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Life & Style Weekly reports in the magazine’s latest issue that Katy Perry is feeling the blues following her divorce from Russell Brand. Events Editor Juliet Izon talked about Perry’s sorrows as well as who Ray J is dishing about in his new book and, to my dismay, what “Glee” on-camera couple is also together off the set.
Apparently one and a half years and a record that only sold 100,000 copies can change the way you feel about someone. Just ask singer Brandy Norwood, who revealed on television Sunday evening that her and long-time producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins aren’t on great terms.
During the latest installment of “Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business” on VH1 – Brandy’s little brother announces that he plans on working with Jerkins for his forthcoming LP. That does not sit well with big sis.
“You are talented, you can sing your ass off,” lectured Brandy to her younger sibling. “And to me, Rodney Jerkins better give you his best work because he did not give me his best work on Human.”
Human was the last album Brandy released. It only sold about 100,000 units – compared to her first project with Jerkins, the 1998 Never Say Never, certified five times Platinum.
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Check out this clip from Sunday’s episode of “Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business” on VH1:
Now listen to this clip of Brandy speaking about “Darkchild” in an October 2008 interview on “The Ralphie Radio Show”:
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“He better bring it on this album,” continued the songstress to Ray J – in a board room of the family’s new office space. “Or you tell him to kick rocks with an open toe shoe.”
Ouch, what a far cry from October 2008. A few months before Human dropped, Brandy called in to “The Ralphie Radio Show” and I asked her about the reunion with Jerkins.
“Rodney is a great guy. When we get together, he always finds a way to bring out the best in me,” she said during our conversation. “He’s hungry, you know? And I think he really wants to make an impact and inspire people with his music and, I think you always win when you want to do it from that place.”
I took it a step further – asking if her latest voyage in to the studio with Jerkins felt like her first – when such hits as “The Boy Is Mine” and “What About Us?” were hatched.
“It did feel the same way this time,” she replied. “You know working with him this go around felt like the old Brandy and Rodney. And that’s such a great feeling, I didn’t remember what that felt like. So, to have that feeling again and to be right at home with him and the rest of the ‘Darkchild’ camp was just truly refreshing and a blessing.”
Brandy and Jerkins later appeared on camera together and attempted to talk things through – with the singer even placing some of the blame off the producer and on to Epic Records. Still, what gives? Did Brandy embellish the beef to make good TV, or was she flat out lying 18 months ago on “The RRS”?
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.
Check back every weeknight to listen to Ralphie’s “Daily Download” – the one song you should have on your iTunes playlist!
10.06.08 : Brandy – Right Here (Departed)
Brandy on working with Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and the song’s relation to her personal life, including the 2006 car crash that she was involved in.
Brandy talks about Kim Kardashian and Dancing With The Stars
Brandy’s new CD, Human, drops Nov. 11.
