Toni Braxton

Hi, . I Toni Braxton, . - It usually refers to the journalists first lady "LaFace Records", . charming singer with a beautiful velvety voice, . dark-skinned soul-diva, . one of the representatives of the so-called musical 'old guard', . performer of incendiary dance tunes and a wonderful actress, . Still more memorable to the public on a lyrical love ballads, . Tony who brought international fame and made her Queen Solo,
. How just five years, she managed to overcome the gap between the undistinguished girl from a large family, . stuffed with parents through the efforts of religious prejudices, . and superstar worldwide, . successfully competing with the monsters musical soul scene - the answer to this question gives the biography of the singer, . in which there are no secrets, . no white spots,
.

Tony was born Oct. 7, 1967, in a small Maryland town of Severn, the son of a priest. Despite the black color of the skin, inherited from her father, Tony flows in the veins of Spanish and Russian blood (through the mother). The eldest of six children, . all childhood promechtavshaya of ordinary jeans, . but through the efforts of conservative parents forced to walk among the colorful parrot with black classmates, . who hated long dresses, . prim hats and Sunday service in church, . Tony - a modest, . invisible schoolgirl, . which no one wanted to be friends - vowed to "show them all, . what it is capable ",
. The only available to her razvlechenieya - is singing in the church choir and plays almost caught 'illegal' way to your favorite records by Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones at the minimum volume, . the night. " I am terribly angry, . when I am forbidden to listen to music and watch TV, . - Smiling, . Tony says,
. - And those hideous, shapeless skirts!: Frankly, as much as Chuck Kahn buy in a store across the street, I wanted to fasten trousers, draw, according to the eye and appear as such in the church to have all your hair stand on end! "

. After school and getting out of parental care, Toni and her four sisters formed their own band - 'The Braxton's', produced only one single - 'The good life'
. But the arrangement was not successful with the public, because of what the family quintet broke. The subsequent study by Tony at Bowie State University with a noble purpose to devote himself to educational work and did not have a happy end. Understanding the owners of the label "LaFace", renowned producers El Hey Reid and Kenny "Beybifeysom" Edmonds, has radically changed her life. Tony became the first woman signed to "LaFace Records".

Success came early in 1992, with a record of the soundtrack for Eddie Murphy - "Boomerang". Performed in a duet with Beybifeysom song 'Give U My Heart' has become a touchstone. It was followed by a solo single, 'Love Shoulda Brought You Home'. In 1993, the diva's debut album - 'Toni Braxton', had won international recognition and at variance with a circulation of 19 million copies (8 million copies in the United States and 11 million copies worldwide). Appreciation awarded songs 'Another Sad Love Song', 'You Mean the world to me', 'Seven Whole Days' and many others. In 1994, Tony became the owner of 2 prizes Grammy, 3 The American Music Awards and 2 prizes Soul Train Music Awards. In 1995, Tony won his third Grammy Award in the category Best Female R & B Performance for the song 'Breathe Again'. Skromnitsa Tony and did not count on similar results. But seriously, fearing not lived up to expectations, she reacted to the creation of a second album with the intriguing title 'Secrets', released in 1996. As you can see, the run-up took three years. But the result is largely preordained cooperation with a whole galaxy of experienced producers, including Beybifeysa, Tony Rich, and Diane Warren, has surpassed all expectations.

Unusual vocals Tony, breast warm contralto and utmost sincerity (the majority of tracks on the album autobiographical) can affect even the most unfeeling heart. No wonder 'Secrets', approving of the status of Tony as one of the most important and colorful figures on the soul scene of the nineties, marked by praise authoritative Billboard'a. Yes, and the recognition of millions of listeners does not mean anything? In 1997, again won 2 Tony Awards Grammy Awards nominations in the Best Female Vocal Performance ( 'Un-Break My Heart') and Best Female R & B Performance ( 'You're Makin' Me High '). One of the singles from the album, 'I Don't Want To', '97 was the best song in the style of soul.

However, later in life, Tony began a period of trouble: the wrong financial policy's record Leiba Miss Braxton led to the bankruptcy. In December 1997, Tony filed a lawsuit against the company Arista and LaFace Records. She claimed that fulfilled, then what was demanded of her 7-year contract with record company Arista. The result is that the singer wanted to be liberated from this contract. But neither Arista, LaFace or did not want to let marvel that brings them huge profits. Her albums sold huge print runs, but she received from them a pittance, because beginners will no longer pay, and as a result - bankruptcy, accompanied by loud scandals. Despite the ongoing trial, in 1998 American Music Awards awarded singer awards in the categories: Favorite Female Artist Rock / Pop and Favorite Female artist. But these awards did not save Tony from impending bankruptcy: January 30, 1998, it registered its debts - more than $ 1 million. Shortly thereafter, she was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in which he stated that it intends to soon release a new album. But to pay all debts, Tony goes to Broadway, where plays a major role in the musical 'Beauty and the Beast', who had a big hit with viewers. In early 1999, MTV channel reported that a legal dispute with the company Toni Braxton Arista was settled. Label back Tony her honestly earned money, and the diva has signed a contract with a major label Corporation of America - BMG, while leaving in place a contract with Arista, and began work on their third album.

Year and a half exhausting work in the studio, and April 24, 2000, Tony released the new CD - 'The Heat', which successfully combines the lyrical ballads and fiery dance tunes. The first single from it, 'He Wasn't Man Enough' brought DIVE sixth Grammy Award. A ballad 'Spanish Guitar' - Awards Soul Train, American and British Music Awards.

Many of the songs from the album, Tony co-wrote with Carey Luce, keyboardist "Mint Condition", which met during his bankruptcy. Keri helped her to cope with many challenges, including internal: Tony experienced a profound spiritual crisis. In the end, Luce had proposed to her, Tony hesitated for a long time, but after much thought and sleepless nights, took his. All fears are completely gone, when standing before the altar of the church, she heard in response to 'yes', and all doubts have disappeared, when Tony learned that his mother would.

Shortly after the ceremony, Grammy Awards'2001, at which Tony has appeared in a shockingly open dress, the wedding took place on April 26, Miss Braxton and Keri Luce. A Dec. 2, 2001, Tony had a son, who was given the name Dennis Cole Braxton Lewis (Dennis Cole Braxton Lewis). Already being pregnant, Tony has recorded and released the album, full of Christmas - 'Snowflakes', ie 'Snowflakes'. Album is a collection of soul and R & B ballads - a typical winter, soft melody, a warm, relaxing and soothing vocals ...

In 2000-2001, Tony starred in two films - 'Kingdom Come' ( 'At the light') and 'Play'd: A Hip-Hop Story', narrating about the rap singer, who struggles to delay the criminal world. Thus, the singer realize his longstanding dream of becoming a movie actress. In the future, Tony plans to continue the film career and try his hand at producing.

In November 2002 a fifth disc divas - More Than a Woman. It said the singer, in the name of the album reflected her entire ten-year career: "All the intervening years on the stage, this in truth ill, a man's world of show business, allow me to call the album that way. With this album I will submit to the court a new round of listeners in the creative career. We tried to make something completely new, I hope we've made it "and not achieved by simply could not. The first single from the album Hit the Freeway for several weeks, went platinum, reaffirming the versatility of talent, Toni Braxton. In general, More Than a Woman is a very strong musical fabric whose strength lies primarily in the unity of tracks. As before, the work on the album was attended by many famous composers. But despite the influence of talented musicians, new album, Toni Braxton has turned deeply personal. She participated in the recording of each song, and she selected the creative team to work. Several tunes are owned pen her sister Tamar, has worked with the singer. There are songs that are written in collaboration with Beybifeysom and Rodney Jerkins, a large contribution to the album introduced a singer husband - Carey Luce, who created an unusual style for a diva rock song Lies, Lies, Lies. So Tony really decided to present to fans "something special". But the main thing that managed to keep a popular soul singer - a great love and passion for the work. More Than a Woman - on the one hand, evidence of further development, Tony, on the other hand, this work is in the center of which stands the issue of family. The last stone of the mosaic was the news that Tony and Keri in the spring of next year's expected addition to the family.

. Now, in 2003, the singer once again full of creative plans, including the organization of the coming summer 2003 world tour, shooting her new film, recording new songs ..
. Nevertheless, all this departs for Tony to second place, it can not pay their careers as much time as before. The main thing for her now - it's family: husband and son, with whom she lives in a huge mansion in Miami ...

In ordinary life, Toni Braxton is not as active as in the creative. It should start with the fact that creativity is a well-defined and not so much the time interval routines in her day. Tony - late birdie. Activated begins hours from 10 pm and five am. Such a regime is not a whim but a necessity. "Do not believe me, my voice in the morning like Barry White. Not seeing me, you'd think that a man sings ... "- confessed diva. Tony much more commonplace than you might think. Nothing shocking: scales on a horoscope, the growth of five feet two inches, weight 98 pounds, the second breast size, favorite food - potato chips, favorite flowers - tulips. The only household pet - a huge mastino Neapolitana nicknamed Rasputin, who, jealously guarding lives and property of their revered mistress, all the time attempts to live in the neighborhood dogs and cats. Not squeamish, though, and calling at the house, Tony stars ...

The singer has never considered himself neither a sex symbol, or write a beauty, but could not remember exactly how many times they encountered in the lists of "most beautiful, sexy and talented people in the world". To her last enrollment in the "Beauty" is also one of FHM magazine with a grin: "If my fans want to see me in the form of a supermodel and sex symbol, then, let. Actually I have never been and will not be neither the one nor the other. I usually a woman, not a picture on the cover of fashion magazine. Leave all this to Claudia Schiffer ". Incidentally, Claudia - a good friend of Tony. They often go shopping together and families go on vacation. Tony, by the way, many friends and as she said in an interview, "where I was not mentally I am always with them". So that's one of those with whom Tony has always "mentally" include Elizabeth Hilton, Whoopi Goldberg, Whitney Houston, her teacher - Patricia Kaas, and many others are very close to her people, for whom Tony is ready to sacrifice everything, even their lives.

His spare time, Tony conducts home with a book on the couch. In music preference tool, as easy. If you wish to mourn: includes Sting and Barbra Streisand, to think - 'Queen', Mylц?ne Farmer, and relax and have fun Tony helps music Shaggy. Incidentally, many of them, Tony maintains friendly relations, which is not a big problem - most of these stars - is its neighbor in Miami. At the same time, Tony is very skeptical about the 'zvezdam' one-day, filling the modern stage, and also trying to sing in the style of soul music with an almost complete absence of hearing and vote.

I must admit that Toni Braxton has never suffered a special modesty: video clips of her songs - some of the most expensive in the history of these same clips from her many homes in the U.S. and mountains of jewelry. But all this - gold, . fur, . Diamonds, . private planes and expensive cars, . multimillion state, . huge number of music awards, . adoration of fans, . friendships with famous artists and then, . you need everyone - a quiet domestic happiness, . - All this, Tony has made, and made herself,
. The fate of Toni Braxton no secrets, no white spots or unexpected turns of fate. The ups and downs, goodwill and mercy of the gods of fortune it does not attract. The case - not its patron. Diligence and exact calculation - this is its rate and, mind you, is absolutely a win-win: