UB Spotlight: Brandy’s Daughter Sy’Rai Talks ‘Cold War’

Sy’Rai, daughter of one of our faves Brandy, will release her debut EP tomorrow August 28th via Hitmaker Music Group.

Entitled “Cold War,” the EP explores themes of unexpected emotional heartbreak.

The newest single “Bullseye” was written by Sy’Rai alongside Tradessa Willis and Trevon Trapper (Shakespeare!), and Stephon “WBMLY” Wimberly.

UB was in the house for the private listening party held last week. Brandy, along with Mr. Norwood and Sy’Rai‘s manager Al were also all in attendance.

Sy’Rai shared with us about the release; “Where I am in my life right now, I feel like I am in a cold war. I’m battling against me, my relationships, some friendships…I’m just fighting what you fight, in your period of becoming a young adult. That’s why we named it that, plus one of the tracks, I loved it so much I named the album after it (laughs).”

As Sy’Rai Smith likes to remind people, “I heard ‘Full Moon’ before all y’all — I was in the tummy.”

The Vocal Bible is in her DNA.

Now with the release of her debut mini-album, “Cold War,” around the corner, R&B legend Brandy’s daughter is ready to lay claim to her own place in music history. “Her legacy is in me and I think that you can hear that throughout my music,” the singer told an intimate crowd gathered at a private listening party in a North Hollywood studio.

From the unmistakable, syrupy-smooth tone to the signature runs, you’re getting her mother’s daughter with this record — but with a youthful energy.

All of the 8 songs on the EP are pretty much bops. Even the slower tracks (“We Already Knew That,” “Stimulation”) will still have you bouncin’.

Sy’Rai linked up with songwriting/production duo and LA Natives Shakespeare! to match her fly.

Unlike her mom, who burst onto the scene when she was just 15, Sy’Rai is in her Mamba year, and her first project benefits from the lived experience and swag that comes with it.

That’s clear on the sexy first single, “Late Night,” where she croons, “if you gon’ make me beg for it, make it worth my time,” and the follow-up, “Bullseye,” where she crashes out over another love spiral.

Look out for Pops’ (Mr. Willie Norwood) favorite song “Mind Ya Business” and Sy’Rai’s actual muva’s top pick “Swimming Pools.”

At UB, we can’t wait to hear “Paragon” again, which lives up to the name with its mesmerizingly edgy beat that somehow ends with harmony stacks that sound like you’re at the gates of heaven.

But, truthfully, we’re ready to run the whole album back.
– Danielle (UBGteam)

Outside of her new release, Sy’Rai & Brandy will reprise their roles as sisters in Lifetime’s “Christmas Everyday Again.”

A sequel to last year’s “Christmas Everyday,” to be released later this year as part of Lifetime’s annual “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” holiday slate.

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