EXCLUSIVE: Brandy Pulls 180 On Working Relationship With Rodney Jerkins

Apparently one and a half years and a record that only sold 100,000 copies can change the way you feel about someone. Just ask singer Brandy Norwood, who revealed on television Sunday evening that her and long-time producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins aren’t on great terms.

During the latest installment of “Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business” on VH1 – Brandy’s little brother announces that he plans on working with Jerkins for his forthcoming LP. That does not sit well with big sis.

“You are talented, you can sing your ass off,” lectured Brandy to her younger sibling. “And to me, Rodney Jerkins better give you his best work because he did not give me his best work on Human.”

Human was the last album Brandy released. It only sold about 100,000 units – compared to her first project with Jerkins, the 1998 Never Say Never, certified five times Platinum.
---
Check out this clip from Sunday's episode of "Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business" on VH1:

Now listen to this clip of Brandy speaking about "Darkchild" in an October 2008 interview on "The Ralphie Radio Show":

---
“He better bring it on this album,” continued the songstress to Ray J – in a board room of the family’s new office space. “Or you tell him to kick rocks with an open toe shoe.”

Ouch, what a far cry from October 2008. A few months before Human dropped, Brandy called in to “The Ralphie Radio Show” and I asked her about the reunion with Jerkins.

“Rodney is a great guy. When we get together, he always finds a way to bring out the best in me,” she said during our conversation. “He’s hungry, you know? And I think he really wants to make an impact and inspire people with his music and, I think you always win when you want to do it from that place.”

I took it a step further – asking if her latest voyage in to the studio with Jerkins felt like her first – when such hits as “The Boy Is Mine” and “What About Us?” were hatched.

“It did feel the same way this time,” she replied. “You know working with him this go around felt like the old Brandy and Rodney. And that’s such a great feeling, I didn’t remember what that felt like. So, to have that feeling again and to be right at home with him and the rest of the 'Darkchild' camp was just truly refreshing and a blessing.”

Brandy and Jerkins later appeared on camera together and attempted to talk things through - with the singer even placing some of the blame off the producer and on to Epic Records. Still, what gives? Did Brandy embellish the beef to make good TV, or was she flat out lying 18 months ago on “The RRS”?