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Foxy Brown (rapper)

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Foxy Brown

Inga Fung Marchand[1], born September 6, 1979[2][1] (a 2006 police report cites her birth year as 1978[3]), better known as Foxy Brown, is an American rapper known for her solo work as well and numerous collaborations with other artists, and her brief stint as part of hip-hop music group The Firm. Born in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York of mixed Afro-Trinidadian and Asian. She is half African and half south asian[indian].[4] She has released three solo albums, Ill Na Na in 1996, followed by Chyna Doll in 1999, and Broken Silence in 2001. She performed also in the 1997 self-titled album by the Firm, the only album to be released by that group to date.[5]

After 2002, she continued recording verses for herself and other artists but did not release any albums. In April 2003, she announced on the Wendy Williams radio program on radio station WBLS that she would leave Def Jam Recordings, thus leaving her album Ill Na Na 2 unreleased; it was initially to be released in May 2003.[6] However, she returned to the label in January 2005 after Jay-Z signed her back to begin work on her new album Black Roses.[7] In December 2005, she began suffering from hearing loss, which put her career on hiatus until the next summer, a few months after surgery.[8]

In August 2007, she was signed to Koch Records.[9]

Biography

1994-1998

While still a teenager, Brown won a talent contest in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. At the time, production team Trackmasters were working on LL Cool J's Mr. Smith album, the pair were in attendance that night and being impressed, they decided to let her rap over "I Shot Ya." [2]

Brown followed her debut with appearances on several RIAA platinum and gold singles from other artists, including remixes of songs "You're Makin' Me High" by Toni Braxton.[2] Brown was also featured on the soundtrack to the 1996 film The Nutty Professor, on the songs "Touch Me Tease Me" by Case and "Ain't No Nigga" by Jay-Z.[10]The immediate success led to a label bidding war at the beginning of 1996, and in March, Def Jam Records won as they added the then 16-year old talent to their roster.[2]

In 1996 Brown released her debut album Ill Na Na to mixed reviews but strong sales. The album sold over 109,000 copies in the first week, and debuted at #7 on the Billboard 200 album charts.[2] The album was heavily produced by Trackmasters, and featured guest appearances from Jay-Z, Blackstreet, Method Man, and Kid Capri.[11] The album went on to go platinum and launched two hit singles: "Get Me Home" (featuring Blackstreet) and "I'll Be" (featuring Jay-Z).[12]

Following the release of Ill Na Na, Brown joined fellow New York based hip hop artists, Nas, AZ and Nature to form the supergroup known as The Firm. The album was released via Aftermath Records and was produced and recorded by the collective team of Dr. Dre, The Trackmasters, and Steve "Comissioner" Stout of Violator Entertainment. An early form of The Firm appeared on "Affirmative Action," from Nas' second album, It Was Written. A remix of the song, and several group freestyles were in the album, Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, and Nature Present The Firm: The Album.[5] The album entered the Billboard 200 album chart at #1.[13]

On January 25, 1997, Brown spat on two hotel workers in Raleigh, North Carolina when they told her they didn't have an iron available. When she missed a court appearance, an arrest warrant was issued and she finally turned herself in on April 30, 1997. She eventually received a 30-day suspended sentence and was ordered to perform 80 hours of community service.[14]

In March 1997, she joined the spring break festivities hosted by the MTV cable television network in Panama City, Florida, among other performers including rapper Snoop Dogg, pop group The Spice Girls, and rock band Stone Temple Pilots.[15] Later, she joined the Smokin' Grooves tour hosted by the House of Blues with the headlining rap group Cypress Hill, along with other performers like Erykah Badu, The Roots, OutKast, and The Pharcyde, the tour set to begin in Boston, Massachusetts in the summer of 1997.[16] However, after missing several dates in the tour, she left it.[17]

1999-2000

On January 26, 1999 Foxy Brown released her second album Chyna Doll, delayed from its original November 1998 release date.[18] It entered the Billboard 200 charts at number one, selling 173,000 copies in its opening week.[19] However, its sales quickly declined in later weeks.[20] The album's lead single "Hot Spot" failed to enter the top 50 of the Billboard pop charts, as did the follow-up single, "I Can't" (featuring Total). Chyna Doll has been certified platinum after surpassing one million copies in sales[21].

On July 3, 1999, Brown was escorted off the stage by Police at a concert in Trinidad and Tobago for using obscene language. However, no criminal charges were laid nor was she arrested. [22]

In 2000, she announced she was suffering from depression and entered rehab at Cornell University Medical College for an addiction to prescription painkillers, in particular, morphine, even stating that she couldn't perform or make records unless she was on the illegal drug.[23]

2001-2003

In 2001, Brown released Broken Silence. Its first single was "BK Anthem" showcased Brown changing to a "street" image and giving a tribute to her hometown Brooklyn and famous rappers such as The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z. The second single from the album was "Oh Yeah", which featured her then-boyfriend, Jamaican dancehall artist Spragga Benz.[24] The album debuted on the Billboard Charts at #3, selling 331,000 units its first week.

In 2002, Brown returned to the music scene briefly with her single "Stylin'", whose remix featured rappers Birdman, Gavin (brother of Brown), Loon, and N.O.R.E. was to be the first single off of her upcoming album Ill Na Na 2: The Fever.[25] The next year, she was featured on DJ Kayslay's single "Too Much For Me" from his Street Sweeper's Volume One Mixtape.[26] She also appeared on Luther Vandross' final studio album Dance with My Father.[27] That April, Brown appeared on popular New York radio jock Wendy Williams' radio show, and revealed the details of her relationships with Lyor Cohen, president of Def Jam Recordings at the time, and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. Brown accused both of illegally trading her recording masters. She also announced that Cohen shelved her long awaited fourth album Ill Na Na 2: The Fever over personal disagreements.[28] Therefore, "Stylin'" was released on the compilation album The Source Presents: Hip Hop Hits Vol. 6 in December 2002.[29]

2004–Present

In 2004, Brown reunited with her old friend and mentor Jay-Z, when he became the president of Def Jam and signed her to its subsidiary, Roc-A-Fella Records. Later that year, Brown joined Jay-Z and several other hip-hop acts on his Jay-Z and Friends tour. Brown began recording her fourth solo album, Black Roses.[30] Its first single was "Come Fly With Me" featuring Sizzla.[31] Other tracks Brown recorded included a remix of the song "You Already Know" by the R&B group 112.[32]

Controversy continued to follow Brown in April 2005, first when Brown pled not guilty to assault charges over a dispute over a manicure.[33] Later that month, female rapper Jacki-O alleged that she and Brown got into a physical altercation at a recording studio in Miami, Florida, saying that Brown came into the studio during her session and expected her to "bow down" to her. Rapper Remy Ma has also slapped the shit out of Brown due to wreckless conversation. [34] The next month, Brown denied any such altercation in an interview with the Miami, Florida hip-hop radio station WEDR.[35]

On December 5, 2005, outside of Manhattan criminal court, Brown's attorney Joseph Tacopina stated he wanted to confirm rumors that Brown was almost totally deaf and claimed that he could no longer communicate with her verbally. Brown told reporters on December 15 that she was diagnosed with sudden hearing loss in May while she was recording her upcoming album. Shortly after Tacopina spoke to the public about her hearing condition, news spread that Brown had fired him. According to reports, Tacopina was never given permission by Brown or her agent to discuss her medical condition to reporters.[36]

In October 2006, Foxy Brown was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to undergo anger management classes for the physical altercation in a nail salon in 2004. "This is only the first time in two years that I'm pleased with Judge Jackson," Brown told the Associated Press. Brown was reported to have received an excellent report from probation.[37]

In May 2007, Black Hand Entertainment announced that they signed a management deal with Foxy Brown [38]. The release of her album Black Roses has been scheduled for September 6,2007 [39]

On July 22 2007, MTV News reported that there are plans for Brooklyn's Don Diva, a "mixtape", to be released before Black Roses [40]. On August 14, 2007, Foxy left Def Jam Recordings, establishing her own label, Black Rose Entertainment, with distribution by independent record label Koch Records. [9]

On September 7, 2007, New York Criminal Court Judge Melissa Jackson sentenced Foxy Brown to one year in jail for violating her probation that stemmed from the 2004 fight with two manicurists in a New York City nail salon. [41]She was eventually released from prison on April 18, 2008. No mention was made during the trial by anyone about Brown expecting a baby. On September 12 2007, her representatives stated the rapper was not pregnant in response to claims by her lawyer that she was.[42]

Controversies

  • In January 1997, the rapper turned herself in on an arrest warrant issued after she missed a court appearance for spitting on two North Raleigh Holiday Inn hotel workers, Tracy McFarland and Emerald Rowe, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The altercation occurred after the rapper requested an iron, but was informed by hotel staff that none was available. A North Carolina judge issued Brown a $500 fine, an 80 hour community service order and a 30-day suspended sentence. [43] [44]
  • On March 6, 2000, Brown crashed her Range Rover in Flatbush, Brooklyn. She was charged with driving without a license, since her license had been suspended for not paying two parking tickets. But she hasn't been arrested on that charge since.[45]
  • On July 26, 2002, Brown was arrested in Kingston, Jamaica for an altercation with a policewoman at Norman Manley International Airport. When she missed a court appearance two days later, Jamaican authorities announced that she would be arrested if she returned to the country. [46]
  • On August 29, 2004, Brown allegedly attacked two manicurists in Chelsea, Manhattan during a dispute over a $20 bill that she refused to pay. She was not charged for the incident until March 7, 2005. She has denied the charges and initially rejected misdemeanor plea deals on May 6 and August 9, 2005. On October 25, 2006, Brown was sentenced to three years probation and anger management counseling. Orders of protection were authorized by the court for the manicurists [47].
  • On December 23, 2005, Brown was handcuffed in a Manhattan, New York courtroom after a verbal confrontation with the judge. Brown was in court to finalize a plea deal stemming from the August 2004 incident. Judge Melissa Jackson thought Brown was chewing gum and asked her to get rid of it. Brown responded by opening her mouth and sticking her tongue out, not as a sign of disrespect but to show, as she subsequently claimed, that she had no gum in her mouth. Judge Jackson ordered Brown cuffed to a bench for fifteen minutes, but when a female court officer attempted to handcuff her they got into a heated exchange over a bracelet the rapper was wearing. Judge Jackson alleged that Brown also struck the officer. When Brown refused to apologize, she was threatened with thirty days in jail. She eventually apologized to the court. [48]
  • On February 15, 2007, Brown was arrested for an incident in Broward County, Florida.[49] According to the arrest report, Brown was applying beauty products in the bathroom of the Queen Beauty Supply store when an employee knocked on the door and told her the business was closed so it was time to leave. She refused and threw hair glue at the employee, the report said. Brown then spat on the man as he called 911, staining his shirt. A police officer found her in the shopping plaza and tried to get her to return to the store. When the officer placed a hand on her arm to escort her to the store, Brown swatted it away, then started swinging her arms and struggling with the officer, the report said. The officer had to "use a take-down maneuver to gain control" of Brown, according to the report. No one was injured.
  • On March 1, 2007, Foxy Brown pleaded guilty to a probation violation for leaving New York state without permission [50].
  • On March 22, 2007, Broward County Judge Joel Lazurus issued an arrest warrant for the arrest of Foxy Brown for her failure to appear in court for the February 2007 incident in Florida. The judge subsequently withdrew the arrest warrant, Brown appeared in court and pleaded not guilty [51].
  • On May 7 2007, police were called in Brooklyn after a young mother claimed Foxy Brown, in a silver Range Rover, almost ran her down along with her baby in a stroller [52]. No charges were filed.
  • On August 14, 2007, Foxy Brown turned herself in for the felony assault charge resulting from hitting her neighbor with a BlackBerry [53].
  • On August 22, 2007, Judge Melissa Jackson ordered Foxy Brown jailed until a September 5 hearing for allegedly violating her probation after her arrest in the Blackberry incident. She was immediately taken into custody. Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Melissa Jackson said Brown's sentence will continue the six months' probation she is already serving. But Jackson warned that if there are any other probation infractions, "I'm reserving the right to resentence you to jail for one year." [54]
  • On September 7, 2007, New York Criminal Court Judge Melissa Jackson sentenced Foxy Brown to one year in jail for violating her probation that stemmed from the 2004 fight with two manicurists in a New York City nail salon. "I'm not going to give you any more chances," Judge Jackson told Brown. "I hope you turn your life around and never again have to stand in a court of law." With time off for good behavior for her detention that began in August 2007, Brown became eligible for parole in April/May 2008. [55]
  • On October 12, 2007, Brown refused three times to board a Rikers Island bus for a Brooklyn court date related to the BlackBerry incident - once because "she needed more time to primp", authorities said. She finally appeared before the Court on October 16, 2007 and pleaded not guilty.[56]
  • On October 23, 2007, Brown was given 76 days in solitary confinement due to a physical altercation that took place on October 3, 2007, with another prisoner. According to the prison authorities, Foxy Brown, the next day after the incident, was also verbally abusive toward correction officers and refused to take a random drug test. [57] On November 27, 2007, the prison authorities reported that the singer was released "from solitary confinement this week for good behavior"[58].
  • On January 16, 2008, Foxy Brown submitted a request to Judge Jackson, asking for early release in order "to treat an ear condition" she fears could "threaten [her] hearing". The request was part of an appeal filed on January 15 at the New York State Supreme Court[59] but was subsequently denied by the judge.
  • On April 18, 2008, at 12:05 p.m., Foxy Brown was released from the Rose M. Singer facility at Rikers Island Correctional facility in New York. In a subsequent press conference, she stated "I believe that God put me there for a reason. Incarceration is serious," adding that the first place she wanted to go after her "learning experience" was church. "He got me through," she said.[60]

Power 105.1 controversy

On November 22, 2006 Foxy Brown appeared at New York radio station Power 105.1 for an interview with morning show hosts Egypt and Donnell "Ashy" Rawlings. As the interview began to air, Ashy made remarks and took several shots at Foxy's recent hearing loss. Through the rest of the interview Brown refused to answer to Ashy, excluding him from her conversation with Egypt. The interview became acrimonious when Ms. Brown was asked by Egypt to explain rumors that she had been dropped from her record label. Ms. Brown switched stories, first insisting she was still "signed to Jay" and then contradicting that by saying she was the one who "initiated leaving Def Jam ... they could never drop [Foxy Brown]" The DJs then asked the rapper questions including details on her recent conviction for assault, but she declined to answer, berating the DJs for being "disrespectful" and reminding Egypt that, "I told you when I called you what type of questions I wanted for my interview." Foxy began to pack her belongings continuing to dismiss any further comments the DJs were making. At this point, Egypt ended the interview, stating: "Foxy, you leave the room ... this interview is over" [61]. A sound clip of the interview, during which Brown leaves the New York radio station, then surfaced on various blogs and websites.

Discography

Albums

Album Released Chart peak[62]
Billboard 200
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Ill Na Na
November 19, 1996
7
2
Chyna Doll
January 26, 1999
1
1
Broken Silence
July 17 2001
5
3
Brooklyn's Don Diva
May 13 2008

Singles

Year Song U.S Hot 100[12] U.S. R&B[12] U.S. Rap[12] U.S. Rhythmic Contemporary[12] Album
1996 "Get Me Home" (featuring Blackstreet) - - - 11 Ill Na Na
1997 "I'll Be" (featuring Jay-Z) 7 5 2 22
"Big Bad Mama" (featuring Dru Hill) 53 - - 20 Def Jam's How To Be A Player Soundtrack
1999 "Hot Spot" 91 22 23 37 Chyna Doll
"I Can't" (featuring Total) - 61 45 -
2001 "B.K. Anthem" - 82 22 - Broken Silence
"Oh Yeah" (featuring Spragga Benz) - 63 - -
"Candy" (featuring Kelis) - 48 10 -
2002 "Stylin'" - 71 - - Ill Na Na 2: The Fever
2003 "I Need a Man" (featuring The Letter M) - 62 - -
2005 "Come Fly With Me" (featuring Sizzla) - 45 - - Black Roses
2008 "When The Lights Go Out" (featuring Kira) - - - - Brooklyn's Don Diva

Appearances

References

  1. ^ a b Brown, Scott; Serpick, Evan (2001-03-09), "Lil', Brown & Co.", Entertainment Weekly, no. 586, retrieved 2008-02-29
  2. ^ a b c d e Bush, John (2002). "Foxy Brown - Biography". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
  3. ^ Broward County Police Dept. "Foxy Brown's 2006 Arrest Form" (PDF). TMZ.com. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  4. ^ Calloway, Sway (2001-05-29). "Foxy Brown - Outspoken (Part 4)". MTV News. Retrieved 2006-05-09.
  5. ^ a b Birchmeier, Jason. "The Firm - Biography". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  6. ^ "Foxy Brown's "Ill Na Na 2" Shelved Indefinitely". Yahoo! Music. 2003-04-22. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  7. ^ Reid (2005-01-11). "Jay-Z Brings Pal Foxy Brown Back To Def Jam". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-02-29. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |First= ignored (|first= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2006-06-28). "Foxy Brown Returns: Deafness Cured, She's Back To Work". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  9. ^ a b Crosley, Hillary (2007-08-15). "Foxy Brown Joins Koch Records". Billboard. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
  10. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Nutty Professor" - overview. All Music Guide: c. 1996.
  11. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Ill Na Na" - overview. All Music Guide
  12. ^ a b c d e "Foxy Brown - Billboard singles". All Music Guide. Billboard. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
  13. ^ "The Firm - Billboard Albums". AllMusic.com. Billboard. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  14. ^ "Foxy Brown Turns Herself In". MTV News. 1997-05-02. Retrieved 2005-10-06.
  15. ^ "Foxy Brown, Spice Girls, Snoop, STP Do Spring Break". MTV News. 1997-03-13. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  16. ^ "Cypress Hill, Erykah Badu, Foxy Brown Join Smokin' Grooves Tour". MTV News. 1997-04-08. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  17. ^ "Foxy Brown Bows Out of Smokin' Grooves". MTV News. 1997-07-14. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  18. ^ "Foxy Brown Delays Sophomore Album, Talks Diversity". MTV News. 1998-12-07. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  19. ^ Boehlert, Eric (1999-02-03). "Shock the Shocker". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  20. ^ Promis, Jose F. ""Chyna Doll" - Overview". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
  21. ^ "Foxy Brown - Gold and Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  22. ^ Angulo, Sandra P. (1999-07-12). "Rap Sheet". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2005-10-06.
  23. ^ Salomon, Yves (2000-12-26). "Foxy Brown in Rehab". Yahoo! Music.
  24. ^ Huey, Steve (2003). "Spragga Benz - Biography". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  25. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2002-09-23). "Cam'ron, Foxy Brown, N.O.R.E. On Illest Tour". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  26. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2003-05-20). "DJ Kay Slay Says It's Mo' Artists, Mo' Problems On Legit CDs". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  27. ^ Jeffries, David (2003). ""Dance with My Father - Overview". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  28. ^ Salazar-Moreno, Quibian (2003-04-17). "Foxy Brown Breaks Down on Wendy Williams Show". SOHH. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  29. ^ Kellman, Andy (2002). ""The Source Presents: Hip Hop Hits, Vol. 6" - Overview". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  30. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2005-01-11). "Jay-Z Signs Pal Foxy Brown Back to Def Jam". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  31. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2005-06-07). "Jay-Z Jumps On Three Tracks For Foxy Brown's New Album". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  32. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2005-02-07). "Mixtape Monday: Dame Dash Kicks Off Chapter Two; Jamie Foxx, Whoo Kidd Reunite". Mixtape Monday. MTV News. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  33. ^ Kaufman, Gil (2005-04-12). "Foxy Brown Pleads Not Guilty to Nail-Salon Assault". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  34. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2005-04-26). "Foxy Brown and Jacki-O Duke It Out At Miami Studio". MTV News. Retrieved 2006-01-01.
  35. ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Foxy Brown And Jacki-O, Ghostface, Nellie McKay, Pras, New Pornographers & More". MTV News. 2005-05-03. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  36. ^ "Lawyer: Foxy Brown is Deaf". Billboard. Associated Press. 2005-12-06. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  37. ^ Maull, Samuel (2007-01-17). "Foxy Brown Gets Good Probation Report". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  38. ^ Roberts, Anthony (2007-05-23). "Foxy Brown Under New Management, Ordered To Submit DNA Sample In Assault Case". Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  39. ^ Concepcion, Mariel (2007-05-24). "Foxy Brown is Primed for a Comeback". Billboard. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  40. ^ Rodriguez, Jayson (2007-07-02). "Foxy Brown Hits Back With 'We Don't Surrender' — But Who Won't She Surrender To?". MTV News. Retrieved 2007-07-06.
  41. ^ "Foxy Brown sentenced to a year in jail". MSNBC. Associated Press. 2007-09-07. Retrieved 2007-09-07.
  42. ^ "Jailed Foxy Brown 'not pregnant'". BBC News. 2007-09-13. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  43. ^ Rapper Foxy Brown Jailed In Florida
  44. ^ Foxy Brown apologizes for unladylike behavior
  45. ^ NY Daily News : Foxy racks up 16 N.Y. traffic violations in 3 yrs
  46. ^ Top-40 charts.com : If Foxy Brown returns to Jamaica
  47. ^ BBC : Brown put on probation
  48. ^ Rapper handcuffed in court fracas
  49. ^ "Foxy Brown in trouble". CNN.com. Associated Press. 2007-02-16. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  50. ^ CBS : Foxy Brown Pleads Guilty In NYC Court
  51. ^ USA Today : Foxy Brown pleads not guilty
  52. ^ NY Daily News : Rapper's called a wheel menace
  53. ^ ABC News : Foxy Brown in trouble again
  54. ^ TheRegister.com : Foxy Brown sent to jail
  55. ^ MSNBC : Foxy Brown sentenced to a year in jail
  56. ^ NY Post : Fiery Foxy In Prison Bus Fuss
  57. ^ NY Post : Foxy Slapped With Solitary
  58. ^ Reuters : Foxy Brown released from solitary confinement
  59. ^ Reuters : Jailed Foxy Brown asks for release for ear problem
  60. ^ People.com: Foxy Brown's Emotional Release from Prison
  61. ^ NY Daily Post : Foxy Fudges On Air, Gets Boot
  62. ^ Foxy Brown album chart history at Billboard.com
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