R&B Music Forum

R&B Guru: To kick things off, we'll turn the clocks back and look at each lady's debut album. Toni came out in 1993 with her self-titled debut, rockin some short hair and a deep rich voice. But what really defined her on that early release was the sheer quality of the album. From "Breathe Again" to "You Mean The World To Me," Toni Braxton was spitting out pure fire. And frankly, compared to that quality, Anita's tracks are just "Another Sad Love Song," that couldn't stand "Seven Whole Days," against Toni's stuff. Okay, maybe not, but I couldn't resist incorporating track names into my tirade. But yea, right outta the gates, Toni was putting out gold, and people recognized it, driving the album to 8X platinum sales. Compared to that debut, what can Anita possibly put up?

Ilikeit: Yes, Toni had 2 straight albums that sold 8 million copies. Yes, Toni had countless pop and R&B chart toppers. Yes, Toni had 1 less album than Anita to do this, and Anita has 2 more Grammys than Toni.

But we’re missing something. It's called the tree of life. A seed is planted, the soil needs to be tilled before a seed can be planted. Yes. that's it. The woman behind the scenes the missing link is sweet Anita. She gave a lot of "Rhythm of Love” when she tilled that soil. She gave you "The look of Love" when she planted the seed. She gave you "I Apologize" when she let the sun shine on that ground. She gave you "Plenty of Room" when she watched that seed grow to a tree. She gave you "Its been you" when that tree beared it's fruit. She gave you "You belong to me" when Toni ate from that fruit.

Yes it was the one song, "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" that was designed for Anita Baker and she turned it down and suggested Toni Braxton record it. Yes it was this song that appeared on the Boomerang soundtrack and brought Toni radio attention. It led to Braxton signing with Laface records and launched Toni's career. Yes Anita's music does inspire and like the definition sometimes Anita will prompt to action by turning down a song and suggesting an up and coming songtress.

But inspire her music does just that when a young songtress at a local mall in White plains, NY, recorded herself singing Anita Baker's "Caught up in the Rapture". The resulting tape was passed by Blige's step father to Uptown records CEO Andre Harrell an a star was born. Yes like all mother's they want the best for there young including more accolades, but it was the mother songtress that paved the way, knocked down all the doors.

So enjoy the Anita hits that keep on inspiring and making star's. “Angel,” “You're the best thing yet,” “No More Tears,” “Sweet Love,” “Caught up in the rapture,” “You Bring Me Joy,” “Same Ole Love,” “No one in the World,” “Ain't No Need to Worry,” “Giving You the Best That I Got,” “Good Love,” “Just Because,” “Lead Me into Love,” “Fairy Tales,” “Talk to Me,” “Body and Soul,” “I Apologize,” and “It's Been You.”

R&B Guru: Well dang. How the heck can I stand against that? You’re right ilikeit in that Anita bore the torch that brought Toni to stardom. However, there’s much to be said for taking a winning formula and making it your own. And with the guidance of Babyface and the LaFace team, Toni Braxton was able to dominate the R&B industry and become a household name in the 1990s. She was able to take Anita’s style and bring it the consistent cross over success that Anita only occasionally was able to achieve.

So I’ll take your list of classics and raise you with Toni’s own offerings. Don’t miss “Love Shoulda Brought You Home,” “Breathe Again,” “Another Sad Love Song,” “You Mean The World To Me,” “Let It Flow,” “Unbreak My Heart,” “I Don’t Want To,” “Spanish Guitar,” “He Wasn’t Man Enough,” “How Could An Angel Break My Heart,” and so many more.

R&B Guru:Now it’s your turn. Who’s the better low register songstress? Anita Baker or Toni Braxton?

To help you choose:

Anita Baker’s Sweet Love:

Toni Braxton’s Love Shoulda Brought You Home: