Albums : Toni Braxton & Babyface : Love, Marriage & Divorce
Albums : Toni Braxton & Babyface : Love, Marriage & Divorce
Listen To Toni Braxton, Babyface : Love, Marriage & Divorce
Who is Toni Braxton?
Her distinctive sultry vocal blend of R&B, POP, Jazz and Gospel became an instantaneous international sensation when she came forth with her first solo recording in 1992. Today, with more than 40 million albums sold worldwide and six Grammy Awards, Toni Braxton is recognized as one of the most outstanding voices of this generation.
Born a preacher’s child and raised in a strict religious household, Braxton’s first professional experience was singing in the church choir. She went on to perform in a group with her four sisters (Traci, Trina, Towanda and Tamar) that was signed to Arista Records. Her talent was recognized by Antonio L.A. Reid and Kenneth Babyface Edmonds and soon her solo recording career was launched. Her music first came to widespread popularity on the soundtrack of the Eddie Murphy film “Boomerang.” The resulting Toni Braxton album sold ten million copies worldwide, spawning the classics “Another Sad Love Song” and “Breathe Again.” The album also resulted in her first two Grammys in 1993 as Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for “Another Sad Love Long” and another Grammy in the same category in 1994 for “Breathe Again.” In 1997 she garnered Grammys in Best R&B and Best Pop Female Vocal Performance categories.
The acclaim for her second album Secrets continued her mega success, selling over thirteen million copies in the US and abroad following its July 1996 release. “You’re Makin’ Me High” became her first across-the-board #1 pop and R&B hit single and garnered another Grammy for R&B vocal performance. Release of “Unbreak My Heart” followed in the fall of 1996 and was recognized with the coveted Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. It has become her signature song, and ranks as the second top-selling single of all time by a female artist. The next album, The Heat, sold 2 million copies and brought her another million-selling single and best R&B Grammy with “He Wasn’t Man Enough.”
Toni Braxton had successful runs on Broadway starring in “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aida.” In 2006, she headlined her own show, “Toni Braxton Revealed” at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. The show which ran through April 2008, was a smash, but in the middle of the extended run she was diagnosed with micro vascular angina causing her to cancel the remaining dates. After a recovery period, she took time in 2008 to fulfill her big dream of appearing on the top-rated television series “Dancing with the Stars.
Today, Braxton balances the demands of her career with the high priorities of family, health and public service as she raises her two sons Denim and Diezel. Regarding her youngest child’s autism, Braxton is giving a message of hope that wasn’t quite the case for her a few years ago. “Today, Diezel is talking and attending a mainstream school. He still needs occupational therapy, but he is a wonderful example of what can happen with early detection and intervention.”
In addition to being a spokesperson for Autism Speaks, Braxton also is active with the American Heart Association. Braxton was most recently diagnosed with Lupus. She announced her health struggle publicly as she accepted the Lupus LA award for “Women of Achievement“.
Most recently, Braxton is enjoying huge success with her Braxton Family Values reality show on the WE network. Four episodes into Braxton Family Values’ run, Rainbow Media’s WE tv renewed the reality series starring Toni Braxton and her sisters for a second season with a 19-episode order, up from the 10 episodes the network ordered for Season 1. Braxton Family Values, ranked as the #1 telecast for W18-34 and #3 for W25-54 during primetime among all ad-supported cable, when the show returned for its second season on Thursday, November 10 (9-10 pm). The series also ranked as the #1 show among African-American viewers during primetime for all key women and adult demographic deliveries, and #1 across all key women’s demos during primetime – W18-34, W18-49 and W25-54 – among all women’s networks.
“Braxton Family Values’ has struck a chord with our audiences – it’s one of our most popular shows ever,” WE TV prexy/g.m. Kim Martin said.
Who Is Babyface?
If you were to closely examine the annals of modern pop music history, few creative forces have been more seminal or impacted the contemporary pop/urban genres as much as Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. In a relatively short time, he has reached icon status as a poignant tune smith, prolific hit maker/producer, superstar recording artist, and revolutionary label owner. He is a statistical juggernaut, who keeps adding milestone after milestone to a legacy that seems to have no threshold or peak in sight.
A 10-time Grammy winner with 11 solo albums of his own, Edmonds’ impeccably crafted explorations of love, romance and relationships and has made an indelible imprint on the evolution of contemporary pop music throughout the world: more than 125 Top-10 R&B and Pop hits, 42 #1 R&B hits, and 51 Top- 10 Pop hits (including 16 #1’s), which have produced single and album sales in excess of 500 million units worldwide.
Just a few of the vocalists from which his music can be heard: Whitey Houston, Boys II Men, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Eric Clapton, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, TLC, Toni Braxton, Celine Dion, John Mellon, Anthony Hamilton, Brandy, Aretha Franklin, Fall Out Boy, Pink, Charlie Wilson, and Chrisette Michele.
Edmonds is the recipient of numerous awards, including Soul Train Music Awards, BMI Awards, NAACP Image Awards and American Music Awards. He was also the recipient of the third BET Walk of Fame Award (previous honors were Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston), and was named BET’s “Entertainer of the Year” at the First Annual BET Awards Ceremony.
Edmonds most recent production with other artists includes Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Keri Hilson, Ladies, Collie Collate, Jennifer Hudson and Arianna Grande & Aretha Franklin. And next up is his forthcoming duets album with Toni Braxton titled Love, Marriage & Divorce (February 4, 2014 on Motown Records). The album’s lead single, “Hurt You,” is garnering critical raves and is already Top 5 on the Billboard charts.
Edmonds’ charitable work is as impressive as his professional accomplishments. His caring and generosity has earned him several accolades, including the Essence Award for Excellence, The City of Hope Award and Variety Magazine’s “Top of the Town” Honored Award. He was the National Spokesman for Boarder Babies, and personally helped raise more than $500,000 for a transitional home, The Little Blue House, located in Washington D.C.. He has also personally donated more than $100,000 to the VH-1 Save the Music program and he continues to contribute to a host of other worthwhile organizations, including the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). In 2008, Edmonds combined his musical prowess with his charitable efforts, co writing and producing the song “Just Stand Up” with longtime partner Antonio “L.A.” Reid, which served as the backbone of a multi-purpose breast cancer awareness special. The song featured such current heavyweights as Beyonce, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Leon Lewis, Clara, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, and Miley Cyrus, to name a few. Edmonds and Reid were honored by the Noble Awards for their contribution to Stand Up To Cancer. And recently his has been very active in supporting Carousel of Hope, benefiting Children’s Diabetes Foundation and Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes and Larry Ruvo’s “Keep A Memory Alive” who are committed to improving the lives of patients and their families as they navigate the extraordinary challenges of brain disorders. In Las Vegas, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health treats patients with Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease, as well as frontotemporal dementia and multiple sclerosis.
Love, marriage & Divorce Review
Many R&B singers have recorded music about their divorces, and every R&B musician has mined his or her love life for material. That includes singer Toni Braxton and producer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.
“Love, Marriage & Divorce” is a new album of duets from the frequent collaborators, who helped define the genre in the ’90s. It’s hard to imagine they have anything to say that hasn’t already been explored in their 50-plus combined years of experience.
And yet, they do. Fans have experienced the ups and downs of their personal lives during the years thanks to tabloids, reality television and their songs, but “Love, Marriage & Divorce” is a fresh, honest look at the ways in which relationships fall apart.
(Babyface married film producer Tracey Edmonds in 1992; they divorced in 2005. Braxton married Mint Condition keyboardist Keri Lewis in 2001; they divorced in 2013.) Braxton and Edmonds not only offer up an enjoyable listen, they let us know that it’s okay to think a breakup is no big deal, or to wish your ex good luck — but also gonorrhea.
The title is a bit misleading. The album is more about the divorce and broken relationships than it is about falling in love and getting married; the material about splitting up is not only more plentiful, but more interesting. The singles trickling out (“Hurt You,” “Roller Coaster”) are perfectly lovely songs, but don’t represent the tone of the album. Taken as a whole, “Love, Marriage & Divorce” covers every stage of a breakup with humor, wisdom, wit, occasional pettiness and self-awareness.
At a time when popular R&B seems dominated by breakup songs that only express a few emotions — despair, delight at having dodged a bullet or anger fiery enough to prompt one to commit personal property damage — “Love, Marriage & Divorce” offers a more nuanced look at calling it quits. On “Sweat,” a couple in trouble comes to the mature decision to take out their aggression in the bedroom instead of yelling, screaming and insulting each other’s mothers. “I’d Rather Be Broke” explores the idea that sometimes it’s better for one’s sanity to walk away from a comfortable lifestyle than to stay mired in craziness.
Because Edmonds and Braxton are longtime friends and colleagues (Edmonds even talked Braxton out of retiring recently, as viewers of the reality show “Braxton Family Values” likely know), they have an easy chemistry that not only results in some luscious music but keeps the project from being a downer.
The artists also trade off lead vocals duties, in a cool sort of “he said/she said” format. On “I Hope That You’re Okay,” Babyface expresses concern for an ex, offering the oh-so-grown-up sentiment that although it’s “time to call it a day,” he wishes her nothing but the best. “I hope that we’re good,” he sings.
Just when you’re thinking, “Wow, this is a really mature album! Adults can actually behave like adults sometimes,” Braxton responds with the opening lines of “I Wish.” This song, which sounds like a tongue-in-cheek version of Braxton’s signature ballad, “Unbreak My Heart,” is about not wishing one’s ex well. “I hope she gives you a disease, so that you will see,” Braxton sings. “Not enough to make you die, but only make you cry — like you did to me.”
On “Reunited” the pair sings about “getting back to the business of love,” but then Braxton stomps all over the idea of reconciliation while gleefully singing over an up-tempo dance track: “You know you want it back, that’s why you’re ’bout to have a heart attack,” she sings on “Heart Attack.”
Sonically, “Love, Marriage & Divorce” isn’t a big leap for either Edmonds or Braxton — Babyface is still fond of lacing his productions with acoustic guitar and wind chimes; Braxton’s ever-smoky voice is unchanged, and she still fills her songs with dramatic emoting. Even the album cover, a black-and-white photo of the two in silhouette, looks as if it’s inspired by the ’90s-era Time Life “Quiet Storm” CD series. But the throwback vibe that dominates isn’t a problem at all. Good songs about bad breakups are, unlike marriage vows, timeless.
Contact Toni Braxton
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | Vevo | Google+
Contact Babyface
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Contact The Washington Post
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Email
Sources : Toni Braxton & Bbayface Photo | Listen To Love, Marriage & Divorce | Toni Braxton Biography | Babyface Biography | Love, Mariiage & Divorce Review
Purchase : iTunes | Amazon | Walmart | Target
Listen To Toni Braxton, Babyface : Love, Marriage & Divorce
Who is Toni Braxton?
Her distinctive sultry vocal blend of R&B, POP, Jazz and Gospel became an instantaneous international sensation when she came forth with her first solo recording in 1992. Today, with more than 40 million albums sold worldwide and six Grammy Awards, Toni Braxton is recognized as one of the most outstanding voices of this generation.
Born a preacher’s child and raised in a strict religious household, Braxton’s first professional experience was singing in the church choir. She went on to perform in a group with her four sisters (Traci, Trina, Towanda and Tamar) that was signed to Arista Records. Her talent was recognized by Antonio L.A. Reid and Kenneth Babyface Edmonds and soon her solo recording career was launched. Her music first came to widespread popularity on the soundtrack of the Eddie Murphy film “Boomerang.” The resulting Toni Braxton album sold ten million copies worldwide, spawning the classics “Another Sad Love Song” and “Breathe Again.” The album also resulted in her first two Grammys in 1993 as Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for “Another Sad Love Long” and another Grammy in the same category in 1994 for “Breathe Again.” In 1997 she garnered Grammys in Best R&B and Best Pop Female Vocal Performance categories.
The acclaim for her second album Secrets continued her mega success, selling over thirteen million copies in the US and abroad following its July 1996 release. “You’re Makin’ Me High” became her first across-the-board #1 pop and R&B hit single and garnered another Grammy for R&B vocal performance. Release of “Unbreak My Heart” followed in the fall of 1996 and was recognized with the coveted Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. It has become her signature song, and ranks as the second top-selling single of all time by a female artist. The next album, The Heat, sold 2 million copies and brought her another million-selling single and best R&B Grammy with “He Wasn’t Man Enough.”
Toni Braxton had successful runs on Broadway starring in “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aida.” In 2006, she headlined her own show, “Toni Braxton Revealed” at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. The show which ran through April 2008, was a smash, but in the middle of the extended run she was diagnosed with micro vascular angina causing her to cancel the remaining dates. After a recovery period, she took time in 2008 to fulfill her big dream of appearing on the top-rated television series “Dancing with the Stars.
Today, Braxton balances the demands of her career with the high priorities of family, health and public service as she raises her two sons Denim and Diezel. Regarding her youngest child’s autism, Braxton is giving a message of hope that wasn’t quite the case for her a few years ago. “Today, Diezel is talking and attending a mainstream school. He still needs occupational therapy, but he is a wonderful example of what can happen with early detection and intervention.”
In addition to being a spokesperson for Autism Speaks, Braxton also is active with the American Heart Association. Braxton was most recently diagnosed with Lupus. She announced her health struggle publicly as she accepted the Lupus LA award for “Women of Achievement“.
Most recently, Braxton is enjoying huge success with her Braxton Family Values reality show on the WE network. Four episodes into Braxton Family Values’ run, Rainbow Media’s WE tv renewed the reality series starring Toni Braxton and her sisters for a second season with a 19-episode order, up from the 10 episodes the network ordered for Season 1. Braxton Family Values, ranked as the #1 telecast for W18-34 and #3 for W25-54 during primetime among all ad-supported cable, when the show returned for its second season on Thursday, November 10 (9-10 pm). The series also ranked as the #1 show among African-American viewers during primetime for all key women and adult demographic deliveries, and #1 across all key women’s demos during primetime – W18-34, W18-49 and W25-54 – among all women’s networks.
“Braxton Family Values’ has struck a chord with our audiences – it’s one of our most popular shows ever,” WE TV prexy/g.m. Kim Martin said.
Who Is Babyface?
If you were to closely examine the annals of modern pop music history, few creative forces have been more seminal or impacted the contemporary pop/urban genres as much as Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. In a relatively short time, he has reached icon status as a poignant tune smith, prolific hit maker/producer, superstar recording artist, and revolutionary label owner. He is a statistical juggernaut, who keeps adding milestone after milestone to a legacy that seems to have no threshold or peak in sight.
A 10-time Grammy winner with 11 solo albums of his own, Edmonds’ impeccably crafted explorations of love, romance and relationships and has made an indelible imprint on the evolution of contemporary pop music throughout the world: more than 125 Top-10 R&B and Pop hits, 42 #1 R&B hits, and 51 Top- 10 Pop hits (including 16 #1’s), which have produced single and album sales in excess of 500 million units worldwide.
Just a few of the vocalists from which his music can be heard: Whitey Houston, Boys II Men, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Eric Clapton, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, TLC, Toni Braxton, Celine Dion, John Mellon, Anthony Hamilton, Brandy, Aretha Franklin, Fall Out Boy, Pink, Charlie Wilson, and Chrisette Michele.
Edmonds is the recipient of numerous awards, including Soul Train Music Awards, BMI Awards, NAACP Image Awards and American Music Awards. He was also the recipient of the third BET Walk of Fame Award (previous honors were Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston), and was named BET’s “Entertainer of the Year” at the First Annual BET Awards Ceremony.
Edmonds most recent production with other artists includes Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Keri Hilson, Ladies, Collie Collate, Jennifer Hudson and Arianna Grande & Aretha Franklin. And next up is his forthcoming duets album with Toni Braxton titled Love, Marriage & Divorce (February 4, 2014 on Motown Records). The album’s lead single, “Hurt You,” is garnering critical raves and is already Top 5 on the Billboard charts.
Edmonds’ charitable work is as impressive as his professional accomplishments. His caring and generosity has earned him several accolades, including the Essence Award for Excellence, The City of Hope Award and Variety Magazine’s “Top of the Town” Honored Award. He was the National Spokesman for Boarder Babies, and personally helped raise more than $500,000 for a transitional home, The Little Blue House, located in Washington D.C.. He has also personally donated more than $100,000 to the VH-1 Save the Music program and he continues to contribute to a host of other worthwhile organizations, including the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). In 2008, Edmonds combined his musical prowess with his charitable efforts, co writing and producing the song “Just Stand Up” with longtime partner Antonio “L.A.” Reid, which served as the backbone of a multi-purpose breast cancer awareness special. The song featured such current heavyweights as Beyonce, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Leon Lewis, Clara, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, and Miley Cyrus, to name a few. Edmonds and Reid were honored by the Noble Awards for their contribution to Stand Up To Cancer. And recently his has been very active in supporting Carousel of Hope, benefiting Children’s Diabetes Foundation and Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes and Larry Ruvo’s “Keep A Memory Alive” who are committed to improving the lives of patients and their families as they navigate the extraordinary challenges of brain disorders. In Las Vegas, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health treats patients with Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease, as well as frontotemporal dementia and multiple sclerosis.
Love, marriage & Divorce Review
Many R&B singers have recorded music about their divorces, and every R&B musician has mined his or her love life for material. That includes singer Toni Braxton and producer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.
“Love, Marriage & Divorce” is a new album of duets from the frequent collaborators, who helped define the genre in the ’90s. It’s hard to imagine they have anything to say that hasn’t already been explored in their 50-plus combined years of experience.
And yet, they do. Fans have experienced the ups and downs of their personal lives during the years thanks to tabloids, reality television and their songs, but “Love, Marriage & Divorce” is a fresh, honest look at the ways in which relationships fall apart.
(Babyface married film producer Tracey Edmonds in 1992; they divorced in 2005. Braxton married Mint Condition keyboardist Keri Lewis in 2001; they divorced in 2013.) Braxton and Edmonds not only offer up an enjoyable listen, they let us know that it’s okay to think a breakup is no big deal, or to wish your ex good luck — but also gonorrhea.
The title is a bit misleading. The album is more about the divorce and broken relationships than it is about falling in love and getting married; the material about splitting up is not only more plentiful, but more interesting. The singles trickling out (“Hurt You,” “Roller Coaster”) are perfectly lovely songs, but don’t represent the tone of the album. Taken as a whole, “Love, Marriage & Divorce” covers every stage of a breakup with humor, wisdom, wit, occasional pettiness and self-awareness.
At a time when popular R&B seems dominated by breakup songs that only express a few emotions — despair, delight at having dodged a bullet or anger fiery enough to prompt one to commit personal property damage — “Love, Marriage & Divorce” offers a more nuanced look at calling it quits. On “Sweat,” a couple in trouble comes to the mature decision to take out their aggression in the bedroom instead of yelling, screaming and insulting each other’s mothers. “I’d Rather Be Broke” explores the idea that sometimes it’s better for one’s sanity to walk away from a comfortable lifestyle than to stay mired in craziness.
Because Edmonds and Braxton are longtime friends and colleagues (Edmonds even talked Braxton out of retiring recently, as viewers of the reality show “Braxton Family Values” likely know), they have an easy chemistry that not only results in some luscious music but keeps the project from being a downer.
The artists also trade off lead vocals duties, in a cool sort of “he said/she said” format. On “I Hope That You’re Okay,” Babyface expresses concern for an ex, offering the oh-so-grown-up sentiment that although it’s “time to call it a day,” he wishes her nothing but the best. “I hope that we’re good,” he sings.
Just when you’re thinking, “Wow, this is a really mature album! Adults can actually behave like adults sometimes,” Braxton responds with the opening lines of “I Wish.” This song, which sounds like a tongue-in-cheek version of Braxton’s signature ballad, “Unbreak My Heart,” is about not wishing one’s ex well. “I hope she gives you a disease, so that you will see,” Braxton sings. “Not enough to make you die, but only make you cry — like you did to me.”
On “Reunited” the pair sings about “getting back to the business of love,” but then Braxton stomps all over the idea of reconciliation while gleefully singing over an up-tempo dance track: “You know you want it back, that’s why you’re ’bout to have a heart attack,” she sings on “Heart Attack.”
Sonically, “Love, Marriage & Divorce” isn’t a big leap for either Edmonds or Braxton — Babyface is still fond of lacing his productions with acoustic guitar and wind chimes; Braxton’s ever-smoky voice is unchanged, and she still fills her songs with dramatic emoting. Even the album cover, a black-and-white photo of the two in silhouette, looks as if it’s inspired by the ’90s-era Time Life “Quiet Storm” CD series. But the throwback vibe that dominates isn’t a problem at all. Good songs about bad breakups are, unlike marriage vows, timeless.
Contact Toni Braxton
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | Vevo | Google+
Contact Babyface
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Contact The Washington Post
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Email
Sources : Toni Braxton & Bbayface Photo | Listen To Love, Marriage & Divorce | Toni Braxton Biography | Babyface Biography | Love, Mariiage & Divorce Review
Purchase : iTunes | Amazon | Walmart | Target
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