Never Say Never (Brandy album)

Never Say Never
Studio album by
Brandy
ReleasedJune 9, 1998 (1998-06-09)
RecordedMay 1997 – April 1998
Studio
Genre
Length66:36
LabelAtlantic
Producer
Brandy chronology
Brandy
(1994) 		Never Say Never
(1998) 		Full Moon
(2002)
Singles from Never Say Never
  1. "The Boy Is Mine"
    Released: May 4, 1998[2]
  2. "Top of the World"
    Released: July 7, 1998[3]
  3. "Have You Ever?"
    Released: October 6, 1998[4]
  4. "Almost Doesn't Count"
    Released: March 23, 1999[5]
  5. "U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)"
    Released: September 14, 1999[6]
  6. "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You"
    Released: November 1999

Never Say Never is the second studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released on June 9, 1998, by Atlantic Records. Atlantic consulted David Foster, as well as producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and his team to work with Norwood on the record; Jerkins went on to craft the majority of the album and would evolve as Norwood's mentor and head producer on her succeeding projects.[7]

The lyrical themes on the album include the singer's personal experiences with love, monogamy, media bias, and maturity. Influenced by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, Norwood wanted to present a more mature facet of herself with the album, incorporating a ballad-heavy style and an adult contemporary feel into her urban pop sound for the album.[8]

Upon its release, Never Say Never facilitated Norwood in becoming a viable recording artist with media-crossing appeal. It debuted at No. 3 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 160,000 copies in its first week, and peaked at No. 2 the following week, remaining within the chart's top 20 for 28 weeks.[9] Six of the album's 16 songs were chosen as singles, including duet with Monica "The Boy Is Mine" and "Have You Ever?", which both topped the US Billboard Hot 100, as well as "Top of the World", which become an international hit.

Never Say Never became Norwood's highest-selling and highest-charting album to date in most international markets, being certified quintuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and selling over 16 million copies worldwide. It won numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "The Boy Is Mine".[10] The album was supported by the Never Say Never World Tour (1999), which included sold-out shows in North America, Europe, & Asia.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference ti was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Samuels, Anita (June 20, 1998). "Sharing a Hit Duet, Arista's Monica Finds Her Own Voice on 'Boy'". Billboard. p. 23. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  3. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1255. July 3, 1998. p. 48. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  4. ^ "New Releases / AddVance Notice". Radio & Records. No. 1268. October 2, 1998. pp. 44, 49, 56.
  5. ^ "New Releases / AddVance Notice". Radio & Records. No. 1291. March 19, 1999. pp. 44, 49.
  6. ^ "Going for Adds / AddVance Notice". Radio & Records. No. 1316. September 10, 1999. pp. 54, 60, 67.
  7. ^ Odum, Shanel (2008-12-01). "Girl, Interrupted". VIBE. Retrieved 2010-07-20.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference ew was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference MTV-11 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Coker, Cheo Hodari (2004-07-01). "Not That Innocent". VIBE. Retrieved 2010-07-20.[permanent dead link]