"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.