The Lituation - Phases: A Memoir by Brandy [Patreon Preview]

Summary

The Friend Zone Podcast – Patreon Teaser: The Lituation – Phases: A Memoir by Brandy

Release Date: July 22, 2026
Hosts: Dustin Ross, Hey Fran Hey (Francesca), and Assanté
Episode Focus:
A lively, in-depth group discussion on the first four chapters (pages 1–74) of Brandy Norwood’s memoir, Phases, for The Friend Zone’s exclusive book club series “The Lituation.” This episode explores Brandy’s formative years, her family background, rise to stardom, struggles with bullying and self-worth, and some previously hidden truths, all while engaging with the book’s major themes and Brandy’s singular voice.

---

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode delves into Brandy Norwood’s memoir Phases, reflecting on how her upbringing, early adversities, and music industry journey contributed to her identity and artistry. The hosts explore family history, Black cultural heritage, church roots, bullying, perseverance, and the realities of entering show business as a child. The discussion aims to appreciate Brandy’s impact, contextualize her experiences as an under-celebrated, multi-generational star, and preview deeper revelations from her story.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Brandy’s Cultural Relevance

• Brandy’s continued impact as an R&B icon is recognized, though the group feels she’s not celebrated enough given her legacy.
• Quote: “She’s iconic… she’s not celebrated enough now already.” – Assanté (03:03)
• The hosts reflect on their personal introductions to Brandy, from her role on Thea to her musical and cultural visibility as a young Black girl with braids, offering much-needed representation.

2. The Memoir’s Structure & Symbolism

• The group discusses Brandy’s use of North African folklore in the preface, which involves a lost little girl and the comforting moon – a metaphor for Brandy’s own search for wholeness and creative phases.
• Quote: “The endless cycle of endings and beginnings, which is how she viewed the process of writing this book.” – Fran (06:46)

3. Audible Experience & Literary Style

• Several listeners recommend Brandy’s audiobook narration for its authenticity (“she does such a good job… you can really feel what she’s talking about” – Fran, 07:56).
• The hosts critique the occasionally overwrought, “flowery” writing style:
  Quote: “If she’s talking about her hair braiding and it’s like the fabric of the weaving of our ancestry… Girl, you were sitting between your grandma’s legs…” – Fran (09:32)
• However, the consensus is that hearing Brandy’s voice brings new depths to the memoir, even if the poetic flourishes sometimes distract.

4. Early Industry Experiences & Insecurity

• The “Phases” chapter opens with Brandy returning to the Grammys after 26 years—moving and vulnerable about whether the crowd would care.
• Quote: “She was wondering if anyone was going to care that she was there… Girl, no way. Like, you’re Brandy.” – Fran (12:32)
• The hosts resonate with Brandy’s classic and underappreciated status, noting the fleeting nature of fame in the industry.

5. Family Roots and Church Beginnings

• The hosting trio details Brandy’s upbringing:
  • Born in McComb, Mississippi, a family steeped in music and HBCU tradition.
  • Her father, a church music director, fostered her talent, offering encouragement and not pushing her aggressively like some “Joe Jackson” figures.
  • Her mother was involved in music as a baton twirler in college.
• The significance of growing up in a church and Southern Black community is discussed for shaping Brandy’s artistry and values.
• Timestamps: Church influence and family background – (17:00–22:00)

6. Contrast Between Southern and California Upbringing

• Brandy’s move to Carson, CA, and the cultural juxtaposition with Southern summers.
• Dustin, Fran, and Assanté reflect on their own experiences visiting the South/Caribbean and broader implications of exposure for Black children.

7. Bullying and Self-Advocacy

• Brandy’s elementary school years were challenging—bullied by boys and girls (“Montez Hickman” and “Shanice Jones”) and overcoming deep insecurities.
  • Montez harasses and physically attacks Brandy; Shanice leads girls in teasing her about her looks.
• The hosts share their own upbringing and responses to bullying, noting how these experiences inform resilience and self-advocacy.
• Quote: “I hate that little girls are really told that… Oh, he probably likes you.” – Fran (37:53)
• A significant part of Brandy’s growth comes from a friendship with Cheryl, her bully’s sister, who encourages Brandy to stand up for herself.

8. Trauma, Loss, and Guilt

• Shanice’s abrupt death (shot in a home invasion), after Brandy “prayed for her to go away,” triggers major guilt and reflection on the impact of prayer and fate (41:55).

9. Artistic Development & Industry Exploitation

• Brandy’s introduction to the performance circuit, earning recognition at showcases for her prodigious talent at a young age.
• She was initially grouped with others to form “Third Degree” due to industry trends, despite her preference for a solo career.
  • Quote: “Sometimes we have to walk through doors that aren’t perfectly aligned with our vision to reach the ones that are...” – Brandy’s father, quoted by Fran (66:55)
• The hosts note the risk in “realistic” parental advice and the tension between opportunity and integrity.

10. Exploitation, Misogyny, & Untold Industry Stories

• Chris Stokes, a controversial figure, enters as her “developer.” The hosts express unease given later revelations about his conduct in the industry.
• Brandy becomes the target of misplaced blame in a story about injuring someone from the group Immature—when, in truth, it was an act of self-defense after being sexually harassed as a child in Stokes’ care, an abuse of power environment long hidden by the music industry.
• Quote: “I always knew the reason Romeo had an eye injury was because Brandy threw a book at his eye… but I never knew why. The misogyny has allowed the story to, you know, unveil itself the way it has. And in reality, this is what happened.” – Fran (77:01)
• This moment is heavy, and the group discusses the culture of silence, victim-blaming, and industry neglect of child safety.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Brandy’s one of those people not celebrated enough… people still look at her like she’s just around, but she’s already done a lot.” – Assanté (03:03)
• “I think what stood out to me as a kid was her look… a Black girl with braids… just hit every cylinder for me.” – Fran (03:40)
• “She hadn’t been at the Grammys since 1997. That shocked me… you’re Brandy, do you understand how much we love you?” – Fran (13:48)
• “My heart, my heart dropping through the ocean… it’s hard for me sometimes.” (On poetic writing) – Fran (10:05)
• “We call her the vocal bible. Someone that talented, they should be heralded more. There’s just places we should see Brandy that we don’t.” – Assanté (16:11)
• “Her dad… took his time and was patient, asking her: ‘How do you feel about that?’… so different from the Joe Jackson, even the Knowles approach.” – Fran (19:21)
• “For a Black man in Mississippi to own all of that… at a time like that. Damn, Grandpa!” – Fran (24:30)
• “What’s wrong with me? Why am I so scared, letting these people walk all over me?” (On Brandy’s self-reflection after bullying) – Fran (43:51)
• “Half Pint puts his hands under her shirt… babies. Clearly this is an environment where this was normal.” – Fran (76:55)
• “That experience allowed Romeo to have a signature look… became a major part of their story.” (On book-throwing incident and lasting myths) – Fran (79:55)
• “Brandy working in adult environments… I hope we going there.” – C (80:42)
• “This is dark and heavy… and it also blows my mind she has carried the weight of this all these years.” – Fran (83:41)

---

Segment Timestamps

• [01:12–05:27] — Introductions, Brandy’s cultural impact and early career memories
• [06:46–08:53] — Preface, North African folklore & “phases of the moon” symbolism
• [09:32–11:47] — Writing style: Audiobook vs. written word; Brandy’s poetic prose
• [12:30–15:28] — Performing at the Grammys after 26 years: Fame, insecurity, and audience love
• [16:36–22:29] — Early life in Mississippi and Carson; Music, family, and church
• [22:49–26:29] — Generational Black resilience, community, activism (Brandy’s grandfather)
• [32:34–34:49] — Discussion of personal summers in the South/Caribbean and generational exposure
• [35:24–42:23] — Bullying stories, self-advocacy, violence, changing dynamics with Cheryl
• [43:07–49:02] — Additional stories of neighborhood bullying; hosts’ own experiences
• [52:40–54:59] — Artistic development, showcases, meeting influential figures
• [57:24–62:20] — Meeting Ricky Minor, missing out on meeting Whitney Houston, child perseverance
• [63:19–66:09] — Entering industry groups, being told to “wait” for the right age, genre trends
• [66:55–68:09] — Parental advice: Opportunity vs. boundaries, adult interpretation vs. child perspective
• [76:00–80:47] — The Immature incident, misogyny, buried stories, advocacy for children in showbiz
• [81:11–84:36] — Chapter reflections, writing style “heavy-handedness”, looking forward to next sections

---

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode mixes humor, nostalgia, candor, and seriousness. The hosts maintain their signature warmth and conversational flow while honoring the gravity of Brandy’s hidden trauma and her triumphs, creating an environment that’s both safe and celebratory.

---

Final Thoughts & What’s Next

• The hosts laud Brandy’s candor, artistry, and the supportive/inspirational role of her father.
• They emphasize how much Brandy has quietly endured and how this memoir gives new context to her resilience.
• The next reading assignment will cover Phases from page 75 to 157 (Drop Dead Gorgeous to The Fairest of Them All).
• Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts, especially in support of Brandy, as the group dives deeper into her story.
• Quote: “Let’s celebrate her and keep digging… She has carried the weight of this all these years.” – Fran (84:17)

---

In Summary

This episode dissects the formative years and rarely discussed traumas in Brandy Norwood’s memoir, balancing lighthearted reminiscence about 90s Black celebrity with a serious reckoning of exploitation, representation, and generational legacy. The hosts’ honest, humorous, and heartfelt rapport makes this an essential listen for Brandy fans, lovers of Black pop culture, and anyone interested in the intersection of art, family, and self-discovery.

Transcript

[A]

Oregon parks make an Oregon summer. But what makes an Oregon park? Well, Oregon Lottery gameplay helps no matter the game Megabucks, video lottery or keno funds from lottery games help support parks projects across the state, ensuring they stay safe, accessible and open for all. In fact, Discover State Park Scratches are in stores now. It's the perfect way to put a little bit of Oregon's parks in your pocket. The Oregon Lottery Together we do good things. Must be 18 or older to play Lottery games are based on chance and should be played for entertainment only.

[B]

Yeah, Maxing is so maxing right now bro. Get ready for spicy chicken maxing because Carl's Jr. Is saving you big with a 5.99 maxed out double stack double stack double stack spicy chicken sandwich. Seriously, just 5.99 double stack spicy chicken. This is unreal value in the bromosphere. The new spicy chicken Max Wallet friendly Max Tasty only at Carl's Jr available for a limited time at participating restaurants, tactile included. Not valid for use within a combo or in combination with any other offered discount.

[C]

Welcome to the Friends Every time I'm in the zone. My name is Dustin.

[D]

I'm Francesca, also known as K Friend.

[E]

Hey, my name is Asante.

[C]

This is the Friend zone.

[D]

Hey Friendzone fam. I hope your week is going well so far. We are on break but we will be returning on Wednesday, August 5th. In the meantime, take a listen to some of our exclusive Patreon content. This teaser in particular is of the Lituation which is our book club and this episode is where we discussed Brandy Norwood's memoir Phases. Take a listen. Welcome to the situation where we are starting a new book, Brandy Phases A Memoir. We're so excited about this. She's been on a press run but also I feel like the clips themselves, the excerpts have been doing some heavy lifting because it don't even be her. I just be seeing, you know, people talking about it. Her fans and people seem so caught up and enthralled by 100%. Yeah. In this book. So I'm excited to get into it firsthand. That's always a cool feeling. First Brandy. I love Brandy.

[E]

You too.

[D]

She's iconic. I'm excited to read this even though I feel like she's so young to have a memoir. But I also understand she has had an exceptional life from young and there's a lot to talk about. She could low key do a part two. Really if she wants to do like a second half.

[C]

You know if Garcelle Beauvais is Garcelle Beauvais did a Her memoir out. She doing a part two just about her exit from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hill. I just ran it in the trades the other day.

[D]

That's hilarious, actually, though.

[C]

So if she can, you know, Brandi can.

[E]

Especially because Brandi's one of those people that she has an interesting story. Like you were saying as we're reading. Reading rabbits out there. Okay. But I'm just loving the fact that she has this now because I feel like she's not celebrated enough now already. So people kind of really just start really picking up steam and doing what they need for R B. And people like Brandi that have worked with legends that she mentions in this book, like, I feel like people aren't even. They know Brandi, like, she's around, but they still look at her like she's one of these contemporaries, which she is still very relevant. But Brandy's already done a lot, like,

[C]

put some respect on it.

[D]

She's done a lot at a black Barbie. Like. Yes.

[E]

Oh, my God.

[D]

And then. And. And it's really. I think what so out to me as a. As I. When I was younger was her look.

[E]

Yes.

[D]

More than the talent, because the talent was. I mean, it spoke for itself, but also her look, like, this is a black girl with braids, you know, like, and she used to have, like, puff coats and boots, and it just was like. It felt very cool.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

But still very around the way, but still very superstar. Like, she just hit every cylinder for me as a kid. And I don't know, I'm excited to dig in and find some stories that we didn't know the behind the scenes of which she's talking about. Off the record. But really quickly, do y' all remember your experience, like, first discovering Brandi, or if not just how she and her music kind of fit into the fabric of your life?

[C]

The first time I saw Brandi was on Thea. She was on the sitcom Thea. She played. Yep. She played a little perm.

[E]

Right.

[C]

She had a bob. The little bob. Yeah. And I remember her there and then from there. That's what made me notice her. When she started releasing music like that, I was familiar with her from Thea, so that was my introduction to Brandywind.

[E]

See, I found her out backwards because I remember hearing her music and seeing music videos and then later on seeing reruns of Thea and stuff and being like, oh, shit, to the capital.

[D]

Yep.

[E]

Literally that. And I didn't see what she looked like for a very long time. Like, I remember hearing her voice, like, everywhere for a long time. And just knowing that, like, that drop for sitting up in my room, like, I just. Oh, shit. This is the shit. But then when I saw her, I was like, damn, she is so fly. Like, I just remember thinking she was so dope and cool and fresh and confident. Yeah.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

I loved everything about her when I first heard and saw her.

[D]

Yeah. I discovered her from Dia, too, which is so funny. And I always thought that that was the coolest transition. And you know what's funny? I don't know if you remember hearing the rumors of, like, her and Dia beefing.

[C]

They didn't get along.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

Brandi called fat bitch.

[D]

Oh, my God.

[C]

That's why I'm just playing.

[D]

I never heard that.

[E]

I feel like the rumors were going that way, though, you know?

[D]

But we never heard why. We never heard any mess. You just kind of heard the rumors. I do wonder if she's going to tackle that in this book. I haven't seen any of the Thea excerpts. Right. Making their rounds, but let's. Let's just jump in. Right? So we started the book from page one to 74. So that is the pre. The preface and also four chapters. And this is primarily also for those on audible. We. We read Phases, Pink Chamas, Outsider and Showcase. Those are the four that we started with. So in the preface. I like that she started with this North African folklore, right? Especially because the moon has been such a symbol in her songs, right? So she said it's a story of a beautiful young girl that's basically wandering the world looking for the pieces of her fat of herself that felt lost to the winds, as she puts it.

[C]

Apparently she got drunk.

[D]

The moon was noticing this little girl was feeling this way. The moon comes down to comfort her, rock her to sleep. Then the moon tells her, I gotta go back to the sky, baby girl. You got to figure this out. But I'm always up there. My rays are always comforting. You're never alone. So that's why she's always felt really connected to the thought of the little girl looking for pieces of herself and then the moon always being there. And it seems like that's what inspired the title, right. Phases. Because she talked about the phases of the moon, the different eras of her life, like she said, the endless cycle of endings and beginnings, which is how she viewed the process of writing this book.

[A]

Book.

[D]

So I thought that was a cool way for her to kick off the book. Right. I never heard. I did too, that story, but I like the connection.

[E]

It was a really good story, too.

[D]

Really good story.

[E]

Damn. And then she. I was listening to the Audible, and I, like, followed along with my book.

[D]

Oh, nice. I still need to do that, especially

[E]

this type of book. Because the way she's talking about, like. Like, she's telling the story, it's almost trippy that she's telling her own story. I like it, but, like, it's cool. So I'm really vibing with it.

[D]

A lot of our listeners actually left comments on the Patreon saying, y' all got to listen to the Audible. Like, she does such a good job. You can really feel what she's talking about. And they said, especially when she's talking about wan. Yeah, they were like, y' all got to listen to the Audible because she gets, like, in her feelings.

[C]

I will, then. Because I hate, though, it's hard for me to pay attention on when I listen to an audio book because I'm 10. I'll start doing other things.

[D]

Yeah, same. Unless I'm driving. That's probably the only time I sit my ass and, like, actually focus.

[C]

And you're doing something else.

[D]

Right. You're not present.

[E]

An audiobook is like reading a book. Like, you have to, like, get kind of in that mode or be in that mode. Like, sometimes I'll try to read, and I'll be like, I'm just reading. But I haven't soaked up any of this. Let me start over. Let me reset. Like, it's the same with the audiobook. Like, after. It has to be at the right, like, volume or the right day. Like, no, for real. So I feel you on that. But I promise you, Brandi, like, it's just something about her voice.

[C]

I give it a shot.

[D]

Me too, actually.

[E]

I remember at one point listening to her say something. I was like, she probably doesn't even use that word or, like, the way that this was worded. But she sounds so beautiful. And like, whoever, like, you know, I guess, did the edit or, you know, summed it up how it was like, she sounds. Everything she's saying sounds believable or. Right. So it's like, I truly believe, like. Like, however this was written, like, for her to read, like, it's. It. It fits. Sometimes people will be like, oh, I wrote this book, and they'll be reading their book that they wrote on audio. And it's like, did you use that word? Or you just felt like that was the right word?

[C]

Doesn't sound like they're speaking from the heart.

[D]

Right. I will say this, and then I'm gonna get it out the way because I don't want it to sound like I'm not liking the book.

[E]

Oh, okay.

[D]

There's a style of writing that drives me up the wall and it's when people use flowery, poetic words to describe a scene. I don't know if it's just me and maybe people love that, but it's like when you just. I'm just as an example. I don't know, I don't remember exactly, but if she's talking about her hair braiding and it's like the fabric of the weaving of our ancestry, you know, and it's like, girl, you were sitting between your grandma's legs getting.

[C]

Getting your hair braided.

[D]

Do you feel me?

[C]

And then four words, getting your hair braided.

[D]

Heritage. It just was. Or if she's talking about the shock or something, she's like, my heart, my heart dropping through the ocean. Like it's just so hard for me sometimes.

[C]

I felt as the parts were placed into the plats of my hand made hairstyle, I felt the pathways of the

[D]

slave ancestors of those before me who made this intricate weaving touching the.

[C]

The small gray and ground dirt. Are you like, come on, girl, like, would you agree putting 20 on 10

[D]

really hard time with that type of flowery. I don't know what the proper term is. I'm sure there is one, but it's doing too much.

[E]

I will say this, friend, I had

[D]

a very hard time her reading it.

[E]

I don't know how you'll take this, and maybe this is just an internal. But I will say when I was listening, I was like, okay, she got like librarian voice.

[C]

But like everything ain't a performance, which

[E]

isn't a bad thing.

[D]

I told you I read that way. I told you I read that way. My partner would be like, yo, why are you reading like it's a kindergarten class? Because the way that the child,

[E]

He

[D]

said, you sound like 5 year olds on a rug. You gotta get into it, you know. But the irony, I read that way. But then I hate the flowery poet,

[C]

but me too, you know. I hate a bleeding heart sentiment more.

[E]

So many people sound better from her voice at least.

[D]

I mean, I'll take anything from her voice, so I'm gonna enjoy it regardless. And I said that. I was like, you know, that annoys me, but I'm gonna get through it. Cause I love her.

[C]

It's me.

[D]

That part makes sen. But let's get into the first real chapter, which is phases. It starts off with her saying that 26 years after releasing Top of the World, she's performing at the Grammys with burna boy and 21. Apparently, they had been nominated for a collaboration they did using the Top of the World beat. Was it? Or the hook. I'm trying to remember. Sample. Right. So Brandi was the surprise for their performance. And it was so interesting, as she's describing. Not so much her being nervous, because I don't necessarily think that ever goes away. Even if you're Mariah. Remember, we read Mariah.

[C]

You still want your shit to go right?

[D]

Yeah. And it's an audience, and you're just always going to be nervous. But the part where she was wondering if anyone was going to care that she was there is the part that was like, girl, no way. Like, you're Brandy. Do you understand how much we love you? And that made me really sad. And I think it set the tone for probably the things she's going to be reckoning with throughout the rest of the book. Because the thought. The fact that she opened the book letting y' all know of her insecurities was honest and raw, but also, like, mind blowing. And remember, Mariah was going through the same thing. Like, fearing that people just don't care, you know, it's just like, bullshit, though,

[C]

because in that same scene, what did she say? I've been here. You probably wasn't even born. The last time I was here. Remember, she said that about the talking about the pa or whatever. The pa or whatever. She's like, I look, this pa couldn't have been no more than 22. You ain't even born. The last time I was at the Grammys, girl, I was like, okay, so you do know who you are. Okay, Brandi.

[D]

No, you see, I was gonna say. But I took that differently. Like, she's been so out the game for so long. And it also shocked me that she hadn't performed since 97 at the Grammys.

[C]

Yeah. Because it's a lot of music that has happened in between what.

[D]

And I'm talking about hits that we love that were, like, big cultural. Maybe not. Maybe charting right. But cultural juggernauts. And so for her to be. She said she hadn't been there since 97, when she performed sitting up in my room at 18 years old.

[C]

And that's black pencil leg pants. Remember?

[D]

That's what she said. Can I tell you, I remember recreating that outfit for the video with the little white. It was like a top. I looked for that motherfucking top at Contempo Casuals.

[C]

Contempo. You Remember Contempos? Oh, my God. Contempo casuals. Yes. Contemporary. Wow, I forgot about Contempo.

[D]

That was our little shop. Right.

[C]

But the girls would be in there getting their shit together. Yep. Contempo casual for school.

[D]

Your little tops and jeans. But, you know, it shocked me. Number one, she hadn't performed in that long. But then she was really worried about her reception. And it made me happy when she described the wall of applause, Screams and applause, and how she. It, like, crashed over her. And it's like, yes, you should always feel that way, baby.

[C]

She spun that Carmen San Diego trench.

[D]

She did say that. But I love that she's being, you know, honest about the fact that.

[C]

Me too.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. For sure. And it's actually. It makes you feel sorry for her because we recognize her to be such a great talent and so important to, like, our history and our lives and times.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

You know what I'm saying? And so for her to not see herself in that way, it's sad. It makes you feel bad for Brandi,

[E]

especially because Brandi's such a. Like a once in a lifetime talent. Like, they call her the vocal bible.

[D]

Right.

[E]

You know, and. And it's true.

[C]

Wonder how atheists feel about that.

[D]

We don't believe in her.

[E]

No.

[C]

Can't she just be a good singer?

[E]

Somebody that.

[D]

I could hear them saying that. Somebody that's God and everything.

[E]

The devil's got a bible, too.

[C]

It's like, all right, I don't care.

[E]

Stop talking about.

[C]

We talk like, Brandy, man. Damn. I want to say God. God, damn. But I'm scared.

[E]

Oh, no. But Brandy, like, we call her the vocal bible. Someone that talented, it's like, we. They should be heralded more. We should see them more. Like, we don't see Brandy at the Met Gala. Like, we don't see br. Like, they're just places that we should see Brandi that we don't see Brandi. And it's like, someone. One could be like, well, what's she doing about it? It's like, that's not important. That's not our business, actually. Whoever should be or could be doing whatever about it isn't. And that's sad.

[D]

Yeah. Yeah. And it's hard, too, because this is an industry where you're only as hot as your last hit, even if your hit was massive. And I hate that about how just kind of move on. The next Scared of her mom. The next chapter was pink due to my daughter. So I didn't know that Brandi. Did y' all know she Was from Mississippo.

[E]

I didn't know.

[D]

I didn't knew that. McComb, Mississippi, is where we learn that our family is from. Her grandfather was a construction worker initially, who even helped build the 24th Street Church of Christ that she grew up singing in. That really developed her talent, right?

[E]

Yes.

[D]

Developed her stage presence, developed her vocal ability, even her ability to run a choir at 10.

[E]

Right.

[C]

Telling them what to do. She's a kid, man. This kid is good, right?

[D]

Remember, the guy was like, oh, no, you lying.

[E]

And then. Then at the end, like, you really whipped us in the shape. I ain't think we was going to sound like nothing.

[C]

They was calling her Ms. Brandy and shit.

[D]

And I love this church because we. We always say that a lot of what has changed in music is that the singers don't come from the church anymore. You know, this is the digital age, where these newer singers has just been playing with NPCs in their room or software, you know, or garage band, really recording themselves. But that's different from that. Had to be 10 years old in front of Macomb, Mississippi, you know what I'm saying? That's just a different feeling.

[E]

It's just a different feeling altogether from being on a laptop and clicking through, listening to things, versus being in a live space, let alone like the church space, where there's the band sometimes and then other people's voices. So for Brandi, who was so young directing other people's voices, she was literally listening to other people sing, telling them what to do, how to fix it to sound good together, like having that type of experience. Some people are focusing on listening to their own voice, but also making it sound a certain way solo. She was a child learning what to do with their voices. So by the time she was training her own voice, it's like she was able to pull that in too and do other things. So I'm telling you one.

[C]

That's the benefit. Yeah, yeah.

[D]

And even the blessing of being a child with that voice and having your dad be a minister of music, a vocal coach, a vocalist himself, a frontman in a local band, like, so he was able to really pour so much into her. And what I loved, from what we've read so far, is he didn't seem like the weird Joe Jackson.

[C]

Yeah, Just about to say. Joe Jackson was over there with the belt down the street. Brandi's father was loving and kind to her.

[D]

So for us, and supportive. And the way he seemed to take his time and be patient with asking her, hey, I think you should do a solo in the choir. Like, how do you feel about that? You know, Even when she asked him, should I submit or can I submit for the showcase? Like, it was a lot of communication and conversation. You know, it just felt really different from the. Like, Joe Jackson, even the Knowles.

[E]

Yeah, right.

[D]

The Matthew Knowles School.

[C]

Damn it, Jessica.

[D]

Sort of expectation. Right? Yes. I thought that that was really cool to see that as a black father with such a talented child. Right.

[E]

Yep.

[D]

We learned that Brandi moved to Carson, California, which is apparently is like a suburb that's 13 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. She was 4 years old. How old was. How much younger is Ray J? Like a year or two?

[C]

I'm not sure, actually.

[D]

I'm not entirely sure because she said that she remembers the two of them being able to lay across the back of the Subaru. They were that little. Just so cute. I can't.

[E]

Right.

[C]

That was two and three.

[E]

I don't know.

[C]

And she didn't. She used so many words. She ain't told us that child. How did that slip by? The word salad?

[D]

And I love the juxtaposition of her talking about, like, Carson. Right. And then the summers in the South. It really made me think of. What's the Spike Lee movie? She's got a Crooklyn. When. When she took up from. No, you didn't. From Brooklyn. And she was going down south with her aunt. You know what I mean?

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

And getting her hair. Well, no, she was getting her hair permed. But we find out that her dad, Willie Norwood, grew up in the Delta town of Greenwood. He went to Jackson State University. So it's a very hbcu. Heavy family. He was in. He was in Sanders. He was there on a band scholarship on the French horn and trumpet. And I love that. Both of her parents are HBCU bands. Oh, yeah, that says a lot, too. Right. Like, she literally has music in the fabric of her life. He was apparently, like I said, the front man of a popular local band called the Composers.

[C]

The Composers.

[D]

Funny name. And that's where he met Sonya Bates. He met her mama, Sonia. Sonia.

[C]

Sonia.

[D]

Sonia. Okay. I wasn't sure. Sonia was a liberal studies and psych major at Sanja.

[C]

Sanja. Y major school named Sanja. Yeah. Sandra. I ain't gonna say it. I almost said her last name.

[D]

She probably would. Hey, Dustin Ross. Sonja was a liberal student. Liberal studies and psych major at Southern University, Baton Rouge. She also came from the band scene. She was a baton twirler, which I love. There's so much Precision, as Brandi explained, military precision.

[C]

Been using weapons.

[D]

And in this chapter, Brandi basically just gave us some insight right. Into what life was like in Macomb, Mississippi. The slowness of it, the family of

[C]

it, and the appeal of it.

[D]

The appeal of it based on her

[C]

experience in Carson too.

[D]

Right. Like how she just felt safer. It was more commuting, community oriented. Everyone knew each other. There was one line I loved where her grandma told her, you stay where

[C]

people know you know, you belong to me, friend. I love that too.

[D]

Right. That like, hit my heart in such a lovely way. Oh, God. And they told her, stay your ass out the hood.

[C]

Don't go over there. And what they do went right over there.

[D]

Riding. Right. Riding their bikes through. This would be such a good movie. It reminded me a lot of Matriarch with Tina Knowles. Just the way that their childhood was set up. Yeah. And she remembers being told to stay out the hood. Of course, they didn't listen. They went anyway. And then some kids from. Start throwing rocks, almost beating their ass. This made them go into the church and that's. Well, once they ran or rode back, they rode back to the church. And that's where the dad sat with her and had the conversation about him. Feeling like she's ready to start singing solo in the choir. And she was really nervous. And he was so encouraging. He said, you have a gift from God, a gift that is meant to be shared. Never forget that. And so we kind of start seeing the seeds being planted of the solo star. Right. That's slowly being nourished. I love the way he's doing it though, because he's like, really built her up. She explained how he taught her how to sing the scales. Right. With such precision. We also learned about just Macomb, Mississippi. Like her grandfather, how he owned a gas station, but he also owned bus and transportation. All I kept thinking was, damn, grandpa.

[C]

I know he had a coin some shit.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

During that time where they.

[C]

He must have had another. He must have been selling moonshine or something too. On the side.

[D]

Another business was a construction worker. And they do make good.

[C]

They launder money a lot too.

[D]

But I can't lie, that was like, whoa. He. At a time like that for a black man in Mississippi to own all of that. And he used a lot of his. His business, like especially the buses to help bust a lot of the kids that have been in detention for protesting. So really involved even in the voter registration she mentioned, which we know that that was risky. You put in your lives, literally, you

[C]

putting Your life in danger. And this is also why it's important to remember that kids watch everything you do.

[D]

Okay?

[C]

Not even the. That's related to them, but just what you're doing as an adult, kids pay attention to. And this is why it's important to do things of integrity like that. Right? Look. Look how it helped nurture Brandi, how

[D]

she observed his power as a human being. And also, it goes to show you how we're not that far removed because she said the rules in MCCRA. The schools in Macomb were integrated in 71, and she was born in 79. When I saw that line written out like that, and I mean, we know this, but still, to read it twice, it just, like, hits.

[C]

He's like, wait a minute.

[E]

Which.

[D]

Damn.

[E]

Not to put too much out, but my mom is from Macomb.

[D]

Really?

[B]

Really.

[E]

So reading that, at that time, I was like, golly, like, because your mom

[D]

was in schools while this transition was happening.

[C]

Well, we need to have your mama come on here.

[D]

Okay?

[C]

You know what I'm saying? We love her anyway.

[E]

Now we gotta love it. Too much.

[C]

Talk about McComb. Maybe she can join us for a Wednesday live.

[D]

That would be awesome.

[E]

Maybe I won't smoke. No, she would love that.

[C]

She would be smoking weed in front of your wife.

[E]

No, she would love to. She loves. She loves. She loves when people do things that she doesn't. It's one of her favorite things. It's like, I respect her.

[C]

I can't bring my.

[E]

I understand she beast people. I'm about to smoke at the house. I'm like, no, girl. Like, I don't have to smoke.

[C]

I'll be telling my mom, yes, I am about to smoke.

[E]

No, I do go out back sometimes. I do. I do. I do go out back.

[C]

Anyways, friend. Welcome to the friends. All right, you guys. Summer is full of vacations, great times, weekend getaways, and spending a lot of time outdoors, if you're doing it right. And when you're packing for a trip, the last thing you want to be worrying about is your hair. I'm a man, and even though I'm bald now, I did have some. So that's one reason why I have actually loved having Nutrafol as part of my routine. It's helped me feel way more confident about my hair, whether I'm headed to the beach, exploring a new city because, you know, I travel a lot, or just enjoying a long weekend away. Nutrafol is actually the number one dermatologist recommended hair growth supplement and brand and it's the number one hair growth supplement brand personally used by dermatologists. What better endorsement is that, right? Nutrafolds hair growth supplements are peer reviewed, NSF certified for sport and clinically tested. Now, adding nutrafold to your daily routine is very easy. You just order it online, you don't need a prescription or anything like that, and you have automated deliveries and free shipping to help keep you on track so you don't have to spend any time antagonizing over scheduling. Plus, with your Nutrafol subscription you can save up to 20% and get added perks like a free Headspace membership. And everybody knows there could be a lot of schedule skepticism when it comes to supplements to aid you on your hair health journey. But the nutrafold men's I know it worked for me and it can definitely work for others. And there's so many other versions of the Nutrafol supplement that will aid you in your hair growth journey. So no matter what your needs are, I'm sure they can be met. Over at Nutrafol, you can let your hair become one less thing taking up space in your head and see thicker, stronger, faster growing hair with less shedding in just three to six months with NutraFol. For a limited time, NutraFold is offering our listeners $10 off your first month subscription and free shipping when you visit NutraFold.com and in a promo code zone. That's NutraFold.com spelled n u t r a f o l dot com promo code zone.

[D]

The summer schedule can get busy really fast, right? With camps, vacations, sports and family time. Iexcel, however, makes it easy to keep learning as part of the routine with just a few minutes a day. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that helps kids truly understand what they're learning, whether they're building math confidence, strengthening reading and writing skills, or reviewing their science concepts. IXL is used in 96 out of the top 100 school districts in the US and studies show that kids who use IEXCEL score higher on tests and it's been proven in all 50 states. I know that during the summertime the kids just want to be outside, or hopefully they do. Or they want to be playing their video games on the phone with their friends, scrolling through their apps. And it might not be the easiest time trying to get them to stay sharp on their math, stay sharp on their reading and their studies overall. But like I Excel says, just a few minutes a day will make sure that when school starts in September, they're not looking at the screen like, oh my God, just completely numbed out from summer. So I think it's worth checking out and it's worth incorporating into their day to day. So if you're interested, you can make an an impact on your child's learning this summer by getting IXL now and the Friend Zone. Listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com friendzone visit ixl.com friendzone to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. Happy learning. It's important to make sure the space in your home brings you joy. And with Wayfair you can treat yourself to new furniture, decor and storage solutions without breaking the bank. Shop grills, patio lighting, rugs and so much more on there. Plus installation and assembly services are available so you can kick back with the cucumber eye mask while everything is set up for you and make sure to shop. Wayfair verified your shortcut to the good stuff. There's specialists hand vet items, checking things like quality and functionality. Me, I'm actually really grateful to our partnership with Wayfair over the past year because I had a guest room that in all the years I've been living here, that guest room has been haunting us. We just didn't really have much to do with it for real, for real. So it kind of became that closet slash mini gym slash anything that needs to be hidden away room. I think everyone has one of those. So finally we got a little fire put under us because we had family members, extra family members staying with us this summer. And we were like, you know what, we finally need to have a proper guest room. And so we put it together with all the Wayfair products. We got a dresser, we got a bed, and it just all worked out so perfectly. We were able to put together the absolute cutest guest room for our small little guests. And it's been really nice and I've been thankful to the partnership for allowing us to be able to do that quickly with really good quality pieces. And now it's a room that finally, finally has gotten some attention. So if you're ready to upgrade your home for way less, head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. That's wayfair.com w a y F and that's Wayfair. Every style for every home. But from this chapter of her sharing McComb and the church and the relationship with her dad and their love for music, anything stand out to you guys. Just from her explaining basically what her childhood was like in this section.

[E]

Yes.

[C]

It made me think about going in the summers to Arkansas, where my dad is from.

[D]

I love that song.

[C]

Being in Rising Arkansas. Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Little Rock, Arkansas. Malvern, Arkansas. Hell, yeah. So my family from, like, my grandparents have property there and stuff now. And so it made. But it made me think about the feeling that I felt as a kid when I would be in the south during the summertime. And it was just. It really reflected some of Brandi's perspectives, too. So I understood it. I was like, damn, this made me think about going down South.

[D]

I love that. I want to do an episode about this because I think it's so interesting. Interesting that a lot of us were either down south or for me, I was in the Caribbean. Right.

[C]

Yeah. Oh, my.

[D]

And it's just. And to me, it's the same thing. Right. It's the way that our parents had connected with their parents and just the juxtaposition of these very differing lives. Right. Like I'm in New York and then going to Dr. Or PR for the summer and peeing in a hole in the ground or having to go get water from the river. And then the water you got was. Was the water you were going to use for the day.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

So there was no, you know, turning on. Yeah.

[C]

You just.

[D]

And I think I understood now as an adult, the importance of my mom exposing me to that reality because it made me so grateful when I got back and couldn't just turn on my water. Or the fact we had a fridge full of food all the time. Whereas in Dr. We didn't have a fridge. You had to go get your meals and was when you were going to eat them. So if you were gonna eat this breakfast, you went and got it, cooked it, ate it. Because there's no refrigeration.

[C]

Yeah. I mean, it's just different. I think as a parent, like I said, we don't. None of us here have kids. But anyway, I think as a parent, I know my main goal. One of my main goals, I should say, would be for my kids to just get. You know what I mean? Like, do your thing your way, but get it when it comes to, like, understanding the world. And so I can recognize the benefit. Absolutely. In exposure in that way.

[D]

Absolutely. And as. And it's hearing Brandy talk about the difference between Carlson, what she was experiencing, and even just having that. What she considered a refuge. Right. A sanctuary. Asante. I don't know if you wanted to add anything before I move to the next chapter.

[E]

No, I'm excited to move to the next chapter because I just have a trashy take about when she first started talking about this and mentioned Ray J. I was like, oh, this is what Ray J was trying to claim. Like that gang shit. Just because he spent some time out there. Anyway, sorry.

[D]

The next chapter we read was outsider. And this is where she really gave us more insight into her life in Carlson. Yeah, Montez Hickman. Which she did say that she changed some names, I hope. All these privacy. I wondered that too. I was like, I wonder if she changed.

[C]

They would have been in my book. I would have put the real names of the people who me over. Oh, to me, it's the burn book at this point. Go ahead, friend.

[D]

Montes Hickman was making her trek to school every day a living hell. And I feel like, especially growing up in New York, we all had those people.

[C]

It was on the bus for me,

[D]

it was on the train for me. It was always someone that you just were like, fuck, like, I gotta try to get in a different car.

[C]

Cause I got on that bus with a master lock combination lock in my hand, around my finger, my middle finger like this. And my brother was in the car. He had dropped me off at the bus station at the bus stop. He was in the car behind me and watched the whole fight and got on the bus. When the bus driver stopped at the light to break up the fight. My brother got on the bus. He knew I was gonna fight, but his adrenaline was high. Cause he seen it in the back of the window.

[D]

Yeah, you his baby brother, right?

[C]

But anyway, so, yeah, but I guarantee you I ain't have no more problems on that motherfucking bus.

[D]

Montez kid.

[C]

It made me feel the anxiety again of what that felt like as a kid. And I wanted to fight, right?

[D]

And this is a little girl, so this really bothered me. Cause I remember being picked on by boys mainly. And I almost got suspended, which really could have changed the trajectory of my life, right? Luckily, the teachers fucked with me. But I almost got suspended because the little boy was bothering me so much. He took a pencil and tried to stab me with it. And I bit the fuck out of him. Like, bit him and then it like, you know, cut through. Of course you can't do that.

[C]

And so I still got the scar today, bitch.

[D]

No, he probably does. Because I've bit with my soul. And because he was a big kid, I was like, I have to do something. I can't.

[C]

You had a lot of bikes to

[D]

go through, you know, and so they were gonna suspend me. And then I think because of my track record at that school, they were just like, we can't do that.

[E]

She's not a problem.

[D]

And he was. And the teacher was like, he started it. He's a bully. You know, grateful for that. But it bothered me just thinking that and how people tell you bullshit, like, oh, he probably likes you.

[C]

Yep.

[E]

Yeah, I hated that.

[D]

I hate that little girls are really told that.

[C]

What kind of adult in a position of overseering children like that would even say something like that? Why would you. Why would you instill that sort of thought into a kid and normalize. Crazy normalize.

[D]

That has always normalized. Because people say it so casually, like, oh, you need probably like, that's not cute. Gonna hit you. Can someone feel fix that? Yeah, have your son's hitting girl.

[C]

You hit my daughter, I'm on your ass.

[D]

Okay?

[E]

For real.

[C]

And my daughter is too. And my e me daughter to eat. My daughter t be in. You know what I'm saying? For real. We gonna beat your ass as a family.

[E]

Especially if my daughter But o.

[D]

And when he. Okay, so she's headed to school. She finds a loophole. It's a gate through a. A hole through a gate that allows her to cut in a way she don't have to pass his damn house. Cuz he's, like, harassing her sexually, talking about her body, like, just being completely inappropriate. She finds this loophole. It works for a couple weeks, but somehow, because obviously he was like, how come I haven't seen that girl walking through? You know? So he went and investigated, saw the loophole, and punches her. That shocked me. I thought he was gonna push her down or talk some shit, but he straight up cracked her in her face.

[C]

Hard as I got mad when I was reading that part.

[E]

Yeah, that.

[D]

And then he gets sent away a couple weeks later to the south to go live with his family because clearly he was living crazy out in Carlson

[C]

lake somewhere. I hope he moved to Atlanta and they took him on Lake Lanier. You know what time?

[D]

I knew you were gonna say it. I saw it coming.

[E]

As soon as he said.

[D]

As soon as he said get up. Ate up by something, I said, look, yeah.

[C]

When we was on that lake, I told y' all I was on the lake in Atlanta last weekend.

[E]

Why?

[C]

When they was telling we was about to go, I was like, I know y' all ain't talking about no lake. They was cracking up. I was like, I ain't going. You can do what y' all want to do. I am not going that. I would say I catch y' all afterwards, but you know what I'm saying.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

No, that's funny.

[C]

Anyway.

[D]

And then he punches her. She goes home, and her mom nearly has a dang heart attack seeing her daughter with a bloody face.

[C]

After, you know, Sonia was going off.

[D]

What.

[C]

You know, Brandy mama, of all people.

[D]

So we're dealing with Montez. Luckily, he moves. Then she tells us about Shanice Jones, who was her actual bully at Amber Elementary. Like, at the school. So she's dealing with this guy on the street and then dealing with this girl at school. This little girl's calling her ET Pippi Longstocking. Just, like, harassing her.

[C]

Hey, Pippi was funny. I'm not even gonna hold you. The ET Thing was mean. But hey, hey, Pippi, that was funny, you know, when I. I ain't even gonna hold you when I got to that part. And it was italicized.

[D]

Now, that's a good bit.

[C]

The lettering was italicized when he said. She said, hey, Pippi. That. That. I. I'm sorry. You know what I'm saying?

[D]

That's a good bit. Shanice.

[C]

Hey, baby. I was like.

[D]

And then got all her little friends to start saying, no. But this next part, so. Because she kept bullying her, Brandi prayed to God and said, just take her away. And her friend the next couple days comes and says, did you hear about Shanice? And she was like, no. What happened? Because she hadn't been seeing Shanice. She was like, I don't know if this is a setup. She hiding somewhere. Maybe she was waiting to jump out at me in the bathroom, catch me lacking and slipping. No. So Shenice was shot and killed at a home. A home invasion. Because she was staying at her aunt's house in Atlanta. That's the plea. This is a child.

[C]

No one mourns the wicked.

[E]

Oh, my God.

[D]

And so Brandi felt crazy because she's like, oh, my God. My prayer did this. You know what's funny? One of our listeners wrote a comment that made me laugh so hard, all they wrote was, my prayer did this. And I knew what they. Y' all so damn funny. Now that I know the reference, I screamed, y' all so funny.

[C]

This would have been. Now, listen, you know I have mixed feelings about religion, right? But this would have made me a believer. Yes. I would have heard the angelic voices.

[E]

I've been like, I need a million dollars. Okay.

[C]

Okay. I would love to know the lottery numbers tomorrow. You know what I'm saying?

[E]

Like Maserati outside for me.

[C]

Okay. I'm kind of making my bed.

[D]

I would have felt something though, because Montez gets taken away. Shanice gets taken away with a receipt.

[C]

Shanice came with a receipt. Montez. You know what I'm saying? But Shanice was the gift and the receipt. Receipt. I just.

[E]

It was. No, it was the gift in the. The receipt because. Are you about to talk about the sister?

[D]

I was just gonna say her sister ends up coming to the school. It was a sister from another mother, right? Cuz they were like the same age.

[C]

Just a couple months, six months apart from Irish twins. Project twins.

[D]

Project twins. So because Brandy felt so guilty, she goes up to the sister whose name is Cheryl, and is like, I'm sorry about your sister. And Cheryl was like, okay. And surprisingly end up becoming friends. But what I like about Cheryl's presence, she teaches Brandi to advocate for herself because she was like, I'm not friends with no bitch, so you gotta get it together if we need to be cool. And Brandi kind of like is realizing, like, you know what? I do act like that. Like, why am I so scared letting

[C]

these people walk all over me, you

[D]

know, and letting them treat me, however. And Cheryl brings it up to her like, what's wrong with you? Why do you let people talk to you? Right? And then she has another bully that's like a neighborhood bully. So many bullies, my God. And she is a girl named Latoya who's envious of her, I guess you'd say.

[C]

And you think you are. That.

[D]

I used to hate when girls used to say that. Ugh, that. And when girls used to say, because I'll smack anybody in here and they look around.

[E]

I used to smack yourself, girl.

[D]

Like, I'm just trying to get.

[E]

Damn.

[C]

Oh, I'm have to this up.

[D]

So Latoya pushed her and was put like. Like mushing her down, right? And embarrassing her in front of everybody in the neighborhood. After

[C]

I was like, what's wrong with me? Because after the shit happened outside, she looked at her girls from the team and she got sad.

[D]

She got sad.

[C]

They was like, you all right? All I can see is that picture from Tarazi Henson in Straw, that movie, that time when she was at the bank and she was like. And I heard, do I. Do I look like I wanna? Do I look like I'm all right? I was in my house. Rolling. Do you hear me? Rolling. I'm sorry, Randy. That was funny.

[E]

But even though she didn't backpack like you gonna ask me that. Why you hand me my backpack.

[C]

Like,

[D]

what y' all making my face.

[C]

That white girl.

[D]

Oh, God. Oh, God.

[C]

I said, damn, Brandy done been to something.

[E]

My God.

[D]

I was. And she said she got picked on because she was, like, skinny. You know, People felt she was weird looking. I hate that, because it really be like that.

[C]

And I know them hoes ate it when they seen her on tv. They were so mad. She's still famous.

[D]

I thought about that. All these people, if they be like, brandy, did y' all deal with a lot of bullies? Like neighborhood bullies, school bullies, transportation bullies everywhere. They be lurking.

[C]

The only time I've dealt with bullies, I fought back. So it wasn't like I got bullied, but motherfuckers did try. Cause I think they saw the gay in me. Like, I fought on the bus. Cause this girl. Ooh, her name was Kiana Brown from Flint, Michigan, and she lived across the street from me with her grandfather. She was a year older than me, and she called me gay on the bus. And so she started this thing. And like, that day on the bus ride home, her. Ontario Davis. This boy named Ontario David. Yep. And this other boy named Brian Jackson. Brian was in the 10th grade. Ontario was in the ninth grade. I was in the eighth grade. Kiana was in, I think, 10th or 11th. So she was a little.

[D]

Not them being older.

[C]

And they was calling me gay. She started it, and they. They kept it going. And I remember on the way home thinking, like, I'm gonna fight them. I just remember thinking that. You know what I'm saying? But. And that next morning, I got on the bus and I had that master, like, in my hand, and I went to work, and Ontario had to get stitches in his head. I busted his head open and I fucked Brian face up. And I got suspended for 10 days. Like, 10 school days. You know what I'm saying? Sure did. Two weeks. Sure the fuck did.

[D]

But it was worth every day.

[C]

I remember feeling like I am not about to be feeling scared of nobody. You know what I'm saying? I'm not about to be feeling like that. And I'm not about to be having no tough ride every day on the way home from school. It took one time, like, one day of that, and I was like, hell, no. And I didn't want my brother and him thinking I was no pussy. Cause they. Damon and Daria used to fight all the time in high school, right?

[D]

Right?

[C]

Yeah, honestly, they did. Daria hit a girl with a microscope in one of her science classes. And it was Like a whole thing behind it. Yeah.

[E]

So.

[C]

And they would. They would be talking about this stuff, you know what I'm saying? They was older than me. And so I didn't want to feel. I don't want to be no punk. And I was gay, you know what I'm saying? But I didn't know how to. You know what I mean? And I just was not about to go for that flat out.

[D]

I feel you.

[C]

So that's my story.

[D]

And I don't have siblings, but my mom is one of those. She is going to pipe the fuck up. You cannot talk to her however you want. She will fight you in the street, she will fight you on the bus, she will fight you on the train. So I come from that stock, like. And I don't have the kind of mom that's going to be like, you better fight. Like, she's not going to do that, but she's going to give me that look, like, you got it, you know?

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

You know. So I think it is about who you're around. You feel that respect, how kids are watching. Yeah. Like, oh, I need to take care of myself and advocate. People don't get to talk to me, however, because I'm not just going to sit there and take it.

[C]

I'm not going to keep going through that. Like. No, you're not going.

[D]

You don't get to do that. Yes, get to do that. That's the best part. Yeah.

[E]

I learned how to fight in elementary school, and then I learned I didn't need to fight in middle school. Y' all met my sister. Y' all met one of my sisters, my older sister Mo. We were raised together. Mo used to fight.

[D]

You having an older sibling? I wish.

[E]

Eight years older than me. Mo used to fight on a regular basis. So in elementary school, it took that bitch one time to get on my bus and fight. And I'm like, elementary school, bitch. Like, leave it alone. Don't worry about it. Like. And then the neighborhood kids, I. I was best friends with this girl downstairs. She had two older brothers. Her older brothers taught me how to fight. So from then on, elementary school good. Never had to fight. Except for this one time. Cordell Key stole my Power Rangers book. I've told this story about the scholastic,

[D]

the way we remember names.

[E]

I tore his ass up. And I remember saying, in the name of the two niggas that taught me how to fight, I gotta whoop your ass. And I did. And I got my book back. N smelled like mothballs. I'll never forget. So the Second time.

[D]

Time.

[E]

And the second time I had to fight was in middle school. It was during the summer. I was at summer camp. I wasn't trying to fight. I was minding my own business. I was a chubbier kid. These was trying to pick on me. They were triplets. I dropped one of them. I accidentally dropped the first one. It wasn't even on purpose. The tried to run up on me, and I put my hand out.

[C]

I put my hand out.

[E]

He ran right into my fist.

[D]

So the other two, he knocked them the out.

[E]

So the other two, man. Well, the other one, it was only one of the brothers. He's mad as fuck. So me and him, we tussled, and I beat his ass. And by the time the third one showed up, he was like. He was like, nah, we're not gonna do this. We're not gonna. And he tried to sneak me, and I beat his ass, too.

[C]

Good job.

[E]

Y' all three bitches. Y' all wasn't fucking up my summer. It was so good. Cause as soon as the counselors came in there, and they were young, it's so funny looking back at this now. They were like high schoolers watching us, middle schoolers. They were like, what the fuck are we gonna do? And everybody was like, they did it. It's their fault. It's their fault. And they were like, they're all passed out.

[C]

How y' all gonna blame them? I remember the saying that. Good job, Asante. Clean house.

[E]

And when I was in high school, freshman year, my other sister, we weren't raised together, but she was a senior. Once everybody found out that that was my sister, I didn't have no issues about anything.

[D]

Oh, I love that.

[E]

Didn't even have to be shout out

[D]

to me and that sibling, too, that your name is Heavy.

[C]

Yup.

[E]

My sister, her nickname in high school was Smurf. They were like, you Smurf's brother? What's up? And I'm like, what's up, yo?

[D]

They're like, no.

[E]

So it felt kind of good after watching, you know? Like, I was. After a while, somebody was like, you know they scared of you, right? And I, like, was. I was like, no, they not. And then my sister, she came with her. She was in rotc, so she had her uniform. She was like, I used to do band, rotc, captain, everything that ran a school since you got here. And I was like, well, you're like,

[D]

thank you for laying it out for me.

[E]

Yep. I still meet people in my adult life in Atlanta. No, Smurf, they talk about her.

[C]

Shout out to Smurf. What's up, sis?

[E]

Shout out to Smurf.

[D]

Right. Shout out to Smurf.

[C]

But we love you.

[E]

Yes.

[D]

Right?

[E]

But Brandi had a lot of fun shit.

[D]

Yeah. She ends up going to this girl's house. House and beating her with some damn extension cords. Which was crazy.

[E]

She said. She said I whooped her ass.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

She said.

[E]

And I loved it. Yeah, we loved this one.

[D]

She braided extension cords and went to this girl's house and whipped her.

[C]

Put your hands on me.

[E]

She said this. She was like. She opened the door.

[D]

I was like, oh, yeah. She said, latchkey kid, rule broken. Remember rule number one. You knock on the door. The next chapter was actually my favorite. Oh, I don't know if y' all had anything else to say about this showcase.

[C]

I'm over here. I done got mad low key.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

Thinking about all that.

[E]

Oh, my God.

[C]

Y.

[D]

We learned more on showcase about her artist development, right? How she got her start, which we knew was at the church. But this is when she asked him. She overheard some girls talking about the Sentinel. Right? They had. It's like a newspaper for black business. Yeah, right. And she had been running the youth choir at that point. He even let her run the main choir. Remember, he had to jump up there. And she was able to do both flawlessly.

[C]

I would have been in the church cracking up. If I saw a 10 year old choir director in a black church. I would have been rolling.

[E]

But also think about like the joy that that gives you. And she like, you know what I'm saying?

[D]

That would have been so cute. I wish she had right of that.

[C]

I would have been high. Waking, bait off, fresh off. Awaken. Bake for that 10am service and see her. And I'd be like, friend, look.

[D]

Little shoes

[C]

and socks with a ruffle on. Mary J. Chains and white, white tights. Yeah, you see it.

[D]

I was dying picturing this. But she asked. She overheard little girls at the church talking about the showcase where they were going to be like label heads and REPs and a RS. That was like, it's about to be. It's the place to be if you're trying to make it in the industry. She asked her dad if she could sign up. Luckily, he agreed. He signed her up. She went to the showcase. I died. Because this whole time showcasing, she's just saying Whitney Houston's greatest love of all the entire time. Which cracked me up. You know why this made me laugh too? Because I remember being in the audition years, not in showcases, but More so for school. Like I told you, I auditioned for LaGuardia and when I had to do like performances and for plays, my song was Lauryn Hill Killing Me Softly. That's what I was saying for LaGuardia.

[E]

You know, I went to a performing arts high school too. So like, that is such a showcase.

[D]

Oh, I did. So phenomenal.

[C]

And I got in.

[D]

I remember they. I remember their faces because they're not supposed to react, right? That's the whole point. It's just three panelists like sitting there and I remember them being like, yeah.

[C]

They was like, we give her her ID now.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

So I love just the visual, the visuals of this.

[E]

Yes.

[D]

And she there she met Danny J. Bakewell, Bakewell Senior, who apparently was like a civil rights leader, property developer, businessman, just like a pillar of South Los Angeles. And he was also the president of this org called the Brotherhood Crusade, a grassroots roots non profit that focused on addressing the unmet needs of the underserved communities. How she described it.

[C]

Well, like every other non profit.

[D]

Okay,

[C]

wasn't even around then

[E]

how do

[C]

all y' all got the same damn mission, you know what I'm saying? Like all y' all got the same mission statement, resources and opportunities,

[D]

doing stuff, right? Because he invited her to sing at this event called the Black Family Reunion, right? And she's a kid, she got the opportunity to perform. It was like a three day celebration apparently for thousands in LA. It sounds like 404. What is it?

[C]

300, 404 day. 404 day.

[D]

304 day is crazy.

[C]

That's Valentine's Day. No.

[D]

Why did I die? Because one of our listeners from out here was like, oh, I don't even know what the area code is out here because mine is still New York.

[E]

You like, I ain't sign up for none of that.

[D]

She was like, fran, you didn't come to whatever our area code is there. And I was like, no, I didn't. With area code is in. I looked it up. I said, oh, girl, you from around here. My bad, because my shit is at six four six still. But anyways, after killing her performance, oh Lord Jesus. She met Whitney Houston's musical director, Ricky Miner. You Ricky Minor.

[C]

I know you. You Ricky Miner.

[A]

And I know.

[D]

He was like, why the fuck do you know?

[C]

Why don't you pipe down?

[D]

But I love that because she comes from a family of musicians and her dad is a musical director. Of course she knows Whitney's musical director. She's gonna look into those details more than another 10 year old would. So I know he was like, what the fuck? She started mentioning the band members and all the other people that are part of Whitney's team. So of course he's impressed she wants to meet Whitney. He's like, listen, I promise you, next time she has a show in la, your tickets would be at will call. He made good on that promise because the next time Whitney was in la,

[C]

it was a pinky toe promise, right?

[D]

Because the seats, honey. He was like, I didn't tell you where you were gonna sit, but I said you had to be there.

[C]

Them Lolo Jones seats. Remember Lolo Jones?

[D]

No, you didn't.

[C]

I forgot. Oh, it's still up. Lolo.

[D]

Brandi finesses her way down to the floor by telling grandma, hold you down.

[E]

Sonya was so proud.

[D]

Okay.

[C]

And you know what's funny about that? It's obviously a little kid saying anything. You know what I'm saying? If I was ushered. Yeah. If I was an usher, I would

[D]

just like the same denim jacket with all her Whitney Houston pins.

[C]

They said that that first usher gave her a conspiratorial smile and moved to the side. That would have been me.

[D]

Go ahead. Don't let my boss see you. And she made all that girl magic.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

The funny part is, is her yelling Ricky Marner's name. I know. He looked down like, now how the hell?

[C]

Who's. Who is this police ass child calling my name?

[D]

My government seats either.

[E]

I know. I ain't got no other kids.

[D]

But then he told her that Whitney was. Was tired and she started crying.

[E]

Ice water.

[D]

Right?

[C]

And then. Now let's think about Whitney's pov, right? So the show ends.

[D]

I don't think he asked Whitney.

[C]

Whitney put on a. A nylon windbreaker and a headband, you know what I'm saying? As she walking out the back. We need to hear that.

[A]

I'm done.

[E]

Coming with that again.

[C]

Whitney. Hit it.

[D]

Okay, I'm sorry, but that visual is hilarious. But I don't think he asked him for real. I think he get those requests.

[E]

He didn't think he was. He gave them the seats and the nosebleeds and paid it. He was like, all right.

[C]

They got in the show and I get it. I get it.

[D]

And low key. I feel like one of the parents called him and was like, hey, don't. You know, I see Whitney's in town. You know, I just want to make good on what you said. I don't think he really remembered. I really don't.

[C]

Yeah, me too.

[D]

Got so much going on.

[C]

Right?

[D]

But you know, at least he got her in there. And I think.

[C]

I ain't like they had the Internet. So that was just. If he ain't right that in his Franklin Planner. You remember Franklin Covey.

[D]

But what I loved was she said her mom cupped her face and told her, you're gonna meet Whitney at the top.

[C]

Yep. And then the camera pans up and Sonja Norwood is looking at Ricky Minor like this.

[D]

And then it's that sound. What's that sound bite from the black shows. When. When they got bad news, it would

[C]

be like, yeah,

[E]

why got to be that noise?

[D]

Sorry. Put that in.

[C]

Brandy was crying. Brandy was crying. And oh my God,

[E]

I hate y', all. You hear?

[D]

But I love that it was.

[C]

Have you ever. Came on.

[D]

Have you ever see Whitney? Have you ever seen Ms. Whitney

[C]

so much?

[D]

And Whitney in the back. Whitney in the back with Bobby doing that dance. Remember when they was in the.

[E]

What little girl? We gotta get through this, y'. All.

[D]

You both okay? Where was I? Where are my notes?

[E]

Where are my notes?

[C]

Where is Whitney?

[E]

We ain't getting no Whitney this time.

[D]

I'm in the Zon blowing ad budget on metrics that look great till the CFO sees them. That's bullspend. And marketers are calling it out in dashboard Confessions.

[E]

I remember telling my boss, it'll be

[D]

good for the brand when leads were slow.

[C]

Yeah, it. It wasn't.

[A]

Cut the bull.

[D]

LinkedIn lets you target by company, job title and More. Advertise on LinkedIn. Spend $250 on your first campaign and get a $250 credit. Go to LinkedIn.com campaign terms and conditions apply.

[B]

You're great at protecting your data, but lots of places could still expose you to identity theft.

[A]

I thought it was safe.

[B]

If that happens, LifeLock gives you a US based restoration agent who will stick by your side from start to finish. Phone calls, filing documentation, preparing insurance claims, claims. Your agent handles it all. In fact, we're so confident restoration is guaranteed. Pour your money back. Isn't it nice to have someone like that on your side? Save up to 30% your first [e-mail] podcast terms apply.

[D]

So Ray J jumps into the circuit scene too. Apparently, he's in the showcase scene now. This annoyed me.

[C]

Always.

[D]

In a way. Ray J. Doom. What?

[C]

Let me chill. Cause Ray J was nice to me when we worked together.

[D]

I mean, he seems like a good.

[C]

He was actually cool.

[D]

But let's be real. At her next showcase, she meets immature.

[E]

Yes.

[C]

I didn't know none of this.

[D]

Of how they connected.

[C]

Yeah, I didn't know any of that.

[E]

I didn't know any of this part of this.

[D]

I knew a story of them, but she sees these three boys that are like, what the. They got their look together, sound together. She said they were dancing with so much star power and precision. Like, if they were vets. Mind you, these kids were nine, which is crazy to think about. And she said that she knew they won. There's no way around it. A little Easter puff dress could. Didn't stand a chance. This is the part that made me cringe. Chris Stokes pulls up on her when

[E]

I seen the name.

[D]

How is he still out here? Like, yeah, I'm sure his time will come, but he's still. You know, he. He. You know what's crazy? I was watching. Do y' all remember Quentin, that little boy from the Romeo and Juliet remake? And he's saying in the. Yeah, he's saying in the. Quentin Tarver. He's saying in the church scene. And I remember being like, heavy. Who the hell is this child? I mean, what a voice. He died, which I didn't know.

[E]

Yep.

[D]

And a lot of what he was telling before he passed on was his experience in this camp and how it ruined his life. And he's very traumatized and sharing about his sexual abuse in this camp.

[E]

Yep.

[D]

So that every time I see this man's name, I'm just like, what the. But anyway, he pulls up on Brandy, like, I want to develop you, of course. She's like, oh, my God, this is my moment. Because if you got these boys looking like this, imagine what that's gonna add to. It's basically what she was missing because she had the sound. She had, you know, the. The background. But now he's gonna give her the superstardom. Right.

[E]

The access.

[D]

The access, the look, the development. But he puts her in a girl group called Third Degree, which is obviously not what she was looking for. But his rationale was, groups are hot,

[E]

which is what she wanted to give him. Right.

[D]

And groups are what's hot right now. Right. That's what they're looking for. At least do this. It's the faster route to where you're trying to get. And then once you're hot, then we'll work on your solo project, which was

[C]

a crock of bullshit, because what that means.

[D]

But it is what people would do.

[C]

But what that meant was that he already had an idea in his head to develop a girl group group, saw her singing fire like that and was like, that's the lead singer in My girl group. And so to finesse her into participating, he's told her that, well, girl groups are hot right now. You saw I can see your play.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they. So he's preparing her with this girl group. Obviously, she is not happy about it, but she's like, it. It is what it is. I don't have another. Yeah. And her dad said to her, sometimes we have to walk through doors that aren't perfectly aligned with our vision to reach the ones that are, which was crazy. Just don't forget who you are in the process. And I thought that was interesting advice. Right.

[C]

I thought it was real.

[E]

You know what's funny, friend? When I first read it, I was torn. When I first read it, I was like. But then when I read it again, I was like, Because I had to. Because, remember, I was listening to the audiobook and I wasn't in the mood the first time. So when I went back and I was like, oh, you know what? Like, I get that. That's crazy. And so then when that part came up later, I was like. And that's like, that's what he meant.

[D]

Because this is exactly what happened. Right, Right.

[E]

But I appreciated that piece the second time around. Really. Because I like that it was like, don't lose yourself like that. I think that's so important because sometimes people are literally just like, just go for anything. And it's like, I don't know about that, but it's like, look, you know, sometimes people.

[D]

Some people are by any means necessary. That's not always.

[E]

And it's like. It's like. It's like sometimes, you know, you got to. Look, sometimes it ain't the best advice.

[C]

Right.

[E]

People give that advice to be like, sometimes you just got to do what's realistic for the situation. And, you know, if that means this, you know, do this, but don't forget yourself, blah, blah.

[C]

Sounds like I don't think you should compromise your goals. Right. Or your vision, your. Your end game. But I do understand taking advantage of, like, certain opportunities that can lead a path to what you really want.

[D]

Right. Just putting eyes on you.

[C]

Yeah. I interpreted what he said in that way.

[E]

Way.

[C]

You know what I'm saying?

[D]

Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. I just think for me and I. And. And he was right. Right. Because this is exactly how it panned out. But I think for me, telling a kid that is, I feel you. Edgy, you know? Yeah. You never want them to think they have to do things they don't want. And because kids also interpret things so literal.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

Like for us, we're an adult. So you know, the play, you see the play. I'm gonna do it like this. But what you're teaching a kid is do things that don'. And. And that to me is, you know, kids are very like, I have to do this. You know, So I don't know. It was edgy for me. But he was right and it did.

[E]

Which is maybe something like. But you know, friend. I feel like Willie maybe even considered that and saying what he said. And Brandi was just so intuitive or you know, like that was his child and he, you know, put a lot of trust in her and.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

And which is very respectful to her. You know, that support I felt like was so deep. It was very much like a two sided. Like it was trust from both ways face.

[D]

It's like you knew that he loved Coyote. Oh, what I thought someone's dog was. I was like, oh, someone's dog must have got away because it don't have a leash and it's by itself. But when I looked again. That's a whole ass Coyote just ran past.

[C]

You got a trap. Because I wouldn't mind a new. You could make a shawl. Make you a little shawl. Yeah. Hell yeah.

[D]

Wow.

[C]

Anyways, you all came over here, you

[D]

know what I'm saying, in the daytime

[C]

like this God damn friend. That's where that nature. I'll be like, I don't know.

[E]

You're gonna get you some. You have to be sukihan to get you some of that bear mace, girl.

[D]

Imagine being on a walk. Anyway, go ahead.

[C]

The way I would my pants. Y' all know me. I would literally just crumble.

[D]

And they say like that's my worst nightmare. Don't make them feel threatened. We just go stand there. Oh.

[C]

Anyway and be and make them feel intrigued. Hell no. Hell no. Hungry. You know what I'm saying? Like, no, I don't want to get ate up.

[D]

That was crazy.

[E]

Willie supported Brandy and trusted her. So I feel like him giving her that advice. Yeah, I'm glad it worked too. And also we're just noticing that Brandi is or hopefully there's something or somebody watching over Brandi and like clearing a path for her as well.

[D]

This was meant to be. The group is developing. They finally have a meeting with Daryl Williams at Atlanta Records. And as they perform for him, he his I. I only have eyes.

[E]

Okay.

[C]

He said all that Simon count stop.

[D]

Okay.

[C]

He said trim the fat.

[E]

No, for real.

[D]

Basically, he only was interested in Brandy, but she was only 11, so he told her, have a little more development. Come back when you're 14. I do wonder why 14? Like what made me say that?

[C]

Cause I would assign her so fast and controlled the development. Are you crazy?

[D]

You know what I'm saying?

[C]

So somebody else can get this gold mine.

[D]

So that was kind of weird. But it also comes with the territory when you're in the industry, right? Cause I'm sure he never circled back. That's how it is.

[E]

He needs to hit a look now. And she too young. Now he's like, I can't do Nothing with no 11 year old animation and stuff. Probably wasn't hitting like that for like kids. Bop.

[C]

But wait, I don't think he. I think he did retain her. Cause didn't she say like for the next year they were in development or whatever?

[D]

No, that was just her and Chris.

[E]

Yeah, she stayed with Chris. Okay. She moved on with the girl group.

[C]

Yeah, I was trying to got it

[D]

right because once the once Chris peeped like, damn, she is.

[C]

I just thought about it.

[E]

Oh yeah, no, he did keep after that arc.

[D]

And then she, you know, this made her start thinking too as she's working with Chris, trying to develop her sound and move forward as a solo artist. How he's writing all the music, right? And this is a grown ass man and he's making all this hypersexual grown music that nine year old boys are

[C]

singing they big booty and potatoes. Which I didn't know what the potatoes meant. Is that titties? I didn't know what the fuck that was supposed to mean. I'm like, well, what is it? Where in the fuck would the potato be on a motherfucking body? Potatoes are hard and dense.

[D]

Oh my God. Jason said, it's the potatoes, the titties.

[C]

I said, well, maybe that means titties. These I could think of.

[D]

But there was like a hypersexual energy happening, which sadly horny by the potato kind of leads into their next Ray

[C]

J. I ain't never heard of that kink.

[D]

Ray J becomes the hype man for immature, right? I could see it. They're so little I can't see, right? So they fly to New York to perform at the Apollo. And this was weird because they had a hotel to themselves. And all I'm thinking is Brandy's not. Is 11 and Ray J's what, all of nine? Probably they were in a hotel room by themselves ordering food like that.

[C]

Sonya had to be outside that door.

[D]

No, they flew themselves. And that surprised me that Sonya or Willie were not more Mindful of allowing these children, I just didn't think that they would be that, like. You know what I mean?

[C]

Hands off. Yeah.

[D]

That surprised me, especially knowing they probably prayed about it, especially knowing what we know of Sonia. Right. And how she is a momager and. And kind of like a helicopter momager at that. So this surprised me.

[E]

He's saying the way that this is written, I was kind of looking for that moment just because you seen so much care for Brandy throughout with everything else. But that was, like, maybe she didn't know what the conversation was or it wasn't clear on how that happened, so that's why it didn't come across. But I was kind of curious about that, too, because I was like, this seems a little. Like you said, what was the term used before? Edgy.

[C]

It felt a little controversial.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

Because remember matriarch. In matriarch, one of the things that I think really, like, kept Destiny's Child safe was how the mom. You couldn't get them kids out of sight as much as the execs tried to be like, oh, bring her to a party. It's Aaliyah's birthday. Okay, cool. I'm gonna be there. Or one of the moms will be there.

[C]

Yep.

[D]

And so that, I think, saved them a lot of trouble. And sadly, this is what happens next. Right. Brandy's at Chris's house reading. And Half Pint, who. I remember, he was the original Asian member. Do y' all remember him? He was a little Asian kid.

[E]

Yeah. Cause I remember later on being like,

[D]

what happened to him?

[E]

Like, are we just going.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Story just changed a little bit in my mind's eye now what happened? I didn't know Half Pint was Asian.

[E]

I don't know. I just remember.

[C]

When I think about the story, I just see it differently.

[D]

Now I'm dead. He.

[E]

I remember how he looked because I was so.

[D]

I did, too, because this is one

[E]

of my earlier experiences when I. Yeah. And this was my early experiences with, like, groups changing later on three lw. So, like, damn.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

And I remember one through chicken.

[D]

And I wonder, too, how that must feel, right, that you switch out whether it was by his choice or their choice, whatever the case may be. And then you see them have this seismic rise.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

That's got to be. I bet that traumatizes people. Like, they probably never get over it and just replay it for the rest of their lives.

[E]

Honestly, when I brought up 300W, what I thought about was the. The member that they brought in to replace Naturi after the Chicken incident. Dustin loves to bring up somebody on Twitter. So I don't know how true this is. They brought up the fact that the. The girl that came after Naturi, how she was kind of traumatized after that happened because she ended up taking some of the fallout from just being the replacement. And I thought that was.

[D]

Oh, I could imagine.

[E]

Like, I don't remember how I even felt about it. I remember seeing her thinking she was pretty, but that's all I thought because I always want everybody to win. I can only imagine people being like, oh, no, Turu is better.

[D]

Or like, bring her back.

[E]

Right? I can only imagine.

[C]

Don't take the job.

[D]

I wouldn't have. No lie. I wouldn't have. I be like, hell, no, I'm not.

[C]

I'm not doing.

[D]

That's been doing this for years. Crazy.

[C]

First of all, I'm a singer. You know what I'm saying? Like, I'm not going to be no singer.

[D]

And that's gonna put a stain on my.

[C]

Forever.

[D]

No, thanks.

[C]

Forever. That's how people are gonna meet me. Are you out of your damn mind?

[D]

Right?

[C]

So if you say yes, you know, sorry, that water.

[D]

But Half Pint puts his hands under her shirt and is, like, being inappropriate. Inappropriate, mind you. These are babies. So clearly this is an environment where this was normal.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

Because the boys started laughing.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

And I wonder how they felt about that now that they're adults.

[C]

They always come back.

[D]

I will say this, right? I will say this. That part of the story was hidden very well all these years because I always knew that the reason Romeo had an eye injury was because Brandy threw a book at his eye. I knew that, but I did. I never knew why. And I remember thinking, dang, what happened? That she did that? Because they always put it on her,

[C]

like, oh, you make her the problem.

[D]

And she said that she was like the misogyny that has. Has allowed the story to, you know, unveil itself the way it has. And in reality, this is what happened. That's crazy. We're just finding this out.

[C]

A real good, juicy. What had happened was, I wonder how

[D]

they feel as men now with children and their experiences since, you know, dealing with the industry, having to be under Chris Stokes. If they look back, have they apologized to her? Have they talked about this? This? I haven't seen them comment on any of these excerpts or anything, so I haven't either.

[C]

I have seen other people be in similar situations, and they always run the same. Oh, we. We were kids play or whatever.

[D]

Right, Right. And I wonder how half Pint has, you know, has he said anything like, cuz he's a grown ass man. I actually just looked him up and his Instagram popped up. He's with dad with kids. I like this was mind blowing. Yeah, this was mind blowing though, to see. To see that. That this is what the actual story was. And once again, why is she at Chris Stokes house reading unattended with a

[C]

bunch of damn boys?

[E]

Has had allegations for years and it was crazy reading this and how she's like, you know, just evenly talking about what her experience was. And even just that lens is just still like, you can see where there could be missteps. But she's not saying that there were. And I'm just like, wow.

[D]

She did say one word though, when she said Chris Stokes came up to her at the showcase. She said her dad intuitively that word was like this to me. She's letting us know without letting us know.

[E]

Yep, yep.

[D]

You know, she said he intuitively stepped in before she talked to him.

[C]

She also said he was still talking to her. Her he looked up and was still talking to her.

[D]

Tells you so much.

[C]

It was too loose. It was too loose of an environment for children of that age to be unattended for sure.

[D]

And as church parents and as church parents, that surprised the hell out of me. It just really did. And I'm not trying to victim blame. Right.

[C]

Because we just asking questions.

[D]

Yeah. It just was interesting to me. But that's what made her throw the book. Because the boys were laughing. And then, you know, that experience allowed Romeo to have a signature look because after the eye injury, he had the eye patch. And then that became a major part of their question.

[C]

Is the damage permanent to require him to wear an eye patch? Or did he just have to wear an eye patch for the injury while it healed and then kept wearing it as an aesthetic?

[D]

He said it's permanent.

[C]

Okay.

[D]

Yeah. It like ripped his cornea or something. Yeah, yeah. Like it was a really, really bad injury, which is crazy.

[C]

Maybe he can go over to India.

[E]

I knew you was about to go there. I don't know how I knew you was about to land over there, but I did.

[D]

You knew it immediately because you said passport revoked. She said this experience t her boundaries.

[C]

Oh, really, Brandy?

[D]

Advocacy, worth protection and the complex dynamics of children working in adult environments. I felt like that line was a peak into Thea too.

[C]

So I was like, it was a word whack at the. That's what it was.

[D]

I was like, I hope we going there. Brandy working in adult Environments. I like how I have this note that says, how has Chris Stokes gone like this all these years? But anyways, and then I wrote Raspy Quentin, etc, so that's where the book ends. What did y' all think of these first chapters that we've read so far?

[C]

Good as hell. A little long winded, but good as hell.

[D]

That showcase chapter was long and the

[C]

beginning was all that Mississippi was heavy, too.

[E]

And I was gonna say showcase was long, but that's where it picked up for me, because early on I was kind of like, okay, Brandi, like, I

[D]

appreciate it, but wait, you felt the Mississippi rock part was long?

[C]

Yeah, a little heavy handed. I do.

[D]

I liked it.

[C]

I didn't need to know what every building that they rolled past on the bikes look like. You know what I'm saying? Like, I just.

[D]

I think the civil rights part was heavy handed, but I feel like she wanted to give the book depth. Right.

[E]

And I feel like also, if we really look at Brandi, that is part of, like, her signature, right? Like, sometimes she'll come out live and look a little righteous. Like, that's part of, like, her makeup, her fabric.

[C]

So explain that a little more. What you mean come out not righteous?

[E]

I just remember that one performance where she had on, like, the black and the white with, like, the little gloves and the capes. I didn't know if it was, like, you know, real, like, constitutional. So.

[D]

No, you. You know what? Okay. Any. Any other notes?

[C]

I am complete.

[E]

I enjoyed this set of chapters, though. I did enjoy, like, I very much love that preface story that you made. Mentioned a friend. Like, it was just such a great way to start the book. Especially because, again, phases Brandon, her connection with the moon, and then to move on into just seeing her go through so much as a young child, from, like, highs to lows. Like, from, you know, running the choir to having to deal with, you know, the bullies in the streets and, like, still being able to focus and being supported at home from her daddy harnessing her talents and her mama harnessing her as a little girl. Yeah. So just, I love Great Interest intro.

[D]

Yeah. This really made me like Willie Norwood for sure.

[C]

Great dad. Great dad. Put him on the list with Uncle Phil and them. I hope as descriptive as she was in this beginning part. I hope that we get a descriptive picture of Sonia's countenance.

[E]

I thought he was gonna say Wanye. I don't know why. All right.

[D]

I love it. I'm excited, especially because the first story she's breaking of immature and Romeo's eyes. She really went there. Went there, gave us a tidbit that we had no idea about. That's really dark and heavy. And it also blows my mind that she has carried the weight of this

[C]

all these damn years.

[D]

All these years. And let them be telling the story because he's told the story. That's how I heard it. And no one ever told the full story. And that's not even kind of crazy. That's crazy.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

So I really want to hear their thoughts on it now.

[C]

That's crazy.

[D]

We're gonna read from 75 to 157. For those of you on Audible, that's from drop dead gorgeous to the fairest of them all, 75 to 157. That's the next set of chapters. I'm excited to keep digging and see what else we learn. Right.

[C]

This book is good. And we're going to be damn near halfway through next. Next week.

[D]

No, this thing's almost 400 pages.

[C]

154. I'm. I'm with it too. I'm happy about it, by the way.

[D]

But look, I'm like, is this thing.

[C]

154 is right there. Puts us right there. I think that's good. We making good time?

[D]

We are. So that is it for this week. I'm excited to jump into this book more and hear your thoughts on it so far. From 1 7. From 1 to 74, which is this week's conversation. Let us know your thoughts in the comments. We're excited to hear about it and your love for Brandy. Let's celebrate her. We'll catch you guys next week.

[E]

Stay black and protect your magic.

[D]

Bye.

[B]

Lots of places can expose you to identity theft.

[D]

Oh, no.

[B]

That's why LifeLock monitors hundreds of millions of data points a second for threats to your identity, which is way more than anyone can do on their own. If we find anything suspicious, like new loans or changes to your financial accounts, we alert you right away, all through text, phone, email, or the LifeLock app. Get the alerts that could make all the difference. Save up to 30% your first year at lifelock.com. podcast terms apply.