Brandy, Ray J, Sonja and Willie Norwood will release their first album together, Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business, in March 2011. Inspired by breakout success of their highly-rated VH1 reality show of the same name, the album is both an intimate and hit-bound collection of duets, collaborations and solo performances, marking the first time the entire family has ever collaborated together in the studio.
The CD's first single, "Talk To Me," was released in December, just as VH1 began airing a new season of Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business (Sundays, 11pm ET/PT, 10pm CT). In addition to the television series and the new album, the family members each continue to work on a number of high profile projects and build tremendous individual success. Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business continues to air on Sundays on VH1, with select episodes rebroadcast throughout the week.
"My Family has always been involved in my career," Brandy says. "Family is truly everything. This project is the beginning of many more family ventures." Adds Ray J, "Brandy and I have been very blessed to have talented parents who were also able to teach us the value of learning the business side of being an artist. Through this project we have shared moments of love, obstacles and a preparedness for future family projects."
SRR Records Senior Vice President Audio Video Retail Mike Jason said, "It's incredible how each member of this superstar family has and continues to achieve such great success individually, and bringing them all together on one record is a powerful thing. The album and television series reveal their unparalleled combination of musical talent created within a tightknit and loving environment."
Already making its way up the charts, the first single off the album is a sweeping, powerful ballad that combines Brandy's soaring voice and the force of Ray J's R&B stylings with Willie Norwood's sweetly soulful vocals. Destined to be a hit, "Talk To Me" serves as a testament to the incredible talents that live within this renaissance family. Written and produced by Scott "Shavoni" Parker (Patti LaBelle, Brian McKnight, Bebe and Cece Winans, Michelle Williams), the song was also co-written by Tommy Niblack (Monica). Other standout tracks on the disc include "Lifeguard" and "Turnin' Me On," both produced and written by The Jam (Mike Mani and Jordan Omley), the hitmaking duo who have worked with Leona Lewis, Santana and JoJo.
