Born in McComb, Mississippi, Norwood was raised in Carson, California, beginning her career as a backing vocalist for teen groups. After signing with Atlantic Records in 1993, she released her self-titled debut album, Brandy, the following year, which sold six million copies worldwide. Norwood ventured into acting with the UPN sitcom Moesha (1996–2001), which won her an NAACP Image Award, and resulted in numerous other roles, such as the titular character in the television film Cinderella (1997) and Karla Wilson in the slasher film I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998). Her musical breakthrough came with the wildly successful single "The Boy Is Mine" (1998), a duet with fellow R&B contemporary Monica, which went on to become one of the best selling female duets of all time. Her second album, Never Say Never, won Norwood her first Grammy Award. In 2002, Norwood starred in the reality series Brandy: Special Delivery, documenting the birth of her daughter. Her third and fourth albums, Full Moon (2002) and Afrodisiac (2004), were released to critical success.
Norwood served as a judge on the first season of America's Got Talent before being involved in a heavily publicized car accident in 2006. Norwood's fifth album, Human (2008), was released to positive reviews, although it was a commercial failure. In 2010, she returned to television as a contestant on the eleventh season of Dancing with the Stars and starred in the reality series Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business. She was a series regular in the BET series The Game (2012–2015) and released her sixth album Two Eleven (2012) thereafter, both earning her critical praise. In April 2015, Norwood made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago. She starred in and executive produced a sitcom titled Zoe Ever After on BET which premiered in January 2016. In July 2020, Norwood released her seventh studio album, B7, also her first project as an independent artist, to critical acclaim. In 2021, Norwood starred alongside Naturi Naughton, Eve and Nadine Velazquez in American Broadcasting Company's music drama series Queens to critical acclaim.
In June 2022, Norwood announced her major label return after signing with Motown Records under which she is expected to preprare her eighth studio album.
Bring Me Down
Brandy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way down, way down
One day, they'd tried to bring me down
Always knew that one day, they'd try to bring me down
Way down, they'd try to bring me down
We gon' to mass today, we have to pray
Besides what the pastor say, I have to say
Most you rappers don't even deserve a track from me
You see, if you ever wanted to ever be anything
There'd always be somebody that shoot down any dream
There'll always be haters, that's the way it is
Hater niggas marry hater bitches and have hater kids
But they gon' have to take my life 'fore they take my drive
'Cause when I was barely livin', that's what kept me alive
Just the thought that maybe it could be better than what we at at this time
Make it out of this grind, 'fore I'm out of my mind
And get some leeway on the he say, she say
Your girl don't like me, how long has she been gay?
Spanish girls say "Yo, no hablo inglés"
And everybody want to run to me for their single
It's funny how these wack niggas need my help
Wasn't around when I couldn't feed myself
Dawg, if I was you, I wouldn't feel myself
Dawg, if I was you, I'd kill myself
Made a mil' myself and I'm still myself
And I'mma look in the mirror if I need some help
Y'all don't from the heart, y'all all frontin'
Everybody feel a way about K but at least y'all feel something
Why you come here
I bet it only it was forget to get you
What kind of dream we found
See I'm often at your cross ways
Forgetting it was that Heaven let ya
They'd tried to bring me down
I always knew that one day, they'd try to bring me down
Way down, way down
Always knew that one day, they'd tried to bring me down
Way down, they'd try to bring me down
Always knew that one day, they'd try to bring me down
Way down, they'd try to bring me down, down down, down down, no no no
In Brandy's song "Bring Me Down," she delves into the idea that throughout her career, there have been people who have tried to hinder her success or bring her down both professionally and personally. The lyrics convey a sense of resilience and determination, as she acknowledges the presence of haters and negative influences but also asserts her confidence in staying true to herself.
The song begins by addressing the expectation that at some point, people would attempt to bring her down. Brandy draws on her own experiences and emphasizes that she has always been aware that there would be obstacles in her path. She references the passing of rapper Tupac Shakur and the lack of respect from many contemporary rappers, implying that she is not easily impressed or affected by superficial fame or popularity.
Brandy expresses her belief that those who aspire to achieve greatness will always face criticism and naysayers who aim to crush their dreams. She acknowledges the existence of haters, suggesting that they perpetuate negativity by surrounding themselves with likeminded individuals. Despite this, Brandy remains steadfast and resilient, stating that her drive is unbreakable, and she will not let anyone take away her motivation to succeed.
The second verse delves into the struggles and challenges Brandy has faced in her journey. She expresses gratitude for the belief that things could be better, as it was a driving force that kept her going during difficult times. She touches on the gossip and rumors surrounding her personal life, dismissing them as insignificant and irrelevant. Brandy also mentions how people turn to her for help and collaboration, highlighting the irony of those who previously overlooked her or dismissed her as unworthy.
Line by Line Meaning
I always knew that one day, they'd try to bring me down
I've always had a feeling that eventually, people would attempt to diminish my success and undermine my confidence.
Way down, way down
To a great extent, deeply and profoundly.
We gon' to mass today, we have to pray
We are going to church today to seek spiritual guidance through prayer.
Besides what the pastor say, I have to say
In addition to listening to the words of the pastor, I have my own thoughts and beliefs to express.
Since Pac passed away
Since the passing of Tupac Shakur.
Most you rappers don't even deserve a track from me
The majority of other rappers are not worthy of collaborating with me or receiving a song from me.
You see, if you ever wanted to ever be anything
You see, if you ever aspired to achieve something significant.
There'd always be somebody that shoot down any dream
There will always be individuals who attempt to discourage and obstruct any dream or ambition.
There'll always be haters, that's the way it is
There will always be people who harbor resentment and negativity, that's just a reality.
Hater niggas marry hater bitches and have hater kids
Those individuals who hold hatred in their hearts end up forming relationships and raising children with the same negative disposition.
But they gon' have to take my life 'fore they take my drive
However, they would have to end my life before they can extinguish my determination and motivation.
'Cause when I was barely livin', that's what kept me alive
During times when I was barely surviving, it was my drive and ambition that helped me stay alive.
Just the thought that maybe it could be better than what we at at this time
Simply the possibility that the future could hold something better than our current circumstances.
Make it out of this grind, 'fore I'm out of my mind
Escape from this tiresome and demanding lifestyle before it drives me insane.
And get some leeway on the he say, she say
And gain some freedom from the gossip and rumors that circulate.
Your girl don't like me, how long has she been gay?
Your girlfriend doesn't approve of me, how long has she been homosexual?
Spanish girls say 'Yo, no hablo inglés'
Spanish-speaking girls often claim not to speak English.
And everybody want to run to me for their single
Everyone wants to come to me seeking my assistance with their music tracks.
It's funny how these wack niggas need my help
It's ironic how these untalented individuals rely on my support and guidance.
Wasn't around when I couldn't feed myself
They were nowhere to be found when I was struggling to provide for myself.
Dawg, if I was you, I wouldn't feel myself
If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't be so self-assured and confident.
Dawg, if I was you, I'd kill myself
If I were in your situation, I would be so ashamed that I might contemplate suicide.
Made a mil' myself and I'm still myself
I've achieved financial success on my own terms and I have remained true to my authentic self.
And I'mma look in the mirror if I need some help
If I ever require guidance or reassurance, I will introspect and find strength within myself.
Y'all don't from the heart, y'all all frontin'
Your expression lacks sincerity and genuineness, you are all putting on a false façade.
Everybody feel a way about K but at least y'all feel something
Everyone has an opinion or emotional reaction towards me, but at least I invoke some sort of response.
Why you come here
Why have you arrived at this place?
I bet it only it was forget to get you
I wager that the sole purpose of your presence here was to harm or deceive me.
What kind of dream we found
What type of aspiration or ambition have we discovered?
See I'm often at your cross ways
I frequently find myself at a junction where our paths intersect.
Forgetting it was that Heaven let ya
Overlooking the fact that it was through fate or divine intervention that you were granted the opportunity.
They'd tried to bring me down
They attempted to diminish my success and undermine my confidence.
Always knew that one day, they'd try to bring me down
I've always had a sense that at some point, people would attempt to diminish my success and undermine my confidence.
Down down, down down, no no no
To a lower level, declining rapidly, definitely not.
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kanye West, Jon Brion, Antony Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MyDude
Song goes hard what can I say