Love and War (Tamar Braxton song)

Last updated
"Love and War"
Tamar Braxton - Love and War.jpg
Single by Tamar Braxton
from the album Love and War
ReleasedDecember 6, 2012 (2012-12-06)
Genre R&B, soul [1]
Length4:01
Label Epic Records
Songwriter(s) Tamar Braxton, LaShawn Daniels, Makeba Riddick, Darhyl Camper, Jr.
Producer(s) DJ Camper
Tamar Braxton singles chronology
"If You Don't Wanna Love Me"
(2000)
"Love and War"
(2012)
"The One"
(2013)
Music video
"Love And War" on Youtube.com

"Love and War" is the lead single by American singer Tamar Braxton from her second album of the same name. [1] The song received two Grammy Award nominations at the 56th Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance.

Contents

Background

“K I NEVER PROMOTE ARTISTS but if u want your mind blown check @tamarbraxtonher “Love & War” She’s Toni Braxton sister + her voice is BEYOND”

Lady Gaga [2]

Braxton revealed to Essence that she originally intended the song "Hot Sugar" to be released as the lead single from her second album, saying "given everything that happened to Vince and I [sic] this year, and everything we went through in our marriage, this song was fitting to me and Vince", explaining "I've been in love before, and I've gotten my feelings hurt before but I've never experienced passion until I met Vince". She added "I've never argued this much with a person, and I've never loved this hard. That's what this song is about." [3]

Singer-songwriter Lady Gaga, who was signed by Braxton's best friend and Streamline Records founder Leshelle Driver in 2007, promoted the single via social networking site Twitter, to over 31 million followers. VH1 writer Bené Viera commented that "Gaga is like family to Vince & Tamar" and that it was "sweet of her to use her super fame to show Tamar love". [2]

Composition

Essence writer Derrick Bryson Taylor wrote "the meaning of the song goes way beyond a minor tiff between lovers. It is really about her marriage". [3]

Music video

The music video for the song was filmed in the Hollywood Hills and Malibu. It was directed by Walid Azami and premiered on BET's 106 & Park on January 17, 2013.

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Artistdirect Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [4]

"Love and War" received general acclaim from critics. Rick Florino of Artistdirect described the song as "a powerful and passionate slice of soul pop" which "showcases the singer's impressive and inimitable range." Florino lent further praise to Braxton's vocal performance, writing that she "belts out each note poignantly" on the "instantly unforgettable chorus," carrying the song "into the pantheon of great music ruminating on the thin line between 'Love and War'". [4] VH1 writer Bené Viera also praised Braxton's vocal ability, describing the song as a "soul stirring ballad" and writing "her vocal prowess covers the deep gutting sound Toni mastered and rises to a perfect alto/soprano perfection". [2]

Commercial reception

Within 24 hours of its release, "Love and War" shot to the top of the US iTunes chart. [3] Selling 84,000 downloads in its first week of release, it debuted at number 3 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs chart, also claiming the "Hot Shot Debut" honor when it debuted at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her second appearance on the chart. Her debut single "If You Don't Wanna Love Me" peaked at number 89 on the chart in 2000. "Love and War" also became her first top 20 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, at number 13 and first number 1 on the Heatseekers Songs chart. [5] In its second week, the song fell to number 97 on the Hot 100 chart but climbed back up to number 71. "Love and War" charted at number 6 on the UK R&B iTunes chart on December 7, 2012. [6] [7] The song also reached number 1 on the Urban Adult Contemporary Radio Chart and stayed number 1 for 9 weeks. [8]

Accolades

"Love and War" received three nominations at the 2013 Soul Train Awards for The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter's Award, Video of the Year and Song of the Year, winning both Song of the Year and The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter's Award. [9] At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, "Love and War" was nominated for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. [10]

Charts

Chart (2012–2013)Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100 [11] 57
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs [12] 13
US Billboard Adult R&B Songs [13] 1
US Heatseekers Songs [14] 1
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay [15] 2

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [16] Platinum1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toni Braxton</span> American singer (born 1967)

Toni Michele Braxton is an American singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. She has sold over 70 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling female artists in history. Braxton has won seven Grammy Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, seven American Music Awards, and numerous other accolades. In 2011, Braxton was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. In 2017 she was honored with the Legend Award at the Soul Train Music Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamar Braxton</span> American singer

Tamar Estine Braxton is an American singer, songwriter and television personality.

The Braxtons are an American musical quintet consisting of singer Toni Braxton and her younger sisters, Traci Braxton, Towanda Braxton, Trina Braxton, and Tamar Braxton. Despite being commercially unsuccessful, the group's first single, "Good Life", led to oldest sister Toni's solo career. All five members reunited in 2011 to star in the WE tv reality television series Braxton Family Values alongside their mother, Evelyn Braxton.

Bryan-Michael Paul Cox is an American record producer and songwriter, known for his work with artists such as Usher, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and Toni Braxton. His most notable productions are "Be Without You" for Mary J. Blige, "Burn", "Confessions Part II" and "U Got It Bad" for Usher, and "Shake It Off", "I Stay In Love" and "You Don't Know What To Do" for Mariah Carey.

LaShawn Ameen Daniels was an American songwriter, vocal producer and arranger. Often in tandem with producer Rodney Jerkins, he is known for his songwriting work for R&B singers such as Brandy, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Tamar Braxton, Toni Braxton, Jennifer Lopez, Ciara, and Whitney Houston, among others. Daniels won a Grammy Award—from nine nominations—for his work on Destiny's Child's 1999 single "Say My Name", which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hit the Freeway</span> 2002 single by Toni Braxton featuring Loon

"Hit the Freeway" is a song by American singer Toni Braxton, released as the lead single from her fifth studio album, More Than a Woman (2002). The song, which features American rapper Loon, was written by Pharrell Williams and Loon himself, while production was handled by Pharrell's production duo The Neptunes. It is a hip hop and R&B song, with lyrics about an ex trying to rekindle with Braxton, but Braxton claims she's not interested in him anymore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breathe Again</span> 1993 single by Toni Braxton

"Breathe Again" is a song by American R&B singer Toni Braxton. It was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and produced by Edmonds, L.A. Reid, and Daryl Simmons for Braxton's self-titled debut album (1993). Its lyrics evokes a sense of nostalgia from a relationship that has run its course. The ballad was released as the album's second single on October 6, 1993, by LaFace and Arista Records.

<i>So Many Ways</i> 1996 studio album by The Braxtons

So Many Ways is the debut album by American R&B vocal group The Braxtons. Released on August 6, 1996, the album produced four singles; "So Many Ways", "Only Love", "The Boss" – which peaked at number-one in the Billboard Dance Charts – and "Slow Flow". "So Many Ways" peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts and No. 3 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trina Braxton</span> American singer

Trina Evette Braxton-Scales is an American singer and reality television personality. She is the younger sister of R&B singing icon Toni Braxton. Trina had her first big break in music in 1992 as a founding member of the R&B group the Braxtons, formed with her sisters. After losing two members, The Braxtons released their only album, So Many Ways, as a trio in 1996 along with four singles: "So Many Ways", "Only Love", "The Boss", and "Slow Flow".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The One (Tamar Braxton song)</span> 2013 single by Tamar Braxton

"The One" is a song by American singer Tamar Braxton from her second studio album, Love and War, which was released on September 3, 2013. Braxton co-wrote the song with its producer, K.E. on the Track, along with LaShawn Daniels, Christian Ward, Jean-Claude Oliver, and Shaunice Lasha Jones. Epic and Streamline Records issued it as the album's second single on May 7, 2013. "The One" is about commitment to a romantic partner, and the production uses a sample of Mtume's "Juicy Fruit" (1983) and a portion of the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Juicy" (1994).

<i>Love and War</i> (Tamar Braxton album) 2013 studio album by Tamar Braxton

Love and War is the second studio album by American singer Tamar Braxton. The album was released on September 3, 2013, by Epic Records and Streamline Records. It is Tamar Braxton’s first studio album in 13 years. The album was a success, debuting at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart selling 114,000 copies. Even though plans for a re-release of the album with a full version of the song "She Did That" and a rap remix of "One on One Fun" in 2014 with additional songs were announced, the idea was eventually scrapped as Love and War was never re-published. The album also received three 56th Annual Grammy Award nominations for Best Urban Contemporary album, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song for "Love & War".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamar Braxton discography</span>

The discography of American R&B singer Tamar Braxton consists of five studio albums, one extended play, twelve singles, seven guest appearances, and fifteen music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Know (Tamar Braxton song)</span> 2014 single by Tamar Braxton featuring Future

"Let Me Know" is a song by American singer Tamar Braxton, featuring collaborative vocals by American rapper Future. Epic and Streamline Records released it as a digital download on October 7, 2014. Initially promoted as the lead single from Braxton's fourth studio album Calling All Lovers, it was replaced by her 2015 release "If I Don't Have You" and was only included on the record's Walmart deluxe edition.

<i>Calling All Lovers</i> 2015 studio album by Tamar Braxton

Calling All Lovers is the fourth studio album by American R&B singer Tamar Braxton. It was released on October 2, 2015, by Epic Records and Streamline Records. The album was preceded by the release of two singles — "Let Me Know" and "If I Don't Have You".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All the Way Home (Tamar Braxton song)</span> 2013 single by Tamar Braxton

"All the Way Home" is a song by American R&B recording artist Tamar Braxton. It was released as the third single on August 21, 2013 from her second studio album Love and War (2013). Written by Harvey Mason Jr., Damon Thomas, Michael Daley, Sevyn Streeter, Joelle James, Steven "Lil Steve" Russell and produced by The Underdogs.

"Hot Sugar" is a song by American singer Tamar Braxton from her second studio album, Love and War (2013). Kyle "K2" Stewart II produced the song and co-wrote it with Braxton, LaShawn Daniels, and Makeba Riddick. The lyrics focus on maintaining a relationship. Music critics variously interpreted the song as having club, dance, or hip hop influences. "Hot Sugar" was planned to be the lead single from Love and War before it was replaced by the album's title track, which performed better on radio. Some reviewers praised "Hot Sugar" for its uptempo production; others criticized it as inferior to the rest of the album, specifically the ballads.

<i>Crash & Burn</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Traci Braxton

Crash & Burn is the debut studio album by American singer Traci Braxton. eOne and Soul World released the album October 7, 2014. Braxton had previously released music with her sisters as part of the group The Braxtons. Cliff Jones and David Lindsey were the album's executive producers. Crash & Burn is a R&B album, which Braxton said had influences from adult contemporary music. Critics thought the songs focused on love but Braxton clarified that the lyrics dealt with her attempts to start a solo music career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Man (Tamar Braxton song)</span> 2017 single by Tamar Braxton

"My Man" is an R&B and soul song recorded by American singer Tamar Braxton for her fifth studio album Bluebird of Happiness (2017). Braxton and Cory Rooney wrote the song, which was produced by Bob Robinson. It was released for digital download and streaming on April 27, 2017, as the album's lead single. "My Man" was the first single from Braxton's independent record label, Tamartian Land, created with the support of eOne Entertainment.

<i>Bluebird of Happiness</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Tamar Braxton

Bluebird of Happiness is the fifth studio album by the American R&B singer Tamar Braxton, released on September 29, 2017, by LoganLand Records and Entertainment One. The album was preceded by the release of two singles: "My Man" followed by "Blind".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long as I Live (Toni Braxton song)</span> 2018 single by Toni Braxton

"Long as I Live" is a song by American singer Toni Braxton from her eighth studio album Sex & Cigarettes (2018). Written by Braxton, Paul Boutin, and Antonio Dixon, whom also produced the track, it is a "soulful '90s-style" R&B and soul track that finds the singer struggling with breaking up and moving on from her past lover. The song was released on February 9, 2018 by Def Jam Recordings as the second single from the album, with an accompanying music video premiered on March 23, 2018 to coincide with the parent album's release.

References

  1. 1 2 "iTunes – Music – Love and War – Single by Tamar Braxton". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 14 Dec 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Viera, Bené (December 7, 2012). "Lady Gaga's Co-Sign Sends Tamar Braxton's "Love And War" To #1 On iTunes Charts". Vh1.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2012. Retrieved 14 Dec 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Bryson Taylor, Derrick (December 7, 2012). "EXCLUSIVE: Tamar Braxton Says New Single, 'Love and War,' Is About Her Marriage". Essence.com. Retrieved 14 Dec 2012.
  4. 1 2 Florino, Rick (11 December 2012). "Tamar Braxton "Love and War" Song Review — 5 out of 5 stars". Artistdirect.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2012. Retrieved 14 Dec 2012.
  5. Trust, Gary (13 December 2012). "Chart Moves: Tamar Braxton Feels the 'Love' on Hot 100; Taylor Swift's 'Trouble' Increases; Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Advance". Billboard.biz. Archived from the original on 17 December 2012. Retrieved 14 Dec 2012.
  6. Breezy, Elle (December 7, 2012). "Tamar's 'Love & War' Shoots to The Top of US and UK iTunes R&B Charts". Singersroom.com.
  7. Joszor, Njai (December 19, 2012). "Tamar Braxton Brings 'Love & War' To GMA (Video)".
  8. "Tamar Braxton Releases No. 1 Debut Single 'Love And War'". BroadwayWorld.com.
  9. "PHOTOS: The Soul Train Music Awards Red Carpet Was HOT!". Huffingtonpost.com. November 11, 2013.
  10. Joszor, Njai (December 8, 2013). "Fantasia and Tamar Braxton Talk Grammy Nominations". singersroom.com.
  11. "Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  12. "Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  13. "Billboard Adult R&B Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  14. "Billboard Heatseekers Song Chart". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  15. "Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Songs Chart". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  16. "American single certifications – Tamar Braxton – Love and War". Recording Industry Association of America. September 30, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.