BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY
Tamar Estine Braxton-Herbert /ˈteɪˌmɑr/ (born March 17, 1977), commonly known by her maiden name Tamar Braxton, is an American Grammy-Nominated singer-songwriter, actress, dancer, and reality television personality. She is the youngest sister to R&Bsinging icon Toni Braxton. Braxton had her first big break in music in 1992 as a founding member of the R&B group, The Braxtons, formed with her sisters. After losing two members, The Braxtons released their only album So Many Ways as a trio in 1996 along with four singles: "So Many Ways", "Only Love", "The Boss" and "Slow Flow".
In 2000, Braxton began her solo career, after signing with DreamWorks Records and releasing her self-titled debut album. The album was unsuccessful, charting at number 127 on the Billboard 200. It spawned two singles, "Get None" and "If You Don't Wanna Love Me". The label was unsatisfied with the performance of the album. As a result, Braxton was dropped from the label.
In 2011, Braxton reunited with her sisters, The Braxtons, for the WE tv reality show, Braxton Family Values. The first season was the #1 rated reality show on WE tv and the network ordered a 13-episode second season of the show after the third episode.[2][3]
Braxton has worked on a number of different solo projects throughout the years, signing with labels such as Casablanca Records andUniversal Records hoping to release an album but suffering delays and cancellations. Braxton returned to the music industry after a thirteen year break, with her second album, Love and War. The album was released through Epic Records and was preceded by the singles, "Love and War", "The One" and "All The Way Home". The album was considered to be a comeback for Braxton, due to its success.
She is currently one of the hosts of The Real talk show along with Loni Love, Jeannie Mai, Adrienne Bailon, and Tamera Mowry, which premiered on July 15, 2013 on seven Fox-owned stations across the country.[4]
Biography
Early life and career beginnings
Tamar Estine Braxton was born in Severn, Maryland to Michael and Evelyn Braxton. The youngest of the Braxtons' six children, Tamar started singing as a toddler. Evelyn, an amateur opera singer, recognized her children's talents when one day, Tamar sang "Somebody give me some toilet paper!" and her sisters all joined in harmony. The Braxton children also would eventually enter in their church choir, where their father Michael Braxton was a pastor. Toni, Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar Braxton signed their first record deal with Arista Records in 1989. In 1990, they released their first single, "Good Life". It would be their only single as a fivesome. "Good Life" was not a hit, peaking at No. 79 on the 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.
1991—1997: The Braxtons and disbandment
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 was not looking for another girl group since it had just signed TLC.[5][6]
After Toni's departure from the group in 1991, the remaining Braxtons members became backup singers for Toni's first U.S. tour, music videos, 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 self-titled debut album. In 1993, LaFace RecordsA&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 forAtlantic Records, he convinced executives at LaFace to allow him take the group to Atlantic also.[7][8] It was reported in Vibe magazine that in 1995, Traci Braxton had left the group to pursue a career as a youth counselor.[9] However, it was not confirmed until a 2011 promotional appearance on The Mo'Nique Show, that Traci was not allowed to sign with Atlantic because of her pregnancy at the time.[10]
In June 1996, Tamar, Trina, and Towanda returned with a new album entitled So Many Ways, which shared the same title as its lead single. Released on August 13, 1996, the album peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.[11] It became their first and only LP. Atlantic Records A&R VP, Bryant Reid, served as the album's executive producer. At the time of its release, Reid told 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 of Diana Ross's hit "The Boss" and Klymaxx's song "I'd Still Say Yes".[7] 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.[12] 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.[13] The single was also used as the opening track for the soundtrack to the comedy film High School High.[14] "So Many Ways" went on to peak at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1996, No. 22 on the Billboard R&B Charts and number 32 on the UK Singles Chart in January 1997.[15]
The album's second single, "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.[16] A Masters At Work remix version of The Braxtons' cover of "The Boss" reached number 1 on Billboard Dance/Club Play Chart in early 1997.[17] 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.[18] The Braxtons also served as the opening act for Toni Braxton on the European Leg of her Secrets Tour in 1997. The Braxtons decided to part ways as a group after lead singer Tamar Braxton left to pursue a solo career with DreamWorks Records in 1998.[19] However, the members continued to sing and act in various other projects.
1998—2002: Ridiculous and Tamar[edit]
Later, Tamar would meet up with Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, a rapper/producer (also famous for bringing Blu Cantrell to national attention) based in Atlanta, Georgia. She recorded her solo debut album, Ridiculous, so-named for the many different musical styles on the album.[20] The album spawned two buzz singles ("Let Him Go" and "Just Cuz") in hopes of garnering attention from the public eye; however, when the songs failed to gain impact on urban radio outlets, the album was pushed back and cancelled.[21] That same year, Tamar was featured on Sole's, "4 The Love of You." Instead of shelving the album, Dreamworks Records abandoned 3 old tracks, added new ones, and renamed it Tamar. The lead single "Get None" was produced by Jermaine "J.D." Dupri and also featured rap verses from him as well as former Jay-Z protégée Amil. The song also included uncredited background vocals and songwriting by Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Mýa. As soon as the song began to pick up airplay, Tamar announced the album would be released in early 2000, alongside a second single, "If You Don't Wanna Love Me." The album featured production from Missy Elliott, Tim & Bob, and Tricky Stewart, but still peaked at number 127 on the Billboard 200. When the album's second single failed to gain significant radio airplay, her label dropped her from their roster.
In 2001, Tamar's previously unreleased song "Try Me" appeared on the soundtrack album for the film Kingdom Come. Tamar also began to work alongside her sister Toni Braxtonin a number of songs and music video cameos, including the video for "He Wasn't Man Enough." She performed background vocals on Toni's next three albums, The Heat (2000),Snowflakes (2001), and More than a Woman (2002). When her sister launched her Las Vegas revue Toni Braxton: Revealed, Tamar again sang backup until she was replaced by singer Sparkle.
2003—2008: Label Troubles & Marriage
By 2004, Tamar was signed to Tommy Mottola's reactivated Casablanca Records and began work on her second album. A "Grindin'"-influenced single, "I'm Leaving," was released with a guest appearance from Bump J. alongside promotional remixes featuring Sheek Louch, Styles P. and Ali Vegas. Tamar would release another single that same year; however, Casablanca's shifting business landscape interfered with the process of completing Tamar's album. She later left the label without a commercial release to show for her work.
In 2008, Braxton married Vincent Herbert. The couple had been dating since 2003. Wedding photos of the couple emerged via several magazines and made their way via the television debut of Braxton Family Values.[22]
2010–present: Braxton Family Values, motherhood, and Love and War
In 2010, Braxton signed to Universal Records, where she released a single "The Heart In Me" in July of that year which was included on the Adidas 2: The Music compilation. Her momentum with Universal would not rise to a satisfactory level to launch a sophomore album.
In January 2011, WE tv confirmed that it had signed Braxton and her mother and sisters for a reality series, Braxton Family Values. The show debuted April 12, 2011.[23] On December 15, 2011, it was confirmed that Braxton and her husband Vincent would star in their own reality series centered around her solo career and their married life. In November 2011, Braxton performed "Love Overboard" at the 2011 Soul Train Awards for Lifetime Achievement recipient Gladys Knight.[24]
In September 2012, news broke that Braxton had inked a fresh recording contract with Streamline Records, an imprint of Interscope Records founded by Vincent.[25] Later that month, her television show Tamar & Vince premiered on WE tv. The first season features multiple scenes of Tamar recording her second album.
Tamar also guest starred along with her sister Trina on TV Land's new sitcom The Soul Man starring Cedric The Entertainer. Tamar was the featured model for the "Front Row Couture" collection during the "ELLE/Style360" NYC Fashion Week event.[26] Tamar was co-host on Tameka Cottle's late night talk show Tiny Tonight on VH1. Basketball Wivesstar Tami Roman became a co-host after Braxton. Later Braxton hosted, The Culturelist, a show on BET's sister channelCentric. Former Destiny's Child member LeToya Luckett became the host after her.
Braxton announced she was pregnant with her first child on March 13, 2013, during an interview on Good Morning America promoting the new season of Braxton Family Values. She gave birth to a son, Logan Vincent Herbert, in June 2013.
In March 2013, it was revealed that Braxton had signed to Epic Records ahead of the release of her second album, Love and War.[27] The album's lead single, the title track, was released on December 6, 2012.[28] Although the single reached number one on the US iTunes chart,[29] it peaked at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 13 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[30][31] Braxton released "The One" as the second single from Love and War on May 7, 2013; it peaked at number 34 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[31] The third single, "All The Way Home," was released August 21, 2013; it peaked at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 37 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[30][31] The song was followed by the release of Love and War on September 3, 2013.[32] The album was a commercial success in the United States, selling 114,000 copies in its opening week, and debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[33] Outside the US, it debuted at number 34 on theUK R&B Albums Chart.[34]
The second season of Tamar & Vince premiered on September 5, 2013. The second season is centered around the preparation and birth of the couple's baby, and her launch ofLove and War. Braxton's special Listen Up: Tamar Braxton premiered on Centric in September 2013.
Braxton's first Christmas album, Winter Loversland, was released on November 11, 2013; it debuted at number 43 on the Billboard 200 with 8,000 copies sold in its first week.[35] In December 2013, Braxton received three nominations for the 56th Annual Grammy Awards; Best Urban Contemporary Album for Love and War, and Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance for its title track.[36] On February 25, 2014, the remix of Robin Thicke's single "For the Rest of My Life" which features Braxton, was released as a digital single.[37]
Voice
Braxton is a coloratura soprano with a 5 octave vocal range. She is also credited for her use of the whistle register. She lists Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey as her influences.[38][39][40]
Personal life
In 2008, Braxton married Vincent Herbert, a record executive, whom she met through her sister Toni. The couple had been dating since 2003. Wedding photos of the couple emerged via several magazines and made their way via the television debut of Braxton Family Values.[41] They reside in Encino, Los Angeles. On March 13, 2013, on Good Morning America, she announced they are expecting their first child. On June 6, 2013, Braxton gave birth to their first child, a boy, named Logan Vincent Herbert.[42][43]
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