LOVE, MARRIAGE & DIVORCE on Motown Records (released February 4th), the first album of duets by multi-platinum superstars Toni Braxton & Babyface, wins a #1 R&B and a #4 Soundscan Valentine’s Week chart debut on first week sales of 67,000 copies. Described as a “quiet-storm oasis” in People magazine’s rave review, LOVE, MARRIAGE & DIVORCE is “the highest charting album since 2005 for Braxton, and the highest charting ever for Babyface,” as reported by Billboard.
LOVE, MARRIAGE & DIVORCE takes off with one of the biggest Urban AC #1 duet hits in recent memory, “Hurt You,” co-written by Toni Braxton & Babyface and produced by Babyface, who also handled all guitar, drums, and keyboards on the track. “Hurt You” enters its 25th week on the Adult R&B Songs chart this week, one of the longest-running hits on the chart. The new single from LOVE, MARRIAGE & DIVORCE is “Where Did We Go Wrong.”
“Toni Braxton and Babyface are two of the most iconic figures in Pop and R&B music,” says Ethiopia Habtemariam, SVP of Motown Records. “Their chemistry is undeniable and it is without surprise that this body of work is being so well received. Working with the best and brightest talent of our era, supporting real artistry, and creating music that connects with the people is what the Motown brand represents. Motown is honored to work alongside Toni and Babyface on this special project.”
After nearly a half-year of top radio play for “Hurt You,” the arrival of LOVE, MARRIAGE & DIVORCE was officially launched this month with a non-stop round of television appearances by Toni & Babyface. In addition to her hit weekly Thursday night reality series, WE TV’s Braxton Family Values, which wraps up its 4th season on February 20th, the duo have appeared on Good Morning America, Live With Kelly & Michael, The Tonight Show, Conan, The Arsenio Hall Show, Bethenny, The Chew, Tavis Smiley and a TV One “Interludes Live” hour-long concert special. They’ve also taken over the radio airways with a Steve Harvey radio show special and appearances on Tom Joyner and Clear Channel’s Power 105 Breakfast Club, to name a few.
Next month on March 18th, Toni Braxton & Babyface become the latest Grammy Award®-winning artists to join the roster of the new Broadway musical After Midnight as “Special Guest Star” vocalists, for a limited engagement running through March 30th. After Midnight has reintroduced the Cotton Club’s exciting tradition of welcoming contemporary artists in limited engagements throughout the musical’s run. After Midnight is playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre – for more information visit : www.aftermidnightonbroadway.com.
LOVE, MARRIAGE & DIVORCE was inspired by real events in the lives of Toni Braxton & Babyface, who share an all-time total of 16 Grammy Awards® between them. The album celebrates the strong bond that has been in place between the two artists ever since their first duet on Toni’s 1992 debut, “Give U My Heart,” the #2 R&B smash co-written and co-produced by Babyface (from the Boomerang movie soundtrack).
LOVE, MARRIAGE & DIVORCE is Babyface’s first new studio album in nearly seven years, since Playlist (released September 2007), Top 10 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart on the strength of his Top 10 AC version of James Taylor’s “Fire & Rain.” For Toni, LOVE, MARRIAGE & DIVORCE is her first new studio album in nearly four years, since Pulse (May 2010), the #1 R&B album containing the hit single “Yesterday” featuring Trey Songz.
