Brandy discusses upcoming new album

While Timbaland and Will.I.Am are currently at the forefront of genre-bending hip-hop and electronic music, such as Black Eyed Peas’s current dance-tinged “The E.N.D.” album and past Timbaland singles, and along with her recent dance chart-toppers, Brandy says she doesn’t see herself moving in that direction. “I think I’m gonna go for a more R&B […]

While Timbaland and Will.I.Am are currently at the forefront of genre-bending hip-hop and electronic music, such as Black Eyed Peas’s current dance-tinged “The E.N.D.” album and past Timbaland singles, and along with her recent dance chart-toppers, Brandy says she doesn’t see herself moving in that direction.

“I think I’m gonna go for a more R&B feel,” Brandy said about her new project. “I think R&B right now is coming back to the forefront where it needs to be and artists are doing real music now.”

Brandy first hit the scene in 1994 with her self-titled debut album, which earned her the first of many gold and platinum singles and her first R&B chart-toppers. While 2008’s “Human” was her lowest-selling effort to date, the album included some of the singer’s most well-received singles in years.

Brandy cites her former rival Monica, with who she hit #1 on the Billboard chart with their double-platinum hit “The Boy Is Mine,” as an inspiration. Monica recently just earned her second highest chart debut with her album, “Still Standing. “ “I’m so proud of her,” Brandy said. “I saw her last night and just thanked her for everything she’s doing right now in music. She is the possibility of a comeback. I’m just so proud of her talent and for people to embrace her.”

She also recently contributed two new songs to Timbaland’s “Shock Value II” album under her rapping alter-ego Bran’Nu. But the 31-year-old also sees herself returning to her R&B-leaning roots. “I think I need to stick with what I’m known for and what I do best. I have a lot of creative ideas and I can’t wait to express it all in the studio. I can’t wait to get back in the studio.”

When fans will be able to hear a new Brandy single is still up in the air. “I really can‘t tell you but it won’t be four years from now,” she said, referencing the time in between her last two albums. “I can promise you that.”

Billboard.com