Brooke Valentine
Brooke Valentine | |
|---|---|
 Valentine performing in March 2005. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | October 5, 1984 Houston, Texas, United States |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop, R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Songwriter, Model, Actress |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Subliminal Entertainment, WWE Music Group, Columbia Records |
| Website | bvalentineforever |
Kanesha Nichole Brookes (born October 5, 1984), better known by her stage name Brooke Valentine, is an American R&B recording artist whose single "Girlfight" peaked on U.S. music charts in 2005, paving the way for her debut album "Chain Letter" released via Subliminal Entertainment imprint on Virgin Records that went on to sell more than 2.5 million units worldwide.
Biography
1984–2004: Early life and career beginnings
Valentine was born in Houston [1] She started her musical career as a member of the female group Best Kept Secret. To pursue a solo career, she moved to Los Angeles, California with producer and Subliminal Entertainment CEO Deja the Great and signed to Virgin Records.[2]
2004–06: Chain Letter
Brooke Valentine made her debut with the album Chain Letter in 2005.[1] The album was led by the hit single, "Girlfight", which features Lil Jon and Big Boi. It succeeded internationally, peaking in the top fifty in Australia and Ireland, and Top 40 in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Chain Letter debuted at #16 on the US Billboard 200 and as high as No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums singles charts .[3] The album's second single, "Long as You Come Home", peaked at #71 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Valentine recorded a song, "Boogie Oogie Oogie", for the soundtrack to the film Roll Bounce.[4] The album peaked at #16 in the Billboard 200 on April 2, 2005 and #3 in the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart. The album sold nearly 290,000 units within the first three weeks of release.
2006–09: Physical Education and Physical Education Mixtape
In 2006, Valentine planned a second album, Physical Education.[5] Its first single was "D-Girl", which featured rapper Pimp C. The song peaked at #92 on the R&B chart.[6] She then released the second single "Pimped Out", which featured Dem Franchize Boyz. Her second album Physical Education was put on hold due to Virgin Records’ merger with Capitol Records in 2008. Subliminal Entertainment CEO Deja the Great then acquired the masters and the contract rights from Virgin Records. Some of the material from the Physical Education recording sessions was released in April 2009 as Physical Education Mixtape.
2010–present: "Forever" and change to B. Valentine
In a 2010 interview Valentine said that she took a break and has been writing music for other artists, but now she is ready for a return. In January 2011, she previewed a snippet of a new song.[7] stating on her official Twitter that she was in the studio and is ready for the world.[8] Changing her stage name to B. Valentine, the lead single from the sophomore album, "Forever," was released on February 14, 2012, via Subliminal Entertainment. A video for song "Insanity" was also released in January 2012, shot entirely on an Apple iPhone 4S and directed by Subliminal CEO Deja the Great.
Discography
See Brooke Valentine Discography for her singles and mixtapes.
References
- ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "Brooke Valentine > Biography". allmusic. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ Rashbaum, Alyssa. "Brooke Valentine". You Hear It First. MTV News.
- ^ "Brooke Valentine > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Fiona Apple And Jon Brion, Sean Paul, Brooke Valentine, ncubus, Tommy Lee & More". MTV News. August 22, 2005. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ Crowder, Ashley (July 27, 2006). "Brooke Valentine Gets Physical With Tyrese, Others On 'Sultry' New LP". MTV News. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Biggest Jump". Billboard. June 17, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Brooke Valentine talks coming back in 2011 love for New York with Welcome2nyctv's Ap 1nabillion". YouTube. 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
- ^ http://twitter.com/#!/4everBROOKE