Because of her husky voice, she often used male singers like Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, and Michael McDonald as models, as well as Chaka Khan.
Braxton's parents later converted to a different faith and eased their restrictions on secular music somewhat, allowing Braxton more leeway to develop her vocal style. Although gospel was the only music permitted in the household, the girls often watched Soul Train when their parents went shopping.
Encouraged by their mother, an operatically trained vocalist, Braxton and her four sisters began singing in church as girls. The daughter of a minister, she was raised mostly in the strict Apostolic faith, which prohibited not only all popular culture, but also pants in women's wardrobes. They regularly debuted within the Top Ten, highlighted by a set of duets with long-term collaborator Babyface that made her one of the few artists to be handed Grammy awards in three decades.īraxton was born in Severn, Maryland, on October 7, 1968. Each one of her subsequent albums was treated as an event, whether it followed a brief or extended break in studio activity. Her first two albums went platinum eight times over, accompanied by a string of hit singles that included "Un-break My Heart," which ranks among the longest-running number one pop hits of the rock era.
Soulful enough for R&B audiences yet smooth enough for adult contemporary playlists, sophisticated enough for adults but sultry enough for younger listeners, and equally proficient at heartbroken and seductive material, Braxton made her solo debut at full power during the early '90s.
Blending fire and finesse, Toni Braxton has wielded broad appeal throughout a career studded with Top Ten pop hits, multi-platinum certifications, and major award recognition.