Brandy Norwood

Brandy Norwood in 2011, s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Birth Name: Brandy Rayana Norwood

Place of Birth: McComb, Mississippi, U.S.

Date of Birth: February 11, 1979

Ethnicity: African-American

Brandy Norwood, also credited simply as Brandy, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She has starred in the films Cinderella (1997) and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998).

Brandy is the daughter of Sonja (Bates) and Willie Norwood (William Ray Norwood), a gospel singer. Her brother is singer and actor Ray J. She is also known as Bran’Nu and B Rocka.

Brandy has a daughter with her former partner, record producer, composer, songwriter, and musician Big Bert.

Brandy’s paternal grandfather was W. T. Norwood (the son of Ray Norwood and Kitty Triplett). W. T. was born in Mississippi. Ray likely was the son of Martha Norwood. Kitty was the daughter of Dock Triplett and Mary F. Haynes.

Brandy’s paternal grandmother was Cecile/Cecil Friday (the daughter of Reuben Friday and Mattie Crosby). Cecile was born in Mississippi. Reuben was the son of Jack Friday and Maggie. Mattie was the daughter of Henry Crosby and Lizzie Metts.

Brandy’s maternal grandfather is Fred “Freddie” Bates (the son of Eugene W. Bates and Genora/Geornia Day). Fred was born in Mississippi. Through this line, Brandy is a first cousin, once removed, of blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter Bo Diddley. Eugene and Genora were Bo’s paternal grandparents.

Brandy’s maternal grandmother is named Mary Thompson. Two of Brandy’s great-great-grandparents were named Elijah Thompson and Delsey/Dolsy Marsalis.

She is said to be a cousin of rapper Snoop Dogg and professional wrestler Sasha Banks.

Sources: Brandy’s paternal grandmother, Cecile/Cecil Friday, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Brandy’s paternal grandmother, Cecile/Cecil (Friday) Norwood – https://www.newspapers.com