Brandi Williams
Encyclopedia
Brandi Danielle Williams (born October 5, 1982) is an American actress, singer and songwriter. She is most notable for singing in the R&B trio Blaque
.
, Claudette Robinson, and Bobby Rogers
of The Miracles
, Cherrelle
, Marvette Britto (New York Publicist) and Pebbles (1980’s hit-making recording artist and founder of another girl group TLC
). Brandi began singing at the age of 3 in Detroit
. By 10, Brandi relocated to Atlanta, Georgia
and attended Ridgeview Middle School. She soon immersed herself in music.
. The member who had come up with the idea of forming a group was Natina, who was a good friend of Ronald Lopes, brother of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of the trio TLC
. Lisa had noticed Natina's musical talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Lisa also promised to help Natina in forming a girl group. Blaque Ivory's first appearance was a cameo in Lil' Kim
's "Ladies Night" video. In 1997, along with Lisa, the group went to New York
where they met Chairman & CEO Tommy Mottola
and scored a record deal with Columbia Records
. Soon after signing they started working on their debut album.
On March 27, 1999, when Brandi was 16 years old, Blaque Ivory released their first single "808" written by Reed & R. Kelly
. It peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100
& was certified platinum. Their self-titled debut album was released on June 1, 1999 and it debuted #53 on the Billboard 200
. The album sold up to one million copies achieving platinum and led to tours, awards & nominations and interviews. Blaque Ivory's third single "Bring It All To Me
" succeeded even better than the first one, staying in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 for many weeks.
, they were let go of their contract from Columbia Records
. Their album, however, leaked onto the Internet for many weeks, having an official release in Japan only. The video for their single "Can't Get It Back
" due to unknown circumstances although the single peaked at #91 on Billboard's R&B/hip-hop chart. Their mentor, Lisa Lopes, died on April 25, 2002 in a car crash in Honduras. In June 2003, British trio Mis-Teeq
re-recorded "Can't Get It Back". Mis-Teeq and Telstar agreed not to the use the album version, instead releasing the alternate "Ignorants Radio Edit" as an official single version. She is related to Kiely Williams.
Blaque's new groove in 2003 resulted in another flop. Their third LP Torch was made with the help of Missy Elliott
, Rodney Jerkins
, Linda Perry
, Warryn Campbell
, Wylee and Jazz
. Two singles from the album, "Ugly" & "Hopeless", failed to be released on the radio & the album Torch was pushed back. However, the single "I'm Good" of the Honey Soundtrack achieved some success. It made both the Billboard's R&B/hip-hop chart & Rhythmic Top 40. It also made the international charts except the UK.
In early 2004, Reed left the group in order to go to the ministries. She was replaced by Erica Pullins. They had earmarked an overseas tour and failed to release an album they recorded with Pullins causing them to disband. In 2007, all three members of Blaque regrouped and began performing at various outlets in Germany. Not too much after, a new album was announced. Blaque will also have a reality show titled 'Blaque In The House' for which the trailer was released to YouTube.
's single Grillz
(November 2005), which also featured Paul Wall
, Ali
& Gipp.
Williams' solo debut was set to launch in 2007, but since has been put on hold due to the reuniting of Blaque.
Blaque
Blaque is an American Urban-R&B group that had a string of hits in the late 90’s. The group's name stands for Believing, Life, Achieving, Quest, Unity, Everything. Their debut album sold more than 1.5 million copies and was certified Platinum...
.
Early life
Her family includes members of the musical community, such as Smokey RobinsonSmokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, Claudette Robinson, and Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
of The Miracles
The Miracles
The Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
, Cherrelle
Cherrelle
Cheryl Anne Norton, better known by her stage name, Cherrelle , is an American R&B singer who gained fame in the 1980s...
, Marvette Britto (New York Publicist) and Pebbles (1980’s hit-making recording artist and founder of another girl group 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...
). Brandi began singing at the age of 3 in Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
. By 10, Brandi relocated to Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and attended Ridgeview Middle School. She soon immersed herself in music.
Blaque
In 1994, after meeting up with Shamari at a talent show, Brandi joined the female music group Blaque Ivory. The group consisted of 3 members, Shamari Fears, Brandi Williams and Natina ReedNatina Reed
Natina Tiawanna Reed is an American actress, rapper, singer, teen idol and songwriter in the R&B trio Blaque. On most of Blaque's songs, Reed is featured as a rapper, except on "Mind of a King" where she sings the song entirely on her own...
. The member who had come up with the idea of forming a group was Natina, who was a good friend of Ronald Lopes, brother of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of the trio 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...
. Lisa had noticed Natina's musical talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Lisa also promised to help Natina in forming a girl group. Blaque Ivory's first appearance was a cameo in Lil' Kim
Lil' Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
's "Ladies Night" video. In 1997, along with Lisa, the group went to New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
where they met Chairman & CEO Tommy Mottola
Tommy Mottola
Thomas Daniel "Tommy" Mottola is an American music executive, co-owner of Casablanca Records in a joint venture with the Universal Music Group. He is the ex-husband of Mariah Carey and is married to Mexican singer Thalía...
and scored a record deal with Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. Soon after signing they started working on their debut album.
On March 27, 1999, when Brandi was 16 years old, Blaque Ivory released their first single "808" written by Reed & R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
. It peaked at #8 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...
& was certified platinum. Their self-titled debut album was released on June 1, 1999 and it debuted #53 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The 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...
. The album sold up to one million copies achieving platinum and led to tours, awards & nominations and interviews. Blaque Ivory's third single "Bring It All To Me
Bring It All To Me
"Bring It All to Me" is an R&B song with Pop influences. released in 1999 by American R&B Vocal trio, Blaque featuring JC Chasez. "Bring It All to Me" was released as the second single from Blaque's self-titled debut album Blaque...
" succeeded even better than the first one, staying in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 for many weeks.
Trouble with Blaque
By 19, trouble lurked in mid-2001. Right when the group was about to release their second album Blaque OutBlaque Out
Blaque Out! is the second studio album by American trio Blaque. The album was scrapped a few weeks before its announced release date in the U.S. and Europe, resulting in an official release in Japanese markets only. It was released to mixed reviews....
, they were let go of their contract from Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. Their album, however, leaked onto the Internet for many weeks, having an official release in Japan only. The video for their single "Can't Get It Back
Can't Get It Back
"Can't Get It Back" was the second single from Mis-Teeq's second album, Eye Candy.-Song information:Originally, the single was scheduled to be released by American R&B trio Blaque as the first single from their second album called "Blaque Out". Blaque recorded a video for the song. However, the...
" due to unknown circumstances although the single peaked at #91 on Billboard's R&B/hip-hop chart. Their mentor, Lisa Lopes, died on April 25, 2002 in a car crash in Honduras. In June 2003, British trio Mis-Teeq
Mis-Teeq
Mis-Teeq are a British R&B girl group, comprising singers Alesha Dixon, Su-Elise Nash and Sabrina Washington. Originally a quartet which included Zena McNally, the group was formed in 1999 and released three major studio albums and seven consecutive UK top ten singles, including international hits...
re-recorded "Can't Get It Back". Mis-Teeq and Telstar agreed not to the use the album version, instead releasing the alternate "Ignorants Radio Edit" as an official single version. She is related to Kiely Williams.
Blaque's new groove in 2003 resulted in another flop. Their third LP Torch was made with the help of Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
, Rodney Jerkins
Rodney Jerkins
Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. Jerkins received two Grammy nominations in 2011.-Biography:...
, Linda Perry
Linda Perry
Linda Perry is an American rock musician, songwriter, and record producer. Once best known as the lead singer and primary songwriter of 4 Non Blondes, Perry has founded two record labels and has become a major songwriter and producer...
, Warryn Campbell
Warryn Campbell
Warryn Campbell is an American record producer. He specializes in gospel music and R&B.-Career:His work includes production and songwriting credits for Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Xzibit, Yolanda Adams, Dayna Caddell, Mos Def, Missy Elliott, Kierra Sheard, Brandy, Dave Hollister, Men of Standard,...
, Wylee and Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
. Two singles from the album, "Ugly" & "Hopeless", failed to be released on the radio & the album Torch was pushed back. However, the single "I'm Good" of the Honey Soundtrack achieved some success. It made both the Billboard's R&B/hip-hop chart & Rhythmic Top 40. It also made the international charts except the UK.
In early 2004, Reed left the group in order to go to the ministries. She was replaced by Erica Pullins. They had earmarked an overseas tour and failed to release an album they recorded with Pullins causing them to disband. In 2007, all three members of Blaque regrouped and began performing at various outlets in Germany. Not too much after, a new album was announced. Blaque will also have a reality show titled 'Blaque In The House' for which the trailer was released to YouTube.
Solo career
Brandi founded a production company known as Tune Town Productions, while also making solo recordings in preparation for her debut album. She had an uncredited vocal role on the rapper NellyNelly
Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is an Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly began his solo career in 2000 with his debut album...
's single Grillz
Grillz
"Grillz" is a song by American rapper Nelly from his compilation album Sweatsuit. The song features Paul Wall and Ali & Gipp. Brandi Williams also does back-up vocals on the song, but is not officially credited as a featured artist . The song was produced by Jermaine Dupri. The song is about...
(November 2005), which also featured Paul Wall
Paul Wall
Paul Michael Slayton , better known by his stage name Paul Wall, is an American rapper. He is currently affiliated with Swishahouse Records, having released several albums under the label as well as...
, Ali
Ali (rapper)
Ali Jones , better known by his stage name Ali is an American rapper and member of the hip hop group St. Lunatics.-Career:...
& Gipp.
Williams' solo debut was set to launch in 2007, but since has been put on hold due to the reuniting of Blaque.
Albums
| Year | Album | U.S. Billboard 200 The 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... |
U.S. R&B | UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | TBR | TBR | TBR | TBR | TBR |
Album appearances
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Grillz Grillz "Grillz" is a song by American rapper Nelly from his compilation album Sweatsuit. The song features Paul Wall and Ali & Gipp. Brandi Williams also does back-up vocals on the song, but is not officially credited as a featured artist . The song was produced by Jermaine Dupri. The song is about... " Nelly Nelly Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is an Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly began his solo career in 2000 with his debut album... featuring Paul Wall Paul Wall Paul Michael Slayton , better known by his stage name Paul Wall, is an American rapper. He is currently affiliated with Swishahouse Records, having released several albums under the label as well as... , Ali Ali (rapper) Ali Jones , better known by his stage name Ali is an American rapper and member of the hip hop group St. Lunatics.-Career:... & Gipp and Brandi Williams |
Sweatsuit Sweatsuit (album) Sweatsuit is a compilation album by American rapper Nelly, released on November 22, 2005. The album consisting of tracks from the 2004 albums Sweat and Suit... |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
| 2007 2003 in film The year 2003 in film involved some significant events. Releases of sequels took place with movies like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, Pokémon Heroes, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,... |
Pretty Cool Too | Genie |
| 2003 2003 in film The year 2003 in film involved some significant events. Releases of sequels took place with movies like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, Pokémon Heroes, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,... |
Honey | Herself |
| 2001 2001 in film The year 2001 in film involved some significant events, including the first of the Harry Potter series and also the first of The Lord of the Rings trilogy... |
On the Line On the Line (film) On the Line is a 2001 American romantic comedy film starring Lance Bass and Emmanuelle Chriqui. The film was directed by Eric Bross and was written by Eric Aronson and Paul Stanton, based upon their short film of the same name.-Plot:... |
Brandy S. |
| 2000 2000 in film The year 2000 in film involved some significant events.The top grosser worldwide was Mission: Impossible II. Domestically in North America, Gladiator won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor .... |
Bring It On Bring It On (film) Bring It On is a 2000 teen comedy film about two competing high school cheerleading squads, starring Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford, and Gabrielle Union... |
Lafred |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2000 2000 in film The year 2000 in film involved some significant events.The top grosser worldwide was Mission: Impossible II. Domestically in North America, Gladiator won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor .... |
V.I.P. V.I.P. (TV series) V.I.P. is an American action/comedy-drama series starring Pamela Anderson. Created by J. F... |
Herself | (only in 1 episode) |
Cameo appearances
| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | "Ladies Night" | Lil' Kim Lil' Kim Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A..... |
| 2001 | "Welcome to Atlanta Welcome to Atlanta "Welcome to Atlanta" is the second single from Jermaine Dupri's album Instructions and also appeared as a hidden track on Ludacris' album, Word of Mouf as the last track on the album... " |
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 :... & Ludacris Ludacris Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings... |