Toni Braxton – A Down-To-Earth Diva
by bill biss
There are certain music artists who have the sheer talent and skill to put their individual stamp on anything they record.It’s a sound or feeling that brings them instant recognition and admiration with their listening public every time they decide to release new work. Such is the case with Ms. Toni Braxton.
In a career span of over 15 years, she has won six Grammy Awards, sold over 40 million records worldwide and is a source of emotional passion, love and loss in the ever-changing landscape of romance and the songs that create a spark for those listening to her.
Braxton is very proud to release her new CD called Pulse on May 4 and The Rage Monthly spoke to her recently to learn more about her music…and in the process discovered this musical diva is truly down-to-earth and extremely happy to be back in the spotlight doing what she loves.
The Rage Monthly: Isn’t it fun to be a Libra. I was born in October too.
Toni Braxton: We rock, don’t we? (laughter)
Rage: How is Atlantic Records treating you?
TB: Atlantic is pretty good. I’ve just come here like a year and a half ago. It’s a little scary starting off with a new family but it’s been great so far!
Rage: Please tell me about the overall vibe for your new CD.
TB: Let’s see…it’s definite Toni Braxton. I went a little bit back to the 1990s a little bit on my singing style. I wanted to do things that were familiar to my audiences but not redundant.
Rage: Why did you choose to name the CD Pulse?
TB: Two reasons. The first reason is my little health scare. [Braxton was diagnosed with micro vascular angina (small vessel disease)] I didn’t think I’d ever be able to record again. When I was in cardio rehab, this one older lady…she said she was like 50 maybe, I don’t remember.
But she, of course was much older. She was like, “Oh darling, this is my fourth heart attack and I just got back from Cabo with my 40-year old boyfriend. You can’t be afraid.” So, that one little heartbeat, that one little pulse made me go “Okay. I have to stop being afraid.”
Then, because I’m going through a separation [with musician Keri Lewis], sometimes you think love is over but sometimes that one heartbeat can spark it back together. It’s talking about my life so this is a very personal album for me.
Rage: One song that I love right now is “Make My Heart.” It’s so slick with the horn back-up and such.
TB: That one is one of my favorite songs. When I first heard it, I fell madly in love with it.
Rage: Who put that one together?
TB: A guy named Lucas Secon wrote it in Europe, out of London and Vincent Herbert who is the guy that found Gaga. He’s executive producer of this album. He found the song and I fell in love with it and recorded it. It came together very quickly.
Rage: I was just curious. Calling the song, “Make My Heart,” was it a clever nod in any way to “Unbreak My Heart?”
TB: You know what? I got about 30 songs with “heart” in it. Everybody sent me something like “my heart can’t breath” or “my heart needs you” or…what was one? “Uncrack my heart” like…crazy stuff.
Rage: Too many songs with “heart” in the title.
TB: Exactly! (laughter)
Rage: It looks like you had fun doing the video for “Make My Heart.”
TB: I really did. It was a lot of fun. It was just great. I got to be young and dance. I got to apply some of that Dancing With the Stars niche.
Rage: And that black outfit is off the hook.
TB: Thank you for that. I was really hungry! I had to work out to fit into that outfit.
Rage: To go back a bit, I have to thank you for “Another Sad Love Song.” Boy, oh boy, I remember man trouble and listening to that a lot.
TB: That’s one of my favorite songs. Thank you.
Rage: I must ask you about the recent mega-watt benefit recording for Haiti. What was that extraordinary effort among all the entertainers like for you?
TB: It was just wonderful because everyone just came together. I promise you there were no egos. I don’t think anyone had anything that day but just love and wanting to do their part to pay it forward. It was great.
Rage: Yeah…I saw you next to Jennifer Hudson and then next to Gladys Knight.
TB: Yeah, it was so hot in there. You couldn’t turn the air on because you could hear it. Everyone in between cuts was just drinking gobs of Gatorade and water. Girls…me of course, taking our shoes off and then putting them back on when it’s time to shoot. It was great.
Rage: I’m thrilled you’re back with a new album. Is there a tour in the works for this as well?TB: There is a tour but not until the fall. However I do have a date in San Diego in June [Toni Braxton will perform at the Tux N’ Tennies Bash with the San Diego Symphony on Saturday, June 26]. I’m doing just a few gigs just to get my body going and ready for touring.
Rage: Being in the recording industry for a good time now, were there any changes you noticed since creating your last record just a few years ago?
TB: No real changes in the last five years but I do remember on the Heat album, the whole “Napster” thing. All the record companies were trying to stop Napster! (laughter) I remember that.
I remember thinking, “What’s the big deal. I mean it would be great to get music immediately.” Sometimes, you have to go to record stores and you have to find it.
Most of the artists didn’t have any qualms with it being online. I think it was just making sure we got our royalties that was the big stink, I should say. That’s the only big thing. Now, everything’s automated. You can go on iTunes or wherever and hear music instantaneously and that part’s great.
Rage: Now, are you actually filming a reality show for Bravo called Braxton’s Family Values?
TB: We are, my sisters and I. It’s me and my four siblings and my mom and my dad. It’s very animated without even trying. Our show is not scripted at all because all they have to do is roll the camera. I’m the oldest one and I’m the one in my family sibling-wise whose dream really came true.
My other sisters got a record deal and it didn’t happen for them. We talk about how they feel and I feel. My parents are divorced and how that affects family. My family is very proper and traditional. But, when they come together…they forget all of that and they start fussing like they’re 15 years old in high school.
It’s just about family coming together because you come from divorced parents. Every social gathering is compromised from graduations to barbeques to holidays…it’s just how family is affected. It’s very animated!
Rage: You’re so lucky to still have your parents. My mom and dad have both passed on. I think of them every day.
TB: I’m so sorry about that. I know that’s right. I know that’s right. We talk about that a little bit. At least we’re all here together. So, does all this arguing and stuff really matter and couldn’t we just let it go for a moment? It’s really heartfelt and I feel good about it.
Rage: Do you know yet when the show will air?
TB: It comes out this summer! It was originally six episodes and now we’re doing eight…so that’s good.
Rage: What recordings of other artists do you have that you never tire of listening to?
TB: Gosh…there are so many good ones. You know what? One of my favorite artists of all time, my absolute favorite is Eartha Kitt [Toni precedes to do an excellent imitation of Eartha and sings “I’m Still Here” and “C’est Si Bon”…] I love her! I just turn her on and life gets better.
Yeah. Okay…I’m a little corny so I love boy bands. (laughter) I can listen to N’Sync or Backstreet Boys. I love boy band music. I’ll listen to that anytime. If it comes on the radio channel, I am tuned in for at least that 3:30 minutes that the song plays.
Rage: Well, the best of luck with this album and have an exciting May!
TB: Okay sugarlips. You too!
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Category: INTERVIEWS, SPOTLIGHTS
