EXPLAINED || Brandy's Voice
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- Опубликовано: 28 июн 2024
- The Voice: EXPLAINED is a music education docu-series created by award-winning multidisciplinary artist Milik Kashad. It is designed to educate listeners and viewers on the science and history of music and singing in an easy-to-understand and engaging way!
This video was sponsored by BMA viewer @Koko3op and focuses on the "Vocal Bible," Brandy Norwood.
Chapters
_________
0:00 - Thank You to the Sponsor @Koko3op
0:06 - Call To Action
0:19 - Introduction
2:06 - “The 15-Year-Old Alto Singer, From Next Door”
4:11 - “I Want To Be Whitney Houston”
5:11 - How To Structure a Run
7:45 - Early Impact
8:19 - The Importance of Youth
8:59 - Not Like Other Low Voices
12:32 - Runs as a Form of Expression
14:01 - Studio Singing vs. Live Singing
16:28 - Lyrical Singing
18:59 - Brandy and Monica, The Sound is Mine
20:39 - Quiet is Beauty
21:26 - Full Moon
21:57 - The Art of Vocal Layering and Harmony
23:30 - Structuring Vocal Harmonies, Consonance and Dissonance
25:23 - Harmony as Storytelling
27:06 - The Vocal Bible
31:37 - Growth, Maturity, A Developing Voice
31:54 - Does She Have The Range?
35:46 - Brandy Takes Broadway
37:17 - The Full Voice
41:30 - Minor Change, Major Difference
42:20 - Conclusion
Episode Credits
-----------------------------
Director: Milik Kashad
Executive Producer: Milik Kashad
Sponsoring Producer: @Koko3op
Editor: Milik Kashad
Motion Graphics: Milik Kashad & @HugoVermello
Voiceover: Milik Kashad
Script: Milik Kashad
Script Editor: Tim Dillinger
Pedagogy and Theory Contributors: Karen Slack, Jay Saint Flono & Isola Jones
Special thanks to @4everjosephmiller597 as a source for archival Brandy material.
Inquiries: blackmusicarchive@gmail.com
To support this channel in its efforts to continue making quality and accessible music education content, please consider a donation:
paypal.me/blackmusicarchive
cash.app/$BlackMusicArchive account.venmo.com/u/milik-kas...
#brandy WhitneyHouston #VocalTechnique #Documentary #MusicDocumentary
To support this channel in its efforts to continue making quality and accessible music education content, please consider a donation:
paypal.me/blackmusicarchive
cash.app/$BlackMusicArchive account.venmo.com/u/milik-kashad-1
This channel is absolutely amazing
Thank you so much!! Can you please do Jewell from Death Row records. I don’t think she ever had a full album, but had such a unique and powerful voice I would love to see you cover her voice. Thank you again 😊❤❤❤
@@Queenofdacastle Excellent request!! She was the voice of DeathRow.
@@records1990 yes she was!! Glad to see someone agrees 😊
Do a breakdown of Teena Marie next!
Brandy has a very rare voice. It's low, but it sounds like it should be high based on its sweet quality and airiness. Great analysis as always!
I’ve never thought of it like that. You are right 🫵🏾
Well, her voice does begin to pop as she ascends up the scale. Baby has range in the upper range as well. There are videos on here with her playing around with her higher notes
Agreed
💯💯
@@melaninenriched7844 And she used her upper register more on the Human album
Baby! That's Brandy "Why Are You Down There" Norwood.
Sho nuff!!! 😂 There's a video out here of Natalie Cole actually doing Whitney the same way too! It made me crack up double when I remembered Whitney had done it to Brandy. 😂
@@UncleDuTheWatchmanlol I’d love to see that
Babbbbyyyy why are you down there!
😂😂😂😂 I love Whitney's ways!!!
We grew up under the same church organization, my family and I would see her family at the lecurships/ conventions yearly, and Brandy was one of the ones to get forefront.
Brandy has an unmistakable voice and I think she's gotten better with age.
Indeed. The lower register has become so rich. It is intoxicating.
You know you're a legend when black music archive makes a whole docu of your voice and you're not even in your 50s.
Lauryn Hill's voice needs to be EXPLAINED Black Music Archive!!! We've been Waiting! lol!
You should sponsor one!!!!!!!
She damaged here voice so hard, the vidéo is going to be almost all about that. And I'm a bit fed up with voice damaging stories right here.
I want an EXPLAINED for Fantasia. I've always wanted to know about her voice
You are honestly the BEST RUclipsr on this site. The amount of work you put into your work, you are truly gifted and you took this video FAR beyond anything I would've expected. How you come up with such a thorough and detailed script is phenomenal. I will watch this video SEVERAL times. Thank you! And let this be a note to other people who love this channel, please support it because you deserve it and more! Also a massive thank you to all the interviewees for adding even more context to this beautiful video. The Full moon break down got meeee. I love this woman so much. I learnt so much, thanks again!
Thank you for sponsoring this video!
If I am going to devote my time to anything, I believe I should make it count. Thank you so much for being my first ever video sponsor, it means more to me than I can verbalize.
Milik Kashad
❤
@@BlackMusicArchive
that part!
As someone who watches your videos alongside your colleagues. I was excited seeing you sponsored this. I wanted definitely wanted more insight in Brandy’s voice.
P.S all of your K-pop videos are marvelous
Brandy is a prime example of singing on your interest, not your capital.
Brandy is my all time favorite vocalist. I would take a hundred courses on studying her voice. She’s a blueprint.
Brandy is an intelligent singer. She has such a unique ear for music and arrangement. She really does know how to tell a story with her arrangements. She's a singer's singer for sure.
Yup! This video is long overdue! Brandy deserves so much more. People love to play in her face 😕.
“If the Bible is a foundation for life, Brandy’s music is a foundation for understanding what your voice can and cannot do”
Thisss‼️‼️‼️
Please
Am I the only one who loves when Brandy’s voice takes on the “raspy” tone? ❤
I watched the video on Michael Jackson's voice the other week & now that I've seen this one, I noticed they're opposites in how their voices were used in childhood. MJ sang high & loud as a child when he probably should not have been. Brandy was not forced to push her voice in that direction as a child. Therefore, her voice was preserved over the years. I'm learning so much from these videos. Thank you!
You get it!!! Thanks for watching!!
Great analysis but there’s no need to compare the two!
The amount of research, blood , sweat and tears that you put in your work and still have time to remain lean and trim!! Kudos , brother!
Thank you ❤
I think it would be nice to do something like this for Aaliyah. People now like to discredit her but she was the first of the 90s teenagers to put out an album. Even though there is only 7 years of career I think she deserves some kind of recognition for what she did and her voice. Monica too as her and brandy and Aaliyah were the three to really kick it off for female teenage acts. Great video!
Yes!!! Please, Milik, let her be next🤞🤞🤞💚
FACTS!
TRUTH
Yes, and also you can definitely hear the Whitney Houston influence on her voice! Especially when she used her full voice
@@angivens86 Most especially her fluid transitions from head voice to chest, or head voice to soft singing voice...it's such a pleasure to listen to.
Chile it’s Christmas 🎄🙌
she is the blueprint for the cute pop/R&B it-girl. soooo many artists after in the mid to late 90s through to the mid-2000s followed this model. plus, one of the most special voices ever. often imitated but never duplicated. God took great care in crafting this voice.
So basically Brandy is brilliant and one of a kind, things I’ve known for ever, but this breakdown supporting why’s she’s perceived as the vocal Bible, is so fulfilling and needed.
this is basically a documentary. like, it is a documentary. i could have seen this on tv and thought it was backed up by a very big production company. it was really good, thank you for your work
Thank you for such a huge compliment, I appreciate ❤️
I feel like Brandy might have inspired Britney Spears' early recordings. On her _Baby One More Time_ LP, Britney was using that husky yet innocent tone that Brandy had in her first two albums, except without the soul.
Makes sense, as Britney mentioned being a Brandy fan during that time.
YES!!! i been said this. "From The Bottom of my Broken Heart" is VEEEERYYyy Brandy coded! & Oops I Did It Again took those beginning runs from Brandy!
@@JalenTheCreative I thought it was just me that heard it.
Maybe. Janet definitely
Britney did say she was inspired by Brandy during her debut era! ❤ She also mentions receiving influence from Mariah and Whitney too
Brandy’s secret weapon aside from her voice is her hearing and musicality. Her voice range is limited but you can def tell she can hear what others can’t and she’s a musician with her voice. I have always loved her tone and vocal layering in the studio! She’s so good.
A 3.7 octave voice is far from limited.
@@micahchukwudi5207 I wouldn't say her range is "limited" in that absolute sense, but rather that she didn't sing/train to blend and use the entirety of it, especially the head voice, since it wasn't needed for her expressive sensibilities. That's the difference. She was musical within the mid-to-low range and confidently stretched lower than one would expect.
I agree. She had breadth of vocal talent and her ear was solid. I heard some interesting note choices in her runs that I had to rewind and listen to a couple of times.
@@TheSeeking2know I think she explores most of her head voice in the laye4ing
@@micahchukwudi5207 You're not wrong. There was one clip repeated in this video where she was hitting the head voice into the 6th octave, but it was a one-off.
That was my point. She didn't need it for her style of singing. If she wanted to do a lot of belting and intense mixing it would have been helpful (and she had the resources) to get some vocal training.
Many top singers work with coaches and trainers, so it's not a ding to propose it.
Thank you for this breakdown. Brandy voice has always been hard for me to explain to anyone. Her tone and the way she intentionally hits notes can confuse the ear lol. People don’t realize how high or low she’s singing because of that. I find her voice unique and VERY distinct. I love smooth, silky, and raspy voices. Her voice can unleash that power when a song needs it most. She’s so fun to study vocally.
Knowing your voice is knowing your power and Brandy is a great example of that. I really enjoyed this video.
Monica was the stronger more powerful singer in their younger years but Brandy’s voice matured into something really special. Brandys voice and tone today is the best in the business. She is the blueprint for todays vocalist
Monica was not the strongest
@@terencejulius5352 she definitely was
@@terencejulius5352she was lol
@@Immeallday hmmmm lol
I love Brandy. She is one of my favorite singers of all times. Her voice and tone is unmatched.
Brandy has that nice beautiful low, sultry, voice.
When you said that Brandy is a contralto, for a while I get really confused, because I always thought she could be a mezzo (by her tone and flexibility) who does not like to belt too high. But then I finally realized one thing you said previously on Phyllis Hyman's video: People expect a contralto to sing manly, strong and tough, but that's just a misconception.
There's a lot of contraltos who sing soft, bright and smooth, like Sade or Lalah Hathaway. They are still contralto and be a contralto doesn't mean you need to sound like Cher, Phyllis Hyman or even like a baritone, you just need to be a contralto.
Thank you for the video, Milik! I really learned something today.
Brandy's voice is like pure magic! 🌟 Her talent is timeless, and she continues to bless us with unforgettable music. Who else feels like they could listen to her all day? 💖🎶 #BrandyFanForever
Brandy is one of the greatest voices of all time! Truly god crafted her voice with his hands…people praise mid talent instead of great talent. Whitney picked her for a reason!
Homegirl really tricked us to think she’s a mezzo or a soprano because of that light girly tone 😍
Wow all these years of thinking that brandy is a mezzo when in actuality, she's a contralto. It makes sense though because contraltos aren't really known for rangy singing but more so for their tone more than anything. I'm sure we all know that Brandy has an iconic tone that many try to emulate especially in their harmonies
AHHHHHHHHHH! I’m freaking out before I even watch this! Brandy is literally unlike any other singer I ever heard. She changed the sound of music and vocal production along with Rodney and inspired a generation of not just singers but entertainers also. People reference her as a crossover act, someone who could do it all. Sing, act, dance. People without the ear don’t understand but she is in a class all of her own and so many others wouldn’t exist without her. She is truly THE VOCAL BIBLE!
We’re about to get fed by an amazing informer, serving us info about an innovative vocalist! *sits and gathers popcorn*
My personal favorite vocalist of all time. Unmatched. It's her and Mariah, for me.
My two faves, also 🙌
I always thought of Brandy as this angelic singer. I think thats what make her unique from other singers. The Full Moon album is a masterpiece and i also like afrodisiac and human because its a unique country album mixed with R&B. Thabk you for doing an Explained on Brandy Milik, you always do an incredible job creating and editing your videos.
This video has me fangirling so hard. I smiled the whole time. Brandy is one of the singers that made me start singing. Her voice is a treasure.
That’s how she built her music career and there was no need to change it. She didn’t see it, her fans didn’t either, including me. But if there’s one thing we can rely on her to do, it’s to show off when she’s called to. That voice has power. Not as big as the ones we’re used to, but it’s there. It’s always been there.
1:50 I'm so glad you gave _Countess Vaughn_ a little love. These docs are getting even better. I know we are gonna see your series on one of the streaming apps one day 🤞🏾🔥🔥🔥
Brandy is just very pleasing to listen too. It's about her knowing her strengths while understanding her limitations. That's why she gave unforced and comfortable vocals with the emphasis on storytelling with feeling. Her tone matching well with her low singing style.
I think in the 80s Sade along with Anita were very influencial on how being understated can be commercially successful. Toni and Brandy were bourne out of them in the 90s era working with the on trend hit makers ensuring their successes. I would add one song that is ground breaking and influencal which was Chante Moore "Love's Take Over". A pivotal song that is considered a masterpiece that influenced her early work but made for a younger market.
I freaking love Brandy's raspy emotional tone and quality on "Tomorrow." Her voice almost cracks but in the exact right places to wring every bit of the heartache out of that song! Let me make sure I run that song back after I get through after I finish this video of course.❤
You should do Janet Jackson next!! She may not be a powerhouse but her vocal delivery is super influential.
Yeah, no. Her voice is not really interesting and i love her. We could only mention her AMAZING background vocals and layering.
I wanted Aaliyah but any Explained video you do is fantastic Milik👏👏👏
So in depth and personal to the specific style of each artist. Brandy is no different. Her vocal evolution has definitely been an awesome thing to witness since '94.
Thank you for your devotion to the music, which is the love of all of us in this wonderful community😊💚
After this one, we definitely need an Aaliyah one. It’s sad that her voice hasn’t gotten the appreciation it deserves.
@@badd.lil.ting88 Oh indeed.
Nah, her voice wasn’t amazing. There’s nothing to say about it.
Great video ! Coko from SWV next plz !
The fact that there is such a video about Brandy proves she is amazing truly deserving the title Vocal Bible as people can be taught music using her voice
Now we know why she was "down there"
Very smart commentary.
A lot of the “layering” Brandy did was influenced by some of her predecessors such as Mariah: ballads on Emotions; “Underneath the Stars” on Daydream; and “The Roof” and “4th of July” on Butterfly, all of which used cascading vocals in light, soft layers.
Yesssss!!! You can definitely hear Mariah's influence in Brandy's work. That's why I was so excited when they collaborated for a new version of "The Roof" a few years ago!
Respectfully, while Mariah is one her influences, Brandy grew up in an acapella church and her father taught her how to harmonize. Not taking any credit from Mariah but that ear was well trained before Mariah’s debut in 1990 😂
Brandy’s background vocals are also inspired by Micheal & Janet Jackson. She has said as much. She pulls from many different legends. Her voice is also NATURALLY lower, deeper, huskier, smokier and raspier than Mariah’s. They both share the airy quality. Brandy’s runs also sound more Black American Church. Both are inspiring.
That’s not true, it was actually MJ that inspired that sound to brandy and Rodney jerkins
Yeap
I have never heard of a grace note before. I learn so much from your videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Wow this made me appreciate Brandy's voice so much more. I always thought she had a "bluesy" sound/tone to her voice that I enjoyed even with the lightness of her voice. Thank you!
That's true. She knew her scales and milked those bluesy-style intervals in a R&B context.
WOW this video helped me so so much. Not only was this sooooo informative but I realize I push my voice so unnecessarily. It’s deep and that’s ok. I’m might be addicted to these videos lol! They deeply detail the power of music and how gifted these artists are. I’ve never been trained musically so these are everything for me. THANK YOUUUUUU !! You are an Angel!
I agree, this video feels like a COURSE! And we're taking notes, what a gift.
If you want to use your higher range more (as a secret weapon sparingly used for particular songs) it would be good to train your voice so you can do it safely.
Sang Brandy!! Wish she toured more.
I want sooo much more for her! I still don't believe she gets enough props.
The happiness that erupted on my face when I saw Brandy’s iconic face with your font oh my God, I almost did the happy dance yes I can’t wait to watch this
"Beggin’ and Pleadin’" was heavily influenced by Táta Vega/ Shug Avery. Would have been dope to compare the two.
Brandy is an absolute genius. This video makes the technical aspects clear, but her talent is literally a gift. The way she uses her voice is absolutely heaven-sent. There is no one like her, and never will be. 1 of 1.
An I just say thank you so much for shining a light on this singer!!! I’m from Ireland and Brandy isn’t that well known outside of her sitcom or the Cinderella movie, so I feel very fortunate to get to know her skill and talent over the last number of years
Brandy’s vocals can bring me to my knees and make a grown man cry. Maybe not a powerful voice but yet a powerful voice if you know what I mean. She has the hits and the angelic voice. Yeah I love that you guys point out that so many other pop artist copied her. Brandy had hit after hit. Some people can sing really well but don’t have the beautiful songs or the presence. Just love the quality of her voice and has soothed and healed me. Amazing amazing artist.
The way I screamed....
Shout out to her pops for training that voce!🎉🎉🎉
…Brandy would be proud! I hope this vocal deep dive is shared with her!!
She still has never snapped and has yet to snap as hard as the I Thought vocal, absolute mastery
She can't because she isn't capable of it.
@@skip031890Brandy already did the I Thought vocal, what are you even talking about?
This video implicitly demonstrates why tone and timbre are unreliable in determining a non-classical singer's voice type. Again, tessitura is the most important aspect that determines whether someone is a soprano, mezzo-soprano, or contralto.
or tenor, baritone, or bass for that matter
this is correct.
I always wanted to know how he felt about Oleta Adams. Her voice is not as bright like Brandy's. Oleta has been described as an alto when she trained as a Lyric Soprano. She makes sure the people know and she wasn't known for high belting either.
Timbre is absolutely a consideration, particularly when unsure of the tessitura (in the case of a rangey singer especially). Also, I'm not really sure why this video would be a great example of that, her smokey timbre lines up perfectly with whatever voice type BMA is professing her as in this video (I would say lyric mezzo but it sounds like he was saying contralto? Not sure).
The main pitfall with relying on timbre for nonclassical singers is that many color or distort their voices and ppl don't pick up on that and refer to them by their "affected" tones, rather than their real ones, ie: xtina's Fat Albert vocalisms belying her natural lighter lyric soprano, or how every UK singer *coincidentally* has a low jazzy sound lol.
@@CASantos That's why I specifically stated that timbre is unreliable in determining a NON-CLASSICAL SINGER'S voice type. However, timbre is an absolute consideration in classifying classical/opera singers, because opera demands that you sing with an open throat and neutral larynx, which give away your true timbre, because specific roles in opera require specific tessituras and timbres. In non-classical singing, you can sing with whatever style and technique that you please, allowing you to manipulate your sound. You don't have that freedom in classical music.
The main pitfall with relying on timbre for nonclassical singers is that many color or distort their voices... Yes. But I disagree that Christina has a light lyric soprano voice.
Brandy's smokey timbre is due to her breathy singing, which means she's singing with little cord compression. It's a stylistic choice. Mariah sings like that too. Anyway, yes, Milik implies that Brandy is a contralto, and I agree.
She had a clip of her adding a high note in Rather Be while recording it. I wish she would have kept it in. It was so beautiful and lush.
I played keyboards for her on the Never say Never tour, such a joyful experience hearing her each night
I am so glad to have grown and belonged to that era where Brandy, Aaliyah, and Monica reigned supreme in the teen music landscape. The more Brandy's voice got strained and airy and metallic sounding (if that's even a word), the more I admire her vocal prowess. 👏👏👏
I think you did an excellent analysis on her voice. Brandy is one of my vocal influences. The way she stacks her vocals and does harmonies is amazing. I learned something new everytime. I love these explained videos. Keep doing your thing.
Why do we keep coming back to the lady doing han han han breathy 😂... I needed this thank you for the video...I now know why I felt the connections I've been feeling while listening to Brandy's music...
Brandy proves that slow and steady wins the race. “Focus” is definitely a top 5 favorite of mine ❤
That “who what where…” segment was so adorable 😊 😂
Brandy’s voice definitely gets better with age; her tone has more substance now, and her lyrical flexibility has increased.
I play instruments and love to sing, as well. I did music as a subject all the way to matric. When we had to choose which instruments would be suitable for us to play, I was pointed in the direction of the clarinet and the trombone because of my lip structure. It has blown my mind that my neck structure might be the reason I'm a soprano! I would love to see more literature and history on the link between singing and our bodies, thanks very much for this video.
PS: I'd always wondered why she was called the vocal Bible as well. This video explains that.
Man I love me some Brandy! I got chosen to sing in the choir because i imatated her singing. Great video.
Can you please do Sarah Vaughan, Stephanie Mills, Angela Winbush, Denise Williams and Dinah Washington?
To support this channel in its efforts to continue making quality and accessible music education content, please consider a donation:
paypal.me/blackmusicarchive
cash.app/$BlackMusicArchive account.venmo.com/u/milik-kashad-1
I saw Brandy Voice Explained and i hyperventilated!
26:35 milik! You showed out. 😂 who when ..😂😂😂🎉🎉 that was gold.
Good video!
I wonder if you considered Brandy’s “Bathroom Sessions” during your research. Those sessions were some of Brandy’s best live singing! Her voice seems so free! It rings, shines, and soars like no other during those performances. See Somewhere Over The Rainbow! At Last. A Change Is Gonna Come!
Please do episodes comparing and contrasting tenor/falsetto goats Ron Isley, Phillip Bailey, and El Debarge.
While each are great, they have different nuances and techniques in their voices. Thanks and I enjoy your channel my intelligent brother.
Truly an amazing voice. She’s one of my favorite artists. She makes timeless music. Shout out to the channel owner for covering this amazing songstress.
Brandy is the Queen of Riffs and Runs hands down. She is #1 in tht department. I think She is the only artist tht can make an album with only Riffs & Runs go Diamond 💎!!
Interesting that you mentioned Faith Evans cause Faith even said that Brandy is her favorite voice of the 90s era. I love Faith Evans and Brandy. My favorite singers from the 90s are Toni Braxton, Tamia, Brandy, Mariah Carey, and Faith Evans. So happy that you did one on Brandy. Wouldn't mind to see one on Faith cause to me as she got older she got better as well. I love Monica too. Georgia native love her.
Thanks! For giving us these amazing videos. You have helped me so much with my own songwriting and singing.
BRAVO to this piece on Brandy!
💥🚨🛑 Please do LAURYN HILL 🚨🛑💥
Even the Countess Vaughn mention was such a beautiful tie in!
I’m at work but I cant to watch this! Brandy’s vocal ability is a lot to unpack! Thanks in advance
This is excellent work brother. I clicked on this expecting something completely different. This has a level of quality equivalent to a course. You're covering techniques and how performers think about composition and performance. In a way that's accessible and not overly complicated. Just enough theory to highlight the skill involved. In a way that the artists would probably describe the process themselves. Thank you for this quality work and treating black music music with the respect it deserves.
Thank you for giving Brandy her flowers 💐
This video 🥹🥹🥹 explained so much. The reason I’m such a Big Brandy fan. This is the reason. Just the study of her voice is just amazing. Brandy is in her own lane. So unique. No one sounds like her but they try to. Brandy is just it.
So much to know about Brandy and I remember I met her at the J&R store and I sung for her and she was blown away because I was 9 at the time .She was so nice and I didn’t know she was the cast of Chicago the musical.
The vocal bible! I love a true Contralto and wow at Brandy singing a 3rd below Toni and Anita. I always love how agile her voice was and how she used her low placed voice in a manner most at the time werent use to hearing. Her tone is airy and lyrical yet she can riff in the basement. Full Moon revolutionized Pop female vocals! Great video🎉
Watching this video makes me believe there is a good amount of similarities between Jazmine Sullivan and Brandy.
Her Riffs & Runs will be studied for centuries to come!!
Yasssss!!!!! Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏
YESSS THANK YOU
Here breathing technique is incredible.
Finally! Thanks for this
i’ve been waiting for this one
"you cannot yell and shout at people" tell that to Jennifer Hudson...My Gawd!!!
That's why Jennifer is doing talk shows now instead of making music.
I wasn’t expecting this but yay!!!
This was awesome! We appreciate you!
OMGOOSSSHH so excited for this! x
Thank you so much for doing this video omg!!!!