I just premiered an interview I did with Frank Gatson. He opened up about Brandy, Beyonce, Michael Jackson and more from his legendary career.
The Brandy talk is at different points in the video, the bulk being at:
40:00 First time he met Brandy and her having an Aaliyah vibe.
47:29 - 59:56 First time he heard Brandy's voice, her being underrated,Two Eleven era, Getting hate for the BET Lady of Soul Awards retrospective performance, 'Begging and Pleading' being her most authentic.
None Brandy points:
Directing his mother's church choir was his first taste of the "business".
Seeing 'The Wiz' on Broadway (with Stephanie Mills) made him realize he wanted to be in show business.
He thought he was ready for NYC, but got humbled quickly and starved.
Got a secret flight attendant job in order to do auditions around the world.
He crashed Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" audition and got it.
The shoot for the "Smooth Criminal" video lasted 48 days.
He was asked to co-choreograph and direct Michael Jackson's "This Is It", but had to decline, because he was busy with Beyonce.
Says black people didn't stick together for Michael Jackson, even though he was found not guilty.
People confused his comparison of Beyonce to Michael Jackson. He was comparing their work ethic.
Says Brandy is like her own Michael Jackson. Because people will always compare others to Brandy, as they do Michael.
He wishes he had a record company. He would find him another Michael Jackson.
A black male group will always be bigger than a black female group. The girls are gonna love them. The straight men are gonna love them. And the gays are gonna love them.
Says nothing blows you away today. It's all the 3 trick pony stuff.
Rihanna's superbowl was the best. They utilized the space in the air vs. just using the field.
He calls himself a commercial whole. He likes to sell a concept. He says Beyonce's "Single Ladies", "Crazy In Love", and Brandy's "I Wanna Be Down" were concepts.
His gift is to see talent. Says he loves NLE Choppa, because he is provocative.
First time he met Brandy, she seemed to give off an Aaliyah vibe (he guessed because she was a fan of Liyah's). He said "we're gonna find YOU." He loved that she was very well behaved. At some point after "I Wanna Be Down" he got fired and they reunited later in her career.
Says gestures can put a blueprint on the visuals. Mentions gestures like 'Single Ladies' hand movement, the 'to the left, to the left' gesture in "Irreplaceable", and the "I Wanna Be Down" hand choreography.
Fame is a drug. Which makes artists go crazy.
He thought vocal runs were supposed to be over the top, but Brandy's runs are right in the pocket. Brandy taught him how to hear music better by how she does music. Understands why Brandy is called the Vocal Bible.
Says he doesn't understand why Brandy is underrated right now. There's a disconnection with Brandy, because people are used to mediocrity. Says she hasn't done her greatest work yet... she just needs the right record and the right timing.
Talks about dealing with fear and it causing him to have high blood pressure. Has to teach himself to stop over-thinking and relax more.
He thinks Michael Jackson got his heart broken somewhere and he never recovered from that.
Kobe Bryant told him ballet is more difficult than anything he's done as a ball player.
Shady towards Beyonce and Brandy is going to catch all kinds of strays in the comments because of it. He is a hoot!
Cool.
Did he mention if he is retiring anytime soon?
Part of why Brandy is underrated at the moment
(Along with having mediocre producers - DJ Camper and not having a proper PR team)
is that Frank Gatson is her creative director and his creative vision is tired. Brandy needs the right record and the right timing but she also needs the right presentation and Franks work for her music videos has consisted of Brandy performing in warehouses, wearing tuxedos and singing on ladders or doing rehashes of vintage films. Borderline (Lady Sings The Blues), Beggin and Pleadin' (The Color Purple), Baby Mama (Sweet Charity). His best work is with Beyonce and that is because Beyonce elevated it. He seems stuck in a certain time period, artistically. And it wouldn't be so bad if it was more innovative and nostalgic.
As Dionne Warwick said in regards to Brandy in your interview with her. Presentation and how people perceive your work in this business is important.
The creative vision is lacking and Frank is the culprit, respectfully.
Wait hold tf on!
HE is the reason why Brandy keeps singing ADC!?
And Brandy has been wanting to perform new songs LIVE!?
See... :uhh:
This man is trouble. Brandy, just sing the songs you want and stop taking this man's advice! The fans have been suffering bc of it.
Quote from: NEW MOON on February 16, 2025, 06:21:46 PMCool.
Did he mention if he is retiring anytime soon?
Part of why Brandy is underrated at the moment
(Along with having mediocre producers - DJ Camper and not having a proper PR team)
is that Frank Gatson is her creative director and his creative vision is tired. Brandy needs the right record and the right timing but she also needs the right presentation and Franks work for her music videos has consisted of Brandy performing in warehouses, wearing tuxedos and singing on ladders or doing rehashes of vintage films. Borderline (Lady Sings The Blues), Beggin and Pleadin' (The Color Purple), Baby Mama (Sweet Charity). His best work is with Beyonce and that is because Beyonce elevated it. He seems stuck in a certain time period, artistically. And it wouldn't be so bad if it was more innovative and nostalgic.
As Dionne Warwick said in regards to Brandy in your interview with her. Presentation and how people perceive your work in this business is important.
The creative vision is lacking and Frank is the culprit, respectfully.
This comment would be great on the video itself. Maybe he should see the criticism.
Quote from: NEW MOON on February 16, 2025, 06:36:47 PMWait hold tf on!
HE is the reason why Brandy keeps singing ADC!?
And Brandy has been wanting to perform new songs LIVE!?
See... :uhh:
This man is trouble. Brandy, just sing the songs you want and stop taking this man's advice! The fans have been suffering bc of it.
gfddffdddsd
I can't
I think it's pretty obvious why Bran is underrated. She didn't give us nearly enough during her peak. If she kept feeding, Bran woulda been a girl that was always being compared
'Says she hasn't done her greatest work yet... she just needs the right record and the right timing.'
I agree that she hasn't done her greatest work yet & if she ever goes back in he booth one day, I would love to hear her go with that blues sound her & Oak were doing with Beggin n Pleadin.
A Fat Domino, Muddy Waters, and Bo Diddley type of album from Brandy with a funk infusion in the realm of some Chaka influence would be dope.
Frank should retire & let go of giving Brandy advice, but this was an interesting interview.
Thank you for this, Frank. Love your work!
Quote from: Rxxf on February 17, 2025, 03:12:56 AMThank you for this, Frank. Love your work!
Frank Silent or Frank Gatson?
Brandy is her own disconnect with fans and people. She not consistent at all. She will pop out for a bit and then disappear. A single or album flop and she done with it. Brandy is a damn legend and should work with top notch producers and have a team that can connect her with her old fans and get her some new ones.
If she drop the book, do a few interviews and leave again, than I'm completely over it.
Quote from: yearofbrandy on February 17, 2025, 05:52:04 AMBrandy is her own disconnect with fans and people. She not consistent at all. She will pop out for a bit and then disappear. A single or album flop and she done with it. Brandy is a damn legend and should work with top notch producers and have a team that can connect her with her old fans and get her some new ones.
If she drop the book, do a few interviews and leave again, than I'm completely over it.
thats whats gonna happen
:ummwhat:
I doubt Brandy will ever fire Frank Gatson.
If anything, just bring in a young creative director to assist him with ideas.
Oh, and Sikora needs to be fired as well. Bring back Blair Caldwell for photography
QuoteA black male group will always be bigger than a black female group. The girls are gonna love them. The straight men are gonna love them. And the gays are gonna love them.
This is false.
Quote from: Kalifornia. on February 17, 2025, 03:45:34 PMQuoteA black male group will always be bigger than a black female group. The girls are gonna love them. The straight men are gonna love them. And the gays are gonna love them.
This is false.
I dunno. Flo is a good example of the female group flopping still in today's industry. And they even had major PUSH with the label
This interview was awesomeeee
I was really gagged to hear he was behind Two Elev' creatively and Bran felt unheard
young how do u feel abt frank being bran's creative director
:tellmemoreireallycare:
Quote from: oph. on February 17, 2025, 08:17:37 PMyoung how do u feel abt frank being bran's creative director
:tellmemoreireallycare:
sssssss
A fresh perspective is needed as well
Whether that's a new/young creative who understands how to evolve some things creatively — or letting Bran's ideas really be heard and elevated...but yeah something
Quote from: Dee on February 17, 2025, 02:55:01 PMI doubt Brandy will ever fire Frank Gatson.
If anything, just bring in a young creative director to assist him with ideas.
Oh, and Sikora needs to be fired as well. Bring back Blair Caldwell for photography
!!!!!
Quote from: Young on February 17, 2025, 08:46:33 PMQuote from: oph. on February 17, 2025, 08:17:37 PMyoung how do u feel abt frank being bran's creative director
:tellmemoreireallycare:
sssssss
A fresh perspective is needed as well
Whether that's a new/young creative who understands how to evolve some things creatively — or letting Bran's ideas really be heard and elevated...but yeah something
tell it like it is a bit bby
That's what it really comes down to. I'm sure Frank is a great mentor and leader and has a lot of that old school knowledge to drop. But he's needs younger (and cooler) people on his team coming up with fresh ideas someone he respects who can tell him that his ideas are late and dated
Quote from: Purple Moon on February 17, 2025, 09:52:03 AMQuote from: yearofbrandy on February 17, 2025, 05:52:04 AMBrandy is her own disconnect with fans and people. She not consistent at all. She will pop out for a bit and then disappear. A single or album flop and she done with it. Brandy is a damn legend and should work with top notch producers and have a team that can connect her with her old fans and get her some new ones.
If she drop the book, do a few interviews and leave again, than I'm completely over it.
thats whats gonna happen
h
If yall still waiting for a big comeback... :dead: I was done in 2012 after Two Eleven. It's not happening. Just try to enjoy whatever she puts out when (and if) she puts something out.
I don't think anyone wants a big mainstream comeback because it wouldn't even feel authentic
Just consistency and curating an artistic image that can feel like an experience even if it's niche and intimate but Brandy isn't that kind of artist
Quote from: NEW MOON on February 20, 2025, 12:41:35 AMI don't think anyone wants a big mainstream comeback because it wouldn't even feel authentic
Just consistency and curating an artistic image that can feel like an experience even if it's niche and intimate but Brandy isn't that kind of artist
!!!!!!!
Or hasn't found the right team that can curate that at her leisure
Yall :plzstop: :kii: :dead:
Quote from: NEW MOON on February 16, 2025, 06:36:47 PMWait hold tf on!
HE is the reason why Brandy keeps singing ADC!?
And Brandy has been wanting to perform new songs LIVE!?
See... :uhh:
This man is trouble. Brandy, just sing the songs you want and stop taking this man's advice! The fans have been suffering bc of it.
Yall gotta stop blaming everybody else. Brandy has always been her own downfall.
Quote from: Corp. on February 20, 2025, 08:29:59 PMQuote from: NEW MOON on February 16, 2025, 06:36:47 PMWait hold tf on!
HE is the reason why Brandy keeps singing ADC!?
And Brandy has been wanting to perform new songs LIVE!?
See... :uhh:
This man is trouble. Brandy, just sing the songs you want and stop taking this man's advice! The fans have been suffering bc of it.
Yall gotta stop blaming everybody else. Brandy has always been her own downfall.
Well her team is trash 🗑 🤷
And she is simply the vessel for the creativity
Shes not the anr shes not tbe stylist shes not the manager shes not the producer shes not the director
And she hasnt been any of those since jump
She relies on her team to.keep her on the right path
If they.present the right treatment to her im sure she says yeah that great and begins to execute
So her issue would be picking the right ppul
Quote from: Corp. on February 20, 2025, 08:29:59 PMQuote from: NEW MOON on February 16, 2025, 06:36:47 PMWait hold tf on!
HE is the reason why Brandy keeps singing ADC!?
And Brandy has been wanting to perform new songs LIVE!?
See... :uhh:
This man is trouble. Brandy, just sing the songs you want and stop taking this man's advice! The fans have been suffering bc of it.
Yall gotta stop blaming everybody else. Brandy has always been her own downfall.
THIS.
Quote from: Corp. on February 20, 2025, 08:29:59 PMQuote from: NEW MOON on February 16, 2025, 06:36:47 PMWait hold tf on!
HE is the reason why Brandy keeps singing ADC!?
And Brandy has been wanting to perform new songs LIVE!?
See... :uhh:
This man is trouble. Brandy, just sing the songs you want and stop taking this man's advice! The fans have been suffering bc of it.
Yall gotta stop blaming everybody else. Brandy has always been her own downfall.
I'm not blaming him solely. I'm going based off his admission that he isn't listening to her request. Did you watch the full interview?
But Brandy is the one who keeps hiring him...despite proof that his work isn't working for her.
He does play a role in not stepping up to do his job well and not listening to her when she says wants to explore different songs live is part of that.
Frank doesn't have selection in the single choices, Brandy and her direct team does... he comes in and handles creative direction of the song choices they provide him... so it's a two way street
Brandy/team - late single choices
Frank - late creative concepts