By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com
BV Buzz has learned exclusively that six-time Grammy winner Toni Braxton has inked recording contract with Atlantic Records.
The R&B diva, currently competing on the ABC reality series 'Dancing with the Stars,' quietly inked a deal with the label recently and has been selecting music to begin recording her CD for
I'm told the label plans to have Braxton's first offering for the company ready for early 2009.
The 40-year-old singer was last signed to Blackground Records, where she released her fifth album 'Libra' in September 2005.
Braxton, who had released four albums over a 12-year stint on LaFace Records, then filed suit against Blackground's founder Barry Hankerson, who was also Braxton's manager, after her CD failed to perform.
In the suit filed in January 2007, the star of Broadway's 'Aida' also alleged "fraud, deception and double dealing," in addition to mismanaging her relationship with Arista Records in the $10 million claim.
Toni Braxton Pictures
In this image released by ABC, singer Toni Braxton and her partner Alec Mazo perform on the ABC celebrity dance competition, "Dancing With The Stars," Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 in Los Angeles. Another couple is expected to be eliminated during a broadcast on Wednesday. (AP Photo/ABC, Kelsey McNeal) **NO SALES **
AP
Publisher of Womans Day Magazine Carlos Lamadrid , Toni Braxton, Lara Spencer and Editor in Cheif of Womans Day Magazine Jane Chesnutt attend The Womans Day Red Dress Awards at Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center in New York January 31,2008.Womans Day Red Dress Awards - Arrivals.Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center.New York, NY United States.January 31, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (15399652), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Denise Austin and Toni Braxton attend The Womans Day Red Dress Awards at Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center in New York January 31,2008.Womans Day Red Dress Awards - Arrivals.Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center.New York, NY United States.January 31, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (15399634), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Toni Braxton attends The Womans Day Red Dress Awards at Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center in New York January 31,2008.Womans Day Red Dress Awards - Inside.Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center.New York, NY United States.January 31, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (15399517), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Toni Braxton attends The Womans Day Red Dress Awards at Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center in New York January 31,2008.Womans Day Red Dress Awards - Inside.Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center.New York, NY United States.January 31, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (15399516), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Toni Braxton attends The Womans Day Red Dress Awards at Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center in New York January 31,2008.Womans Day Red Dress Awards - Inside.Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center.New York, NY United States.January 31, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (15399515), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Toni Braxton attends The Womans Day Red Dress Awards at Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center in New York January 31,2008.Womans Day Red Dress Awards - Inside.Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center.New York, NY United States.January 31, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (15399514), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Aliison Janney and Toni Braxton attend The Womans Day Red Dress Awards at Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center in New York January 31,2008.Womans Day Red Dress Awards - Arrivals.Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center.New York, NY United States.January 31, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (15399505), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Aliison Janney and Toni Braxton attend The Womans Day Red Dress Awards at Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center in New York January 31,2008.Womans Day Red Dress Awards - Arrivals.Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center.New York, NY United States.January 31, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (15399504), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Aliison Janney and Toni Braxton attend The Womans Day Red Dress Awards at Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center in New York January 31,2008.Womans Day Red Dress Awards - Arrivals.Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Center.New York, NY United States.January 31, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (15399503), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
The suit was ultimately settled.
Prior to joining 'Dancing with the Stars,' the married, mother of two headlined a
After running for 20 months, Braxton had to cancel the Vegas production after facing a setback with a preexisting heart problem called microvascular angina.
*****
Former After 7 singer Kevon Edmonds has inked a deal for his second solo album. 
The brother of Kenneth "Babyface"
*****
'Billboard' magazine had an "exclusive" report the other day about singer/actress 
Christina Milian signing a new record deal with MySpace Records. Not sure how "exclusive" that news can be nine months after I reported the same news on January 13. (See: 'Music Notes: Christina Milian, Avant, LeToya Luckett, Toni Braxton & Mya') Nonetheless, the singer, who released two albums and an additional one in
*****
The original thug crooner Chico Debarge is readying the release of his new CD. According to the SingersRoom.com, the one-time incarcerated singer has inked a 
new recording contract with Kedar Entertainment/Universal, which is also home to R&B star Joe and neo-soul singer Algebra. The youngest of the Debarge family will release the set in February 2009 and the CD features a collaboration with his labelmate and best friend, Joe. The first single from the not-yet-titled CD is called 'Tell Your Man' and it should impact radio in the coming weeks. Debarge's last CD was 2003's 'Free' on Koch Records.
Comments: (22)
Add a comment
By: Andre on 9/26/2008 2:15PM
Why wouldn't she (Toni) be able to rebound? Her market is still there, her "stint" in Las Vegas was hugely successful. I see no reason why she won't be able to do well. NOW, will she sell 5 million copies of her Atlantic debut? Highly unlikely.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: BETHANY J. on 9/26/2008 3:07PM
I believe that Toni still have hit records in her. It's a shame that both Toni & TLC initially signed messed up contracts that left them broke. She shouldn't have to still work so hard to earn a living.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: LIA on 9/26/2008 5:03PM
I love Toni's sultry voice. She's a true singer. A lot of these other females have pop entertainment appeal but can't hold a note against Toni. I just hope she doesn't feel the need to dress like these young girls to compete.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: alleyon on 9/26/2008 5:10PM
yes toni braxton is a very talented singer, i am a big fan of hers and will be waitin for her new cd to drop on alantic records. 2009 can not come any faster!!!!!! can't wait to breathe again!!!!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Joe on 9/26/2008 5:10PM
Do your thing Toni! It's great to see you doing better! Good things happen to people who deserve it. Wooooooo!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Joe on 9/26/2008 5:20PM
Toni can just flat out sing. She has one of the greatest voices, and it's great to see her making it happen! Toni knows how to be sexy with that voice. She has the total package...WOOOOOOOOO!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Lisa on 9/26/2008 6:00PM
Ilove Toni Braxton, I believe she is a real talent. I love her songs but I can't always understand the words that are coming out of her mouth. So my request for Toni Braxton is ENUNCIATE, ENUNCIATE, ENUNCIATE
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Lisa on 9/26/2008 6:14PM
Please Enunciate your words Toni because I can't understand the words that are coming out of your mouth. ENUNCIATE>>>>>ENUNCIATE>>>>>>>ENUNCIATE!!!!!
I love me some Toni but I always have to look up her lyrics to know exactly what she is saying. YOU GO GIRL!!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Peter on 9/26/2008 6:12PM
TONI BRAXTON IS LUCIOUS!
THE MOST ATTRACTIVE AND SEXIST FEMALE ON DANCING!!
VAVAVOOM!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Jason C on 9/26/2008 7:33PM
Yeah Toni Braxton still has an audience; she doesnt outsing, she isn't a teeny bopper. She's right in the middle and she has a voice and a sound that everybody can get into. I wish she could find the right material and come back. I find it odd though that right after she was in the hospital and canceled all those Las Vegas dates, that she shows up on Dancing with the Stars, a more strenuous activity on the heart than singing alone.
I'm not really following Christina Millian; it started and ended when she sang the hook on Ja Rule's song. She doesnt have a personality, changed her look to sell some records and her voice gets lost in the crowd, couldnt pick that out blindfolded. And now it makes news that she's signed, not to another major label after Def Jam, but to Myspace Records? That's a really good punchline to a comedy of a career. Maybe she should invest into school and building a real future.
As for Chico, havent really followed him since No Guarantees & Iggin' Me which was back in middle school when BET had Midnight Love. He's been all over the place and I don't really think he has a comeback, he didnt have big memorable hits like that. He is cute though so who knows.
Reply to this Comment | Report This