Traci Braxton (singer)

Traci Renee Braxton (born April 2, 1970), is an American singer, reality television personality and Radio personality. She is the younger sister of iconic American R&B singer Toni Braxton. In 2011, Braxton reunited with her sisters for the WE tv reality show Braxton Family Values. The first season was the #1 rated reality show on WE tv, and the network ordered a 13-episode second season of the show after the third episode.

In 2013, she got her own radio show called The Traci Braxton Show on the BLIS.F.M. radio. The show is a success.

Her solo debut album, Crash & Burn, was released on October 7, 2014, preceded by the single "Last Call". "Last Call" peaked at number 16 on the US R&B Adult. "Crash & Burn" debuted at #108 on the Billboard Hot 200 with sales of 4,000 in its first week and reached #11 on the relaunched Billboard R&B Albums chart and at #1 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.

Early life

She was born in Severn, Maryland. Her father, Michael Conrad Braxton, Sr., was a Methodist clergyman and power company worker, and her mother, Evelyn Jackson, a native of South Carolina, was a former opera singer and cosmetologist, as well as a pastor. Braxton's maternal grandfather was also a pastor.

Braxton has an older brother Michael, Jr. (born in 1968) and four sisters, Toni (born in 1967), Towanda (born in 1973), Trina (born in 1974), and Tamar (born in 1967).

Braxton and her siblings were raised in a strict religious household, and Braxton's first performing experience was singing in her church choir.

Career

1989–1991: Good Life and lineup change

Toni, Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar Braxton signed their first record deal with Arista Records in 1989. In 1990, they released their first single, "Good Life". It would be their only single as a fivesome. "Good Life" was not a hit, peaking at No. 79 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. At the time of the single's release, the members' age differences created a problem with marketing. Subsequently, The Braxtons were dropped from Arista Records.

In 1991, during a showcase with Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, who were in the process of forming LaFace Records, Toni Braxton, minus her four sisters, was chosen and signed as the label's first female solo artist. At the time, the remaining members were told that LaFace was not looking for another girl group since it had just signed TLC.

1992–95: The Braxton 4 and Traci's Pregnancy

After Toni's departure from the group in 1991, the remaining Braxtons members became backup singers for Toni's first U.S. tour, music videos, and promotional appearances. Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar were featured in the music video for Toni Braxton's third single, "Seven Whole Days", from her debut album.

In 1993, LaFace Records A&R Vice President, Bryant Reid, signed The Braxtons to LaFace. However, the group never released an album or single for the record label. When Reid moved on to work for Atlantic Records, he convinced executives at LaFace to allow him take the group to Atlantic also.

It was reported in Vibe magazine that in 1995 Traci Braxton had left the group to pursue a career as a youth counselor. However, it was not confirmed until 2004 when Towanda Braxton appeared in season 2 of the reality show Starting Over, that Traci was not allowed to sign with Atlantic because of her pregnancy at the time.

2011–2014: Reality television success and career

In 2011, Braxton reunited with her sisters for the WE tv reality show, Braxton Family Values. She makes appearances as backing vocal singer of her sisters in some shows over the years. In 2013, Braxton and her husband Kevin Surratt joined the third season of Marriage Boot Camp.

In 2013, Braxton began her solo career, after signing with independent media conglomerate Entertainment One under eOne Music and Soul World Entertainment to released an album. Traci Braxton is noted as the most versatile singer in the group The Braxtons. She sometimes takes the alto parts with her sister Trina Braxton, and sometimes the Soprano parts with her youngest sister Tamar Braxton. She says that she is a 1st Soprano. Both Tamar and Traci Braxton have been noted to have the whistle register, but Tamar's is most recognized. The same year, she got her own radio show called The Traci Braxton show on the BLIS.F.M. radio, which became a success.

Her solo debut album, Crash & Burn, was released on October 7, 2014, preceded by the single "Last Call". "Last Call" peaked at number 16 on the US R&B Adult. "Crash & Burn" debuted at #108 on the Billboard Hot 200 with sales of 4,000 in its first week. The album also reached #11 on the relaunched Billboard R&B Albums chart and at #1 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. A follow-up single "Perfect Time" was released in 2015.

2015–present: Christmas album as The Braxtons and second album

On January 14, 2015, she joined the judging panel of Mrs. DC America 2015. In October 2015, the group The Braxtons including Toni, Tamar, Traci, Trina and Townada, will be releasing a new material intituled Braxton Family Christmas as five members. The album will be released on October 30 and pre-order on October 16th. Braxton Family Christmas debuted at number 27 on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, number 10 on the US R&B Chart and number 12 on US Top Holiday Albums on November 21, 2015. The album charted at number 1 on the US Heatseekers Albums on December 12, 2015.

On May 17, 2016 during a Facebook live video on the Braxton Family Values page it was announced that Braxton will be releasing a new single in 2016 titled "Body Shots" from her upcoming sophomore album.

Discography

Albums

Singles

TV shows

• Braxton Family Values (as herself, 2011–present)
• Marriage Boot Camp (as herself, 2014)

Radio shows

• The Traci Braxton Show