B-Side Artist: Toni Braxton

Toni Michelle Braxton (born October 7, 1968) is an R&B singer-songwriter and actress who enjoyed much success in the 1990s. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards and has sold over 40 million records worldwide. Braxton has a contralto vocal range.

Braxton topped the Billboard 200 with her 1993 self-titled debut album and continued that streak with her second studio album Secrets, which spawned the number-one smash hit "Un-Break My Heart". After filing for bankruptcy, Braxton returned with her chart-topping third album, The Heat. Her most recent albums were More Than a Woman, her last release under the Arista label, and Libra, her first and only release on Blackground.

Toni's father was a clergyman, and the Braxton children were raised in a strict religious household. Braxton's first performing experience was singing in her church choir. She attended Bowie State University to obtain a teaching degree but decided to sing professionally after she was discovered by William E. Pettaway Jr., who heard her singing to herself while pumping gas.

In October 2008, it was announced that Braxton signed to Atlantic Records. In the November 2008 issue of Jet, Braxton discussed her time spent on Dancing with the Stars as well as dealing with her son's autism. She also hinted at a cooking show with fellow Dancing with the Stars competitor, Rocco DiSpirito.

Her new single, "Yesterday," premiered on September 11, 2009. The album is now expected to be released in February 2010. The song is produced by DJ Frank E and is the first single released by Toni Braxton under Atlantic Records. "Yesterday" is available to download on her website. Toni Braxton announced in a live webcast on the 17th of September 2009, that her album will feature 12 songs, and that it might include some of her songs that have been leaked.