And that's what she did with a nine minute medley of her biggest hit.

The reviews said she slayed; I wouldn't go that far. Even though it was enjoyable, the choices she took when rearranging the melodies of some of her songs didn't work for me. It wasn't just that they were iffy to my ears, they sounded darn right dissonant at points. Also the lows didn't appear to come as comfortable to the Diva, which made some of her (usually flowing) runs end abruptly.

Brandy Slays "Beggin & Pleadin" Performance @ Black Girls Rock

Me and my pigeon brain had forgotten all about Brandy's excellent comeback song, Beggin' and Pleadin'.

However, her performance of it at this year's Black Girls Rock has entirely reignited my love for it! She.KILLED.It! Singing like her life depended on it, the Diva was serving all kinds of fire. Not only was the performance impassioned and raw, but the voice was sounding so good, with runs flowing like Niagara.

Pour yourself a bourbon and get into it.

Brandy Starts 2016 Right With New Music, "Beggin' & Pleadin'"

Yes, Brandy, this is how you celebrate the new year: With a fresh sound and an exciting surprise release!

Beggin' & Pleadin' is serving up some Deep South Blues, with a dirty guitar lick and one of the Diva's best vocals to date! The trademark runs and layered harmonies have been reigned in significantly, and her tone kept solidified and within a narrower range throughout. Some may moan that her wings have been clipped, but to me the vocal is so much more focused and effective for it. There's no distractions or busyness, just raw emotion.

[Watch] Brandy, Fantasia and Some Dudes Tribute Babyface @ 2015 Soul Train Awards

Babyface is a musical legend. From producing hits for just about everyone; to running a commercially successful label (LaFace); to having a solo career in his own right, the guy is music royalty. No question.

[Watch] Brandy Sins By Singing On The Train

Having to share air and personal space with others, while trapped in a giant metal container hurtling through a tunnel under the damn ground is awful enough. Add someone trying to do anything but sit quietly and get from point A to B in the least bothersome fashion possible, and you have the makings of a nightmare scenario for me.

And as it turns out, I'm not the only one who feels this way. Watch as "Vocal Bible" Brandy gets pretty much ignored as she subjects her fellow prisoners passengers to her talent.

Listen to Brandy Cover Coldplay's "Magic"

If you happen to be a fan of both Brandy and Coldplay, you are (potentially) in for a treat.

Clearly feeling Coldplay's new sound, the Diva took to the studio to record a cover of their single Magic. It wasn't a total rework, mind. Instead, the Diva added her own spice to the production by throwing in some of her trademark vocal harmonies to fill out the song.

Honestly, the original did little for me, so Brandy's version- which changes little- also left me feeling like I was being assaulted by a Jigglypuff. Her voice sounds good, don't get me wrong, but the song isn't for me.

Perhaps you guys will appreciate it!

[Watch] Alanis Morissette, Brandy, Carol King and Carrie Underwood Perform at The 2012 MDA Show of StrengthTelethon

The annual MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) Show of Strength Telethon aired Sunday, September 2nd, 2012, and it was a good cause some of our favourite Divas- Brandy, Carol King, Carrie Underwood and Alanis Morissette- lent their support to by performing at the event!

Check out said performances, and my thoughts on them, below!

[Video Review] Brandy: "Put It Down"

Is anybody checking for Brandy anymore? The reason I ask is because her posts seem to get the lowest views for this site; which is odd considering some (her fans) call her the "Vocal Bible". Anyway, for those still interested, the singer has released the video (finally) for single Put It Down [Review here].

I was wondering why it was taking so long for this video to drop; the single debuted at the start of May, and the video was filmed at the start of following month. However, having just watched this awkward affair, I bet the delay was due to a desperate editor/ director fervently trying  to stitch together a half decent showing from a bunch of bad takes.

[Review] Brandy Featuring Chris Brown- "Put It Down"

Brandy is back, and doing what she does best: taking risks. Teaming up with producer Bangledesh and featuring a verse from Chris Brown(yuck!), the track, Put It Down, sounds like nothing else out there at the moment. A good thing for anyone sick to death of the cookie cutter, Euro-dance/pop sound that is strangling the charts, but one that may ultimately pose a big risk to its success if people aren't ready to put their glow sticks down just yet.

[Vocal Profile] Brandy Norwood

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].

Review: Brandy And Monica Reunite On "It All Belongs To Me" Plus First Live Performance On Leno

The Rodney Jerkins produced smash hit, The Boy is Mine, was created the last time Divas Brandy and Monica took to the studio together way back in 1998- listen below.

At the time of the release, both singers were at the peak of their celebrity, so it was no small wonder that it was a massively successful collaboration, spending a record breaking 13 weeks atop the Billboard charts.

However, it wasn't just the combined star power that led to the success, but the quality of the song itself: a feisty battle between the two females over a single man, that played on the "rivalry" many thought existed between the pair. All played out vocally atop a synthesised harp loop and a contemporary R'n'b production, that still sounds as good today as it did over a decade ago.

Needless to say I was excited to hear what the pair would come up with when rumours surfaced they were recording together again.

Brandys : Warm It Up (with love) 2009

Brandy 2010

An album track from Brandy called Warm it up (with love) is an unashamedly uplifting song with a commendable message about resisting the current climate of fear and strife with the use of Love and hope.

Warm it up features Brandy's unique alto over a simple backing track that consists essentially of a piano and drum loop, with soft synths used during chorus and middle eight to create contrast to the verses. The overall simplicity of the backing track allows, quite rightly, the lyrics to take centre stage.

The message  Brandy brought on this song  highlights by comparison how overtly self-indulgent and decadent contemporary music has become of late.  Here's hoping her seed of positivity  will bloom and blossom in 2011, spawning a new batch of socially aware music to grow and flourish. India Arie I'm looking at you to come back and show the world how its done!