It’s always a good time to take a unique look at the legendary discography of Brandy and highlight some songs that deserve recognition. Rather than creating a list that includes her many hits, we decided to compile one that just focused on album cuts from the last 20+ years of her career.
Brandy’s impact on R&B music is profound and multifaceted, solidifying her status as a foundational artist for the modern sound of the genre. Her influence can be summarized in three key areas: her groundbreaking vocal style, her role in defining a new era of R&B, and her widespread influence on contemporary artists.
Brandy is widely referred to as the “Vocal Bible” by fans and fellow artists for her unique and complex vocal arrangements. Her signature style is not defined by powerful belting, but by her intricate layering of vocals, subtle ad-libs, and percussive vocal runs. She approaches her voice like an instrumentalist, creating a rich, textural sound that often serves as the primary melody. This technique, particularly prominent on her acclaimed albums *Full Moon* and *Afrodisiac*, inspired a new generation of singers to explore the full range of their voices as a creative instrument, moving beyond simple melodies to create complex, symphonic vocal landscapes.
Emerging in the mid-90s, Brandy, along with artists like Aaliyah and Monica, helped shape the hip-hop-soul era. Her debut album, *Brandy*, blended pop-friendly melodies with the grittier beats of hip-hop, creating a sound that was both commercially successful and artistically innovative. Her sophomore album, *Never Say Never*, and especially the collaborative work with producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, further cemented this sound. The album’s futuristic, layered production and syncopated rhythms became a blueprint for R&B and pop music for years to come, influencing the production style of everyone from Destiny’s Child to Jennifer Lopez.
Brandy’s musical legacy is most evident in the countless artists who cite her as a direct influence. Contemporary R&B singers like Jazmine Sullivan, Jhené Aiko, and even pop stars like Ariana Grande have praised her vocal technique and artistry. The “Brandy runs” became a term used to describe a certain style of vocal improvisation, showcasing how deeply her sound is ingrained in the musical lexicon. Even artists outside of R&B, like Frank Ocean and the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante, have expressed admiration for her work, a testament to her broad and enduring impact. Her influence extends beyond her music, as her work as an actress, particularly her starring role in the sitcom *Moesha* and Disney’s *Cinderella*, made her a cultural icon and a role model for a generation of young Black girls.
As we’ve done with artists in our Top 10 Best Lists before, we really study the catalog of an artist to draw a conclusion on the best they have to offer. As always, let us know where you agree or disagree!
Click Here to check out all of our Top 10 Lists. Click any of the song titles to hear that song.
Click here to check out our most recent interview with Brandy.
Without further ado, here is our list in chronological order:
Brandy – I’m Yours (from the “Brandy” album)
A nice song from Baby Brandy. You can tell she was really inspired by Whitney Houston as this sounds like something Nippy would sing.
Brandy – Put That On Everything (from the “Never Say Never” album)
One of the standouts on Brandy’s classic “Never Say Never” album. Rodney Jerkins proved on this album that his sound meshed with Brandy’s voice.
Brandy – Happy (from the “Never Say Never” album)
Another great song from the “Never Say Never” album. It’s always a surprise that this song didn’t come out as a single as the song was perfectly crafted for radio.
Brandy – When You Touch Me (from the “Full Moon” album)
Perhaps the best song on the critically acclaimed “Full Moon” album. Darkchild take us on a journey throughout the entire song and Brandy proves she is the vocal bible once the bridge comes in.
Brandy – It’s Not Worth It (from the “Full Moon” album)
Brandy and Darkchild essentially take the blueprint from their amazing song “Angel In Disguise” and create the upgraded and elevated version of it. They even bring back Joe’s vocals from “Angel In Disguise” and added some Michael Jackson in the background.
Brandy – I Tried (from the “Afrodisiac” album)
Brandy and Timbaland brought a new sound to R&B with the “Afrodisiac” album. “I Tried” is a perfect example of that with the dark production blending in with Brandy’s vocals.
Brandy – How I Feel (from the “Afrodisiac” album)
Candice Nelson is the true mastermind on this song. She writes a beautiful record and Brandy takes it home with her vocals.
Brandy – Camouflage (from the “Human” album)
Claude Kelly and Brandy link up for the very vulnerable song “Camouflage”.
Brandy – Do You Know What You Have? (from the “Two Eleven” album)
Another song that was perfectly written for radio thanks to the excellent songwriting and production from Sean Garrett and Mike WiLL Made-It.
Brandy – Slower (from the “Two Eleven” album)
Brandy’s attempt to make younger music didn’t always connect on “Two Eleven” but it definitely did on “Slower”. Chris Brown and Sevyn Streeter wrote something that was fresh but also nostalgic as the Diplo beat took us back to some of Aaliyah’s work with Timbaland.