Brandy (1979–)

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Brandy (1979–)

American singer and actress. Name variations: Rayana Norwood. Born Rayana Norwood, Feb 11, 1979, in McComb, Mississippi; m. Robert Smith (producer and songwriter), 2001 (sep.); children: 1 daughter.

At 12, became backup singer for R&B group Immature; released debut album Brandy which sold more than 4 million copies and featured hit singles "I Wanna Be Down" (1994) and "Baby" (1995); other hits include "Sittin' Up in My Room" (from film Waiting to Exhale, 1995), "Missing You" (with Tamia, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan, from film Set It Off, 1996), and "The Boy Is Mine" (duet with Monica, 1998); with Monica, received Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance by a Duo with Vocal for "The Boy Is Mine"; made film debut starring in Moesha (1996). Other albums include Never S-a-y Never (1998) and Full Moon (2002).