Braxton was born in Severn, Maryland to Michael and Evelyn Braxton. The youngest of the Braxton's six children, Tamar started singing as a toddler. Evelyn, herself an opera singer, recognized her children's talents when one day, Tamar, sang "Can you please get me some toilet paper!" Evelyn quickly started training her girls, and eventually enrolled them in singing lessons. The Braxton children also would eventually enter in their church choir, where Michael Braxton was pastor.
Brought up in a strict Christian household, secular music was initially frowned upon, causing the children to sneak and sing along to Soul Train when the parents were out of the house. They would soon start harmonizing, forming a girl group. Tamar says of this period "I was always the highest note." Her voice was in sharp contrast to her older sister's husky contralto. One day, A Toni was pumping gas at a local gas station while singing along, when she caught the attention of a producer. He heard her sing and was amazed, and decided to pull the five sisters into a group; he envisioned a female version of the Jackson 5. They released a single on Atlantic Records in 1990 as "The Braxtons," and caught the attention of producers Antonio "L.A" Reid and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. The two had just started a then fledgling record label, LaFace, with Arista Records. The guys passed on the group, as they had just signed a new trio named TLC, but they were looking for a solo female artist and loved Toni's voice. So the girls talked it over, and Toni decided to embark on her now famous solo career.
The sisters worked as backup singers for Toni (you can see them in Toni's video Seven Whole Days). Eventually, the girls (minus Toni) would release an album for Atlantic, to which the group was still signed, in 1996 entitled So Many Ways.
In 1999, Tamar first explored her gospel side on T.D Jakes Love Songs album. Later, Tamar would meet up with Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, a rapper/producer (also famous for bringing Blu Cantrell to national attention) based in Atlanta, Georgia. She recorded her solo debut album, Ridiculous, so named because of the many different musical styles on the album. The album would be retooled and released by Dreamworks as Tamar on January 18, 2000. It was lead in by the first single for the album, "Get None" with guest appearances by Jermaine Dupri and rapper Amil and featured the second single, If You Don't Wanna Love Me. The singles failed to gain significant radio & video airplay and ultimately the album didn't sell well, and Tamar was dropped from her contract,it is also worth noting that tamar proved that she could do the whistle register on money can't buy you love on tamar's deut album.
Tamar sang for the Kingdom Come soundtrack, with Toni Braxton appearing in the movie as Juanita Slocumb. Currently she sang background for Toni's album More Than A Woman (released 2002),and 2005 album Libra and resides in Atlanta. She also negotiated a new contract with Tommy Mottola's Casablanca Records, and is working to record a new album. She also sang backup in her sister Toni's famous headlining show in Las Vegas entitled, "Toni Braxton: Revealed" but has been replaced by singer Sparkle. She is currently working on a new album and her own record company with fiance, producer Vincent Herbert.
Catfish
Tamar Braxton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gave you some good love every night
I made sure you had everything that you wanted
Now this new chick you on
She'll do right, she'll do right
You asked for gas, money, cause you never had your own
You on this new fish, like I ain't put you on
I ain't tripping, don't phase me now, oh
I ain't tripping, don't phase me now
I ain't tripping, don't phase me now
Baby I know the real you
Baby I know the real you
Baby I know the real you
Baby I know the real you
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Baby, don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex
I know where your momma stay
Your sister keep asking bout me
Don't front, for the 'gram babe
Them pictures be all about me
There's something about you that I just can't explain
Got me all in my feelings
While you're playing this game
I was round, I was down for you
And we both know it's true
Why you acting brand new?
Don't flex, don't flex
Don't flex, don't flex
Baby don't flex
Don't flex, don't flex
Don't flex
Baby don't flex
Baby I know the real you
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Baby, don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Baby, don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex, she's gonna know the real you too
What's this about
Tryna figure it out
How you flip and then change on me
You gon' make me go crazy (crazy)
Acting like you worrying about me
Like I'm trying to work it out
The last thing I'm thinking 'bout
You and your leased benze can both be out
My oh my
You're just a lie, you lie
Why you gotta lie?
You ain't got a credit card, or pot to piss in, the window to throw it out
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Baby, don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Baby, don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex, she's gonna know the real you too
Don't flex, don't flex
Don't flex, don't flex
Baby don't flex
Don't flex, don't flex
Don't flex
Baby don't flex
Baby I know the real you
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Baby, don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Baby, don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Baby, don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't flex, she's gonna know the real you too
In Tamar Braxton's song "Catfish," the lyrics tackle the theme of deceit in a relationship. Tamar sings about how she had a man who was once sleeping on her couch and she took care of him, giving him "good love" every night and making sure he had everything he wanted. However, he now has a new girlfriend who he claims will treat him right, and he's acting as if he never knew Tamar. She knows the real him and calls him out on his lies and "flexing" on social media for his new girlfriend.
Tamar also makes references to how she knows where his family lives and how they still ask about her, showing that she was a significant part of his life. The lyrics express her frustration with him acting like someone he's not, and she calls him out for not having a credit card or a pot to piss in. The chorus repeats the line "Don't flex, baby, I know the real you" emphasizing that Tamar sees through his lies and won't be fooled.
Overall, the song explores the emotions of betrayal and disappointment caused by dishonesty in a relationship, and Tamar shows strength in calling out her partner for his actions.
Line by Line Meaning
You slept on my couch before
You've stayed with me before when you had nowhere else to go
I gave you some good love every night
I showed you intimate love and took care of you every night
I made sure you had everything that you wanted
I provided for you and made sure you were comfortable and satisfied
Now this new chick you on
Now you're with this new woman
She'll do right, she'll do right
She might treat you better than I did
You asked for gas, money, cause you never had your own
You begged me for money and gas because you didn't have any of your own
You on this new fish, like I ain't put you on
You're with this new woman like I didn't introduce you to the dating scene
I ain't tripping, don't phase me now
I'm not worried or bothered by it anymore
Baby I know the real you
I know the true you, including your faults and actions
Don't flex, baby I know the real you
Don't try to act like someone you're not, I know the real you
I know where your momma stay
I know where your mother lives
Your sister keep asking bout me
Your sister keeps showing interest in me and wanting to know about me
Don't front, for the 'gram babe
Don't pretend or put on a show on social media
Them pictures be all about me
Those pictures are centered around me
There's something about you that I just can't explain
There's something about you that I don't understand or can't comprehend
While you're playing this game
While you're playing these mind games or being deceitful
I was round, I was down for you
I was always there for you, I had your back
And we both know it's true
We both know that I was always there for you
Why you acting brand new?
Why are you acting like a different person?
What's this about
What is happening or going on?
Tryna figure it out
I'm trying to understand the situation
How you flip and then change on me
How you suddenly changed your behavior towards me
You gon' make me go crazy (crazy)
You're going to make me go insane
Acting like you worrying about me
Acting like you care about my well-being
Like I'm trying to work it out
Like I'm trying to fix the issues between us
The last thing I'm thinking 'bout
I have other important things to think about
You and your leased benze can both be out
You and your leased Mercedes-Benz can both leave
My oh my
Oh my goodness
You're just a lie, you lie
You're a liar, and you constantly deceive me
Why you gotta lie?
Why do you have to lie all the time?
You ain't got a credit card, or pot to piss in, the window to throw it out
You have no money, no financial stability or resources
Don't flex, she's gonna know the real you too
Don't try to act like someone you're not, the new woman will eventually learn the truth about you
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ATIA BOOGS, JAMAL F. JONES, TAMAR BRAXTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ciera Saunders
i love itππβ€β€
Jaylen Bey
Thx
Ayan Hashi
WOW. YOU REALLLY DID THATTTT!!
Cekiahza Lynch
YOU DID THAT!
Jaylen Bey
+Cekiahza Lynch like, share, etc β€οΈ
Cekiahza Lynch
+Jaylen Bey Your very welcome I'm a Tamartian myself π
Jaylen Bey
Thanks β€οΈ
toni Stubbs
yasssss!
Kamari Darby
πππππ
Jordan Caisey
U did that!