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Biography
Infobox musical artist | name = The Braxtons| image =| caption =| background = group_or_band| alias =| origin = Atlanta , Georgia (U.S. State)|Georgia | genre = Contemporary R& B|R& B , Soul music|soul , dance-pop , Contemporary Gospel|contemporary gospel | years_active = 1989–1997, 2010-present| label = Arista Records|Arista (1989-1990) LaFace Records|LaFace Atlantic Records|Atlantic | associated_acts = Toni Braxton | website =| current_members = Tamar Braxton Towanda Braxton Traci Braxton Trina Braxton Toni Braxton The Braxtons are an American Contemporary R& B|R& B girl group consisting of sisters Toni Braxton , Traci Braxton, Towanda Braxton, Trina Braxton, and Tamar Braxton . Despite being commercially unsuccessful, the group's first single, Good Life (The Braxtons song)|"Good Life" , led to oldest sister Toni Braxton 's acclaimed solo career.Fanning, Michael. "Family Values." Kontrol. 01 Apr 2011: 65-69. Print.
All five members reunited in 2011 to star in the WE tv reality show Braxton Family Values alongside their mother, Evelyn Braxton. The Braxtons and Toni Braxton sing the show's theme song.
Background and early beginnings
The Braxtons' parents are Reverend|Rev. Michael Braxton and amateur opera singer Evelyn Braxton. Toni Michelle Braxton was born on October 7, 1967. Michael Conrad Braxton Jr. was born 1970, then Traci Renee Braxton was born in 1972. Soon after Traci's birth, Towanda Chloe Braxton was born on September 18, 1973. The Braxton's fifth child, Trina Eve Braxton was born on December 3, 1975. The youngest member, Tamar Estine Braxton, was born on March 17, 1977. They are originally from Severn, Maryland ."Braxton Family Values - Cast – WE Tv." WE Tv - Life As WE Know It. WE: Women's Entertainment LLC, 12 Apr. 2011. Web. 13 June 2011. < http://www.wetv.com/shows/braxton-family-values/cast>.
The sisters began to harmonize together when a then 5 year-old Tamar demanded, "Somebody get me some toilet paper!" Each sister and brother Michael soon after went in the bathroom and began singing the "Toilet Paper Song." The Braxtons credit this incident as their first Song writer|song-writing experience and the first time that they harmonized as a group.Millner, Denene. "Enjoying The Last Laugh Record Bosses Rejected The Singing Braxton Girls - They Only Wanted Toni. Now Her Sisters Get Their Big Chance." NYDailyNews.com (1996): n. pag. Web. 13 Jun 2011. < http://articles.nydailynews.com/1996-07-21/entertainment/18009513_1_tamar-braxton-toni-singing>. Growing up, they sang in the choir at several churches and toured the East Coast of the United States|East Coast with their religious parents singing at various events.Leading Women: Toni Braxton. Perf. Braxton, Toni. Viacom International, Inc.: 2009, Film.
1989-1991: Good Life and lineup change
Toni, Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar Braxton signed their first record deal with Arista Records in 1989. In 1990, they released their first single (music)|single , " Good Life (The Braxtons song)|Good Life ". It would be their only single as a fivesome. "Good Life" was not a hit record|hit , peaking at No. 79 on the Hot R& B/Hip-Hop Songs|Billboard Hot R& B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. At the time of the single's release, the members' age differences created a problem with marketing. Subsequently, The Braxtons were dropped from Arista Records .
In 1991, during a showcase with Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds , who were in the process of forming LaFace Records , Toni Braxton , minus her four sisters, was chosen and signed as the label's first female solo artist. At the time, the remaining members were told that LaFace Records|LaFace was not looking for another girl group since it had just signed TLC (band)|TLC . http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/538/ms_impulsive/ Toni Braxton interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' May 2010Lacher, Irene. "Toni Braxton: Sunday Conversatation." Los Angeles Times (2011): n. pag. Web. 13 Jun 2011. < http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/22/entertainment/la-ca-conversation-20110522>.
1992-95: The Braxton 4 and Traci's Pregnancy
After Toni's departure from the group in 1991, the remaining Braxtons members became Backup vocalist|backup singers for Toni's first U.S. tour, music video s, and promotional appearances. Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar were featured in the music video for Toni Braxton 's third single, Seven Whole Days , from her Toni Braxton (album)|debut album .
In 1993, LaFace Records A& R Vice President, Bryant Reid, signed The Braxtons to LaFace. However, the group never released an album or single for the record label. When Reid moved on to work for Atlantic Records , he convinced executives at LaFace Records|LaFace to allow him take the group to Atlantic also.Reynolds, J.R. "'So Many' Braxtons on Atlantic Label Downplays Link To Famous Sister." Billboard Magazine . 06 Jul 1996: 18-19. Print.Lacher, Irene. "Toni Braxton: Sunday Conversation." Los Angeles Times (2011): n. pag. Web. 13 Jun 2011. < http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/22/entertainment/la-ca-conversation-20110522>.
It was reported in Vibe (magazine)|Vibe magazine that in 1995 Traci Braxton had left the group to pursue a career as a youth counselor.Davis, Joyce E. "The Braxtons: And then there were three." Vibe Magazine . 01 Sep 1996: 92. Print. However, it was not confirmed until a 2011 Promo (media)|promotional appearance on The Mo'Nique Show , that Traci was not allowed to sign with Atlantic Records|Atlantic because of her pregnancy at the time.Hicks Media, prod. "The Mo'Nique Show: The Braxton Sisters; Travis Porter Performs; Shirley Strawberry." The Mo'Nique Show. BET. Atlanta, Georgia, 12 May 2011. Television.
1996-97: So Many Ways
In June 1996, Tamar Braxton|Tamar , Trina, and Towanda returned with a new album titled "So Many Ways." So Many Ways , which shared the same title as its lead single, was released on August 13, 1996 and peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard R& B/Hip-Hop Albums chart|Billboard R& B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.2011 Billboard. "The Boss Maw Dub - The Braxtons | Billboard.com." Music News, Reviews, Articles, Information, News Online & Free Music | Billboard.com. Billboard.com. Web. 14 June 2011. < http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/the-braxtons/155185>. It became their first and only LP record|LP . Atlantic Records A& R Vice president|VP , Bryant Reid, served as the album's executive producer. At the time of its release, Reid told Billboard (magazine)|Billboard Magazine , "I had a vision for them then that was about young sophistication with sex appeal." So Many Ways included production from Jermaine Dupri and Daryl Simmons along with Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Sean "Sep" Hall. The album also included a cover version|cover of Diana Ross 's hit "The Boss" and Klymaxx|Klymaxx's song " I'd Still Say Yes "
The Braxtons released a music video in order to promote "So Many Ways". It was directed by Cameron Casey and featured upcoming actor Mekhi Phifer .Reynolds, J.R. . "So Many Ways." Billboard Magazine . 14 Sep 1996: 30. Print. The trio also performed a remixed version of "So Many Ways" with rapper Jay-Z on September 9, 1996 at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards .Don Cornelius Productions. "1996 - 2nd Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards." Soul Train - Don Cornelius Productions. Web. 14 June 2011. < http://www.soultrain.com/stlos/library.html>. The single was also used as the opening track for the High School High (soundtrack)|soundtrack to the comedy film High School High .Amazon.com, Inc. "Amazon.com: High School High: The Soundtrack: Various Artists: Music." Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & More. Amazon.com. Web. 14 June 2011. < http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000010R>. "So Many Ways" went on to peak at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1996 and number 32 on the UK Singles Chart in January 1997.The Official UK Charts Company. "BRAXTONS - The Official Charts Company." The Official Charts Company – The Home of UK Charts. TheOfficialCharts.com. Web. 14 June 2011. < http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/braxtons/>.
The album's second single, Only Love (The Braxtons song)|Only Love was released on January 25, 1997 and peaked at number 52 on the Billboard R& B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart. A music video for this song was also released. http://www.billboard.com/#/song/the-braxtons/only-love/878841
A Masters at Work|Masters At Work remix version of The Braxtons cover of The Boss (Diana Ross song)|The Boss reached number 1 on Billboard dance chart|Billboard Dance/Club Play Chart in early 1997. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/the-braxtons/chart-history/155185? f=359& g=Singles Slow Flow was the final single released from So Many Ways . It peaked at No. 26 on the UK Charts in July 1997, becoming their highest charting single in the UK.cite web|url= http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/braxtons/ |title=BRAXTONS & #124; Artist |publisher=Official Charts |date= |accessdate=2012-04-09
The Braxtons also served as the opening act for Toni Braxton on the European Leg of her Secrets Tour in 1997.
1998-2010: Disbandment
The Braxtons decided to part ways as a group after lead singer Tamar Braxton left to pursue a solo career with DreamWorks Records in 1999.DeCurtis, Anthony. "Tamar 'Ridiculous'." Vibe Magazine . 01 Dec 1999: 250. Print. However, the members continued to sing and act in various other projects.
Trina appeared in the 2004 Tyler Perry play Meet the Browns (play)|Meet the Browns as Tracy Stevens. She was also part of the play "Rise" written by Cheryl James|Salt from Salt-n-Pepa and Christopher Martin (entertainer)|Christopher "Play" Martin from the rap group Kid 'n Play and starred in an off-broadway production of Dreamgirls as Deena Jones. In 2004, Trina Braxton appeared in "The Walk" with Eva Pigford and Vanessa Bell. Additionally, she co-starred in two independent films including "Jail Party" and was host for the unbroadcasted Urban Idol for UPN. She also made a cameo in Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself as a member of a band performing with singer Mary J. Blige 's character. Trina and Tamar performed as background singers and dancers for the entire duration of Toni's Libra Tour in 2006. They also performed in Toni Braxton: Revealed at the Flamingo Las Vegas|Flamingo Hotel and Casino until R& B singer Sparkle (singer)|Sparkle replaced Tamar in 2006 and fellow former Braxtons member Towanda Braxton replaced them.cite web|url= http://trinab.nowcasting.com/ |title=Now Casting - Trina B. Resume |publisher=Trinab.nowcasting.com |date= |accessdate=2012-04-09 In 2009, Trina joined the wedding band "Simply Irresistible" as a lead vocalist.cite web|url= http://www.simplyirresistibleband.com/news/1-13-08_toni_braxtons_sister_joins_si.htm |title=Simply Irresistible |publisher=Simplyirresistibleband.com |date= |accessdate=2012-04-09
Towanda Braxton appeared in season 2 of the reality show , Starting Over (TV series)|Starting Over . She performed and recorded a solo song, "Here I Am", for the show and conducted a radio interview on the Wendy Williams (media personality)|Wendy Williams Experience about her time on Starting Over. Towanda is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority and pledged at Bowie State University in 1995.Braxton, Towanda. ThaBiz.com. Interview by Dorrie Williams-Wheeler . 01 Jan 2005. Print. 14 Jun 2011. . In September 2005, People (magazine)|People magazine's website reported that Towanda was pregnant.Hudson, -. Kate. "Pregnant Celeb Spotting: Towanda Braxton – Moms & Babies – Moms & Babies - People.com." Celebrity Babies – Moms & Babies – People.com. Time Inc. Web. 17 June 2011. < http://celebritybabies.people.com/2005/09/26/pregnant_celeb_/>.
Tamar Braxton released her debut solo album Tamar (album)|Tamar in 2000. Tamar also made a cameo in the music video for He Wasn't Man Enough . She also appeared for a short time as Sasha in the stage play version of Madea Goes to Jail in 2005 alongside Tyler Perry and Cassi Davis . Tamar co-wrote several songs and sang background vocals for several of Toni's albums including Snowflakes (album)|Snowflakes , More Than a Woman (album)|More Than a Woman , Libra (Toni Braxton album)|Libra , and Pulse (Toni Braxton album)|Pulse . http://www.tylerperry.com/shows/jail/the_players.php dead link|date=April 2012
In 2010, The Braxtons, including Traci Braxton, appeared in sister Toni Braxton 's music video for her dance single "Make My Heart."
In January, 2011, WE tv Network confirmed that it had signed Toni Braxton and her sisters, Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar for a reality series, entitled " Braxton Family Values ", which will be marketed as one of the network's flagship shows.MacIntyre, April. "Toni Braxton's Bankruptcy Issues Resolved: Braxton Family Values on We TV." MonstersandCritics.com. Monsters and Critics.com, WotR Ltd. Web. 17 June 2011. < http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1610175.php/Toni-Braxton-s-bankruptcy-issues-solved-Braxton-Family-Values-on-We-TV>. The show looks at the relationship between Toni Braxton|Toni , her mom, and her sisters along with the interpersonal relationships of each family member. After only four episodes, the new reality show about singer Toni Braxton, her sisters and their mom has been renewed for a second season. There will be 13 more one-hour episodes of “Braxton Family Values” on WE tv in 2012, up from 10 during the debut season.Rhett, Starr. ""Braxton Family Values" Renewed For Second Season | News | BET." Celebrities, Music, News, Fashion, Entertainment, TV Shows and Video | BET. Black Entertainment Television LLC. Web. 17 June 2011. < http://www.bet.com/news/celebrities/2011/05/11/-braxton-family-values-renewed-for-second-season.html>.
As of the season finale of Braxton Family Values , it is still unclear whether or not the Extended play|EP that The Braxtons were working on will be released. During the show's reunion, Toni Braxton stated that she thought The Braxtons should "feature on her record" instead of her completely rejoining the group for a full EP.Scibelli, Crista. "Braxton Family Values - WE Tells All: Braxton Season Finale – WE Tv." WE Tv - Life As WE Know It | Bridezillas, My Fair Wedding, Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best, Braxton Family Values, Downsized. WE: Women's Entertainment LLC, 14 June 2011. Web. 27 June 2011. < http://www.wetv.com/braxton-family-values/blogs/we-tells-all-braxton-season-finale>.
The Braxtons posed for the June 2011 Vibe (magazine)|VIBE magazine summer swimwear issue. They also presented the "Best Gospel Artist" award to Mary Mary at the BET Awards of 2011|2011 BET Awards .Thompson, Kittrina. "The Braxton's Get Summer Sexy | News | BET." Celebrities, Music, News, Fashion, Entertainment, TV Shows and Video | BET. 2011 BET Interactive, LLC, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Black Entertainment Television LLC, 14 June 2011. Web. 27 June 2011. < http://www.bet.com/news/fashion-and-beauty/2011/06/14/the-braxton-s-get-summer-sexy.html>.
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.
Singles
Title
Year
Peak chart positions
Certifications
Album
US
US R& B
US Dance
CAN
NL cite web
NZ cite web
UK
Good Life "
"Family"
"So Many Ways"
Only Love "
The Boss "
"Slow Flow"
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.
See also
List of Number 1 Dance Hits (United States)
List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
References
Reflist|2
External links
http://www.trinabraxton.com/ Trina Braxton official web site
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Braxtons The Braxtons at Last.fm
The BraxtonsToni Braxton DEFAULTSORT:Braxtons, The Category:American rhythm and blues musical groups Category:Girl groups Category:American dance music groups Category:Family musical groups Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:Arista Records artists Category:Participants in American reality television series Category:Musicians from Maryland
fr:The Braxtons hu:The Braxtons sv:The Braxtons
Copyright Citations
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