Traci Braxton

{{Short description|American singer and media personality (1971–2022)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}

{{Infobox musical artist | name = Traci Braxton | image = TraciBraxton2018.png | caption = Braxton in 2018. | birth_name = Traci Renee Braxton | birth_date = {{Birth date|1971|4|2}} | birth_place = Severn, Maryland, U.S | death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|3|12|1971|4|2}} | death_place = New York City, New York, U.S | genre = {{hlist|R&B}} | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|media personality}} | years_active = 1989–2022 | spouse = {{married|Kevin Surrat|1996}} | label = {{hlist|eOne|Soul World}} | website = {{URL|tracibraxton.com}} }} '''Traci Renee Braxton''' (April 2, 1971 – March 12, 2022) was an American singer, reality television personality, and radio personality.

== Early life == Traci Renee Braxton was born in Severn, Maryland the third child of her parents.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Holpuch |first=Amanda |date=2022-03-12 |title=Traci Braxton, Television Personality and Singer, Dies at 50 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/12/arts/television/traci-braxton-dead.html |access-date=2022-03-13 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Her father, Michael Conrad Braxton Sr.,<ref>{{cite journal|title=Jet|journal = Jet|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I7sDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA21|accessdate=December 2, 2013|date=June 20, 1994|publisher=Johnson Publishing whatCompany|page=21|issn=0021-5996}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news| last=Dougherty|first=Steve|title=Greener Pastures| url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20132603,00.html| accessdate=December 2, 2013|newspaper=People|date=October 9, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Braxton Family Values – Evelyn Braxton|url=http://www.wetv.com/shows/braxton-family-values/cast/evelyn-braxton|work=WE tv|publisher=AMC Networks|accessdate=December 2, 2013}}</ref> Braxton's maternal grandfather was also a pastor.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ney|first=Angela Winter|title=Award-winning pastor reaches out to teen-agers|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1994/02/06/award-winning-pastor-reaches-out-to-teen-agers/|access-date=December 2, 2013|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|date=February 6, 1994}}</ref>

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 1977). Braxton and her siblings were raised in a strict religious household,<ref name="psu">{{cite web|url=http://www.premiumseatsusa.com/concert/Toni-Braxton/ |title=Toni Braxton Tickets|accessdate=December 18, 2006|work=Premium Seats USA}}</ref> and Braxton's first performing experience was singing in her church choir.<ref name="psu" />

== Career ==

=== 1989–1991: Career beginnings with The Braxtons === Toni, Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar Braxton signed their first record deal with Arista Records in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/taf48d/tamar-braxton-past-present-future/e716la |title=Tamar Braxton, Past, Present, Future |website=BET.com |date=7 May 2023}}</ref> In 1990, they released their first single, "Good Life". It would be their only single as a fivesome.<ref name=":0" /> "Good Life" peaked 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tamar Braxton (artist page) |website=iHeart |url=https://www.iheart.com/artist/tamar-braxton-827928/ |date=7 May 2023}}</ref>

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 they had just signed TLC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/538/ms_impulsive/ |title=Toni Braxton: From the heart |publisher=Bluesandsoul.com |accessdate=July 8, 2015}}</ref><ref name="latimes1">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-may-22-la-ca-conversation-20110522-story.html |title=Toni Braxton: The Sunday Conversation – latimes |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 22, 2011 |access-date=July 8, 2015}}</ref>

=== 1992–1995: Career complications and pregnancy === {{Main|The Braxtons}} After Toni's departure from the group in 1991, the remaining Braxtons ultimately became backup singers for Toni's first U.S. tour, music videos, and promotional appearances. The sisters—Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar—made several televised appearances as backing vocalists with Toni, and gave answers during interviews, such as on ''The Today Show''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmq7G9RAYE4 |title=Toni Braxton - Breathe Again Live on the Today Show 1994 |date=27 July 2018 |accessdate=7 May 2023 |website=YouTube |publisher=Clarke, Alex}}</ref> They were also featured in the music video for Toni Braxton's third single, "Seven Whole Days", from her debut album.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

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.<ref name="latimes1" /><ref name="ReferenceA">Reynolds, J.R. "'So Many' Braxtons on Atlantic Label Downplays Link To Famous Sister." ''Billboard''. July 6, 1996: 18–19. Print.</ref>

It was reported in ''Vibe'' magazine that in 1995, Traci Braxton had left the group to pursue a career as a youth counselor;<ref>Davis, Joyce E. "The Braxtons: And then there were three." ''Vibe Magazine''. September 1, 1996: 92. Print.</ref> however, it was not revealed until 2004–when Towanda Braxton appeared on season two of the reality show ''Starting Over''—that Traci was not allowed to sign with Atlantic because of her pregnancy at the time.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

=== 2011–2014: Reality television and ''Crash & Burn'' === In 2011, Braxton reunited with her sisters for the WE tv reality show, ''Braxton Family Values''.<ref name="MacIntyre, April">{{cite news|author=MacIntyre, April|title=Toni Braxton's Bankruptcy Issues Resolved: Braxton Family Values on We TV|work=MonstersandCritics.com|date=June 17, 2011|url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1610175.php/Toni-Braxton-s-bankruptcy-issues-solved-Braxton-Family-Values-on-We-TV|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117042515/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1610175.php/Toni-Braxton-s-bankruptcy-issues-solved-Braxton-Family-Values-on-We-TV|archivedate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|author=L'oreal Thompson, May| title=Traci Braxton on 'Marriage Boot Camp'| work= Jetmag|date= May 30, 2013 |url= http://www.jetmag.com/entertainment/traci-braxton-marriage-boot-camp-reality-stars/}}</ref>

In 2013, Braxton began her solo career after signing with independent media conglomerate Entertainment One under eOne Music and [https://www.soulworldentertainment.com Soul World Entertainment] to release an album.<ref>{{cite news|author=Vanessa Barnett, July| title=Traci Braxton's Solo Career Set To "Crash & Burn"?| work= HipHollywood|date= July 30, 2014 |url= http://hiphollywood.com/2014/07/traci-braxtons-solo-career-set-to-crash-burn/}}</ref> The same year, she got her own radio show called The Traci Braxton show on the BLIS.F.M. radio.<ref name="soulbounce.com">[http://www.soulbounce.com/soul/2013/07/traci_braxton_makes_a_strong_debut_with_new_radio_show/ Traci Braxton show on soulbounce.com]</ref><ref name="lushradioonline.com">[http://www.lushradioonline.com/news/traci-braxton-doing-things-on-her-own-braxton-family-values-new-album-smash-crash-burn/ Traci Braxton bio on lushradioonline.com]</ref><ref name="alwaysalist.com">[http://alwaysalist.com/radio/tracibraxton-heat/ Traci Braxton show on alwayssalist.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206032756/http://alwaysalist.com/radio/tracibraxton-heat/ |date=February 6, 2015 }}</ref>

Her solo debut album, ''Crash & Burn'', was released on October 7, 2014. The album's lead single "Last Call" peaked at number 16 on the US R&B Adult.<ref name="billboard.com">[http://www.billboard.com/artist/1541558/traci-braxton/chart Traci Braxton Last Call Single Charts on Billboard.com]</ref> "Crash & Burn" debuted at No. 108 on the Billboard Hot 200 with sales of 4,000 in its first week.<ref name="Billboard Hot 200">{{cite magazine|title=Top 200 Albums Billboard 25 October 2014|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2014-10-25|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 23, 2016}}</ref> The album also reached No. 11 on the relaunched ''Billboard'' R&B Albums chart and at No. 1 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.<ref name="Traci Braxton charts">[http://ink361.com/app/users/ig-184278047/therealtracibraxton/photos/ig-832789102673765139_184278047 Traci Braxton charts]</ref><ref name="Caulfield">{{cite magazine|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|title=Keyshia Cole Collects Third No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/keyshia-cole-collects-third-no-1-on-top-rbhip-hop-albums/|magazine=Billboard|date=October 16, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2014}}</ref> A follow-up single "Perfect Time" was released in 2015.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TraciBraxton|author=Traci Braxton|number=601202479984947200|date=May 21, 2015|title=Check out my new single 'Perfect Time' Written by: Talented singer and songwriter (Tank) @TheRealTank}}</ref>

=== 2015–2022: The Braxtons reunion, films and ''On Earth'' === On January 14, 2015, she joined the judging panel of Mrs. DC America 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wusa9.com/story/entertainment/2015/01/29/mrs-dc-america-pageant/22558945/ |title=Traci Braxton joined the judging panel of Ms Dc Ameerica Pageant sur www.wsu9.com |access-date=April 26, 2015 |archive-date=July 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705203804/http://www.wusa9.com/story/entertainment/2015/01/29/mrs-dc-america-pageant/22558945/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In October 2015, ''The Braxtons'' released their second album, ''Braxton Family Christmas''. The album was released on October 30, and pre-ordered on October 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.essence.com/2015/10/09/braxtons-are-releasing-christmas-album|title=Braxton Family Christmas |work=Braxton Sisters to Release Christmas Album |accessdate=October 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.target.com/p/the-braxtons-braxton-family-christmas/-/A-50059014#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=Braxton+Family+Christmas|title=The Braxtons |work=Braxton Family Christmas |publisher=Target |accessdate=October 11, 2015}}</ref> ''Braxton Family Christmas'' debuted at number 27 on the US ''Billboard'' R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/388935/braxtons/chart?f=333 |title=The Braxtons – Chart history |magazine=Billboard |date=October 5, 1996 |accessdate=December 7, 2015}}</ref> number 10 on the US R&B chart, and number 12 on the US Top Holiday Albums on November 21, 2015.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/388935/braxtons/chart?f=1235 |title=The Braxtons – Chart history |magazine=Billboard |date=October 5, 1996 |accessdate=December 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/388935/braxtons/chart?f=325 |title=The Braxtons – Chart history |magazine=Billboard |date=October 5, 1996 |accessdate=December 7, 2015}}</ref> The album charted at number 1 on the US Heatseekers Albums on December 12, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/388935/braxtons/chart?f=324 |title=The Braxtons Chart History |work=The Braxtons |accessdate=December 17, 2015}}</ref>

On May 17, 2016, during a Facebook live video on the Braxton Family Values page, it was announced that Traci Braxton was releasing a new single in 2016, titled "Body Shots", from her upcoming sophomore studio album.<ref name="Traci Braxton New single">{{cite web|title=Hi all! So excited to be Live and answering your q's. Braxton Family Values premieres on We tv Thursday May 19 at 9 pm EST.|url=https://www.facebook.com/BraxtonFamilyValues/videos/514848511973415/|website=Facebook|accessdate=May 17, 2016}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=January 2020}}

[[File:Traci Braxton in 2014.jpg|thumb|right|Braxton performing at Howard University in 2014]] On May 21, 2017, she starred in the stageplay ''There's a Stranger in My House''.<ref>[http://www.eventsinpa.com/event/28543/vernon-williams-presents-there39s-a-stranger-in-my-house-stage-play/ Traci Braxton There's a stranger in my house stageplay on www.eventsinpa.com]</ref> On September 26, 2017, Braxton was featured on the rapper Kokayi’s track ''"Moonlight"''.<ref>[https://music.apple.com/us/album/moonlight-single/1289351896 Kokayi Moonlight featuring Traci Braxton on itunes.com]</ref><ref>[https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0762TZPCD/ref=ap_ws_tlw_trk3 Kokayi featuring Traci Braxton Moonlight single on amazon.com]</ref>

On April 20, 2018, she released the single "Broken Things" featuring her sisters Toni, Towanda and Trina.<ref name="tracibraxton.com">{{Cite web |url=https://www.tracibraxton.com/news |title=Tamar Braxton release single Broken Things featuring her sisters on tracibraxton.com |access-date=April 28, 2018 |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322141013/https://www.tracibraxton.com/news |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="thatgrapejuice.net">[http://thatgrapejuice.net/2018/04/new-single-traci-braxton-broken-things-featuring-toni-braxton-towanda-braxton-trina-braxton/ Traci Braxton release the single Broken Things on thatgrapejuice.net]</ref> On August 3, 2018, Traci Braxton released "Lifeline" as the official lead single from her second album, ''On Earth'', which was released on August 24, 2018.<ref name="On Earth">{{cite web |title=On Earth by Traci Braxton on Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/on-earth/1426181871 |website=Apple Music (US Store) |date=August 24, 2018 |access-date=August 24, 2018}}</ref>

In the same time, she made her movie acting debut in the feature film ''Sinners Wanted''.<ref name="Sinners Wanted">{{cite web|url=http://imdb.com/title/tt7364756|title=Sinners Wanted|accessdate=January 30, 2018|publisher=IMDb}}</ref> On June 13, 2019, she acted in the film, ''All In'', starring Lil Mama.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6767728/?ref_=nm_knf_t2 All In Movie on www.imdb.com]</ref>

On December 12, 2020, she starred in the film (and her last to be released in her lifetime) ''The Christmas Lottery''.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13403782/?ref_=ttrel_rel_tt The Christmas Lottery on www.imdb.com]</ref>

On September 24, 2021, her final collaboration was featured on the song "Stay with Me", performed by Candiace, taken from her album ''Deep Space''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Album Stream: Candiace Dillard – 'Deep Space' – That Grape Juice|url=https://thatgrapejuice.net/2021/09/album-stream-candiace-dillard-deep-space/|access-date=October 9, 2021|website=thatgrapejuice.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=September 24, 2021|title=Stream: Candiace Dillard Bassett's Debut Album 'Deep Space'|url=https://www.jojocrews.com/stream-candiace-dillard-bassetts-debut-album-deep-space/|access-date=October 9, 2021|website=JoJoCrews.com}}</ref>

== Illness and death == Braxton died on March 12, 2022, at the age of 50.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/12/entertainment/traci-braxton-dead/index.html|title = Singer Traci Braxton of 'Family Values' dies at 50|last = Croft|first = Jay|work = CNN|date = March 12, 2022|accessdate = March 12, 2022}}</ref> She had been suffering from esophageal cancer for at least one year before her death.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Traci Braxton Dead at 50 from Cancer |url=https://www.tmz.com/2022/03/12/traci-braxton-dead-dies-cancer/ |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=TMZ |date=March 12, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== Discography ==

=== Albums === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:8em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;"| Album details ! colspan="4"|Peak chart positions |- style="font-size:smaller;" ! style="width:3em;"|{{center|US <ref name="Billboard Hot 200" />}} ! style="width:3em;"|{{center|US Heat <ref>{{cite magazine|title=Heatseekers Album Chart: October 25, 2014|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2014-10-25|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 23, 2016}}</ref>}} ! style="width:3em;"|{{center|US R&B <ref>{{cite magazine|title=R&B Albums Chart: October 25, 2014|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-and-b-albums/2014-10-25|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 23, 2016}}</ref>}} ! style="width:3em;"|{{center|US R&B/HH <ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top R&B Hip Hop Albums Chart: October 25, 2014|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-albums/2014-10-25|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 23, 2016}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Crash & Burn'' | *Released: October 7, 2014 *Label: Entertainment One *Format: CD, digital download | 108 | 1 | 11 | 18 |- ! scope="row"| ''On Earth'' | * Released: August 24, 2018<ref name="On Earth" /> * Label: Soul World Entertainment * Formats: CD, digital download |— |— |24 |— |}

=== Singles === {| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center; |- ! rowspan="2"|Year ! rowspan="2"|Song ! colspan="1"|Peaks ! rowspan="2"|Album |- style="font-size:smaller;" ! style="width:3em;"|{{center|US Adult R&B <ref name="billboard.com" />}} |- | 2014 |align="left"| "Last Call" | 16 |rowspan="2"|''Crash & Burn'' |- | 2015 |align="left"| "Perfect Time" | — |- | 2017 |align="left"| "Moonlight" (Kokayi featuring Traci Braxton) | — | — |- | 2018 |align="left"| "Broken Things" (featuring Toni, Towanda and Trina)<ref name="Traci Braxton New single" /> | — |rowspan="2"|''On Earth'' |- |2018 |align="left"| "Lifeline" |- |2025 |align="left"| "U Know Its Christmas" | |}

== Appearances == {{unreferenced section|date=March 2022}} '''Film''' *2018: ''Sinners Wanted'': Nana *2019: ''All In'': Foster Mom *2020: ''The Christmas Lottery'': Announcer

'''Television''' * ''Braxton Family Values'' (as herself, 2011–2020) * ''Marriage Boot Camp'' (as herself, 2014)

'''Radio''' * ''The Traci Braxton Show''

'''Theater''' * ''There's a Stranger in My House'' (2017)

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category}} *{{official website|http://www.tracibraxton.com}} *{{IMDb name|4364995}} *{{discogs artist|Traci Braxton}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Braxton, Traci}} Category:1971 births Category:2022 deaths Category:20th-century African-American women singers Category:20th-century American women singers Category:20th-century American singers Category:21st-century African-American women singers Category:21st-century American women singers Category:Methodists from Maryland Category:American contemporary R&B singers Category:Deaths from esophageal cancer in New York (state) Category:Place of death missing Category:Musicians from Maryland Category:People from Severn, Maryland Category:The Braxtons members