Foxy Brown Albums (4)
'Brooklyn's Don Diva'
Release Date 11/20/2007
Tracks 15
Label KR Urban
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
You'd think seven years -- turbulent years that involved a bout with near-total deafness and in-public temper issues that led to some time behind bars -- would allow Foxy Brown more than enough time and experiences to make Brooklyn's Don Diva anything but a reheated version of 2001's Broken Silence, but that is what it most resembles, as opposed to a bold step forward or a reclamation of her power. A couple tracks and a few stray lines aside, these verses could have been dashed off by the MC at just about any earlier point in her career -- a shame since the hypnotizing likes of "Too Real," featuring snaking and skanking production from Statik Selektah (and a verse from AZ), and "Star Cry" hint at how potent the album could've been, given the soul-searching tension between anger, sadness, and swaggering combativeness. During the latter, she temporarily rejects her possessions and fame, fights back tears through "I'm just like y'all, but I probably hurt more/After 13 years I feel I deserve more." But these moments are few and far between, moderately satisfying only for those who have been eager to get their hands on a new Foxy Brown album since the 2005 single "Come Fly with Me" (unfortunately not included here). Retraced steps, backed by an assembly line of knockoff production work, are the rule. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Foxy Brown is up to her old tricks on her third album, Broken Silence. She is still the undisputed queen of materialism, evident on "Fallin'," where she drops names of countless designer brands, rapping about Range Rovers, Gucci, Prada, etc. She is still taking aim at legions of triflin' ex-friends, including other rappers, ex-boyfriends, etc., etc. Brown is as hood and street as ever but, on this album, she extends her musical wings and embraces other styles to fine effect, making this her most entertaining and musically adventurous album to date. Reggae and dancehall influences abound, most notably on the terrific single "Oh Yeah" and "Tables Will Turn." The most interesting song, however, is "Hood Scriptures," which, like Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'," incorporates Eastern influences, adding a whole new dimension to hip-hop possibilities. "The Letter" is a sparse, mini-masterpiece, where Brown apologizes to her mother (in what could be interpreted as a thinly veiled suicide note) for the hell she's put her through, accompanied by a tinkling piano and Ron Isley's angelic vocals. Brown gets as sensitive and introspective as is possible, while still remaining as explicit as ever, as she reminisces over her defunct relationship with rapper Kurupt on "Saddest Day." Yes, Foxy Brown is street and she is the center of her world's rumor mill, but this album, ripe with tasteless materialism, explicit sexual references, and violent raps, can honestly be called a musical step forward, and is a compelling testament to the life of a girl from the hood. ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Foxy Brown's sophomore outing, Chyna Doll, entered the U.S. album charts at number one. The album opens with an introduction consisting of Brown's mama giving birth to li'l Foxy, all the while yelling obscenities and "I own the hookers, I own the pimps," then giving what she owns to her baby. Lovely indeed. Brown's reputation as a hoodish sex kitten is played to the hilt on this album, as evident on the track "Dog and a Fox" (with DMX). Other tracks, such as "Job," which features Mya and samples Gwen Guthrie's "Ain't Nothin' Goin' on But the Rent," and "I Can't," which features Total and samples Wham!'s "Everything She Wants," aren't quite as catchy, although they feature well-known hooks and R&B singers. There are a couple of interesting tracks, such as lead single "Hot Spot," "Can U Feel Me Baby," and the early rap retro-sounding "Tramp." ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After appearing as a guest on a number of albums, most notably LL Cool J, Foxy Brown finally delivered her debut album, Ill Na Na, in late 1996. On her cameos, the teenage rapper rhapsodized about her three obsessions -- fashion, sex, and the mafia -- and all three dominate the discourse on Ill Na Na. Taken on their own terms, any of those lyrics could get rather tedious, but Foxy Brown has a sexy, assured delivery that makes her superficial preoccupations seductive. Furthermore, the album benefits greatly from the production efforts of the TrackMasterz, who give the music a sleek, contemporary edge that makes even the weaker tracks quite listenable. Foxy Brown is also assisted by cameos by Mobb Deep's Havoc, Jay-Z, Method Man, and Kid Capri, among others, which gives the album star power, but it doesn't necessarily need it -- she has enough charisma to steal the show. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
