After a tumultuous two years filled with trials and tribulations, R&B singer Brandy Norwood can settle.

Better known by her first name only, the songstress called in to The Ralphie Radio Show last week, touching on a plethora of topics – from her new song and its relation to the aforementioned tribulations to Kim Kardashian and Dancing With The Stars.

Brandy’s first single from her forthcoming LP Human is titled “Right Here (Departed).” Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins penned the track. His current credits include PCD’s “When I Grow Up” and Natasha Bedingfield’s “Angel.”

“Workin’ with him this go-round, felt like the old Brandy and Rodney,” the 29-year old said. “Darkchild’s” past projects include the Grammy-award winning “The Boy Is Mine” and “What About Us.”

But the track signals more than a reunion between artist and writer, or a comeback of sorts for Brandy. The singer revealed that her 2006 car crash and publicized issues thereafter were the song’s inspiration.“One of the reasons why I recorded the song is because I relate to it so much,” she said. “So many amazing people have come in to my life that I could learn from… and I’ll always be there for them.”

Back in December ’06 – Brandy was involved in a four-car accident that claimed the life of one person. Eye-witnesses blamed the singer for triggering the crash – however no drugs or alcohol were involved. Subsequently, no charges were filed.

This coincided with the release of a sex tape featuring her little brother and fellow singer Ray-J with Kardashian, followed by allegations that the Kardashians stole money from Brandy’s family.

“I don’t want to talk about Kim,” Brandy said, clearly annoyed. I simply inquired if she saw the realty TV star on Dancing With The Stars. Brandy did not, nor would she ever compete on the show.

But, in an age where everyone is trying to be something or someone they are not, just to gain money and/or notoriety, Brandy’s frankness regarding her lack-of-dancing skills was quite refreshing.

CASEY ADKNOWLEDGES YOUTH VOTE’S IMPACT

More refreshing was an elected official willing to speak with a reporter who works for local media outlets catering to younger voters. I’ve covered a handful of presidential election events, and for the most part – both politicians and press secretaries alike have been less than accommodating.

Senator Bob Casey does not fall into that category. The Keystone State’s junior senator expressed his satisfaction with the youth vote last Sunday – after a rally in Scranton that featured Senator Joe Biden along with former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton.

“To say that we’re going to have a record turnout among younger voters in this general election is an understatement,” Sen. Casey explained. “I’ve never seen anything like it in American history.”

Casey is encouraged by both the amount of young voters and their motives.

“It’s affirmative, not negative,” Casey continued. “(The youth) are saying, ‘I’m voting for Barack Obama because I believe in him, not because I’m voting against John McCain.”
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Ralphie Aversa can be heard weeknights from 7p-12a on 97 BHT.