Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Brandy Norwood
How Brandy Norwood built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Brandy Norwood is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and model who rose to fame in the 1990s. After signing with Atlantic Records in 1993, she released her debut album, which achieved significant commercial success. She gained further recognition through her starring role in the sitcom Moesha and her appearance in the television film Cinderella. Her duet with Monica, "The Boy Is Mine," earned her a Grammy Award and became a best-selling female duet.
1990: Signing with Teaspoon Productions
In 1990, at a young age, Brandy Norwood signed with Teaspoon Productions, managed by Chris Stokes and Earl Harris. This led to her work as a backing vocalist for the R&B boy band Immature.
1993: Signing with Atlantic Records
In 1993, Brandy Norwood signed with Atlantic Records after working as a backing vocalist for teen groups. This marked a significant step in her career as a solo artist.
1993: Recording Contract with Atlantic Recording Corporation
In 1993, Brandy Norwood's parents organized a recording contract with the Atlantic Recording Corporation after she auditioned for Darryl Williams. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of her professional solo career.
September 1994: Release of Debut Album Brandy
In September 1994, Brandy Norwood's self-titled debut album was released, marking the start of her solo music career.
1994: Release of I Wanna Be Down
In 1994, Brandy Norwood released her hit single I Wanna Be Down.
1995: Touring with Boyz II Men and soundtrack contributions
In 1995, Brandy Norwood finished a two-month stint as the opening act on Boyz II Men's national tour, and contributed songs to the soundtracks of the films Batman Forever and Waiting to Exhale.
January 1996: Debut of Moesha on UPN
In January 1996, the sitcom 'Moesha', starring Brandy Norwood, debuted on UPN. The show quickly became one of the network's most-watched programs.
1996: Backing out of a role in Set It Off
In 1996, Brandy Norwood backed out of a role in F. Gary Gray's film Set It Off.
1996: Collaboration on 'Missing You'
In 1996, Brandy Norwood collaborated with Tamia, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight on the single 'Missing You' from the soundtrack of the film Set It Off.
1997: Role in Cinderella
In 1997, Brandy Norwood gained further recognition for her role in the television film Cinderella. Starring in Cinderella expanded her visibility and appeal.
1997: Starring in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella
In 1997, Brandy Norwood played the title character in Rodgers and Hammerstein's television version of Cinderella, which was produced by Whitney Houston. This garnered high ratings and won an Emmy Award.
1997: The Norwood Kids Foundation launch
In 1997, Brandy Norwood, Ray J, and their parents started The Norwood Kids Foundation. The Foundation helps disadvantaged, at-risk youths in Los Angeles and Mississippi through the arts and self-help programs.
June 1998: Release of Never Say Never
In June 1998, Brandy Norwood released her second album, 'Never Say Never', which became her biggest-selling album, selling over 16 million copies worldwide.
1998: Role in 'I Still Know What You Did Last Summer'
In 1998, Brandy Norwood made her big screen debut in the film 'I Still Know What You Did Last Summer', receiving positive reviews for her performance.
1998: Release of The Roof (Back in Time)
In 1998, Mariah Carey originally released The Roof (Back in Time). In April 2022, Mariah Carey revealed a re-recorded and re-imagined version of her 1998 single "The Roof (Back in Time)" featuring new vocals from Brandy Norwood, for the former's course on MasterClass.
1999: Co-starring in Double Platinum
In 1999, Brandy Norwood co-starred with Diana Ross in the telefilm drama 'Double Platinum'. She also served as an executive producer for the movie.
1999: Never Say Never World Tour
In 1999, Brandy Norwood went on the 'Never Say Never World Tour' to promote her album, performing in Europe, Asia, and the United States.
2001: Recording of "Another Day in Paradise" cover
In 2001, Brandy Norwood and her brother Ray J recorded a cover version of Phil Collins' 1990 hit "Another Day in Paradise" for the tribute album Urban Renewal: A Tribute to Phil Collins.
2002: Release of 'Full Moon'
In 2002, Brandy Norwood achieved continued success with the release of her third album, 'Full Moon'.
2002: Chart Success of Full Moon
In 2002, Brandy Norwood achieved significant chart success with her album Full Moon.
June 2004: Release of Afrodisiac
In June 2004, Brandy Norwood released her fourth album 'Afrodisiac'.
2004: Released from Atlantic Records
At the end of 2004, Brandy Norwood received an unconditional release from Atlantic Records, marking the end of an eleven-year partnership.
2004: Release of 'Afrodisiac'
In 2004, Brandy Norwood released her fourth album, 'Afrodisiac'.
March 2005: Release of 'The Best of Brandy'
In March 2005, Brandy Norwood's compilation album, 'The Best of Brandy', was released without a promotional single.
February 2006: Recurring Role on One on One
In February 2006, Brandy Norwood began a recurring role on the UPN sitcom One on One, portraying the sister of Ray J's character, D-Mack.
August 17, 2006: America's Got Talent Season 1 Finale
On August 17, 2006, the first season of America's Got Talent, on which Norwood served as a judge, concluded with 11-year-old singer Bianca Ryan winning the competition.
2008: Release of 'Human'
In 2008, Brandy Norwood released her fifth album, 'Human', which had modest commercial success.
December 2009: Introduction of Bran'Nu and Casting in This Little Piggy
In December 2009, Brandy Norwood officially introduced her rapping alter-ego Bran'Nu on Timbaland's album Timbaland Presents Shock Value 2, and was cast in the pilot episode for the ABC series This Little Piggy.
April 2010: Debut of Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business
In April 2010, Brandy Norwood and Ray J debuted in the VH1 reality series Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business, which chronicled their backstage lives and roles in their family's company.
2010: Dancing with the Stars contestant
In 2010, Brandy Norwood participated in season 11 of Dancing with the Stars and placed fourth.
June 2011: Release of A Family Business Album
In June 2011, the compilation album A Family Business, featuring unreleased content, was released, though it failed to chart.
August 2011: Record Deal with RCA Records and Chameleon Records
In August 2011, Brandy Norwood signed a joint record deal with RCA Records and producer Breyon Prescott's Chameleon Records.
2011: Recurring role on The Game
In 2011, Brandy Norwood joined the cast of the BET comedy series The Game as Chardonnay, a bartender.
February 2012: Release of It All Belongs to Me and Comeback Single
In February 2012, Brandy Norwood reteamed with Monica on "It All Belongs to Me", and released her comeback single "Put It Down" featuring Chris Brown later that year. The song reached number three on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
2012: Role in 'The Game' and album release
In 2012, Brandy Norwood became a series regular in the BET series 'The Game' and released her sixth album, 'Two Eleven'.
March 2013: Film Role in Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor
In March 2013, Brandy Norwood appeared in Tyler Perry's drama Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor as a supporting character named Melinda.
June 2013: Signing with Creative Artists Agency
In June 2013, Brandy Norwood signed with Creative Artists Agency, located in Los Angeles.
April 2015: Broadway Debut in Chicago
In April 2015, Brandy Norwood made her Broadway debut in the musical Chicago, playing the lead role of Roxie Hart.
August 2015: Extension of Broadway Engagement in Chicago
In August 2015, Brandy Norwood's engagement in the Broadway musical Chicago was extended.
2015: Broadway Debut in Chicago
In 2015, Brandy Norwood made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in the musical 'Chicago'. This marked a significant achievement in her career.
January 2016: Starring in Zoe Ever After and Releasing Beggin & Pleadin
In January 2016, Brandy Norwood co-executive produced and starred in the BET sitcom Zoe Ever After, and released the single "Beggin & Pleadin" through her label Slayana Records.
July 2018: Series Regular on Star
In July 2018, Brandy Norwood became a series regular on the Fox musical drama television series Star, playing the role of Cassie.
August 2019: Recording a Song with Justin Timberlake, Ray J, and Pharrell Williams
In August 2019, Brandy Norwood revealed that she had been in the recording studio working on a song with Justin Timberlake, Ray J, and Pharrell Williams, though the song was never released.
September 2019: Release of Freedom Rings
In September 2019, Brandy Norwood released the buzz single "Freedom Rings" to coincide with the 25th anniversary of her debut album.
July 2020: Release of B7 Album
In July 2020, Brandy Norwood's seventh studio album B7 was released, marking her first album in eight years and her first project as an independent artist. B7 debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200.
August 2020: Verzuz Battle with Monica
In August 2020, Brandy Norwood and Monica participated in a Verzuz battle, which was watched by a record-breaking 1.2 million viewers on Instagram Live.
2020: Release of 'B7'
In 2020, Brandy Norwood released her seventh studio album, 'B7'.
March 2021: The Voice Mentor
In March 2021, John Legend chose Brandy Norwood as a mentor on the twentieth season of the singing competition series The Voice.
August 2021: Release of Disney Princess Remixed Single
In August 2021, Brandy Norwood collaborated with Disney on the single "Starting Now", the theme song for the music special Disney Princess Remixed — An Ultimate Princess Celebration.
October 8, 2021: Re-release of “Open”
On October 8, 2021, the Mike City track "Open", to which Norwood contributed, was rereleased on digital download and streaming sites.
October 2021: Debut of Queens TV Show
In October 2021, Brandy Norwood joined the cast of ABC's music drama series Queens, playing one-fourth of a veteran hip-hop group.
March 2022: Release of Nothing Without You
In March 2022, Brandy Norwood released "Nothing Without You", a duet alongside daughter Sy'Rai, recorded for the soundtrack to the comedy film Cheaper by the Dozen (2022).
2023: Release of 'Christmas With Brandy'
In 2023, Brandy Norwood released the holiday album 'Christmas With Brandy'.
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