Toni Braxton Blog

"PULSE," the hugely anticipated label debut from Atlantic recording artist Toni Braxton, has made a stunning #1 entry atop Billboard's "Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums" chart. The multiple Grammy Award-winning singer's first new album in almost five years, "PULSE" also debuted among the top 10 on the Billboard 200.

"PULSE" is highlighted by the hit singles, "Hands Tied" and "Make My Heart." "Hands Tied" is currently a top 10 smash at Urban AC radio outlets nationwide, while "Make My Heart" has quickly become one of the hottest club tracks in the country. Companion video clips for both tracks – directed by famed filmmaker Bille Woodruff, known for such classic Braxton clips as "Un-Break My Heart" and "He Wasn't Man Enough" – premiered online last month and can now be viewed HERE!

"PULSE" is Braxton's most powerful and personal musical statement to date. The legendary singer personally chose to collaborate with a veritable who's-who of red-hot producers and songwriters, including Frank E (Madonna, T.I., Plies, Flo Rida), Steve Mac (Leona Lewis, Il Divo), Lucas Secon (Britney Spears, The Pussycat Dolls), Harvey Mason & Oak (Chris Brown, Joe, Mario), Troy Taylor (Trey Songz, Kevin Lyttle), Dapo Torimiro (John Legend, David Archuletta, Brandy), and David Foster (Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion).

Toni has been extremely busy making a number of high profile television appearances to herald the release of "PULSE." She is set to perform live on TBS' Lopez Tonight the week of May 25th (check local listings), following recent visits to the Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Wendy Williams Show, BET's The Mo'Nique Show, and NBC's The Today Show.

"PULSE" has quickly drawn ecstatic critical acclaim from all corners. USA Today awarded the album three-out-of-four stars, declaring that it "updates (Braxton's) sound without losing its essence." Atlanta's Creative Loafing notes that "It wouldn't be Braxton without a collection of big breathy ballads, a desire fulfilled here in spades." The Washington Post celebrated the album's "scorching dance songs, soft-focused up-tempo ballads and "Un-Break My Heart"-style tear-jerkers."

Braxton is also currently featured on the cover of both Jet and Bleu magazines.

Six time Grammy Award winner Toni Braxton is back and ready to captivate the music world once more with her new album, Pulse, her first in five years.

Toni, who became a RnB superstar in the 90s with hits like Breathe Again and Unbreak My Heart, performed the powerful first single, Yesterday, on GMTV - you can watch it above!

On the pulse

Toni's new album, Pulse, boasts a who's who of red hot producers and songwriters, including Frank E (Madonna/T.I/Flo Rida), Steve Mac (Leona Lewis), Dapo Torimiro (John Legend/Brandy) and David Foster (Whitney Houston/Barbara Streisand/Celine Dion).

The Unbreak My Heart songstress released her fifth album Libra in 2005. Since then, she has focused on spending time with her two sons.

Did you know?

* Toni started out in 1989 as The Braxtons with her sisters Tamar, Trina, Towanda and Traci
* She was studying to become a teacher at Bowie State University when she was discovered
* Unbreak My Heart is the second biggest selling single by a female singer in the history of the US Billboard charts, behind Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You
* She participated in the 2008 season of Dancing With The Stars, where she was eliminated after five weeks.

After Toni's GMTV appearance, we fired some of your questions at her....View the full Q&A on GM.TV

Watch Toni perform "Yesterday" on Schlag Den Raab Live in Germany!

Check out Toni on the cover of next week's JET magazine! Click HERE for the larger view!

Toni Braxton shares the 25 things you don't know about her with UsMagazine.com!

1. I secretly wonder what it's like to be a porn star...
2. I love sneakers, but I can't really wear them because then everybody would know how short I am (5-foot-2!).
3. I used to be a Sunday school teacher.
4. I love Haagen-Dazs Rocky Road ice cream. I even eat it while watching The Biggest Loser.
5. I love men who wear sandals. I fell in love with The Rock [Dwayne Johnson] when they panned down to his feet on Jay Leno.
6. I put mayonnaise on practically everything!
7. I like when it rains -- it makes me happy.
8. I've been playing the piano since I was 10 years old.
9. I think Danny DeVito is sexy!
10. My favorite TV show is House Hunters on HGTV.
11. I can really cook.
12. I love the store Ross Dress for Less -- especially on Tuesdays when I can use my mom's senior citizen discount.
13. I have a huge crush on Jacob (Taylor Lautner) from Twilight.
14. I think Donald Trump has sexy lips.
15. I carry baby wipes with me wherever I go.
16. My favorite food is Mexican.
17. My kids [sons Denim, 8, and Diezel, 7] aren't interested in my music at all. They want to listen to Jay-Z.
18. I have a fantasy about being a cop. I'd pull people over for honking!
19. I love Greek mythology.
20. I am an animal activist.
21. I hate when people talk to me with foam in the corners of their mouth.
22. I collect designer shoe boxes. They are too pretty to throw away.
23. My favorite book is Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume.
24. I eat pancakes when I get upset.
25. I love to wear lingerie but I hate thongs.