Libra (Toni Braxton album)

Last updated

Libra
Toni Braxton - Libra.png
Studio album by
Toni Braxton
ReleasedSeptember 27, 2005 (2005-09-27)
Recorded2003–2004
Studio
Genre
Length40:00
Label Blackground
Producer
Toni Braxton chronology
Breathe Again: Toni Braxton at Her Best
(2005)		Libra
(2005)		 The Essential Toni Braxton
(2007)
Singles from Libra
  1. "Please"
    Released: May 30, 2005
  2. "Trippin' (That's the Way Love Works)"
    Released: September 26, 2005
  3. "Take This Ring"
    Released: December 2005
  4. "Suddenly"
    Released: February 2006
  5. "The Time of Our Lives"
    Released: June 15, 2006

Libra is the sixth studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on September 27, 2005, by Blackground Records. It marked Braxton's debut on the label, following her split with longtime record company Arista Records in 2003 after the release of her album More Than a Woman (2002), which was commercially less successful than its predecessors. The album's title is a reference to Braxton's astrological sign, Libra.

Contents

Upon its release, the album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and at number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums album, selling 114,000 copies in its first week. It has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 4, 2005, having sold over 441,000 copies in the United States to date. Singles such as "Please" and "Trippin' (That's the Way Love Works)" failed to sell or chart noticeably on both the pop and the R&B charts, although "The Time of Our Lives", Braxton's collaboration with the group Il Divo for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, prompted her German label Edel Records to re-release the album in continental Europe in June 2006.

In August 2021, Blackground rebranded as Blackground 2.0, with Barry Hankerson remaining as founder. Blackground 2.0 signed a distribution deal with Empire Distribution, which will re-release the label's catalogue onto digital download sites and streaming services for the first time ever, including Libra. [1] [2] [3]

Background

In 1992, Braxton signed a solo recording contract with LaFace Records, a joint venture between the producing duo Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds from former recording group the Deele, and distributor Arista Records. [4] Her subsequently released first two albums Toni Braxton (1993) and Secrets (1996) became critical and commercial hits and sold a combined 21 million copies, earning $170 million in worldwide sales. [4] By late 1996, Braxton was still waiting for fair financial rewards. [5] Her recording contract with LaFace was substantially below those of other recording artists and bound her to refund all kinds of expenses the label had financed in advance. [6] In December 1997, after learning that she had accumulated more than $1 million in debts, Braxton became embroiled in a legal dispute with LaFace, [7] when she filed a lawsuit asking to be freed from her long-term contractual obligations to the label. [8] After then being counter-sued by the label for breach of contract, the singer eventually filed for bankruptcy protection in 1998. [9] In 1999, Braxton mended her relationship with LaFace and the lawsuit was settled. [7] Soon thereafter, she released her third album The Heat (2000). A breakaway from the ballad-heavy and adult contemporary-oriented material on her previous albums, [10] it sold four million copies worldwide and spawned the commercially successful, Grammy Award-winning single "He Wasn't Man Enough." [11]

The following year, Braxton released the Christmas album Snowflakes (2001) and began work on her next album More Than a Woman . A continuation of The Heat, it saw her reteaming with a variety of hip hop producers and rappers such as Irv Gotti, the Neptunes, Mannie Fresh, and Loon in favor of a "harder sound." [12] In September 2002, while gearing up for the release of the album, Braxton discovered she was pregnant with her second child and she was subsequently forced to cancel many scheduled performances due to complications. [13] Executives at Arista Records were reportedly frustrated with the timing of her second pregnancy since it prevented her from doing the extensive promotion for More Than A Woman, [4] and though Braxton asked to push the album's release to 2003, [14] the label refused. [13] Released in November 2002, More Than A Woman garnered lackluster sales and failed to produce a hit single. [15] Disappointed by its underperformance, which Braxton attributed to the little promotion activities that the Arista management had arranged for her due to her second pregnancy, she requested her manager Barry Hankerson to obtain a release for her from any future recording obligations to the label, [16] and in March 2003, Braxton issued a press statement saying she was leaving Arista for Hankerson's Universal-distributed Blackground Records. [17]

Recording and conception

Blackground consulted Harvey Mason Jr. of the Underdogs to work with Braxton on Libra. HMJ Wiki Photo.jpg
Blackground consulted Harvey Mason Jr. of the Underdogs to work with Braxton on Libra.

Breaking away from her usual formula which saw her setting up projects with a variety of music producers, Braxton began recording her Blackground Records debut exclusively with husband Keri Lewis, who she had married in 2001. [18] The former Mint Condition member had been involved to varying degrees in all of Braxton's three prior albums, also serving as an executive producer alongside Braxton and L.A. Reid on previous effort More Than a Woman (2002). [18] Together, the pair worked on several tracks for Libra, about seven or eight songs which made the first record they turned in to Blackground and was majorly done by her and Lewis. [18] However, Universal Records, Blackground's distributor in the United States at this time, was reportedly dissatisfied with the material and refused to consider releasing it. [18] Similarly, Blackground's international partners questioned the commercial appeal of the couple's ballad-heavy work. [18] While Braxton insisted on Lewis' further involvement with the album, [18] Blackground CEO Barry Hankerson requested the singer to make significant changes to Libra, prompting them to book additional recording sessions with producers such as Scott Storch, Rich Harrison and the Underdogs to place it in more hard-edged productions. [19]

Commenting on the album's modification process, Braxton expressed her uncertainty about whether her music should follow trends. [20] With the record company trying to make her sound more commercially viable, she felt pressured to approach a more uptempo, hip hop-oriented sound with the songs. [20] In an interview with The Baltimore Sun , Braxton admitted that she was forced to put her artistry on the back burner to be more commercial on some songs: "We tried to be clever and incorporate new sounds in my old sound. It was hard at first", she said, though she also conceded: "I do wish the album had a few more slow songs. Overall, I'm satisfied." [20] While promoting Libra, she further elaborated on how her cast as a particular sort of artist influenced the genre of the album: "I'm trying to incorporate my style and still make it current, which is really, really hard with a lot of things being so hip-hop [...] When you're an African American artist, you're R&B and hip-hop, and so that's the category they put you in based on your color first. So how do I do my mainstream style of music, still be who I am without being hip-hop? Because there's not a hip-hop bone in my body." [19] With Braxton also experiencing a happy family life during the album's production, she became less involved with the songwriting on the album: "They like [to] hear a little bit more controversy, and that's not necessarily my lifestyle [...] I don't have to be seen at every party, because that's not me. I'm not an industry person. I'm not a taste-maker person. I just make a living at singing. So it's what I love. But the after-party thing, they pretty much gotta make me go." [19]

The album was pulled from streaming services on an unknown date. However, Blackground Records, the label Libra was released on would be revived in August 2021. It was later announced that the album, along with the rest of their missing albums would be put on streaming services, with Libra being re-released on October 1, 2021. [21]

Songs

The album's first track and lead-single "Please" is produced by Scott Storch and it's an arresting danceable ballad recalling the glory moments of her early days. The second track, the ballad "Trippin' (That's the Way Love Works)", is sung in a rapping way, with fast talking where the melody isn't lost and harmonizing is inserted at the right moments. [22] The album's third track "What's Good" is a decidedly traditional ballad, Isley Brothers-esque throwback and uses a clip from Joe Sample's "In My Wildest Dreams". [22] [23] The fourth track "Take This Ring" produced by Rich Harrison, is an upbeat heavily percussion driven record. An aggressive song that is balanced by well managed vocal arrangements led by unapologetic lyrics. [22] It was compared to Amerie's 1 Thing, also produced by Harrison. [24] It has drum-and-bass-heavy accusational fire.

"Suddenly", which only appears on the European edition of the album, is a relatively jazzy track. [22] It's easily comparable to How Could an Angel Break My Heart" and it features the trumpeter Chris Botti. [22] "I Wanna Be (Your Baby)" is a ballad written by Babyface and Daryl Simmon. [23] "Sposed to Be" is a "tranquil song" with a finger snapping groove. [22] The self-recriminating "Stupid" was compared to the work of Anita Baker. [23] [25] "Finally" makes lyrical references to past hits like "Breathe Again". [23] "Shadowless" is an acoustic guitar ballad in which she sings about a love lost and a plea to win it back. [22]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [24]
Billboard Favorable [26]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [27]
People Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [28]
Slant Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [23]
SputnikmusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [22]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [25]

Upon release, Libra earned generally mixed reviews from music critics, who complimented Braxton vocal performance and her return to form on the album's ballads, but were critical towards its uptempo material. In his review for USA Today , Steve Jones noted that Libra broadens "her perspective while growing increasingly feisty [...] Still, the more mature Braxton is no longer waiting around for someone else to un-break her heart." [25] Sputnikmusic was very positive with Libra, finding it "rich with serene mellow tunes", while declaring it "an album worthy of a place in your R&B collection." [22] People called it "sumptuous", complimenting its balance between contemporary R&B and Braxton's "own classic sound." He added that she "is still at her husky-voiced best on signature slow jams." [28] Margeaux Watson, writing for Vibe Vixen , compared Libra to Mariah Carey's highly successful comeback album The Emancipation of Mimi (2005) and summed the album as a "welcome return to form." [29]

AllMusic editor Andy Kellman felt that "Libra offers no surprises. It's lean and balanced, just like all other Braxton albums, though too many songs are tepid and merely functional for background listening, so it winds up a safe distance from the likes of the self-titled debut and Secrets ." [24] Similarly, Billboard wrote that the album "finds the singer doing what she does best: tapping into her R&B siren muse. Braxton still owns the road when it comes to slow jams [but] it's when she veers into the fast lane that things become a little uneven." [26] In a mixed review, Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine wrote that "while Braxton meshed impeccably with her hip-hop counterparts on More Than A Woman , her collaboration with Rich Harrison sounds forced, even desperate. And with the Babyface and Daryl Simmons-penned "I Wanna Be (Your Baby)", the team that once delivered multiple R&B classics all on one Braxton record struggles to produce just one for their old friend here." [23]

Commercial performance

Libra debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 for the issue dated ending October 5, with 114,000 copies sold. [30] Braxton's fourth top-five entry, it marked a significant lift for the singer, whose previous release More Than a Woman (2002) had opened at number 13 with first-week sales of 98,000 copies. [30] In addition, Libra opened at number two on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. [30] The album sold 355,000 copies within its first five months on release, and has since sold 441,000 units in the United States. [31] On November 4, 2005, it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the shipments in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States. [32]

The album would remain Braxton's only release with Blackground Records. In January 2007, she sued label head Barry Hankerson, claiming that he owed her at least $10 million for maneuvering to have her abandon her longtime relationship with Arista and jump to his own record label. [16] He reportedly duped Braxton into signing a multi-album deal with Blackground, only to deprive the singer of her rights under the recording agreement by failing to send her accounting statements and by lying about deals he had made. [16] The lawsuit was settled in February 2007 after Braxton's agreed on returning a $375,000 advance and paying royalties from her next album to Hankerson. [33] In a 2012 interview with ABC News, Braxton expressed discontentment with the project when asked about the commercial failure of her albums from the mid-to-late 2000s, including Libra: "Those albums – that's like that one-night stand that you don't want to talk about," she said. "You don't want anyone to know about those records that didn't do well. I had a few of those. Definitely a few." [15]

Track listing

Standard edition [34]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Please"
3:57
2."Trippin' (That's the Way Love Works)"
  • Cox
  • Lewis [b]
  • Kendrick "WyldCard" Dean [c]
4:05
3."What's Good"
4:14
4."Take This Ring" Rich Harrison Harrison4:35
5."Midnite"
 Soulshock & Karlin 4:11
6."I Wanna Be (Your Baby)"
3:48
7."Sposed to Be"
  • Dixon
  • Lewis [a]
4:07
8."Stupid"
3:36
9."Finally"
3:30
10."Shadowless"
  • Alex Cantrall
  • Phillip White
Lewis3:57
Walmart bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
11."Places"
Soulshock & Karlin4:02
Circuit City digital download bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producers(s)Length
11."Happily Unhappy"
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis6:18
European edition [35]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Please"
  • Storch
  • Riddick
  • Herbert
  • Houff
  • Storch
  • Lewis [a]
3:57
2."Trippin' (That's the Way Love Works)"
  • Cox
  • Dean
  • Austin
  • Braxton
4:05
3."What's Good"
  • Cox
  • Austin
  • Braxton
  • Sample
4:14
4."Suddenly" Richard Marx Marx4:43
5."Take This Ring"HarrisonHarrison4:35
6."Midnite"
  • Schack
  • Karlin
  • Lilly
Soulshock & Karlin4:11
7."I Wanna Be (Your Baby)"
  • Mason
  • Thomas
  • Edmonds
  • Simmons
  • The Underdogs
  • Babyface
3:48
8."Sposed to Be"
  • Dixon
  • Hilson
  • Smith
  • Mason
  • Thomas
  • Dixon
  • Lewis [a]
4:07
9."Stupid"
  • Rooney
  • Braxton
  • Lewis
  • Rooney
  • Lewis
  • Shea
3:36
10."Finally"
  • Mason
  • Thomas
  • Dixon
  • Dawkins
  • Babbs
3:30
11."I Hate You"
  • Mason
  • Thomas
  • Dixon
  • Dawkins
  • Edmonds
The Underdogs4:01
12."Shadowless"
  • Cantrell
  • White
Lewis3:57
13."Long Way Home"
  • Schack
  • Karlin
  • Cantrell
  • White
Soulshock & Karlin4:32
European reissue bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."The Time of Our Lives" (with Il Divo) Jörgen Elofsson Steve Mac 4:39

Notes

Sample credits

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Libra. [36]

Musicians

Technical

  • Scott Storch – production (track 1)
  • Keri Lewis – vocal production (tracks 1, 7, 9); co-production (tracks 2, 3); production (tracks 8, 10); mixing (track 8); executive production
  • Kameron Houff – recording (track 1)
  • Dave Russell – mixing (tracks 1, 4, 6, 7, 9); recording, editing (tracks 6, 9)
  • Sara Lyn Killion – mixing assistance (tracks 1, 4, 6, 9)
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering (track 1)
  • Bryan-Michael Cox – production (tracks 2, 3)
  • Kendrick "WyldCard" Dean – additional production (track 2)
  • Sam Thomas – recording (track 2); mixing (tracks 2, 3)
  • Mike Guidotti – recording assistance (track 2)
  • Morgan Garcia – recording assistance (track 2); recording (track 3)
  • Rick DeVarona – mixing assistance (track 2)
  • Terrence Cash – recording assistance (track 3)
  • Tony Terrebonne – mixing assistance (track 3)
  • Rich Harrison – production (track 4)
  • Paul Foley – recording (track 4); engineering (track 10)
  • Soulshock & Karlin – production (track 5)
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing (tracks 5, 10)
  • Soulshock – mixing (track 5)
  • The Underdogs – production (track 6)
  • Babyface – production (track 6)
  • Dabling "Hobby Boy" Harward – recording, editing (tracks 6, 9)
  • Antonio Dixon – production (track 7, 9)
  • Kelly – recording, editing (track 7)
  • Thom "TK" Kidd – recording, editing (track 7)
  • Rob Skipworth – recording assistance, editing assistance (track 7)
  • Kevin Mahoney – recording assistance, editing assistance (track 7)
  • Cory Rooney – production (track 8)
  • Dan Shea – production (track 8)
  • Eric Dawkins – vocal production (track 9)
  • Toni Braxton – executive production
  • Jomo Hankerson – executive production
  • Vincent Herbert – executive production
  • Barry Hankerson – executive production
  • Gene Grimaldi – mastering

Artwork

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Libra
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [32] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for Libra
RegionDateEditionLabel
United StatesSeptember 27, 2005Standard Blackground
EuropeOctober 21, 2005 Edel
June 23, 2006Reissue

Notes

  1. ↑ Track 1
  2. ↑ Track 2
  3. ↑ Tracks 2 and 3
  4. ↑ Track 4
  5. 1 2 Track 5
  6. ↑ Tracks 6, 7 and 9
  7. ↑ Track 7
  8. ↑ Tracks 8 and 10
  9. 1 2 Track 8
  10. ↑ Overdubs on track 10

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.

<i>Secrets</i> (Toni Braxton album) 1996 studio album by Toni Braxton

Secrets is the second studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on June 18, 1996, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. The album was nominated for Best Pop Album at the 1997 Grammy Awards. Secrets has been certified eight-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Worldwide, the album has sold over 15 million copies. In support of the album, Braxton embarked on the Secrets Tour, playing dates in North America and Europe from August 1996 to October 1997.

<i>The Heat</i> (Toni Braxton album) 2000 studio album by Toni Braxton

The Heat is the third studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on April 25, 2000, by LaFace Records. The album marked Braxton's departure from her ballads in favor of a more urban sound. Most of the songs were written and produced by Braxton and her husband Keri Lewis ; two ballads were penned by Diane Warren, and collaborations featured rappers Dr. Dre and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackground Records</span> American record label

Blackground Records 2.0 is an American record label founded and owned by Jomo and Barry Hankerson. Initially named Blackground Enterprises, the label switched its name to Blackground Entertainment then later Blackground Records in 2000. In 2021, the label rebranded as Blackground Records 2.0, reviving its company and catalogue onto streaming services, with a partnership with Empire Distribution. It co-operated with a publishing company founded by Hankerson, named Black Fountain Music.

Barry Hankerson is an American record producer, music label owner and manager. Hankerson is the founder of Blackground Records, and the uncle of late singer and actress Aaliyah.

<i>Toni Braxton</i> (album) 1993 studio album by Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton is the debut studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on July 13, 1993, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. The album was primarily produced by L.A. Reid, Babyface, and Daryl Simmons.

<i>More Than a Woman</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Toni Braxton

More Than a Woman is the fifth studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on November 18, 2002, by Arista Records. The album contained both hip hop and urban adult contemporary sounds, as well as some softer and more contemporary melodies. Throughout the project, Braxton worked with her sister Tamar and husband Keri Lewis on most of the songs, who had written and produced material for her previous album. She also worked with hip hop producers and rappers such as Irv Gotti, The Neptunes, Mannie Fresh and Loon, as well as Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, protégé Big Bert and his domestic partner, singer Brandy.

<i>Snowflakes</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Toni Braxton

Snowflakes is the fourth studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on October 23, 2001, by Arista Records. Her first Christmas album, it is a follow-up to her 2000 studio album The Heat. Snowflakes consists of 11 tracks, featuring five R&B-led original songs co-penned with her former husband Keri Lewis and longtime collaborator Babyface, as well as several remixes and cover versions of Christmas standards and carols, one of which is a collaboration with Jamaican musician Shaggy. Throughout the creation process, Braxton also collaborated with L.A. Reid, Poke & Tone, Daryl Simmons and her younger sister Tamar Braxton.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Please (Toni Braxton song)</span> 2005 single by Toni Braxton

"Please" is a song by American recording artist Toni Braxton. It was written by Scott Storch, Makeba Riddick, Vincent Herbert, and Kameron Houff for her fifth studio album, Libra (2005), while production was chiefly helmed by Storch. One out of several songs on the album to feature a more hard-edged production, "Please" is a spare, mid-tempo R&B and hip hop song with a heavy bottom and zippy strings. Lyrically, it talks about how to handle a temptation in a relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trippin' (That's the Way Love Works)</span> 2005 single by Toni Braxton

"Trippin' (That's the Way Love Works)" is a song by American recording artist Toni Braxton. It was written by Braxton, Johntá Austin, Bryan-Michael Cox and Kendrick "WyldCard" Dean for her fifth studio album, Libra (2005), while production was overseen by Cox, with co-production from Keri Lewis and additional production by Dean. Selected as the album's second single, the piano-heavy R&b ballad was released to US radios on September 26, 2005, followed by a European release in fall 2005. Commercially, it missed the US Billboard Hot 100 and charted outside the top sixty of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">He Wasn't Man Enough</span> 2000 single by Toni Braxton

"He Wasn't Man Enough" is a song by American singer Toni Braxton. It was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, and Harvey Mason, Jr. for her third studio album, The Heat (2000), while production was helmed by the former. "He Wasn't Man Enough" is an uptempo R&B song that differs from Braxton's previous ballads. The song was released by LaFace Records on February 29, 2000, as the lead single from the album.

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

American singer Toni Braxton has released ten studio albums, five extended plays, six compilation albums, two remix albums, thirty-four singles, two video albums and twenty-two music videos in a career spanning over 30 years. Braxton was born in Severn, Maryland, on October 7, 1967. Her mother, an opera vocalist, encouraged Braxton and her four sisters to sing in church at a young age. In 1990, songwriter Bill Pettaway discovered the sisters and helped them obtain a record deal with Arista Records, as the group titled The Braxtons; the group's debut single, "Good Life", was released the same year. Although the song failed to chart, Braxton's voice caught the attention of producers, L.A. Reid and Babyface, who signed her to their newly formed LaFace Records. In 1991, Braxton recorded songs for the soundtrack to the 1992 film Boomerang. Her solo debut single, "Love Shoulda Brought You Home", reached the top forty of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the top five of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Two years later, her self-titled debut album was issued through LaFace. The album topped the US Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts and was certified eight-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It spawned four singles, including "Breathe Again", which peaked within the top ten in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The album has sold over ten million copies worldwide.

<i>Boomerang</i> (soundtrack) 1992 soundtrack album by various artists

Boomerang: Original Soundtrack Album is the soundtrack to Reginald Hudlin's 1992 film Boomerang. It was released on June 30, 1992, by LaFace Records. The album peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200 and reached the top spot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in August 1992 and eventually reached triple-platinum status by April 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Another Sad Love Song</span> 1993 single by Toni Braxton

"Another Sad Love Song" is a song by American singer-songwriter Toni Braxton. Written and produced by Daryl Simmons and Babyface, featuring additional production from L.A. Reid, it was released as the lead single and its opening track from Braxton's self-titled debut album (1993) on June 11, 1993, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. Lyrically, it talks about Braxton complaining that every song played on the radio is a reminder of her ex-boyfriend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seven Whole Days</span> 1993 single by Toni Braxton

"Seven Whole Days" is a song performed by American singer Toni Braxton. It serves as the third single from her self-titled debut album (1993). It was released on October 8, 1993 by LaFace and Arista Records. Written and produced by Kenneth Edmonds, Antonio Reid and Daryl Simmons, the track describes a romance that was fading. As the single was not commercially released in the United States, it was ineligible to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, and only managed to chart on the Hot 100 Airplay at number forty-eight in early March 1994. Nevertheless, it successfully topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay in late January 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take This Ring</span> 2005 single by Toni Braxton

"Take This Ring" is a song by American singer Toni Braxton. It was written and produced by Rich Harrison for her fifth studio album, Libra (2005). A subdued go go track, it features an uncredited sample from the song "Here Comes the Meter Man" (1969) by The Meters. Lyrically, it has Braxton singing about her plans to be free from a night of matrimonial responsibilities. "Take This Ring was released as the album's third and final stateside single but failed to enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, though it peaked at number 12 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

<i>Love, Marriage & Divorce</i> 2014 studio album by Toni Braxton and Babyface

Love, Marriage & Divorce is a collaborative studio album by American recording artists Toni Braxton and Babyface, released on February 4, 2014, by Motown Records. The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and as of July 2, 2014 the album had sold 211,000 copies in the U.S. The album won Best R&B Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurt You (Toni Braxton and Babyface song)</span> 2013 single by Toni Braxton and Babyface

"Hurt You" is a song by American recording artists Toni Braxton and Babyface. It was written by Braxton and Babyface along with Daryl Simmons and Antonio Dixon for their collaborative studio album Love, Marriage & Divorce (2014), while Babyface helmed production. The song was released on August 17, 2013, as the lead single from the album. It topped the US Adult R&B Songs and was ranked fifth on the chart's year-end listing.

<i>Sex & Cigarettes</i> 2018 studio album by Toni Braxton

Sex & Cigarettes is the eighth studio album by American singer Toni Braxton. It was released on March 23, 2018, by Def Jam Recordings. Her first solo album in eight years, it served as her debut for the label after signing a new record deal. Braxton worked with a variety of producers on the album, including Fred Ball, Antonio Dixon, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Dapo Torimiro, Stuart Crichton, Tricky Stewart, and Pierre Medor. Its release was preceded by the release of two singles, "Deadwood" and "Long as I Live" as well as a remix EP of the song "Coping" which features on the album.

References

  1. ↑ "Aaliyah albums streaming: 'Her influence is absolutely everywhere'". BBC. August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  2. ↑ Minsker, Evan (August 20, 2021). "Aaliyah's One in a Million Arrives to Streaming Amid Dispute Between Label and Estate". Pitchfork . Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  3. ↑ Legaspi, Althea (August 20, 2021). "Stream Aaliyah's 'One in a Million' Album". Rolling Stone . Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 Morgan, Joan (December 2002). "Fully Exposed". Vibe .
  5. ↑ "Toni Braxton Files For Bankruptcy". MTV News. February 2, 1998. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  6. ↑ Mokoena, Tshepo (July 15, 2015). "Riches to Rags: A Brief History of Bankruptcy in Pop". The Guardian . Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  7. 1 2 "Toni Braxton Back On Top After Bankruptcy". Jet . July 17, 2000.
  8. ↑ Tannenbaum, Rob. "L.A. Comes to New York". New York . Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Toni Braxton Settles With LaFace Records, Starts Work On Album". MTV News. January 13, 1999. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  10. ↑ Davis, Clive (February 19, 2013). The Soundtrack of My Life. ISBN   9781476714806.
  11. ↑ "Toni Braxton Tops R&B Albums, Singles Charts". MTV News. May 4, 2000. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  12. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. More Than a Woman – Toni Braxton at AllMusic . Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  13. 1 2 "Is Toni Braxton Pregrant Again?". Groovevolt.com. September 13, 2002. Archived from the original on December 26, 2002. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  14. ↑ VH1 Inside Out – Toni Braxton: Family Comes First (Television production). United States: VH1. 2002.
  15. 1 2 Diaz, Joseph (November 30, 2012). "Confessions of a Diva: Toni Braxton Reveals Story Behind Bankruptcy Headlines". ABC News . Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  16. 1 2 3 Neumeister, Larry (January 12, 2007). "Toni Braxton Sues Her Former Manager". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on October 19, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Toni Braxton Splits Arista, Inks With Blackground". Billboard . March 14, 2003. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pryor, DeBorah B. (March 1, 2007). "Music mogul dishes on Toni Braxton: Barry Hankerson says singer's husband is her problem". EURweb. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  19. 1 2 3 Gordon, Ed (September 23, 2005). "'Libra': The Latest Sound from Toni Braxton". NPR . Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  20. 1 2 3 Ollison, Rashod O. (September 25, 2005). "Toni Braxton's Back, With A Pretty Please". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Finally! Toni Braxton's 'Libra' Album Set for Streaming Release After 16 Years". That Grape Juice. August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 K, Jazzy (March 6, 2006). "Toni Braxton: Libra (album review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cinquemani, Sal (September 24, 2005). "Toni Braxton: Libra". Slant Magazine . Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  24. 1 2 3 Kellman, Andy (September 27, 2005). "Libra – Toni Braxton". AllMusic . Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  25. 1 2 3 Jones, Steve (September 26, 2005). "'Jacked Up' Wilson defies stereotypes". USA Today . Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  26. 1 2 "Reviews – Spotlights & Albums". Billboard . October 1, 2005. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Libra Review". Entertainment Weekly . October 14, 2005. p. 155.
  28. 1 2 Arnold, Chuck; Novak, Ralph (October 17, 2005). "Picks and Pans Review: Toni Braxton (Libra)". People . Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  29. ↑ Watson, Margeaux (October 2005). "Taster's Choice – Not-to-be-missed Releases For Fall". Vibe Vixen .
  30. 1 2 3 Mar, Alex (October 5, 2005). "Gretchen Wilson, Sheryl Crow Are Tops on the Chart". Rolling Stone . Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  31. ↑ Maza, Erik (April 11, 2011). "Midnight Sun: Toni Braxton's decade-long sales slump". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  32. 1 2 "American album certifications – Toni Braxton – Libra". Recording Industry Association of America. November 4, 2005. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Braxton Settles Lawsuit Against Ex-Manager". Billboard . February 14, 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Libra by Toni Braxton". Amazon . United States. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Libra by Toni Braxton". Amazon (in German). Germany. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  36. ↑ Libra (liner notes). Toni Braxton. Blackground Records. 2005. B0005441-02.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  37. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Toni Braxton – Libra" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Toni Braxton – Libra". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  39. ↑ "Toni Braxton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Toni Braxton Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  41. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2005". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.