Brandy DISHES To "YRB" Magazine About Whitney Houston, The "Two-Eleven" Disc And Working With Frank Ocean

Apr 02 | by _YBF

In the latest issue of "YRB" Magazine, Brandy dishes about her return to the music scene with Two-Eleven and how Whitney Houston's legacy inspired the disc's title and her career. See the highlights inside....

Brandy chatted with "YRB" Magazine recently to promote her upcoming disc Two-Eleven and reflect on her career in the industry. During the chat, she talked about evolving her "sound", how Whitney Houston inspired her, and what role Frank Ocean plays on the disc. Here are the highlights:

On her new "sound":

“It’s definitely R&B, but it has the crossover appeal. It’s grittier, it’s edgier, it’s just different type of R&B. It’s not your regular smooth, soft with the beat type music,” she describes. “It’s just taking risks and hearing how I sound over different types of music, and I wanted an album that different people can listen to. Not just R&B, but pop and hip-hop. I wanted everyone to have something that they can listen to on this album.”

On "Two-Eleven" representing her birthday and the Whitney Houston passed away:

“Some of the titles I was working with were Rebirth, Reincarnation, Reinvention, Resurrection… I just felt like Two Eleven describes all of that. It’s the day I was born, and each year, I evolve and change with time. It also has a whole new meaning to it because I gained my angel. My icon is my angel now. It’s all tied in there and I just think it best represents who I am and the responsibilities I have moving on.”

On why she worked with Frank Ocean:

“His music speaks volumes, and I was able to experience that before everyone else knew,” she says. “I always knew he was really special and I just wanted to see how we could vibe, what we could come up with together in the studio this time around. He’s just a genius. I think his songs have so much substance and so much depth, and you need that on an album as well.”

See the fab photoshoot here:

Photography by Miguel Starcevich // Styling by Darius Baptist // Hair by Kim Kimble for Margaret Maldonado // Makeup by Eric Ferrell/dion peronneau L.A.

BONUS: Speaking of magazine pics....

Beyonce covers the March 2012 issue Glamour Netherlands with a photo by Man Sumarni.

Looking good Bey!

Categories:

Music Fab

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Comments

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is brandy white now how

is brandy white now how trendy of her

by Anonymous
10:24 am - Apr 4, '12

Beyonce has gotten a nose job

Beyonce has gotten a nose job since that pic that's about 10 years old

by Anonymous
10:22 am - Apr 4, '12

i feel like in these magazine

i feel like in these magazine shoot they take away from natural skin tone of black women...they make brandy and beyonce look much lighter than they really are in these photoshoots which I don't understand why they would want to take away from a person's natural skin tone...it is all a part of being unreal...they both have beautiful coloring...y can't they show it in the magazine's instead of putting all that ridiculous lighting making them look pale as hell?

by ;-Dee
11:26 am - Apr 3, '12

Thank you. They lighten them

Thank you. They lighten them up to the point where they look dead. Whites are the ones who run these mags and have the last say. It is my belief that that are threatened by our beautiful skin tones, and want everyone to buy into the lie that white, pale, leprous skin is what is beautiful. The irony in this is that they end up spending hours a week in tanning beds and at the beach trying to give the illusion of melanin.

by Anonymous
5:38 pm - Apr 3, '12

Your comment is STUPID AND

Your comment is STUPID AND RACIST! sunbathing doesnt mean you want to look "black"!!!! look at Europeans/Arabs/Hispanics when they get sunbaked,americans want that too! people have therir beauty preferences! also, fair skin on a woman has always been a sign of beauty! in every civilization look at how women are drawn, look at the women who are priased..women with long hair and light skin! so stop your jealousy! Im a Photographer and Ive been a Photographer for years the lighting thing is WRONG! people who are originally light toned to begin with will appear light in cam,OBVIOUSLY!..Alek wek still looks dark in any bright lighting,so does wesley snipes and others.. the brighter the better when it comes to lighting because it brings out your true tones.Personal preference. WE HUMANS ALSO DONT TAKE PICS IN THE DARK! Ive seen pics where its a group photo and the light people appeared pale and darker toned people still appear darker toned. Its a basic concept. Dark skin will appear dark skkin regardless, light skin will appear light on cam regardless! Lighting doesnt change skintone, if that were the case wesley snipes and the rest of black celebrities would be looking caucasian. please dont say "lighting" it is not lighting! Pale people will appear pale on cam, dark skinned people will appear dark. lighting only brings out the true tones. White or Light skin shows out better in front of the camera then dark skin. It has to do with reflection of light. White or light skin reflect light 100 fold better then dark skin (which absorbs it). And if you know anything about cameras u know the object that is being captured by the camera has to reflect the light projected unto it in order to be caught by the camera lens.

by John
1:50 am - Jun 18, '12

Don't blame white people.

Don't blame white people. Brandy should have been in the game long enough to know how to navigate. What about Riri and Beyonce they look white in person how do you explain that? The magazines run by white people also put out that picture of beyonce from 10 years ago as opposed to now with her white nose she bought SMDH

by Anonymous
10:26 am - Apr 4, '12

Wayyyyyyyy wayyyyy

Wayyyyyyyy wayyyyy wayyyyyyyyy 2much damn lighting.

by Anonymous
10:11 pm - Apr 2, '12

wow you are soo uneducated!

wow you are soo uneducated! how about you go to a movie set and see how much lighting they use!Im a Photographer and Ive been a Photographer for years the lighting thing is WRONG! people who are originally light toned to begin with will appear light in cam,OBVIOUSLY!..Alek wek still looks dark in any bright lighting,so does wesley snipes and others.. the brighter the better when it comes to lighting because it brings out your true tones.Personal preference. WE HUMANS ALSO DONT TAKE PICS IN THE DARK! Ive seen pics where its a group photo and the light people appeared pale and darker toned people still appear darker toned. Its a basic concept. Dark skin will appear dark skkin regardless, light skin will appear light on cam regardless! Lighting doesnt change skintone, if that were the case wesley snipes and the rest of black celebrities would be looking caucasian. please dont say "lighting" it is not lighting! Pale people will appear pale on cam, dark skinned people will appear dark. lighting only brings out the true tones. White or Light skin shows out better in front of the camera then dark skin. It has to do with reflection of light. White or light skin reflect light 100 fold better then dark skin (which absorbs it). And if you know anything about cameras u know the object that is being captured by the camera has to reflect the light projected unto it in order to be caught by the camera lens.

by John
1:54 am - Jun 18, '12

I concur. Why not a spread

I concur. Why not a spread showing her beautiful brown color? looking forward to her amazing voice on music that doesn't bore me.

by Anonymous
10:44 am - Apr 3, '12

Brandy is an awesome singer.

Brandy is an awesome singer. She used to have major cosmetic deals and paved the way for singers/actresses out there. So... should we really be discussing her skin tone and her hair?

by Mrs. Bond
8:20 pm - Apr 2, '12

LOVES THE SHORT CUT ON BRANDY

LOVES THE SHORT CUT ON BRANDY ITS VERY CUTE..IM SURE THE PHOTOGRAPHER DECIDED TO GO WITH A BRIGHT LOOK..NOT THAT SERIOUS TO ME. IVE MODEL FOR YEARS AND IVE TAKEN SEVERAL PICS WITH A BRIGHT LIGHTING ITS THE LOOK THEY WERE LOOKING FOR. SHE GIVING ME FRESH BRIGHT AND NEW. ITS A NEW YEAR Y NOT A NEW LOOK..NO SHADE!

by Anonymous
8:13 pm - Apr 2, '12

I like the photo of Brandy

I like the photo of Brandy where she is sitting down but they needed to keep her true color's. Also Beyonce photo is fierce and very fresh yound looking. I would like to see maybe a fierce hairstylke on Beyonce. Maybe a very short cut something like the style Monica has or very similar to it. Bey come strong with a totally fierce look after the birth of your daughter. If anything go back to the darker color hair.

by Anonymous
6:30 pm - Apr 2, '12

Light skin does not work for

Light skin does not work for everyone,just like dark skin is not for everyone. Brandy is dark complected for a reason,she looks better. This faded look does not go well with her particular features. Still, i'm loving the clothing and posture in the picture where she's sitting (facial expression, not so much).

by Zeva Ainka
5:52 pm - Apr 2, '12

Light skin does not work for

by Zeva Ainka
5:51 pm - Apr 2, '12

NOPE SHE NEEDS HAIR!

by Anonymous
5:07 pm - Apr 2, '12

Makes me wonder what hair is

Makes me wonder what hair is hiding under all those weaves Bran...

by Anonymous
4:21 pm - Apr 2, '12

Brandy's pics are fierce but

Brandy's pics are fierce but why is she so washed out? They got my girl looking pasty!

by NY Seedy
4:10 pm - Apr 2, '12

Maybe I'm just getting old

Maybe I'm just getting old but I don't see the appeal with this Frank Ocean artist that everyone keeps talking about. Based on the music that I've heard so far, nothing about it makes me want to purchase any of his music. He doesn't have a great voice and the sound is similar to Miguel, Trey Songs, *insert name of any of the young dudes putting out tracks right now*.

by Sorry4U
4:05 pm - Apr 2, '12

Loves Brandy! I think they

Loves Brandy! I think they dug up a really OUTDATED picture of BEYONCE and just threw that on the cover! Maybe she didn't have time to do a photoshoot. Either way this pic does NOT look like a present day Beyonce. Really BAD MOVE for Glamour :(

by SouthernBelle
2:56 pm - Apr 2, '12

brandy has ALWAYS been one

brandy has ALWAYS been one hella fugly girl. she is ugolay. ray j looks nice and so does momma and dad. where you come from brandy??? CelebrityBareFace.blogspot.com - CelebrityBareFace.blogspot.com - CelebrityBareFace.blogspot.com - CelebrityBareFace.blogspot.com - CelebrityBareFace.blogspot.com - CelebrityBareFace.blogspot.com - CelebrityBareFace.blogspot.com - CelebrityBareFace.blogspot.com - CelebrityBareFace.blogspot.com - CelebrityBareFace.blogspot.com - CelebrityBareFace.blogspot.com -

by brandyugolay
2:54 pm - Apr 2, '12

Brandy WTF happened?

by Yas
2:31 pm - Apr 2, '12

I think the short cut works

I think the short cut works for Brandy.

by TL
2:05 pm - Apr 2, '12

Bey same old pageant girl

Bey same old pageant girl look she has had from the late 90's to early 2000's. Even attractive women sometimes lack the confidence to try something new. Brandy at least had the confidence to try something new I 'll give her that much. Although I feel this may not be the right something new. An A for Effort!

by LovelyGirl
2:00 pm - Apr 2, '12

People, even the background

People, even the background of the photos are washed out. That proves the photographer was going for a washed out look. But I understand how people are annoyed...especially as black women in that industry where white is the only thing that's right. I however don't think Brandy is trying to lighten her skin, lol. She's just the victim of a photographer with a certain vision.

by Anonymous
1:49 pm - Apr 2, '12

Brandy looks good with the

Brandy looks good with the short do. Bey looks 15 in that cover.

by Beautiful
1:45 pm - Apr 2, '12

BRANDY LOOK WAY BETTER WITH

BRANDY LOOK WAY BETTER WITH SHORTER HAIR!

by sha
1:39 pm - Apr 2, '12

No, no, no, no, no, no.

No, no, no, no, no, no. Brandy is a BEAUTIFUL woman. Whoever styled, shot and created these photos actually diminshed that beauty. She looks uncomfortable, too light, over-styled, and like she's just trying too damn hard while playing dress up in Mommy's clothes. It doesn't have to be this way, and makes me sad. What is going on in Brandy's life that she's not comfortable yet, at nearly 40 years old, and someone's mama, to pick stylists, photographers etc who can compliment her looks to where she can just shows up and be beautiful?

by dancer
1:38 pm - Apr 2, '12

who the fuck is that?

by Anonymous
1:34 pm - Apr 2, '12

BRANDY looks like PETER PAN

BRANDY looks like PETER PAN in the FIRST PHOTOS! LMAO This GIRL is so OVER. NEXT! I'm so NOT interested in her. WASHED UP!

by FuriouS StyleS™®
1:33 pm - Apr 2, '12

Miss me with that it's the

Miss me with that it's the lighting ish. I would never ok someone to print/publish pictures of me 5 shades lighter than my complexion for any reason. They don't make light skinned or white women look dark. Complete BS and I'm mad at Brandy for this ish.

by Anonymous
1:28 pm - Apr 2, '12

Ive noticed this pattern at

Ive noticed this pattern at photoshoots to always make the subject's complexion look lighter no matter what their natural complexion is, Ive seen it with Beyonce, Rihanna, Estellee etc. Anyho Brandy is rocking that pixie cut and the shoes in the first pic is hella fierce. I didnt quite get the gist of the last pic though. Beyonce is gorgeous!

by Realist
1:28 pm - Apr 2, '12

Brandy is not NEARLY that

Brandy is not NEARLY that light. Not even CLOSE! It's amazing how people are quick to overlook this but make a big fuss about Beyonce's Loreal ad when she's actually extremely fairskinned. These photos of Brandy are so unrealistic and short hair does NOTHING for her. Terrible editorial.

by Elle
1:20 pm - Apr 2, '12

3/4 of the comments in here

3/4 of the comments in here are about brandy's complexion. get off beyonce's tit...blue is hungry.

by Anonymous
1:30 pm - Apr 2, '12

I am so disappointed that

I am so disappointed that Brandy allowed them to photoshop her natural skin color like that!! Beyonce looks GREAT on the cover of Glamour. Beyonce looks nice and NATURAL. Brandy take notes...

by KingBeyonce
1:05 pm - Apr 2, '12

if you know anything about

if you know anything about photography it was the lighting effect used that made her appear that way, take note on that

by Anonymous
1:59 pm - Apr 2, '12

BRANDY LOOKS HOT!!

BRANDY LOOKS HOT!! #TEAMBRANDY4EVA

by Anonymous
12:49 pm - Apr 2, '12

She looks FIERCE! I'm not

She looks FIERCE! I'm not sure what others on here are seeing. And to those talking about her complexion...it's called artistic lighting in photography. Every super model has been subject to that. This isn't an ad campaign for commercial purposes, so there's nothing wrong with using this sort of lighting!

by Anonymous
12:46 pm - Apr 2, '12

PLEASE DON'T tell me ur

PLEASE DON'T tell me ur passing this off as "LIGHTING". So what are you saying photographers dont have lighting that shows her TRUE COMLPEXION??????????? Does this look like the same DARK SKIN Brandy on 'The Game' to you?? please... i love brandy BUT THIS???? NO NO NO NO!!! ITS WRONG WHEN SHES TRYING TO REACH OUT TO HER FANS AND SHE LOOKS 10 SHADES LIGHTER THAN SHE REALLY IS??? reallY? this is FALSE.........I'M JUST SAYING!!!!!!!!!#TEAMDARKSKIN

by ASIA
1:08 pm - Apr 2, '12

ummmm, sweetie, if you knew

ummmm, sweetie, if you knew anything about photography, you would understand. White models have also been "lightened" not because dark skin is wrong, but because it's an EFFECT that photographers use for certain shoots. It seems here he was going for a washed out look allowing the clothes to pop. My hubby is a BLACK photographer and he's done multiple shoots like this. It's call art! Nowhere does this say that a little girl should go bleach her skin and become light or white...it's simply artistic expression. Not to mention the fact that it's obvious that Brandy embraces her dark skin. Please stop being so sensitive, lol!

by Anonymous
1:31 pm - Apr 2, '12

OK so ur photographer use

OK so ur photographer use cool tricks & That makes THIS ok??????????? I'm not being sensitive, I just don't think the lighting makes her LOOK good!!!! Point.Blank.Period..BYE!

by Asia
5:08 pm - Apr 2, '12

OK so ur photographer use

OK so ur photographer use cool tricks & That makes THIS ok??????????? I'm not being sensitive, I just don't think the lighting makes her LOOK good!!!! Point.Blank.Period..BYE!

by Asia
5:07 pm - Apr 2, '12

In the sane world this would

In the sane world this would be a valid explaination, but in the ybf comment section no one is going to care and believe Brandy is trying to project a lighter shade of skin color for various reason. My ex was a photographer and with all the tips and tricks he knows I am sure that what your saying is true.

by Beautiful
1:53 pm - Apr 2, '12

COMPLEXION**

by ASIA
1:12 pm - Apr 2, '12

urm y did they make her skin

urm y did they make her skin wayyyy light

by dey
12:44 pm - Apr 2, '12

y does brandy look so

y does brandy look so pale....she isnt that light, unless she started bleaching her skin

by anon
12:37 pm - Apr 2, '12

y does brandy look so

y does brandy look so pale....she isnt that light, unless she started bleaching her skin

by Anon
12:37 pm - Apr 2, '12

Whitney was sacrificed on

Whitney was sacrificed on Brandys birthdate. Whitney hands her a note in front of Clive Davis. Brandy talks about rebirth, resurrections and reincarnations. The pic of brandy on the ground is showing you all kinda of triangles. This has Illumunati all over it. Brandy is about to blow up. Mark my words.