The Heat (Toni Braxton album)

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• pop48:35LaFace* Teddy Bishop
• Keith Crouch
• David Foster
• Jazze Pha
• Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins
• Keri
• Daryl Simmons
• Toni Braxtonx|2=</?t[drh][ >]|nomatch=}}|Template:Main other}}Template:Main other}}

The Heat is the third studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on April 25, 2000, by LaFace Records. The album marked Braxton's departure from her ballads in favor of a more urban sound. Most of the songs (including the nearly instrumental "The Art of Love") were written and produced by Braxton and her husband Keri Lewis (a former member of Mint Condition); two ballads were penned by Diane Warren, and collaborations featured rappers Dr. Dre and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.

The Heat opened at number two on the Billboard 200 with 199,000 copies sold in its first week. It was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on October 13, 2000, with sales of over two million copies in the United States. Additionally, the album was nominated for Best R&B Album at the 2001 Grammy Awards, while lead single "He Wasn't Man Enough" won Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and was nominated for Best R&B Song.

Background and production

After the success of her second studio album, Secrets (1996), which spawned Braxton's signature song and biggest commercial success of her career, "Un-Break My Heart", and sold over 15 million copies worldwide,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Braxton filed a suit to be released from her contract with Arista and LaFace Records in Los Angeles Superior Court, citing a law that states employers may not enforce labor or service after seven years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After a year of legal issues, Braxton settled her lawsuit with LaFace Records, with plans to release a new album in May 1999.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In February 1999, Babyface told MTV News, "We're getting ready head back in the studio with Braxton and we've got everything worked out, and we're really excited about getting back into the studio, getting back to the music."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, only in January 2000, during an interview with CNN, Braxton revealed that the album was going to be released in March 2000, while stating, "Some of the producers on the album are, of course Babyface, R. Kelly, David Foster, Keith Crouch and Keri Lewis of Mint Condition, just to name a few", while also revealing collaborations with Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes from TLC and Dr. Dre.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Music and lyrics

"The Heat" is built on solid ballads and smoldering, mid-tempo dance numbers, as noted by AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine.<ref name="allmusic"/> Colin Ross of PopMatters noted that, "By taking a more active role in the writing and production of the set, Toni's material begins to be constructed around her voice rather than the latest producer's sound."<ref name="popmatters"/>

The album's first single and opening track, "He Wasn't Man Enough", was written and produced by Rodney Jerkins. The R&B song, with synth-funk bassline and Jerkins' taut beats and harp,<ref name=nme>Template:Cite news</ref> has Braxton warning a female friend not to marry a man the singer knows all too well<ref name="ew"/> and that came back begging for forgiveness.<ref name=nme/> On the title track, "The Heat", co-written by Keri Lewis, was described as "an infectious mid-tempo groove."<ref name="popmatters"/> Lyrically, the song talks about wanting to "get it on" and enjoying coed skinny-dipping.<ref name=pluggedin/> Third track, "Spanish Guitar", was written by Diane Warren (who wrote "Un-Break My Heart") and was considered a "latin ballad", inspired by "Un-Break My Heart".<ref name="rollingstone"/> Lyrically, the song has the singer inviting an alluring stranger to play her "through the night" like a "Spanish Guitar."<ref name=pluggedin/> The fourth track "Just Be a Man About It" is a telephone breakup song,<ref name="allmusic"/> with Braxton once again questioning the status of a partner's manhood<ref name="popmatters"/> and Dr. Dre playing the wayward lover breaking the news to her,<ref name="allmusic"/> while the fifth track, "Gimme Some", features Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and was named "an R&B/summer 'jerky funker' track",<ref name="popmatters"/> with Braxton demanding intercourse and oral sex from a man.<ref name=pluggedin/>

"I'm Still Breathing" is another song written by Diane Warren and talks about a woman stung by a painful breakup who summons strength,<ref name=pluggedin/> while "Fairy Tale", co-written and produced by Babyface, is an "acoustic piece"<ref name="ew"/> where the singer implies that being "just friends" may be healthier than a "love affair."<ref name=pluggedin/> Pillow talk and ecstatic moaning characterize "The Art of Love",<ref name=pluggedin/> a track that features no discernible lyrics,<ref name="popmatters"/> Braxton's sighs and moans<ref name="rollingstone"/> over undulating rhythms".<ref name="ew"/> On "Speaking in Tongues", a "sensual affair" with warm harmonies,<ref name="popmatters"/> spiritual expressions are co-opted and woven amid passionate propositions including, "Talk dirty to me."<ref name=pluggedin/> The tenth track "Maybe" has rapid-fire lyrics, informed by hip-hop vocal rhythms and lyrically discuss the singer debating —in rapturous detail— whether or not to have drinks and sex again with her boyfriend ("Should I give him some/Will he make me hot/Will he hit the spot I love a lot", she sings).<ref name=pluggedin/> The eleventh track "You've Been Wrong" was considered "plodding",<ref name="popmatters"/> while the twelfth and final track, "Never Just For a Ring", finds Braxton questioning her lovers lack of fidelity the song features the embittered choral hook "Why?, when?, where?, how?, who?, what?", made you go off and do this crazy thing.<ref name="popmatters"/>

Singles

The album's lead single, "He Wasn't Man Enough", was released on March 17, 2000, to critical acclaim,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> and won a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.<ref name=rockonthenet/> It was also a success on the charts, where it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.<ref name=awards>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Elsewhere, it topped the Canadian Singles Chart, while reaching the top 10 in Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album's second single in the US was the song "Just Be a Man About It". It reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.<ref name=awards/>

Outside of the US, "Spanish Guitar" was released as the album's second single on September 11, 2000.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Initially, LaFace Records did not release it as a single due to the promotion of "Just Be a Man About It".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It achieved moderate success on the charts around the world, reaching the top 40 in Austria, Belgium, Netherlands and Switzerland.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the US, when it was released as the album's third single, "Spanish Guitar" only managed to reach number 98 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 20 on the Adult Contemporary and topped the Dance Music/Club Play Singles.<ref name=awards/> The album's final single, "Maybe", achieved minor success on the R&B and dance charts,<ref name=awards/> due to the cancelled racy video.

Critical reception

Template:Music ratings The Heat received a positive reception from most music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic wrote that the album "is a confident, assured, sexy effort that reaffirms Braxton's status as one of the finest contemporary mainstream soul singers."<ref name="allmusic"/> While praising the singles "He Wasn't Man Enough", "Spanish Guitar" and "Just Be a Man About It", he wrote that "The Heat slightly runs out of momentum toward the end, but there aren't many dull spots on the record -- it's all stylish, sultry, seductive, appealing urban contemporary soul that confirms Braxton's prodigious talents."<ref name="allmusic"/>

Jim Farber wrote a positive review for Entertainment Weekly, stating that the album is "tasteful, well-performed, and – best of all – consistent stuff, throwing the lovelorn a reliable lifeline."<ref name="ew"/> Collin Ross wrote for PopMatters that the album has "a mixed bag", but "despite being largely formulaic, The Heat offers some moments of quality."<ref name="popmatters"/> He also hoped that "Keri Lewis/Braxton collaborative will play a more substantial role on her next album."<ref name="popmatters"/> Barry Walters wrote a favorable review for Rolling Stone, saying that the album "updates and diversifies her stylistic surroundings while delivering the expected boudoir soundtrack."<ref name="rollingstone"/> He also wrote that "Braxton radiates sublimely sensual romance" on the album.<ref name="rollingstone"/>

Accolades

At the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards, the album's lead single, "He Wasn't Man Enough", was nominated for Best R&B Song and eventually won a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while the album itself was nominated for Best R&B Album.<ref name=rockonthenet>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Braxton was also nominated for Best R&B/Soul Album, Female at the 2001 Soul Train Music Awards,<ref name=rockonthenet/> but lost to Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds Vol. 1 by Jill Scott. Braxton won two American Music Awards for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album (The Heat).<ref name=rockonthenet/>

Commercial performance

The Heat debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 199,000 copies in its first week.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> It debuted at number one on the magazine's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, while the album's lead single, "He Wasn't Man Enough", held onto the top spot of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for the second week in a row.<ref name=mtvnewsdebut>Template:Cite news</ref> In its third week, the album fell to number seven with 101,000 copies sold.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Heat was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and as of April 2011, it had sold 2,093,000 copies in the US, according to Nielsen Soundscan.<ref name="US sales">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The album topped the Canadian Albums Chart, while it reached number three on the UK Albums Chart, staying 19 weeks on the latter.<ref name="UK"/> The album also reached the top 10 in many countries, such as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.<ref name="Australia"/> As of December 2002, the album had sold four million copies worldwide.<ref name="WW sales">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Track listing

Notes

• ^{^[a]{{#if:| }}} signifies a vocal producer
• ^{^[b]{{#if:| }}} signifies a co-producer

Sample credits

• "You've Been Wrong" contains re-sung elements from "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed.

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Heat.<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

Musicians

• Toni Braxton – lead vocals Template:Small; background vocals Template:Small; arrangement Template:Small; vocal arrangements Template:Small; keyboards Template:Small
• Rodney Jerkins – arrangement, background vocals, all instruments Template:Small
• Fred Jerkins III – arrangement Template:Small
• LaShawn Daniels – arrangement Template:Small
• Nora Payne – background vocals Template:Small
• Sharlotte Gibson – background vocals Template:Small
• Keri – arrangement, all instruments Template:Small
• David Foster – arrangement, keyboards Template:Small
• Simon Franglen – Synclavier programming Template:Small
• Dean Parks – guitars Template:Small; acoustic guitars Template:Small
• Andrés de Léon – background vocals Template:Small
• Sue Carwell – background vocals Template:Small
• Felipe Elgueta – Spanish lyrics adaptation Template:Small; synth programming Template:Small
• Teddy Bishop – drum programming, keyboards, vocal arrangements Template:Small; all instruments Template:Small; all other instruments Template:Small
• Debra Killings – background vocals Template:Small
• Sara Martin – background vocals Template:Small
• Dr. Dre – additional vocals Template:Small
• Johntá Austin – vocal arrangements Template:Small
• Babyface – keyboards Template:Small; guitar, vocoder Template:Small; drum programming, acoustic guitar, background vocals Template:Small
• Jazze Pha – drum programming Template:Small
• Nathan East – bass Template:Small
• Greg Phillinganes – piano Template:Small
• Sherree Ford-Payne – background vocals Template:Small
• Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes – rap Template:Small
• Chris Jennings – drum programming Template:Small
• Michael Thompson – electric guitars Template:Small
• Keith Crouch – arrangement, vocal arrangements, all other instruments Template:Small
• John Smith – guitar Template:Small
• Benjamin Wright – string arrangements, string conducting Template:Small
• Charles Veal Jr. – concertmaster Template:Small
• South Central Chamber Orchestra – strings Template:Small
• Kevin Hicks – guitar Template:Small
• Tamar Braxton – background vocals Template:Small
• Trina Braxton – background vocals Template:Small
• Towanda Braxton – background vocals Template:Small
• Brian Casey – vocal arrangements Template:Small
• Brandon Casey – vocal arrangements Template:Small
• Ray Edwards – keyboards Template:Small
• Dorian "Soul Dog" Daniels – keyboards, bass Template:Small
• Daryl Simmons – keyboards, background vocals Template:Small
• Tony Williams – drum programming Template:Small
• Pamela Cork – additional (bridge) background vocals Template:Small
• Tamecia Simpson – additional (bridge) background vocals Template:Small

Technical

• Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins – production, mixing Template:Small
• Harvey Mason Jr. – recording, Pro Tools Template:Small
• Steve Baughman – recording assistance Template:Small
• Dexter Simmons – mixing Template:Small
• Tyson Leeper – mixing assistance Template:Small
• Roger Lopez – mixing assistance Template:Small
• LaShawn "Big Shiz" Daniels – vocal production Template:Small
• Keri – production, mixing Template:Small; recording Template:Small
• Toni Braxton – production Template:Small; co-production Template:Small; album production
• Claude Achille – recording Template:Small
• Xavier "X-Man" Smith – recording assistance Template:Small; mixing assistance Template:Small
• Michael Zainer – recording assistance Template:Small
• Steve Hodge – mixing Template:Small
• Brad Yost – mixing assistance Template:Small
• David Foster – production Template:Small
• Felipe Elgueta – recording Template:Small
• Mick Guzauski – mixing Template:Small
• Tom Bender – mixing assistance Template:Small
• Teddy Bishop – production Template:Small
• Bryan-Michael Cox – co-production Template:Small
• Arnold "AJ" Wolfe – recording Template:Small
• Manny Marroquin – mixing Template:Small
• Dylan Vaughan – mixing assistance Template:Small
• Jazze Pha – production Template:Small
• Babyface – production Template:Small; album production
• Paul Boutin – recording Template:Small
• Victor McCoy – mixing assistance Template:Small
• Ivy Skoff – production coordinator Template:Small
• Jon Gass – mixing Template:Small
• E'lyk – mixing assistance Template:Small
• Keith Crouch – production, recording Template:Small
• Reggie Dozier – string recording Template:Small
• Brent Riley – string recording assistance Template:Small
• Booker T. Jones III – mixing Template:Small
• Joe Brown – mixing assistance Template:Small
• Kevin Hicks – co-production Template:Small
• Daryl Simmons – production Template:Small
• Thom "TK" Kidd – recording Template:Small
• Kevin Lively – mixing assistance Template:Small
• Stephanie Vonarx – mixing assistance Template:Small
• Herb Powers Jr. – mastering
• L.A. Reid – album production

Artwork

• Jeffrey Schulz – design
• Daniela Federici – photography

Charts

Weekly charts

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Weekly chart performance for The Heat

Chart (2000)	Peak position
Canadian R&B Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	3
European Albums (Music & Media)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	2
Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	25
Singaporean Albums (SPVA)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	2
Spanish Albums (AFYVE)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	28

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for The Heat

Chart (2000)	Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	77
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	45
Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	54
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	84
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	45
European Albums (Music & Media)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	35
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	36
South Korean International Albums (MIAK)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	31
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	32
US Billboard 200<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	41
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	11

Chart (2001)	Position
Canadian R&B Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	116

Decade-end charts

Decade-end chart performance for The Heat

Chart (2000–2009)	Position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	53