In a string of nine tweets this past Saturday, Solange wrote that R&B has long been experimental, and expressed frustration at music critics for, “acting like it just popped off last year.” She suggested a familiarity with Brandy as a pre-requisite for writing about R&B:
Some of these music blogs could actually benefit from hiring people who REALLY understand the culture of R&B to write about R&B. Like you really should know about deep Brandy album cuts before you are giving a “grade” or a “score” to any R&B artists.
Following Solange’s tweets, Brandy fans shared their pet tracks using the hashtag #DeepBrandyAlbumCuts. Whether or not an extensive knowledge of Brandy’s back-catalog is really key to thoughtful writing about R&B, her albums are a pleasure to revisit, marked by incomparable singing and well-chosen production (from Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Kanye West, Sean Garrett and more). Here are 14 favorites, spanning Brandy’s five studio albums. For more on her two-decade career, check out this Staff Selects playlist and our 2012 interview with Brandy about her album Two Eleven.
Prod. by Rodney Jerkins
Prod. by Rodney Jerkins
Prod. by Rodney Jerkins, Stuart Brawley and Jason Derlatka
Prod. by Kanye West
Prod. by Timbaland
Prod. by Kanye West, Jon Brion
Prod. by Rico Love and Medor
Prod. by Rodney Jerkins and D’Mile
Prod. by Switch
Written by Robin Thicke, Prod. by Damon Thomas
Prod. by Rodney Jerkins, Big Bert
Prod. by Walter “DJ Walt” Millsap III
Prod by Rodney Jerkins and Fred Jerkins III
Prod. by Guy Roche and Fred Jerkins III
(Two of these aren’t actually ‘deep cuts’: “Almost Doesn’t Count” was released as Never Say Never’s fourth single in 1999; Kanye West’s “Bring Me Down” is not from a Brandy album.)
I commend 85% of these. But, If you wanna get deep, I can gladly send you in the right direction of songs like “Apart” or the international tracks for Afrodisiac “Sirens” and more importantly “Nodding Off” which were a lot more experimental than anything off Human or Almost Doesn’t Count—which had a fantastic remix back in the day that took it from a great song, to an amazing song.
That said a post like this was long overdue, and I agree with Solange, blogs and magazines need R&B writers because people seem to just sweep it under the rug and only post about it when the same old same olds are doing something, which is less than legendary or really all that good.
I agree — “Apart” is one of my favorite Brandy songs. It’s sublime.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxpXtZr7YJI
There are way “deeper” Brandy cuts than this, but this list is a good start. I like it.
For your consideration;
Freedom
Should I Go
Nothing
He Is
Shattered Heart
True
… The list goes on and on…
All We Need is Nothing Added to the List and We got our self a Tour Set List.
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There are deeper cuts than listed… My personal favorites are “Give Me You”, “Baby” , “Say You Will”, “How I Feel”, “He Is” …
They kinda obviously forgot “Focus” but great post.
This comment section, once again, proves just how “deep” Brandy’s music can go given the fact that people cannot agree on which Brandy’s songs are the best because so many of them are good. A great problem to have.
Hey what about Tomorrow, finally, something’s missing (most of of the music in this song is made up of her voice)
there may be deeper brandy songs
but there are DEFINITELY songs that are more rnb than the current solange ep which i wouldn’t even consider rnb
She has a song called “I thought” off the Full Moon album that really showcases her voice like nothing else. Also, “Nodding Off” is dope, it’s produced by Timbaland. I have been a devoted fan since she came out!
Brandy is one of the premier R&B artists of her generation. Few in the current musical landscape can touch her and one day she can retire peacefully knowing she put forth a a great catalogue of music. Here are my recommendations in addition to the ones named in the comment section:
1. Nobody
2. What Have You Done For Me
3. Necessary
4. Angel in Disguise
5. Follow Me
6. Learn The Hard Way
7. Sweet Nothings
Typo..
Meant to be
1. Anybody