THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 21, 1995 TAG: 9501200119
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICKEY WRIGHT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
PUT BRANDY'S success down to the power of prayer. She does.
The 15-year-old newcomer scored a No. 1, gold single with her first outing, ``I Wanna Be Down,'' and a gold album with her self-titled debut. A second single, ``Baby,'' started gaining airplay before its official release to radio. And she's now on tour with Boyz II Men and Babyface, for whom she opens Sunday night at Hampton Coliseum.
``I wanted this to happen. I wanted it, but I didn't think it would happen this fast,'' Brandy says. She credits her all but instant acceptance, though, to the fact that ``I prayed every day.''
The singer/actress, whose full name is Brandy Norwood, has been praised for her adult vocal style. In a phone interview from Atlantic Records' New York offices, she projects a poise that most teens could only dream of.
``I agree,'' she says of the positive notices. ``I'm a lot more mature than 15. Although I haven't experienced a lot of the things I sing about yet, like broken hearts, I do think about them. People think that we don't, but 15-year-olds do think about that. And plus, I'm trying to relate to older people in my singing, too.''
In addition to ``my dad, Willie Norwood,'' and Boyz II Men, Brandy credits ``Mariah Carey, Anita Baker, all those guys'' for inspiration.
``I love their singing and the way they represent themselves as women - very in control.''
Like them, Brandy hopes ``to be in this business for the long run.'' She says Atlantic plans a total of seven singles from the album, and if timing is right, she won't say no to another acting role to follow her work in the TV series ``Thea.'' A movie offer had to be turned down to allow her to do the Boyz/Babyface shows, which mark her first tour aside from a few English dates late last year.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Brandy also juggles her education, working with a tutor, which she prefers.
``Actually, it's better to be one-on-one. I can really get paid attention to this way, as opposed to being in class, where the teacher has to deal with other students.''
Any favorite subjects?
Not surprisingly, ``I love driver's ed, and math.''
Wait. That's a surprise. Math?
``I just love doin' it. I can't explain why. You can really think and solve problems.''
In other ways, though, Brandy really is a typical teen.
``I love English, too. I haven't had a lot of time to read lately, but I read a lot of Stephen King's books.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Brandy...
by CNB