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.
Top of the World (feat. Fat Joe
Brandy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dark Child...
Mase kid
Harlem on the rise
Come on, Come on , Come on , Come on, Come on
I went from Helly Hanson to mini-mansions
The girls in Aruba doing belly-dancings
Spent half of my advancing
I make it through my circumstances
But you know I'm wiser now
Move like kaiser now
gotta butter soft cover just to hide my pound
gotta house in the valley
Come and find me now
Got enough dough to buy the town
So I might give a 6 to my chick
Benz to my mom
Crib so big it look like the Sinigon
Give a ?cow? just to spill henny on
And Benadon since Lados and Benaton
Some people say that I'm not the same girl
They say that I think I'm in my own world
What makes them think that I have changed
A little dough cannot erase my problems
Me like you I have to try and solve them
Yes everything is quite the same
[Chorus]
I'm just trying to be me
Doing what I got to do
Some people think that I'm
Just sittin on top of the world
I'm just try to be me proving what I got to prove
Some people think that I'm
Just sittin' on top of the world
I wonder why it's often said
That my lifes a fairy tale and
Everything is so right
I wish that you could know the truth
My life is real so please don't get it twisted
Problems the same and got to be dealt with
These are the things I wish you knew
Always in someone's eye so many questions why
How is it to be down with me with me
Afraid to express myself always me and someone else
I need to be free but its not that easy
[CHORUS]
Don't understand why people
Think I don't have friends
Who knew me bad when
This was my dream nothing has changed
I still do the same things
Yo,you can quit cookin short if it ain't about cake
I ain't sittin on top I want a house on a lake
I'm that snotty nosed cat with a new BM
If you mess with Brandy I gotta bruise your chin
I be with Puff the girls be like "Who's his friend?"
If I hit a chick once you probably move me in
So you gotta tell me right now
Either your wit
The cats that make the hits or the ones that see the chips (Slow down Mase
your killin me)
But don't stop it
what's the use of buying a weight if I'm a hav to chop it
I use the let a lady till I learned the logics
She only mess with Ma$e know the money ain't an object
If it ain't crissy he won't pop it
If it ain't platinum with ice he won't rock it
If it don't cost 60 he don't drop it
If it don't come with TVs he won't cop it
you can stop it , yea yea yea what what what?
[CHORUS]
Brandy on top of the world
Dogchow on top of the world
Mase be on top of the world
Harlem World be on top of the world
Brandy on top of the world
Dogchow be top of the world
M-A-dollar sign-E all over the world
Brandy all over the world
All over the world...
The song "Top of the World" by Brandy featuring Fat Joe talks about how success and money can't really erase someone's problems and challenges. Brandy starts the song by highlighting some of the material things that she has been able to acquire since she became successful. She sings about how people say she has changed because of her success but stresses that her problems remain the same and she has to find solutions to them. She feels like people don't understand her and some even think that her life is perfect like a fairytale, but that's just an illusion. She wishes that people knew the truth about her life and the challenges she faces despite being successful.
Fat Joe comes in the later part of the song to talk about how money is essential to him and how it has influenced his relationships. He stresses the need to surround himself with people who are all about making money and not wasting his time with those who can't help him achieve his goals. He also talks about how he is willing to fight anyone who tries to mess with Brandy.
Overall, the song "Top of the World" is a reflection on the complexities of life and how success is not enough to make someone's life perfect.
Line by Line Meaning
I went from Helly Hanson to mini-mansions
I have come a long way from being a regular person wearing Helly Hanson to now living in luxurious mini-mansions.
The girls in Aruba doing belly-dancings
I have traveled to places like Aruba and witnessed the culture, including women doing belly-dancing.
Spent half of my advancing, Jaws from Branson
I have spent a significant amount of my earnings, but it's okay because I am still moving forward in life.
I make it through my circumstances
Despite any obstacles or challenges, I have managed to persevere and overcome them.
But you know I'm wiser now
As I have grown and gained more experience, I have become wiser and more knowledgeable about life.
Move like kaiser now, gotta butter soft cover just to hide my pound
I move confidently and smoothly now, but I still have insecurities about my weight, hence why I use a soft cover to hide it.
Gotta house in the valley, Come and find me now
I now have a luxurious house in the valley, and people can come and see it for themselves.
Got enough dough to buy the town
I have earned enough money to be able to buy the entire town if I wanted to.
So I might give a 6 to my chick, Benz to my mom
I can afford to give my significant other a luxury car and my mother a Mercedes-Benz.
Crib so big it look like the Sinigon
My house is so large and extravagant that it resembles the famous Sinigon building.
Give a ?cow? just to spill henny on
I am so wealthy that I can even afford to waste an expensive bottle of Henny by spilling it on a cow.
And Benadon since Lados and Benaton
I wear luxury brands like Lados and Benaton, and even have expensive medication like Benadryl at my disposal.
Some people say that I'm not the same girl
Some people think that since I have become successful, I have changed and am not the same person anymore.
They say that I think I'm in my own world
Others believe that I am arrogant and disconnected from reality due to my success.
What makes them think that I have changed
I do not understand why people think that I have changed as a person just because of my success.
A little dough cannot erase my problems
Even with my wealth, I still have problems and struggles in life that money cannot solve.
Me like you I have to try and solve them
Just like everyone else, I have to work to solve my own problems and challenges.
Yes everything is quite the same
Despite my success, many things in my life and the world are still the same and remain unchanged.
I'm just trying to be me
I am simply trying to be my authentic self despite my success and wealth.
Doing what I got to do
I am doing everything necessary to maintain and continue my success.
Some people think that I'm just sittin on top of the world
Some people believe that I am simply coasting by and enjoying my success without putting in any effort.
I'm just try to be me proving what I got to prove
I am still trying to show the world what I am capable of achieving as my true self.
I wonder why it's often said, That my lifes a fairy tale
People often refer to my life as a fairy tale because of my success and wealth.
And everything is so right
People believe that my life is perfect and without any problems because of my success and wealth.
I wish that you could know the truth
I want people to understand that my life is not always perfect and that I face struggles just like anyone else.
My life is real so please don't get it twisted
My life is not a fantasy, and I hope people do not misunderstand my realities due to my wealth and success.
Problems the same and got to be dealt with
Despite my wealth and success, I still have problems and challenges that I must deal with, just like anyone else.
These are the things I wish you knew
I want people to understand that there is more to my life than just my success and wealth, and that I still face challenges and struggles.
Always in someone's eye so many questions why
Because of my fame and success, I am constantly in the public eye, and people have many questions and assumptions about me.
How is it to be down with me with me
People often wonder what it is like to be in a relationship with me because of my success and fame.
Afraid to express myself always me and someone else
I feel hesitant to express myself freely because I am always in the public eye and have to consider others' thoughts and opinions.
I need to be free but its not that easy
I desire to be able to express myself freely, but it is difficult because of my fame and the constant public scrutiny.
Don't understand why people think I don't have friends
People believe that I do not have genuine friends because of my fame and success.
Who knew me bad when
I have friends who have known me before my success and still support me.
This was my dream nothing has changed
Despite my current success, I am still living out the dream I had for myself from the start.
Yo, you can quit cookin short if it ain't about cake
If something is not going to make me money or benefit me financially, then I am not interested.
I ain't sittin on top I want a house on a lake
I am not content with my current level of success and want to continue to achieve more by owning a house on a lake.
If you mess with Brandy I gotta bruise your chin
If anyone tries to mess with me or my success, I will not hesitate to defend myself physically and verbally.
I be with Puff the girls be like 'Who's his friend?'
Because of my association with Puff Daddy, people are always curious about who my friends are.
If I hit a chick once you probably move me in
If I have a one-night stand with a woman, it is likely that she will become overly attached and try to move in with me.
So you gotta tell me right now, Either your wit
If someone wants to hang out with me, they must make it clear whether it is for my wit or my fame and success.
The cats that make the hits or the ones that see the chips (Slow down Mase, your killin me)
Potential associates must clarify whether they are interested in collaborating with me because of my music talent or because of the potential money they can earn from me.
But don't stop it, what's the use of buying a weight if I'm a hav to chop it
I do not see the point in buying something expensive if I will have to alter it to make it work for me.
I use the let a lady till I learned the logics
I used to be generous with giving gifts to women until I learned the lesson that not everyone deserves my generosity.
She only mess with Ma$e know the money ain't an object
The woman I am interested in only wants to be with me because she likes me, not because of my potential money and success.
If it ain't crissy, he won't pop it
If the alcohol is not Cristal, then it is not worth buying and drinking for me.
If it ain't platinum with ice he won't rock it
If the jewelry does not contain platinum and diamonds, then I will not wear it.
If it don't cost 60 he don't drop it
If a piece of clothing or accessory does not cost at least $60, then I will not buy it.
If it don't come with TVs he won't cop it
If a car does not have television screens installed, then I will not buy it.
Brandy on top of the world
Brandy is at the height of her success and fame.
Dogchow on top of the world
Dogchow, another artist or group, is also experiencing great success and fame.
Mase be on top of the world
Mase is also experiencing great success and fame.
Harlem World be on top of the world
Harlem World, possibly a reference to the Harlem neighborhood in New York City, is also experiencing great success and fame.
M-A-dollar sign-E all over the world
Mase is known around the world and is experiencing global success and fame.
Brandy all over the world
Brandy is also known and popular around the world.
All over the world...
These artists and their success are known and recognized globally.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: AUTHOR UNKNOWN COMPOSER, CARLOS JENKINS, DAMARIO LASHIE, JOSEPH EDWARD MACKLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Vasquez
Lyrics "Top Of The World (Remix)"
(feat. Brandy, Fat Joe)
[Rodney]
Yo I don't think they're ready for this one
Another Darkchild remix
Brandy, RJ, Big Pun, Fat Joe, Terror Squad
Come on
[Big Pun]
Hear the truth shorty
With my fruit punch and my forty
Sweeter than candy, Brandy's the only one for me
You get it up
It's only the middle of the week
But when you called Joe and Pun
You kept it real with the streets
That's the true honor
Not the jewels or Garbana
Any fool can't accomplish just a few hundred dollars
That's paper thin, I got my mamma out the apron
I'm loyal to her from eight to ten
Make way for the twin
[Fat Joe (Brandy)]
Who the twins that be making it hot
(Say what?)
Number one on you Billboard charts
Showing love to them thugs who be holding the blocks
And we be tearing up the club like the Three Six Mob
Joey Crack baby, ain't no time to react lazy
Brandy gave us a call and our track's gravy
Perhaps maybe we can ball with this
And all get rich, I ain't only talking ish!
[Brandy]
Some people say that I am not the same girl
They think that I am in my own world
What makes them think that I have changed, yeah
A little dough can not erase my problems
Me, like you, I have to try and solve them
Yes everything is quite the same
[1 - Brandy]
Sitting on top the world
Sitting on top, no that's not so
Everybody changes, let it go
Sitting on top the world
I'm just one girl trying to live my life
But someone telling me what I like
[Brandy]
Back in the days...when I was young
I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again
[Brandy]
I wonder why it's often said that my life's
A fairy tale and everything is so right
I wish that you could know the truth, yeah
My life is real so please don't get it twisted
Problems the same and got to be dealt with
These are the things I wish you knew, ooh yeah
[Repeat 1]
[Fat Joe]
Ever since you wanted to be down
I wanted to put you on
But you ain't come around
Had no time for the don
Sixteen on the block
The latest phenomenon
Number one with a bullett
And your own sitcom
Brandy hand me one of the platinum hits
People talk but they don't know the half of it
Well the fact this is, we're in the worst business
And anything you have you deserve it miss
[Big Pun]
Encima del mundo
Follow the squad we never segundo
Tell el mundo, telling vatos of every remover
Word chula we packing men like Lollapalooza
From here to Havana, Cuba then Puerto Rico en scooter
Getting mula
Sitting on top of the world like A Buddha
Who the first Latin to go platinum without the basura
Big Pun the caputera with cheddar
Never settle for second best cause I'm primera, which forever
[Repeat 1 till end
Amanda Quest
One of the best Darkchild remixes hands down! Brandy was really a musical phenom back in the day. Her music was definitely the soundtrack of the 90's.
Enloucedé
Brandy killed the vocals as usual . Beat going hard OMG
Enloucedé
Brandy and Darkchild are what Aaliyah was to Timbo. Chemistry to the fullest
Gemini King
still have this performance on VHS. they killed it
D.G
Puns second verse was fucking incredible man🔥🔥
skeeta
This remix is fiyah! I used to have this remix on my DJ Clue The Professional mixtape back in the late 90's Pun goes very hard on this remix!
Mark Masters
Clue is a Monster!!
Char J
this remix is still my ish!
RedSox
Char J This song is on straight repeat
Mark Masters
🗣️🗣️Still 🔥💎🏆🙏🏿🖖🏾