Afrodisiac

by Brandy

Overview

Now over a decade into her music career, Brandy is nothing if not consistent. Afrodisiac nevertheless involves a number of personal and creative changes. Since the making of 2002's Full Moon, she became a mother, split with her husband, picked up new manager Benny "The Actual Fresh Prince" Medina, and swapped out primary producer Rodney Jerkins in favor of Timbaland (not necessarily in that order). And her image has drifted away from the one she cast when she was just starting out; this hasn't transpired without some controversy. It's to be expected, but one still has to wonder what all the fuss is about. First, who doesn't change between the ages of 15 and 25? Second, the development isn't quite as drastic as Janet Jackson's jump from "Escapade" to "Throb," though there's a significant parallel there -- Brandy's provocative pose on the cover of Vibe, which hit stands just before this album, recalls Janet's cupped-breast appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone in 1993. Though the surroundings and circumstances may be new to artist and fans alike, the effectiveness has not suffered for it: Afrodisiac is Brandy's fourth consecutive durable showing, fluffed out with a few innocuous -- if still very listenable -- filler moments, but it is stocked with a number of spectacular -- and emotionally resonant -- singles that wind up making for her most accomplished set yet. To regrettably drag Janet back into this, lead single "Talk About Our Love" is even more exceptional than another recent Kanye West-produced track, Janet's own "I Want You," and is a career highlight for both producer and vocalist. Timbaland provides 60 percent of the tracks; though he has confessed to being worn out by the process of music lately, you wouldn't know it from his inspired work. Whether or not Brandy penned the lyrics, her experiences have clearly engendered a new depth to her songs. Her voice remains a treat to hear, and on a couple tracks she wears a slightly worn scratchiness surprisingly well. Closing track "Should I Go" is about as honest and searching as anyone gets these days, and while it's also noteworthy for allowing Brandy and Timbaland to pay tribute to shared love Coldplay, it's the music industry that's being contemplated, not a romantic relationship. Whatever Brandy decides to do, consider her mark made. ~ Andy Kellman

Product Details

Release Date:	06/13/2025
Label:	Atlantic
UPC:	0081227813710

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Brandy   Primary Artist,Vocals
T.I.   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist,Rap
Kanye West   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist,Rap
Mandrill   Primary Artist
Roberta Flack   Primary Artist
Ervin A. Pope   Keyboards
Glenn S. Jeffrey   Guitar,Guitar
Thaddeus T. Tribbett   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Baby Dubb   Various Instruments
Miri Ben-Ari   Violin,Strings
Bruce Fowler   Conductor
Dave Robbins   Keyboards
Shorty B.   Bass
Larry Gold   Strings,Conductor
Don Harper   Conductor
Mike Hartnett   Guitar
Parris Bowens   Keyboards
Keenan "Kee Note" Holloway   Bass
Thaddaeus "Terry" Tribbett   Bass
Keenan Holloway   Bass
Shorty B   Bass
Timbaland   Vocals
Eric Walls   Guitar
George "Spanky" McCurdy   Percussion
Ervin Pope   Keyboards
Erick Walls   Guitar
Nick Glennie-Smith   Conductor

Technical Credits

Organized Noize   Audio Production,Producer,Programming,Drum Programming
Kanye West   Audio Production,Composer,Producer
Baby Dubb   Programming
Timbaland   Audio Production,Mixing,Producer
Warryn Campbell   Audio Production,Composer,Producer
Brandy Norwood   Audio Production,Composer,Executive Producer
Craig Kallman   Executive Producer
Demacio Castellon   Assistant Engineer
Candice Nelson   Composer
Harold Lilly   Composer
Hans Zimmer   Composer
Dave Lopez   Mixing
Steven Stern   Composer
Rico Wade   Composer
Ricardo Wilson   Composer
David Lopez   Mixing
Bruce Beuchner   Engineer
Kenneth Pratt   Composer,Vocal Assistance
Kyambo "Hip Hop" Joshua   Executive Producer
Ray Murray   Composer
Patrick Brown   Composer
Joi Campbell   Composer
Rob Ericson   Photography
C. Nelson   Composer
Liz Barrett   Art Direction
Isaac Phillips   Composer
Geroid Roberson   Executive Producer
Senator Jimmy D   Engineer
Steve Harris   Composer
Blake English   Engineer,Vocal Producer,Vocal Assistance
Big Chuck   Producer
Kenisha Pratt   Composer,Vocal Assistance
Jo Ann Campbell   Vocal Assistance
Chris Gehringer   Mastering
CeeLo Green   Composer
Larry Gold   String Arrangements
Don Harper   Composer
Janis Ian   Composer
Jonny Buckland   Composer
Leon Ware   Composer
Sean Davis   Engineer
Brian Gardner   Mastering
P. Brown   Composer
Ricky Chao   Assistant Engineer
Joan Brown   Product Manager
Jermeal Hicks   Assistant Engineer
DeMonica Plummer   Sample Clearance
Cha Cha Jones   Engineer
Carlos Wilson   Composer
Julian Peploe   Package Design
Chris Martin   Composer
Eugene Toale   Engineer
Theron Feemster   Composer,Producer
Walter Millsap III   Composer,Engineer
Sean Cooper   Sound Design
Jun Isheseki   Engineer
Louis Wilson   Composer
Ric Wilson   Composer
Ron Feemster   Producer
Stephen Garrett   Composer
Miri Ben-Ari   Violin Arrangement
Guy Berryman   Composer
Jun Ishizeki   Engineer
Timothy Mosley   Composer
Brandy   Vocal Producer
Manny Marroquin   Mixing
Halsey Quemere   Assistant Engineer
Static   Vocal Assistance
Kenny Hicks   Vocal Producer
Jacqueline Hilliard   Composer
Claude Cave II   Composer
Will Champion   Composer
Peter Mokran   Mixing
Jimmy Douglass   Mixing
Erick Walls   Composer
Nick Glennie-Smith   Composer