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Foxy Brown (rapper) 

Foxy Brown

Background information
Birth name Inga Fung Marchand[1]
Born September 6, 1979 (29)
Origin Park Slope, Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States[1][2][3]
Genre(s) Hip hop, East Coast hip hop, Hardcore hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper
Years active 1994-present
Label(s) Def Jam (1996–2003)
Roc-A-Fella (2004–2007)
Koch Records (2007–2008)
Website www.myspace.com/foxybrownofficial

Inga Fung Marchand (born September 6, 1979), better known as Foxy Brown, is an American rapper known for her solo work as well as numerous collaborations with other artists, and her brief stint as part of hip-hop music group The Firm. She is of mixed Afro-Trinidadian and Asian descent.[4] Albums released under her name have included 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] Throughout her career, Brown has held an extensive arrest record and served some time in jail.

After 2002, she continued recording verses for herself and other artists but did not release any albums; she left the Def Jam label in 2003, thus canceling the release of her Ill Na Na 2 album.[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] Her fourth album was released in May 2008 following many delays spawned by a jail sentence that Brown served.[2]

Contents

Biography

Early career, Ill Na Na, The Firm

Main article: Ill Na Na

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] She 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-rapper 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 selling over 3 million records in the US, six million world wide 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 and sold over one million records and is RIAA certified platinum.[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 MTV 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]

Chyna Doll

Main article: Chyna Doll (album)

Her second album Chyna Doll was released in January 1999, 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, but was neither charged nor 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] On March 6, 2000, Brown crashed her Range Rover in Flatbush, Brooklyn and thus was arrested for driving without a license.[24]

Broken Silence

Main article: Broken Silence

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.[25] The album debuted on the Billboard Charts at #5, selling 131,000 units its first week. Like previous albums, Broken Silence also sold over 1 million records and is certified platinum by the RIAA.

Jamaican airport incident

Threat of arrest faced her following an altercation at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica from July 26, 2002; she would be arrested if she ever would return to the country. Nicola White, clerk of the Kingston Criminal Court, told the New York Post that Brown illegally evaded a body search at the airport and punched a policewoman in the stomach. Brown's publicist, Marvette Britto, argued that Brown felt that she was being "detained" at the airport. Originally, a hearing for Brown was scheduled for July 28, 2002, but Brown failed to show up. Thus, on late December 2002, an arrest warrant was set up for Brown skipping the hearing.[26]

Ill Na Na 2

In 2002, Brown returned to the music scene briefly with her single "Stylin'", whose remix featured rappers Birdman, her brother Gavin, Loon, and N.O.R.E. was to be the first single off of her upcoming album Ill Na Na 2: The Fever.[27] The next year, she was featured on DJ Kayslay's single "Too Much for Me" from his Street Sweeper's Volume One Mixtape.[28] She also appeared on Luther Vandross' final studio album Dance with My Father.[29] That April, Brown appeared on popular New York radio DJ 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.[6] Therefore, "Stylin'" was released on the compilation album The Source Presents: Hip Hop Hits Vol. 6 in December 2002.[30]

Black Roses

Main article: Black Roses (Foxy Brown album)

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.[31] Its first single was "Come Fly With Me" featuring Sizzla.[32] Other tracks Brown recorded included a remix of the song "You Already Know" by the R&B group 112.[33]

Legal issues and deafness

On August 29, 2004, Brown attacked two manicurists in Chelsea, Manhattan during a dispute over a $20 bill that she refused to pay, and she in April 2005 pleaded not guilty to assault charges[34] and entered three years of probation effective October 2006.[35] For that incident, she would also take anger management classes.[36] Female rapper Jacki-O, in April 2005, 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.[37] The next month, Brown denied any such altercation in an interview with the Miami, Florida hip-hop radio station WEDR.[38]

Joseph Tacopina, Brown's attorney, stated on December 30, 2007 that he wanted to confirm rumors that Brown was almost totally deaf as a result of the altercation, and claimed that he could no longer communicate with Jacki-O verbally. Brown told reporters on December 15 that she was diagnosed as deaf after going to a doctor about a 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.[39]

As a result of her legal troubles, Brown entered a confrontation with radio host Egypt on New York City radio station WWPR-FM ("Power 105.1").[40] Brown pleaded not guilty in March 2007 to assaulting a beauty supply store employee.[41]. Her other arrests during 2007 included leaving New York state without permission during probation,[42] hitting a neighbor with a BlackBerry,[43] and almost running over a stroller with a baby inside.[44]

Jail sentence

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. [45]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.[46] 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, Brown, the next day after the incident, was also verbally abusive toward correction officers and refused to take a random drug test. [47] Prison authorities reported on November 27 that she was released "from solitary confinement...for good behavior",[48] and Brown was finally released from prison on April 18, 2008.[49]

Brooklyn's Don Diva

Main article: Brooklyn's Don Diva

Brooklyn's Don Diva, Brown's fourth album, was released on May 13, 2008 after many delays triggered by her prison sentence. The album peaked at #83 on the Billboard 200 chart, #8 on the Top Independent Albums chart, and #5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[50] In June 2008, rumors that Brown was engaged to rapper Rick Ross began to circulate after Brown and Ross were together on a cover photo of Hip Hop Weekly magazine. After the publication of that issue, Ross stated that he was not engaged to anyone.[51]

Lawsuit

On July 24, 2008, publisher Simon & Schuster Inc. sued Brown in state court in New York claiming that it paid her $75,000 under a 2006 contract for an autobiography, tentatively titled Broken Silence, but that Brown never delivered on the contract. In a separate lawsuit, filed the same day, the publisher also sued Lil' Kim with similar allegations. Brown's case is Simon & Schuster v. Inga Marchand, 110125/2008, New York State Supreme Court (Manhattan).[52]

Future

Foxy Brown will release her new album Black Roses on December 23, 2008. There are many guests on the album such as: Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, Big Daddy Kane, Sizzla, Lady Saw, Shyne, Rick Ross and Slim Thug.The Ill Na Na plans also to make her own reality show on VH1 Television.

Discography

Albums

Album Released Chart peak[53] RIAA
U.S.
U.S.
R&B
Ill Na Na November 19, 1996
7
2
Platinum
The Firm: The Album (with Nas, AZ & Nature) October 21, 1997
1
1
Platinum
Chyna Doll January 26, 1999
1
1
Platinum
Broken Silence July 17, 2001
5
3
Gold
Ill Na Na 2: The Fever April 15, 2003
N/A
N/A
Shelved
Brooklyn's Don Diva May 13, 2008
83
5
-
Black Roses December 23, 2008
TBA
TBA
TBA


Featured Singles

Filmography

Television

[54]

Film

References

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  2. ^ a b c d e f Bush, John (2008). "Foxy Brown - Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
  3. ^ Broward County Police Dept.. "Foxy Brown's 2006 Arrest Form" (PDF). TMZ.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. This police report cites her birth year as 1995
  4. ^ Calloway, Sway (2001-05-29). "Foxy Brown - Outspoken (Part 4)". MTV News. Retrieved on 2006-05-09.
  5. ^ a b Birchmeier, Jason. "The Firm - Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-02-25.
  6. ^ a b "Foxy Brown's "Ill Na Na 2" Shelved Indefinitely", Yahoo! Music (2003-04-22). Retrieved on 2008-02-29. 
  7. ^ Reid (2005-01-11). "Jay-Z Brings Pal Foxy Brown Back To Def Jam", MTV News. Retrieved on 2008-02-29. 
  8. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2006-06-28). "Foxy Brown Returns: Deafness Cured, She's Back To Work", MTV News. Retrieved on 2008-03-03. 
  9. ^ Crosley, Hillary (2007-08-15). "Foxy Brown Joins Koch Records", Billboard. Retrieved on 2007-08-15. 
  10. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Nutty Professor" - overview. Allmusic: c. 1996.
  11. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Ill Na Na" - overview. Allmusic
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  13. ^ "The Firm - Billboard Albums". AllMusic.com. Billboard. Retrieved on 2008-02-25.
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  15. ^ "Foxy Brown, Spice Girls, Snoop, STP Do Spring Break", MTV News (1997-03-13). Retrieved on 2008-02-25. 
  16. ^ "Cypress Hill, Erykah Badu, Foxy Brown Join Smokin' Grooves Tour", MTV News (1997-04-08). Retrieved on 2008-02-25. 
  17. ^ "Foxy Brown Bows Out of Smokin' Grooves", MTV News (1997-07-14). Retrieved on 2008-02-25. 
  18. ^ "Foxy Brown Delays Sophomore Album, Talks Diversity", MTV News (1998-12-07). Retrieved on 2008-02-25. 
  19. ^ Boehlert, Eric (1999-02-03). "Shock the Shocker", Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2008-02-25. 
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  23. ^ Salomon, Yves (2000-12-26). "Foxy Brown in Rehab", Yahoo! Music. 
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  25. ^ Huey, Steve (2003). "Spragga Benz - Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-02-25.
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  27. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2002-09-23). "Cam'ron, Foxy Brown, N.O.R.E. On Illest Tour", MTV News. Retrieved on 2008-03-09. 
  28. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2003-05-20). "DJ Kay Slay Says It's Mo' Artists, Mo' Problems On Legit CDs", MTV News. Retrieved on 2008-02-25. 
  29. ^ Jeffries, David (2003). ""Dance with My Father - Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-03-09.
  30. ^ Kellman, Andy (2002). ""The Source Presents: Hip Hop Hits, Vol. 6" - Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-03-09.
  31. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2005-01-11). "Jay-Z Signs Pal Foxy Brown Back to Def Jam", MTV News. Retrieved on 2008-02-24. 
  32. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2005-06-07). "Jay-Z Jumps On Three Tracks For Foxy Brown's New Album", MTV News. Retrieved on 2008-02-24. 
  33. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2005-02-07). "Mixtape Monday: Dame Dash Kicks Off Chapter Two; Jamie Foxx, Whoo Kidd Reunite". Mixtape Monday. MTV News. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.
  34. ^ Kaufman, Gil (2005-04-12). "Foxy Brown Pleads Not Guilty to Nail-Salon Assault", MTV News. Retrieved on 2008-02-24. 
  35. ^ "US rapper Brown put on probation", BBC News (2006-10-24). 
  36. ^ Maull, Samuel (2007-01-17). "Foxy Brown Gets Good Probation Report", The Washington Post, Associated Press. Retrieved on 2008-02-24. 
  37. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2005-04-26). "Foxy Brown and Jacki-O Duke It Out At Miami Studio", MTV News. Retrieved on 2006-01-01. 
  38. ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Foxy Brown And Jacki-O, Ghostface, Nellie McKay, Pras, New Pornographers & More", MTV News (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-02-24. 
  39. ^ "Lawyer: Foxy Brown is Deaf", Billboard, Associated Press (2005-12-06). Retrieved on 2008-02-24. 
  40. ^ "Foxy Fudges on Air, Gets Boot", New York Post (2006-11-24). 
  41. ^ "Foxy Brown pleads not guilty in Fla.", USA Today, Associated Press (2007-03-28). 
  42. ^ "Foxy Brown Pleads Guilty In NYC Court", KCNC-TV (2007-03-01). 
  43. ^ "Foxy Brown guilty of phone charge", BBC News (2008-05-09). 
  44. ^ Widdicombe, Ben (2007-05-15). "Rapper's called a wheel menace", New York Daily News. 
  45. ^ "Foxy Brown sentenced to a year in jail", MSNBC, Associated Press (2007-09-07). Retrieved on 2007-09-07. 
  46. ^ "Jailed Foxy Brown 'not pregnant'", BBC News (2007-09-13). Retrieved on 2008-02-24. 
  47. ^ Scharm, Jamie (2007-10-23). "Foxy Slammed with Solitary", New York Post. 
  48. ^ "Foxy Brown released from solitary confinemen", Billboard, Reuters (2007-11-27). 
  49. ^ McGee, Tiffany (2008-04-18). "Foxy Brown's Emotional Release from Prison". People.
  50. ^ "Brooklyn's Don Diva > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-08-18.
  51. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2008-06-27). "Rick Ross Denies Foxy Brown Engagement Rumors: 'I'm Married To The Money'", MTV News. Retrieved on 2008-08-18. 
  52. ^ "Simon & Schuster Sues `Foxy Brown' and `Lil' Kim'", Bloomberg. 
  53. ^ Foxy Brown album chart history at Billboard.com
  54. ^ "Internet Movie Database Foxy Brown at Internet Movie Database". 

External links
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