Brandy (album)
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Brandy is the name of singer Brandy's 1994 debut album. It was released on Atlantic Records and sold over three million copies in America, making it triple platinum. It was also nominated for and won several awards in 1995 and 1996. It became successful on the strength of Brandy's MTV and teen appeal, her notable appearances in television series such as Moesha, and its four powerhouse singles, "Baby", "I Wanna Be Down", "Brokenhearted" (with Wayna Morris), and "Best Friend".
- "I Wanna Be Down" was remixed and rereleased as a single in 1995, featuring a more edgy, hip-hop sound and including raps from female rap pioneers, Queen Latifah, Yo-Yo, and MC Lyte.
- The album spawned five music videos: "Baby", "Best Friend", "Brokenhearted", "I Wanna Be Down", and the remix of "I Wanna Be Down".
- Latifah, MC Lyte, and Yo-Yo all appeared in the "I Wanna Be Down" remix video.
- Brandy's brother, singer Ray J, appeared in the "Best Friend" video.
- U.K. techno group, Groove Armada attempted to sample "Best Friend" for their 2002 single, "My Friend"; the sampling and royalty fees to Brandy and Atlantic Records would have been too expensive, so Groove Armada instead enlisted the help of an unknown vocalist to re-sing the chorus of Brandy's "Best Friend", which was ultimately used in the "My Friend" single and was less cosly too Groove Armada than a direct lifting of Brandy's voice would have been.
- "Baby", "I Wanna Be Down", and the "I Wanna Be Down" remix still receive occasional airplay to date on MTV Jams and VH1 Soul in America; they also got minor airplay from MTV2 before it stopped playing older videos.