The Braxtons
Encyclopedia
The Braxtons were an American R&B
girl group
consisting of sisters Toni Braxton
, 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 Braxton
's acclaimed solo career.
All five members reunited in 2011 to star in the WE tv
reality show Braxton Family Values
alongside their mother, Evelyn Braxton. The Braxtons and Toni Braxton
sing the show's theme song.
.
The sisters began to harmonize together when a then 2-year-old Tamar demanded, "Somebody get me some toilet paper!" Each sister and brother Michael soon after went in the bathroom and began singing the "Toilet Paper Song." The Braxtons credit this incident as their first song-writing experience and the first time that they harmonized as a group. Growing up, they sang in the choir at several churches and toured the East Coast
with their religious parents singing at various events.
in 1989. In 1990, they released their first single
, "Good Life
". It would be their only single as a fivesome. "Good Life" was not a hit
, peaking at No. 79 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles
chart. At the time of the single's release, the members' age differences created a problem with marketing. Subsequently, The Braxtons were dropped from Arista Records
.
In 1991, during a showcase with Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, who were in the process of forming LaFace Records
, Toni Braxton
, minus her four sisters, was chosen and signed as the label's first female solo artist. At the time, the remaining members were told that LaFace
was not looking for another girl group since it had just signed TLC
.
s, and promotional appearances. Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar were featured in the music video for Toni Braxton
's third single, Seven Whole Days
, from her debut album
.
In 1993, LaFace Records A&R
Vice President, Bryant Reid, signed The Braxtons to LaFace. However, the group never released an album or single for the record label. When Reid moved on to work for Atlantic Records
, he convinced executives at LaFace
to allow him take the group to Atlantic also.
It was reported in Vibe magazine that in 1995 Traci Braxton had left the group to pursue a career as a youth counselor. However, it was not confirmed until a 2011 promotional appearance
on The Mo'Nique Show
, that Traci was not allowed to sign with Atlantic
because of her pregnancy at the time.
, Trina, and Towanda returned with a new album titled "So Many Ways." So Many Ways
, which shared the same title as its lead single, was released on August 13, 1996 and peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. It became their first and only LP
. Atlantic Records A&R VP
, Bryant Reid, served as the album's executive producer. At the time of of its release, Reid told Billboard Magazine
, "I had a vision for them then that was about young sophistication with sex appeal." So Many Ways included production from Jermaine Dupri
and Daryl Simmons
along with Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Sean "Sep" Hall. The album also included a cover
of Diana Ross
's hit "The Boss" and Klymaxx's
song "I'd Still Say Yes
"
The Braxtons released a music video
in order to promote "So Many Ways". It was directed by Cameron Casey and featured upcoming actor Mekhi Phifer
. The trio also performed a remixed version of "So Many Ways" with rapper Jay-Z
on September 9, 1996 at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. The single was also used as the opening track for the soundtrack to the comedy film High School High
. "So Many Ways" went on to peak at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart in 1996 and number 32 on the UK Singles Chart
in January 1997.
The album's second single, Only Love was released on January 25, 1997 and peaked at number 52 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart. A music video for this song was also released.
A Masters At Work
remix version of The Braxtons cover of The Boss
reached number 1 on Billboard Dance/Club Play Chart in early 1997. Slow Flow was the final single released from So Many Ways
. It peaked at No. 26 on the UK Charts in July 1997, becoming their highest charting single in the UK.
The Braxtons also served as the opening act for Toni Braxton
on the European Leg of her Secrets Tour
in 1997.
left to pursue a solo career with DreamWorks Records
in 1999. However, the members continued to sing and act in various other projects.
Trina appeared in the 2004 Tyler Perry
play Meet the Browns as Tracy Stevens. She was also part of the play "Rise" written by Salt
from Salt-n-Pepa
and Christopher "Play" Martin from the rap group Kid 'n Play
and starred in an off-broadway production of Dreamgirls
as Deena Jones. In 2004, Trina Braxton appeared in "The Walk" with Eva Pigford and Vanessa Bell. Additionally, she co-starred in two independent films including "Jail Party" and was host for the unbroadcasted Urban Idol for UPN. She also made a cameo in Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself as a member of a band performing with singer Mary J. Blige
's character. Trina and Tamar performed as background singers and dancers for the entire duration of Toni's Libra Tour
in 2006. They also performed in Toni Braxton: Revealed at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino
until R&B singer Sparkle
and fellow former Braxtons member Towanda Braxton replaced them. In 2009, Trina joined the wedding band "Simply Irresistible" as a lead vocalist.
Towanda Braxton appeared in season 2 of the reality show, Starting Over
. She performed and recorded a solo song, "Here I Am", for the show and conducted a radio interview on the Wendy Williams Experience about her time on Starting Over. Towanda is also a Zeta Phi Beta
and pledged at Bowie State University
in 1995. In September 2005, People
magazine's website reported that Towanda was pregnant.
Tamar Braxton
released her debut solo album Tamar
in 2000. Tamar also made a cameo in the music video for He Wasn't Man Enough
. She also appeared for a short time as Sasha in the stage play version of Madea Goes to Jail
in 2005 alongside Tyler Perry
and Cassi Davis
. Tamar co-wrote several songs and sang background vocals for several of Toni's albums including Snowflakes, More Than a Woman
, Libra, and Pulse
.
In 2010, The Braxtons, including Traci Braxton, appeared in sister Toni Braxton
's music video for her dance single "Make My Heart." Earlier in the year, it was rumored that all five Braxtons would star in a reality show about their lives for Bravo. However, this was never confirmed by the network.
Network confirmed that it had signed Toni Braxton
and her sisters, Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar for a reality series, entitled "Braxton Family Values
", which will be marketed as one of the network's flagship shows. The show looks at the relationship between Toni
, her mom, and her sisters along with the interpersonal relationships of each family member. After only four episodes, the new reality show about singer Toni Braxton, her sisters and their mom has been renewed for a second season. There will be 13 more one-hour episodes of “Braxton Family Values” on WE tv
in 2012, up from 10 during the debut season.
As of the season finale of Braxton Family Values
, it is still unclear whether or not the EP
that The Braxtons were working on will be released. During the show's reunion, Toni Braxton stated that she thought The Braxtons should "feature on [her] record" instead of her completely rejoining the group for a full EP.
The Braxtons posed for the June 2011 VIBE magazine summer swimwear issue. They also presented the "Best Gospel Artist" award to Mary Mary
at the 2011 BET Awards
.
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
consisting of sisters Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
, Traci Braxton, Towanda Braxton, Trina Braxton, and Tamar Braxton
Tamar Braxton
Tamar Braxton-Herbert is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and reality television personality. She rose to fame in the 1990s as a founding member of the R&B group, The Braxtons. Braxton is the youngest sister of prominent R&B singer Toni Braxton.In 2011, Tamar Braxton reunited with her sisters,...
. Despite being commercially unsuccessful, the group's first single, "Good Life"
Good Life (The Braxtons song)
"Good Life" is a 1990 single by The Braxtons, featuring Toni Braxton and her four sisters: Towanda, Trina, Traci, and Tamar Braxton. "Good Life", written by the German songwriting/production team Klarmann/Weber, was Toni Braxton's first professional recording.Toni Braxton and her sisters signed...
, led to oldest sister Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
's acclaimed solo career.
All five members reunited in 2011 to star in the WE tv
WE TV
We TV is the third TV channel from Malayalam Communications Ltd, in Kerala and based at Trivandrum. The other two channels of this company are Kairali TV and People TV. WE TV is mainly aimed at the youth and was officially launched on April 14, 2007. Mr...
reality show Braxton Family Values
Braxton Family Values
Braxton Family Values is an American reality series on WEtv starring Grammy-winner Toni Braxton and her sisters. The series premiered on April 12, 2011....
alongside their mother, Evelyn Braxton. The Braxtons and Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
sing the show's theme song.
Background and early beginnings
The Braxtons' parents are Rev. Michael Braxton and amateur opera singer Evelyn Braxton. Toni is the eldest sister and was born on October 7, 1968. Traci Renee Braxton, their third child, was born in 1972. Soon after Traci's birth, Towanda Braxton was born on September 18, 1973. The Braxton's fifth child, Trina was born on December 3, 1975. The youngest member, Tamar, was born on March 17, 1977. They are originally from Severn, MarylandSevern, Maryland
Severn is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 35,076 at the 2000 census, which is a 30 percent increase over the 24,499 population of 1990...
.
The sisters began to harmonize together when a then 2-year-old Tamar demanded, "Somebody get me some toilet paper!" Each sister and brother Michael soon after went in the bathroom and began singing the "Toilet Paper Song." The Braxtons credit this incident as their first song-writing experience and the first time that they harmonized as a group. Growing up, they sang in the choir at several churches and toured the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
with their religious parents singing at various events.
1989-1991: Good Life and lineup change
Toni, Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar Braxton signed their first record deal with Arista RecordsArista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
in 1989. In 1990, they released their first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Good Life
Good Life (The Braxtons song)
"Good Life" is a 1990 single by The Braxtons, featuring Toni Braxton and her four sisters: Towanda, Trina, Traci, and Tamar Braxton. "Good Life", written by the German songwriting/production team Klarmann/Weber, was Toni Braxton's first professional recording.Toni Braxton and her sisters signed...
". It would be their only single as a fivesome. "Good Life" was not a hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
, peaking at No. 79 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart. At the time of the single's release, the members' age differences created a problem with marketing. Subsequently, The Braxtons were dropped from Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
.
In 1991, during a showcase with Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, who were in the process of forming LaFace Records
LaFace Records
LaFace Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment.-Company history:LaFace was formed in 1989 as a joint venture between the producing duo Antonio "L.A." Reid & Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Arista Records. The combined nicknames of the duo's successful...
, Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
, minus her four sisters, was chosen and signed as the label's first female solo artist. At the time, the remaining members were told that LaFace
LaFace Records
LaFace Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment.-Company history:LaFace was formed in 1989 as a joint venture between the producing duo Antonio "L.A." Reid & Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Arista Records. The combined nicknames of the duo's successful...
was not looking for another girl group since it had just signed TLC
TLC (band)
TLC is an American musical trio whose repertoire spanned R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and new jack swing. Originally consisting of singer Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, rapper-singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas it found success in the 1990s while also enduring a series of spats...
.
1992-95: The Braxton 4 and Traci's Pregnancy
After Toni's departure from the group in 1991, the remaining Braxtons members became backup singers for Toni's first U.S. tour, music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s, and promotional appearances. Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar were featured in the music video for Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
's third single, Seven Whole Days
Seven Whole Days
"Seven Whole Days" is the third single from Toni Braxton's self-titled debut album, Toni Braxton . 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...
, from her debut album
Toni Braxton (album)
Toni Braxton is the self-titled debut album by American recording artist Toni Braxton. It was released in the United States on July 13, 1993 by LaFace Records.-Overview:...
.
In 1993, LaFace Records A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
Vice President, Bryant Reid, signed The Braxtons to LaFace. However, the group never released an album or single for the record label. When Reid moved on to work for Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, he convinced executives at LaFace
LaFace Records
LaFace Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment.-Company history:LaFace was formed in 1989 as a joint venture between the producing duo Antonio "L.A." Reid & Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Arista Records. The combined nicknames of the duo's successful...
to allow him take the group to Atlantic also.
It was reported in Vibe magazine that in 1995 Traci Braxton had left the group to pursue a career as a youth counselor. However, it was not confirmed until a 2011 promotional appearance
Promo (media)
A promo, shorthand for promotion, are a form of commercial advertising used in broadcast media, either television or radio; promos are generally used to promote a program airing on a television station, radio station, television network or radio network.-Background:Promos typically run a standard...
on The Mo'Nique Show
The Mo'Nique Show
The Mo'Nique Show is an American talk show hosted by comedienne actress Mo'Nique. Aired on BET, the series began October 5, 2009. She is the first African American woman to host her own late night show. The show's second and final season premiered on Monday, October 4, 2010.On July 18, 2011, BET...
, that Traci was not allowed to sign with Atlantic
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
because of her pregnancy at the time.
1996-97: So Many Ways
In June 1996, TamarTamar Braxton
Tamar Braxton-Herbert is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and reality television personality. She rose to fame in the 1990s as a founding member of the R&B group, The Braxtons. Braxton is the youngest sister of prominent R&B singer Toni Braxton.In 2011, Tamar Braxton reunited with her sisters,...
, Trina, and Towanda returned with a new album titled "So Many Ways." So Many Ways
So Many Ways
So Many Ways is a 1996 album by The Braxtons. The Braxtons originally started out in 1989. The first signed as a fivesome to Arista Records which consisted of Toni Braxton and her 4 sisters, Tamar, Trina, Towanda and Traci. In 1990, they released their first single "Good Life". It would be their...
, which shared the same title as its lead single, was released on August 13, 1996 and peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. It became their first and only LP
LP record
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
. Atlantic Records A&R VP
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
, Bryant Reid, served as the album's executive producer. At the time of of its release, Reid told Billboard Magazine
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
, "I had a vision for them then that was about young sophistication with sex appeal." So Many Ways included production from Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
and Daryl Simmons
Daryl Simmons
Daryl Simmons is an American Grammy Award winning R&B songwriter, musician and record producer who is best known for his association with the LaFace Records production duo of Antonio ‘L.A.’ Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds....
along with Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Sean "Sep" Hall. The album also included a cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
's hit "The Boss" and Klymaxx's
Klymaxx
Klymaxx is a female Pop/R&B band from Los Angeles, California.-Biography:Klymaxx was conceived and formed by Bernadette Cooper, who also chose the name. The dream of an all girl band became a quest she pursued after leaving college...
song "I'd Still Say Yes
I'd Still Say Yes
"I'd Still Say Yes" was a hit single recorded by Klymaxx for the Constellation/MCA label. Written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, G. Scelsa, and Joyce "Fenderella" Irby, and produced by Fenderella, it was released as the third single from their fifth album, Klymaxx...
"
The Braxtons released a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
in order to promote "So Many Ways". It was directed by Cameron Casey and featured upcoming actor Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Thira Phifer is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his multi-year role as Dr. Greg Pratt on NBC's long-running medical drama ER and his co-starring role opposite Eminem in the feature film 8 Mile...
. The trio also performed a remixed version of "So Many Ways" with rapper Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
on September 9, 1996 at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. The single was also used as the opening track for the soundtrack to the comedy film High School High
High School High
High School High is a 1996 comedy film about an inner city high school in the Los Angeles, California area, starring Jon Lovitz, Tia Carrere, Mekhi Phifer, Louise Fletcher, Malinda Williams and Brian Hooks...
. "So Many Ways" went on to peak at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart in 1996 and number 32 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in January 1997.
The album's second single, Only Love was released on January 25, 1997 and peaked at number 52 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart. A music video for this song was also released.
A Masters At Work
Masters At Work
Masters at Work is the house/garage production and remix team of "Little" Louie Vega and Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez. They first worked together using the name, which had been given to them by mutual friend Todd Terry , in 1990...
remix version of The Braxtons cover of The Boss
The Boss (Diana Ross song)
"The Boss" is a 1979 soul/disco song written and produced by Ashford & Simpson and recorded by singer Diana Ross, who released it as a single on the Motown label...
reached number 1 on Billboard Dance/Club Play Chart in early 1997. Slow Flow was the final single released from So Many Ways
So Many Ways
So Many Ways is a 1996 album by The Braxtons. The Braxtons originally started out in 1989. The first signed as a fivesome to Arista Records which consisted of Toni Braxton and her 4 sisters, Tamar, Trina, Towanda and Traci. In 1990, they released their first single "Good Life". It would be their...
. It peaked at No. 26 on the UK Charts in July 1997, becoming their highest charting single in the UK.
The Braxtons also served as the opening act for Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
on the European Leg of her Secrets Tour
Secrets Tour
The Secrets Tour was a two-year music concert tour in 1996-1997 by American pop/R&B singer Toni Braxton. The tour was in support of her second multi-platinum album, Secrets which sold 7 million copies in the U.S. Braxton and jazz saxophonist Kenny G paired together co-headling the U.S. tour billed...
in 1997.
1998-2010: Disbandment
The Braxtons decided to part ways as a group after lead singer Tamar BraxtonTamar Braxton
Tamar Braxton-Herbert is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and reality television personality. She rose to fame in the 1990s as a founding member of the R&B group, The Braxtons. Braxton is the youngest sister of prominent R&B singer Toni Braxton.In 2011, Tamar Braxton reunited with her sisters,...
left to pursue a solo career with DreamWorks Records
DreamWorks Records
DreamWorks Records was an American record label. Founded in 1996 by David Geffen, Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg as a subsidiary of DreamWorks SKG, the label operated until 2005 when it was shut down...
in 1999. However, the members continued to sing and act in various other projects.
Trina appeared in the 2004 Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is an American actor, director, playwright, entrepreneur, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman...
play Meet the Browns as Tracy Stevens. She was also part of the play "Rise" written by Salt
Cheryl James
Cheryl R. James , better known as Salt, is an American rapper and actress. She is a member of the rap trio Salt-N-Pepa, which also includes Pepa and Spinderella...
from Salt-n-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York, that was formed in 1985. The group, consisting of Cheryl "Salt" Renee James, Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and Deidra "DJ Spinderella" Roper, was one of the first all-female rap crews....
and Christopher "Play" Martin from the rap group Kid 'n Play
Kid 'n Play
Kid 'n Play is an American hip-hop and comedy duo from New York City that was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The duo was composed of Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin working alongside their DJ, Mark "DJ Wiz" Eastmond...
and starred in an off-broadway production of Dreamgirls
Dreamgirls
Dreamgirls is a Broadway musical, with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen. Based upon the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others, the musical follows the story of a young female singing trio...
as Deena Jones. In 2004, Trina Braxton appeared in "The Walk" with Eva Pigford and Vanessa Bell. Additionally, she co-starred in two independent films including "Jail Party" and was host for the unbroadcasted Urban Idol for UPN. She also made a cameo in Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself as a member of a band performing with singer Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
's character. Trina and Tamar performed as background singers and dancers for the entire duration of Toni's Libra Tour
Libra Tour
The Libra Tour was a concert tour in 2006 by American Pop/R&B singer Toni Braxton. The tour was in support of her RIAA gold selling album, Libra which kicked off in Atlantic City, NJ on March 10 and continued through mid-summer. Braxton played to sold out shows across the US, performing in venues...
in 2006. They also performed in Toni Braxton: Revealed at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino
Flamingo Las Vegas
The Flamingo Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada and is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp.. The property offers a casino along with 3,626 hotel rooms...
until R&B singer Sparkle
Sparkle (singer)
Stephanie Edwards , better known as Sparkle is an American R&B singer. She began her career in 1998 as a protégé of R. Kelly.-Career:...
and fellow former Braxtons member Towanda Braxton replaced them. In 2009, Trina joined the wedding band "Simply Irresistible" as a lead vocalist.
Towanda Braxton appeared in season 2 of the reality show, Starting Over
Starting Over (TV series)
Starting Over is an American reality TV show that follows the lives of women who are experiencing difficulty in their lives and want to make changes, with the help of life coaches. It was the first reality TV show to be nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award. Six women at a time work to overcome...
. She performed and recorded a solo song, "Here I Am", for the show and conducted a radio interview on the Wendy Williams Experience about her time on Starting Over. Towanda is also a Zeta Phi Beta
Zeta Phi Beta
Zeta Phi Beta is an international, historically black Greek-lettered sorority and a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.Zeta Phi Beta is organized into 800+ chapters, in eight intercontinental regions including the USA, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean...
and pledged at Bowie State University
Bowie State University
Bowie State University , is a public university located on 355½ acres in unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, north of the suburban city of Bowie. Bowie State is part of the University System of Maryland...
in 1995. In September 2005, People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
magazine's website reported that Towanda was pregnant.
Tamar Braxton
Tamar Braxton
Tamar Braxton-Herbert is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and reality television personality. She rose to fame in the 1990s as a founding member of the R&B group, The Braxtons. Braxton is the youngest sister of prominent R&B singer Toni Braxton.In 2011, Tamar Braxton reunited with her sisters,...
released her debut solo album Tamar
Tamar (album)
Tamar is the self-titled debut by Tamar Braxton, the younger sister of R&B singer Toni Braxton.-Track:# "Your Room" - 4:14# "No Disrespect" - 3:34# "Money Can't Buy You Love" - 4:32...
in 2000. Tamar also made a cameo in the music video for He Wasn't Man Enough
He Wasn't Man Enough
"He Wasn't Man Enough" is a song from American R&B recording artist and songwriter Toni Braxton, and was released as the lead single from her third studio album, The Heat . The song was released on March 7, 200 by LaFace Records. The song was produced by Rodney 'Darkchild' Jenkins. "He Wasn't Man...
. She also appeared for a short time as Sasha in the stage play version of Madea Goes to Jail
Madea Goes to Jail
Madea Goes to Jail is a 2009 comedy-drama film adaptation written and directed by Tyler Perry, which was based on Perry's 2006 play of the same name. The play and the film deal with Perry's recurring character Madea Simmons going to jail for her uncontrollable anger management problems...
in 2005 alongside Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is an American actor, director, playwright, entrepreneur, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman...
and Cassi Davis
Cassi Davis
Cassandra "Cassi" Davis is an American actress. She is mostly known for her role as Ella Payne in Tyler Perry's House of Payne. Davis has done extensive work with director and writer Tyler Perry, and has played many roles in his various productions...
. Tamar co-wrote several songs and sang background vocals for several of Toni's albums including Snowflakes, More Than a Woman
More Than a Woman (album)
More Than a Woman is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Toni Braxton. It was released in the United States on November 19, 2002 by Arista Records. Most of the songs were written by Braxton, her husband Keri Lewis, and her sister Tamar Braxton...
, Libra, and Pulse
Pulse (Toni Braxton album)
Pulse is the sixth studio album by American R&B singer–songwriter Toni Braxton, released May 4, 2010, on Atlantic Records. It is her first album in five years and serves as her debut for the Atlantic label after signing a new record deal...
.
In 2010, The Braxtons, including Traci Braxton, appeared in sister Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
's music video for her dance single "Make My Heart." Earlier in the year, it was rumored that all five Braxtons would star in a reality show about their lives for Bravo. However, this was never confirmed by the network.
2011— : Braxton Family Values
In January, 2011, WE tvWE TV
We TV is the third TV channel from Malayalam Communications Ltd, in Kerala and based at Trivandrum. The other two channels of this company are Kairali TV and People TV. WE TV is mainly aimed at the youth and was officially launched on April 14, 2007. Mr...
Network confirmed that it had signed Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
and her sisters, Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar for a reality series, entitled "Braxton Family Values
Braxton Family Values
Braxton Family Values is an American reality series on WEtv starring Grammy-winner Toni Braxton and her sisters. The series premiered on April 12, 2011....
", which will be marketed as one of the network's flagship shows. The show looks at the relationship between Toni
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
, her mom, and her sisters along with the interpersonal relationships of each family member. After only four episodes, the new reality show about singer Toni Braxton, her sisters and their mom has been renewed for a second season. There will be 13 more one-hour episodes of “Braxton Family Values” on WE tv
WE TV
We TV is the third TV channel from Malayalam Communications Ltd, in Kerala and based at Trivandrum. The other two channels of this company are Kairali TV and People TV. WE TV is mainly aimed at the youth and was officially launched on April 14, 2007. Mr...
in 2012, up from 10 during the debut season.
As of the season finale of Braxton Family Values
Braxton Family Values
Braxton Family Values is an American reality series on WEtv starring Grammy-winner Toni Braxton and her sisters. The series premiered on April 12, 2011....
, it is still unclear whether or not the EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
that The Braxtons were working on will be released. During the show's reunion, Toni Braxton stated that she thought The Braxtons should "feature on [her] record" instead of her completely rejoining the group for a full EP.
The Braxtons posed for the June 2011 VIBE magazine summer swimwear issue. They also presented the "Best Gospel Artist" award to Mary Mary
Mary Mary
Mary Mary is an American gospel music duo, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell and Tina Atkins-Campbell . The duo are often credited along with Kirk Franklin for broadening the fan base of urban contemporary gospel in the 2000s by introducing elements of soul music, hip hop, funk and jazz...
at the 2011 BET Awards
BET Awards of 2011
The 2011 BET Awards took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on June 26, 2011. The awards recognized African-Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. Actor Kevin Hart hosted the event for the first time. ...
.
Albums
- So Many WaysSo Many WaysSo Many Ways is a 1996 album by The Braxtons. The Braxtons originally started out in 1989. The first signed as a fivesome to Arista Records which consisted of Toni Braxton and her 4 sisters, Tamar, Trina, Towanda and Traci. In 1990, they released their first single "Good Life". It would be their...
(1996) #113 U.S.Billboard 200The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, #26 U.S. R&BHot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
Singles
- "Good LifeGood Life (The Braxtons song)"Good Life" is a 1990 single by The Braxtons, featuring Toni Braxton and her four sisters: Towanda, Trina, Traci, and Tamar Braxton. "Good Life", written by the German songwriting/production team Klarmann/Weber, was Toni Braxton's first professional recording.Toni Braxton and her sisters signed...
" (1990) - #79 U.S. R&B - "Family" (1990) - #79 U.S. R&B
- "So Many Ways" (1997) - #32 UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
- "Only Love" (1997)
- "The BossThe Boss (Diana Ross song)"The Boss" is a 1979 soul/disco song written and produced by Ashford & Simpson and recorded by singer Diana Ross, who released it as a single on the Motown label...
" (1997) - #1 U.S. DanceHot Dance Club PlayThe Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
, #31 UK - "Slow Flow" (1997) - #26 UK
See also
- List of Number 1 Dance Hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
External links
- Trina Braxton official web site
- Trina Braxton's official Twitter
- Tamar Braxton's official Twitter
- Traci Braxton's official Twitter
- Towanda Braxton's official Twitter
- The Braxton's official Twitter
- The Braxtons at Last.fm