Ray J | |
---|---|
Born | William Ray Norwood Jr. January 17, 1981 [1] McComb, Mississippi, U.S. |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1989–present |
Works | |
Television | |
Spouse | Princess Love (m. 2016) |
Partner | Kim Kardashian (2002–2006) |
Children | 2 |
Father | Willie Norwood |
Relatives | Brandy Norwood (sister) |
Musical career | |
Genres | R&B [2] |
Instrument | Vocals |
Labels | |
Website | rayj |
William Ray Norwood Jr. (born January 17, 1981), [1] known professionally as Ray J, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, television presenter, and actor. Born in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Carson, California, he is the younger brother of singer and actress Brandy. [3]
Ray J's 1997 debut single, "Let It Go", was released by EastWest Records for the soundtrack to the F. Gary Gray film, Set It Off . Both moderate hits, the song peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and additionally served as lead single for Ray J's debut studio album, Everything You Want (1997), which entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. He then signed with Atlantic Records to release his second album, This Ain't a Game (2002). Led by his second top 40 single, "Wait a Minute" (featuring Lil' Kim), the album became his first to enter the Billboard 200–at number 21. His 2005 single, "One Wish", peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and preceded his third album, Raydiation (2005), which commercially trailed the success of both the song and his previous album. The albums were each met with mixed critical reception.
In 2007, he co-starred in the controversial adult film, Kim Kardashian, Superstar , opposite then-relatively unknown actress Kim Kardashian. This foresaw the release of his fourth album, All I Feel (2008), which was critically panned, but yielded his furthest commercial success at number seven on the Billboard 200, also spawning his highest-charting single, "Sexy Can I" (featuring Yung Berg), which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Released independently, his 2013 single, "I Hit It First" (featuring Bobby Brackins), peaked at number 51 on the chart, providing a brief period of resurgence as it discomfited his previous affair with Kardashian.
In January 2017, he competed in the nineteenth season of the British reality television series Celebrity Big Brother . In his entrepreneurial career, he launched the technology company Raytroniks in 2016, as well as the Raycon line of direct-to-consumer earbuds in 2017. [4]
William Ray Norwood Jr. was born on January 17, 1981, in McComb, Mississippi, to Willie Norwood and Sonja Bates-Norwood. His older sister Brandy is a multi-platinum recording artist. Early in his life, he moved with his family from McComb to Los Angeles, and in 1989, started appearing in television commercials for different companies. In 1989, at the age of eight, Norwood began auditioning for and appearing in television commercials; he played the foster son in The Sinbad Show , from 1993 to 1994. This period in Norwood's life would shape his acting career. According to Bradley Torreano of AllMusic, "his easygoing image and boyish looks appealed to the producers of Brandy's television show, Moesha , giving him a role on the UPN series as Dorian "D-Money", a role he played from 1999 until the show ended in 2001.
He signed to Elektra Records in 1995 and he began to record his debut album Everything You Want the same year. The album, released in March 1997, spawned the lead single "Let It Go", which appeared on the Set It Off soundtrack. "Let It Go" peaked at number 25 in the U.S. and number 11 in New Zealand. The second single peaked at number 54 on the U.S. R&B chart. In 1997, he was dropped from the label. In 1998, he appeared on the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack with the single "That's Why I Lie". He produced for toy company Mattel, putting together the music for several commercials and a few of the demos for his second record. [1]
Ray J recorded "Another Day in Paradise" with Brandy, which was a Top Ten success in Austria, UK, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Ireland, and the Netherlands, and number 11 in Australia and France. The song was the lead single of the R&B/Hip Hop tribute Urban Renewal , in which he co-produced and performed songs. Norwood also worked with the Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins and Lil' Kim, and several other producers and singers for his second studio album This Ain't A Game . The album was recorded over 18 months, and was released on June 26, 2001, with Atlantic Records. The lead single "Wait A Minute" peaked at #30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and #8 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. "Formal Invite" followed at #54 on the R&B chart. [5]
After a two-year break, Norwood returned to recording studios, adding the finishing touches on his third studio album Raydiation with help from producers such as Rodney Jerkins, Timbaland, R. Kelly, and Rob Egerton. A joint venture by Sanctuary Records and Ray-J's own label, independent Knockout Entertainment, the album was finally released on September 27, 2005, in North America after several delays, debuting at number forty-eight on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 18,321 copies in the first week. The album's lead single "One Wish" was a top 20 success in the US, UK, Ireland, and New Zealand. Raydiation eventually sold over 400,000 copies domestically. [6]
In 2005, Norwood joined the cast of UPN's One on One , [7] where he played the character D-Mack for the final season. On both shows, Ray's character was related to Brandy's (cousin/half-brother on Moesha, brother on One on One).
In February 2007, a pornographic home video he made with former girlfriend Kim Kardashian in 2003, Kim Kardashian, Superstar , was made public. [8] Kardashian sued Vivid Entertainment for ownership of the tape. In late April 2007, Kardashian dropped the suit and settled with Vivid Entertainment for $5 million. [9]
Knockout Entertainment announced a multimillion-dollar album deal with Koch Records and Shaquille O'Neal's "Deja 34" entertainment company. [6] The first album for this deal is Ray J's fourth album All I Feel, which features The Game and Yung Berg among others. It was released on April 1, 2008. [10] The album's first single is "Sexy Can I" featuring rapper Yung Berg peaked at number three on the Top Singles (Hot 100) for six weeks. A video for the track, directed by R. Malcolm Jones, was shot in December 2007. [6] J starred in the Black Christmas movie Dark Christmas under the direction from Deon Taylor. [11]
In 2009, Norwood starred in his own VH1 reality dating show, For the Love of Ray J . The show premiered on February 2, 2009. For his show on March 24, 2009, he released the soundtrack/studio album called For the Love of Ray J. On November 2, 2009, the show's second season premiered. In 2010, Norwood and his sister Brandy Norwood premiered the VH1 reality series Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business along with their parents. The show debuted in April 2010 and chronicled the backstage happenings of both siblings, while taking a bigger role in their family's management and production company, R&B Productions. [12]
On June 19, 2011, Ray J, along with his sister Brandy and his father Willie Norwood Sr., released A Family Business , which serves as a soundtrack to their hit reality TV show, Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business , and was released through Time-Life Music. [13] He released a single from the album called "Turnin' Me On". The song will be featured on his upcoming album as well.
On February 11, 2012, Whitney Houston died of "accidental drowning", as ruled by the coroner. Ray J was in San Diego when she died [14] and arrived at the Beverly Hilton, where Houston died, at the time paramedics and police officers came to the scene. While waiting for more information, he became angered upon hearing one of the officers make a "disrespectful comment" about Houston, prompting him to force entry into the suite prior to being restrained. [15] Though he initially did not publicly address her death, Ray J broke his silence on February 17, 2012, when he told US Weekly that while the "world had lost an icon", he had lost a "close friend". [16] Ray J's sister Brandy described him at the time of Houston's death as being "very distraught" and "disconnected" as well as referring to it as "a very hard time in his life." [17]
Ray J and Houston became very close in the last years of her life, leading to speculation of a romantic relationship between the singers. [18] However, Ray J stated that he and Houston were friends, and that they had never dated. [14] On May 21, 2012, Ray J was found in his hotel room, unable to get out of bed and was rushed to a hospital by ambulance. The day before, he was said to have had a confrontation at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards when Whitney Houston's sister-in-law Pat Houston called security on him when she saw Ray J was seated next to Bobbi Kristina Brown, Whitney's daughter. [19] Ray J went to the Beverly Hilton on August 1, 2012, for a panel during the TVOne portion of the 2012 Summer Television Critics Association tour. It was his first time there since Houston's death. [20]
Ray J teamed up with Bobby Brackins for the track "I Hit It First", which was released on April 6, 2013. "I Hit It First" caused controversy for allegedly aiming its lyrics at Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. The song has since debuted at #51 on the Billboard Hot 100. [21] [22] "ATM" was released as a single on August 5, 2014, and it features Migos. Ray J is hosting Oxygen's new reality game show series Bad Girls All-Star Battle . In May 2014, Kardashian and West married. Ray J was reported to have sent a check that totaled his profits off of the sex tape that year as a wedding gift. [23]
He competed with his sister on the FOX reality cooking series My Kitchen Rules . [24]
On January 3, 2017, Ray J took part as a "new star" housemate on season 19 of Celebrity Big Brother . [25] He walked off the show after a week. [26] He also threatened legal action after his exit from the show. [27]
On March 15, 2020, Ray J and Princess Love took part in The Conversation on Zeus Network. [28] [29] [30] In May 2020, Love filed for divorce. [31]
As the founder of Raytroniks, Ray J introduced a line of consumer electronics to the United States market. [32] The product categories included electric bikes, smartphone fans, and smartwatches. In particular, the Scoot-E-Bike brand which Ray J developed grew exponentially after implementing a viral organic marketing strategy. Ray J secured product placements through celebrities such as Sean Combs and Brandy and professional athletic teams, including the L.A. Clippers. [33] [34]
In November 2017, Ray J co-founded a direct-to-consumer electronics brand called Raycon. Raycon sells wireless audio products such as earbuds and headphones. [35] Ray J oversees brand and strategy. [36]
In August 2016, Ray J married Princess Love at Los Angeles' Cathedral of Saint Vibiana. [37] The two starred on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood . Their daughter, Melody Love, was born on May 22, 2018. [38] [39] Their son, Epik Ray, was born on January 7, 2020. [40] In May 2020, Love filed for divorce. [31]
He, alongside Kanye West, attended the premiere of conservative commentator Candace Owens's documentary The Greatest Lie Ever Sold, a film investigating Black Lives Matter financial controversies. [41] Owens had been a longstanding supporter of Ray J's allegations against the Kardashians regarding his and Kim's sex tape. [42]
In January 2022, Ray J visited Donald Trump at his Mar-A-Lago residence to discuss job creation. Ray J went on to say, "I've always admired and respected [Trump's] business acumen... job creation, encouraging small business development and how Information Technology plays an important role in the future of our economy." Despite not endorsing a candidate, Ray J has intimated his support for Trump. [43] [44]
On September 17, 2011, Fabolous tweeted about Ray J playing his song "One Wish" on a piano inside Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s house during a documentary on Mayweather and Victor Ortiz. Ray J confronted Fabolous in Las Vegas just before he was set to take stage at the Palms Casino and is alleged to have punched him in the face. He was arrested following the incident and in an interview with Power 105.1's The Breakfast Club, he explained why he took offense to Fabolous's tweets, stating that he played on the piano "every day" and referred to Mayweather as his "big brother" since the pair grew up together. Ray J demanded an on-air apology from Fabolous and threatened him, stating that he would "smack" him again. [45] A number of celebrities were present during the incident, including 50 Cent, Mayweather and Kevin Hart. [46] Three years later Ray J took full responsibility for the incident. He acknowledged that he had learned from the experience and felt terrible about it as well. According to Ray J, he went through a time of deep depression following the encounter, all the while trying to figure out what led him to act out the way he did and "how can I now grow and be better?" [47]
On May 30, 2014, Ray J was at a bar of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California when a woman accused him of inappropriately touching her posterior. Police were called and deemed the touching incidental but he was asked to leave by the hotel staff. Ray J became angered because he contends he spent tens of thousands of dollars at the hotel over the last year. At some point, he allegedly became belligerent and according to the police, spat at an officer and kicked out a police car window in the process of being arrested. The charges against him included vandalism, resisting arrest and battery against a police officer. Ray J posted $20,000 bail and was released. [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] The Los Angeles County district attorney on July 21, 2014, filed charges against Ray J and a police spokesman said his initial hearing would take place on July 25. [54]
On July 22, 2014, prosecutors stated the arrest had turned into four criminal charges. He was charged with sexual battery, vandalism of a police car, battery against a police officer and resisting arrest. They claimed he willfully touched the woman's "intimate part" for the "specific purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification and sexual abuse." [55] [56] [57] [58] On August 19, Ray J pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charges. [59]
He was stopped by two police officers on August 6, 2014, in the San Fernando Valley. The officers claimed he was using his cell phone while driving, Ray J insisted that he was struggling to connect his Bluetooth. He was given a warning about texting and driving. The officers reportedly wanted him to step out of his vehicle, which he did, but Ray J claims they simply wanted to take a couple of photographs with him. [60] The LAPD began an internal affairs investigation into the encounter with the two officers. [61]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1994 | The Enemy Within | Todd [63] | TV movie |
1995 | Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored | Cliff (12 Yrs.) | |
1996 | Mars Attacks! | Cedric Williams | |
1997 | Steel | Martin | |
2004 | Christmas at Water's Edge | Alberto Turner | TV movie |
2005 | Envy | AJ | |
2006 | Save the Last Dance 2 | Savion 'DJ Scientific' Gibson | Video |
2009 | A Day in the Life | Pinky | |
2012 | Switchin' the Script | David Bostick | |
2015 | Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! | Tom Major | TV movie |
2019 | Slasher Party | Himself | |
Dear Santa, I Need a Date | Jason Vaughn | TV movie | |
2020 | The App That Stole Christmas | Ray | |
2023 | Bomb Pizza | Entrepreneur |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | Rhythm & Jam | Himself/Host | Main Host |
1993–1994 | The Sinbad Show | L.J. Beckley | Main Cast |
1997 | All That | Himself | Episode: "Ray J" |
Soul Train | Himself | Episode: "Lil' Kim/Levert/Ray J" | |
1999 | Aftershock: Earthquake in New York | Clayton | Episode: "Part 1 & 2" |
1999–2001 | Moesha | Dorian 'D-Money' Long | Main Cast: Season 5-6 |
2001 | Top of the Pops | Himself | Episode: "Episode #38.23" |
The Proud Family | Mega (voice) | Episode: "EZ Jackster" | |
2002 | Intimate Portrait | Himself | Episode: "Brandy Norwood" |
2003 | Black Sash | Bryan Lanier | Main Cast |
2004 | Punk'd | Himself | Episode: "Episode #3.6" |
2005 | 106 & Park | Himself/Guest Host | Episode: "August 22, 2005" |
Cover Art | Himself | Episode: "Ray J: Clocks" | |
Soul Train | Himself | Episode: "Ray J/Ebony Eyez" | |
2005–2006 | One on One | Darrell "D-Mack" McGinty | Main Cast: Season 5 |
2006 | Shark | Rapper | Episode: "Love Triangle" |
It's Showtime at the Apollo | Himself | Episode: "Ray J" | |
2008 | BET's Top 25 Countdown | Himself | Episode: "Top 25 Heartaches" |
SBC Blue Room | Himself | Episode: "Ray J" | |
Access Granted | Himself | Episode: "Brandy 'Right Here (Departed)'" | |
It's Showtime at the Apollo | Himself | Episode: "Ray J & Yung Berg" | |
2009 | Nite Tales: The Movie | Sporty O | Episode: "Ima Star" |
The Great Debate | Himself | Episode: "The Bonus Hour & Part 1-5" | |
2009–2010 | For the Love of Ray J | Himself | Main Cast |
2010–2011 | Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business | Himself | Main Cast |
2011 | Famous Food | Himself | Episode: "Then We'll See Who's the MVP" |
2011–2012 | Video Hustler | Himself | Recurring Cast |
2013 | Ridiculousness | Himself | Episode: "Ray J" |
2013–2014 | The Rickey Smiley Show | Kenny | Recurring Cast: Season 2-3 |
2014 | Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? | Himself | Episode: "The Sex Tape" |
Funniest Wins | Himself | Episode: "Roasted" | |
David Tutera's Celebrations | Himself | Episode: "Brandy and Ray J's Family Feud" | |
Total Divas | Himself | Episode: "Red and Gold" | |
2014–2019 | Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood | Himself | Main Cast: Season 1-6 |
2015–2018 | Love & Hip Hop | Himself | Guest Cast: Season 5 & 9 |
2016 | Driven to Love | Himself/Host | Main Host |
Notorious | Himself | Episode: "The Burn Book" | |
Leave It to Stevie | Himself | Episode: "Southern Discomfort" | |
2017 | Celebrity Big Brother | Himself/Contestant | Main Contestant : Season 19 |
My Kitchen Rules | Himself/Contestant | Main Contestant | |
The Real | Himself/Guest Co-Host | Episode: "Ray J/T-Pain/Should I Text My Ex?" | |
2017–2019 | Hip Hop Squares | Himself/Contestant | Recurring Contestant |
2018 | Unsung Hollywood | Himself | Episode: "Ray J" |
2019 | Love & Hip Hop: Miami | Himself | Episode: "Family Matters" |
Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta | Himself | Recurring Cast: Season 8 | |
Love & Listings | Himself | Episode: "Can't We All Just Get a Loan?" | |
2020 | The Conversation | Himself | Episode: "Ray J & Princess Part 1-3" |
Insecure | Rufus | Episode: "Lowkey Feelin' Myself" | |
Pump | Sean Ford | Main Cast | |
2020–2022 | The Talk | Himself/Guest Co-Host | Guest Co-Host: Season 10, Recurring Co-Host: Season 12 |
2021 | Good Looking Out | Himself/Host | Main Host |
Love & Hip Hop: Secrets Unlocked | Himself | Episode: "Day Ones" & "Holy Heartaches" | |
Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition | Himself | Main Cast | |
2022–2023 | College Hill: Celebrity Edition | Himself | Main Cast: Season 1-2 |
2023–2024 | Ms. Pat Settles It | Himself/Juror | Main Juror |
2024 | John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in LA | Himself | Episode: "Coyotes" |
Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer, actress, and film producer. Known as "the Voice", she is one of the most awarded performers and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of over 220 million records worldwide. Her crossover appeal on the popular music charts influenced the breaking down of gender and racial barriers in popular culture. Known for her vocal delivery and live performances, Houston was ranked second by Rolling Stone on their 2023 list of the "200 Greatest Singers of All Time". Her life and career have been the subject of multiple documentaries and television specials.
Brandy Rayana Norwood, better known by her mononym Brandy, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, model and actress. Born into a musical family in McComb, Mississippi, Norwood was raised in Carson, California, beginning her career as a backing vocalist for teen groups. After signing with Atlantic Records in 1993, she released her self-titled debut album the following year, which sold six million copies worldwide. Brandy gained fame by starring in the UPN sitcom Moesha, and further recognition for her role in the television film Cinderella (1997) and the slasher film I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998). Her 1998 duet with fellow R&B contemporary Monica, "The Boy Is Mine", won a Grammy Award and became one of the best-selling female duets of all time. Her second album, Never Say Never (1998), sold 16 million copies worldwide.
Bobby Barisford Brown Sr. is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and dancer. Brown, alongside frequent collaborator Teddy Riley, is noted as one of the pioneers of new jack swing: a fusion of hip hop and R&B. Brown started his career in the R&B and pop group New Edition, from its inception in 1978 until his exit from the group in December 1985.
Kenneth Brian Edmonds, better known by his stage name Babyface, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has written and produced over 26 number-one R&B hits throughout his career and has won 13 Grammy Awards. He was ranked number 20 on NME's 50 of The Greatest Producers Ever list.
Brandy is the debut studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released on September 27, 1994, by Atlantic Records. Chiefly produced by Keith Crouch, the album contains a range of contemporary genres, including hip-hop, pop-soul, and R&B. Aside from Crouch, Norwood worked with a range of other writers and producers, including R&B group Somethin' for the People, Arvel McClinton, Damon Thomas, and Crouch's brother Kenneth.
Full Moon is the third studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released by Atlantic Records on March 5, 2002 in the United States. The album was recorded primarily during the summer and fall of 2001 at the Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, amid a three-year musical hiatus following the success of her multi-platinum previous studio album Never Say Never (1998) and the finale of her highly successful television sitcom Moesha in May 2001. As with Never Say Never, Brandy collaborated with producer Rodney Jerkins and his Darkchild production and songwriting team on the majority of the album's composition, while Mike City, Warryn Campbell, and Keith Crouch contributed additional production.
Raydiation is the third studio album by American recording artist Ray J. It was released by Sanctuary Records in association with the singer's own label, Knockout Entertainment, on September 20, 2005, in the United States. Ray J's first effort in four years, the album was primarily produced by Detail, featuring additional production from Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, R. Kelly, Ric Rude, and Timbaland. Rapper Fat Joe, singer Mýa and Ray J's sister, singer Brandy, appear as guest vocalists on the album.
"Talk About Our Love" is a song recorded by American singer Brandy for her fourth studio album Afrodisiac (2004). It was written by Kanye West, who also appears as a featured artist on it, and Harold Lilly, while production was handled by the former. Due to the song's use of a sample of Mandrill's 1978 song "Gilly Hines", band members Claude Cave II, and Carlos, Louis, and Ricardo Wilson are also credited as writers. Lyrically, "Talk About Our Love" is about a relationship lacking support from family and friends.
"Who Is She 2 U" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood from her fourth studio album, Afrodisiac (2004). It was written by Candice Nelson, Walter Millsap III and Timbaland, and produced by the latter. The song is built around a sample of "Instant Love" (1977) by American singer Leon Ware. Due to the inclusion of the sample, he and Jacqueline Hilliard are also credited as songwriters. Based on true events, the song describes a woman who is suspicious about her mate's awkward behavior around a seemingly unfamiliar woman. The dramatic up-tempo incorporates piano keys, flutes, chamber pop string melodies and go-go drum programming.
"Have You Ever?" is a song by American recording artist Brandy for her second studio album, Never Say Never (1998). The song was written by Diane Warren, while production was handled by David Foster. It was released as the album's third single by Atlantic Records in October 1998. The song became Norwood's second song to reach the top position on the US Billboard Hot 100, following the worldwide chart-topping of "The Boy Is Mine". The former further reached number one in New Zealand, number two in Iceland, number eight in Australia, and the top 30 in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
"Best Friend" is a song by American singer Brandy Norwood. It was written by Keith Crouch and Glenn McKinney for her self-titled debut studio album, Brandy (1994), while production was helmed by the former. The song was dedicated to her brother Ray J.
"Brokenhearted" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood. It was written and produced by Kipper Jones and Keith Crouch for her self-titled debut studio album, Brandy (1994). Requested by then Atlantic Records head Sylvia Rhone, the song was developed late into the production of the album. Pressured to meet Rhone's deadline for Brandy, Kipper suffered from a case of writer's block during the early writing process but eventually came up with the idea for a sweet, morose R&B ballad that deals with the aches of a teenager's first heartbreak.
Knockout Entertainment is singer Ray J's vanity label, founded in 2001. The label specializes in R&B, hip hop, and gospel. Originally released under Sanctuary Records, a press release in December 2007 announced a new partnership with E1 Records. Before this, he mentioned his label on his 2001 album This Ain't A Game.
William Ray Norwood Sr. is an American gospel singer. He is the father and voice coach of R&B singers Brandy and Ray J.
A Family Business a 2011 compilation album released on Saguaro Road Records and Time–Life Music. Based on the American reality series Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business which aired on the VH1 network between the years of 2010 and 2011, it was released as a soundtrack accompanying the series' second and final season. Executive produced by the Norwood family, the show chronicled the backstage lives of singers Ray J and Brandy Norwood, while taking on larger roles in their family's management and production company, R&B Productions.
Human is the fifth studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released on December 5, 2008 by Epic Records, Knockout Entertainment and Koch Records. The album was Norwood's debut Epic Records release, following her split with Atlantic Records in 2005, and her reunion with longtime collaborator and mentor Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, who executively produced and wrote most of the album with his songwriting collective.
"Long Distance" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood. It was written by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Jeff Bhasker, and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and was co-produced by Jerkins and Mars for her fifth studio album Human (2008) based on a demo by Mars. It appears as the seventh track on the album on which it is interluded by a telephone conversation between two lovers. The lyrics of the piano–led power ballad describe the protagonist's emotional state towards an ongoing long-distance relationship, which leaves her in depression.
Two Eleven is the sixth studio album by American singer Brandy. Released on October 16, 2012, it served as the singer's debut release with Chameleon Entertainment and RCA Records after departing from Epic Records soon after releasing her previous album, Human (2008). The album's title is taken from Norwood's birthday; it is also the day on which her idol and friend, entertainer Whitney Houston died eight months before Two Eleven's release.
Two Eleven is the sixth studio album by American singer Brandy. Released on October 16, 2012, it served as the singer's debut release with Chameleon Entertainment and RCA Records after departing from Epic Records soon after releasing her previous album, Human (2008). The album's title is taken from Norwood's birthday; it is also the day on which her idol and friend, entertainer Whitney Houston died eight months before Two Eleven's release.
B7 is the seventh studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released on July 31, 2020, through her own label Brand Nu, Inc. and eOne Music. Her first studio album since Two Eleven (2012), the album features production from Darhyl Camper, Jr. and LaShawn Daniels, among others. B7 is an R&B album exploring themes such as self-love, tumultuous romantic relationships, mental health and single motherhood.