Toni Braxton fans can finally “breathe again!” Four years ago, Toni nearly retired her microphone for good. She was in the throws of a divorce, struggling with her health, and battling against financial ruin. She made the announcement that she was retiring from music on Braxton Family Values. The news came as a shock to her family, prompting her sister, Towanda, to reach out to longtime collaborator, singer, songwriter, and producer, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds.

It was Babyface who brought her back from the brink. He convinced Toni to use that pain in her music and together they created the Grammy Award-winning album Love, Marriage, & Divorce. Having found her passion for music again, Toni is now putting the final touches on her first solo project in seven years and we are all here for it!

Sex & Cigarettes is scheduled for release in early 2018, but the first single, entitled “Deadwood,” will be out soon. But let’s be real, we really wanna know if Toni’s album is all about her new boo, ‘Mr. Respeck On My Name.’

Outta respect though, let us first fill y’all in with the details of her new album, then we’ll jump right back to Birdman. So, from what we hear, we can expect great vocals and classic lyrics as always, but Toni says she felt like getting a lil’ explicit on this one. “Deadwood” will be the first song that Toni has ever released with an advisory warning. Alright now for Toni taking a walk on the ‘wild side’:

“I feel like, you know, I’m older,” Toni said in an interview with The Insider. “I want to say what I feel. I don’t want to be censored.”

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So could it be that Toni is feeling more comfortable in her own skin since announcing her relationship with Cash Money Records mogul boo, Birdman? She’s clearly stepped out of her comfort zone with Birdman and for the first time in a very long time, Toni’s shooting her shot at romance again. Sounds like she might be scratching that 7-year itch with her music as well. Hmmmm…

“I haven’t been happy in a long time outside of work,” Toni told Towanda earlier this year on Braxton Family Values. “Work brings me extreme happiness. When I’m onstage and I’m performing, that’s the only time that I get those butterflies and I feel totally happy with my life. A romantic relationship? I haven’t had time for that–I should say, I chose not to make time for it but it’s right here in front of my face: happiness.”

Either way, the new project is moving full speed ahead because Toni has already shot the music video for “Deadwood.” Her BFF and creative partner, Billie Woodruff, helped bring Toni’s vision for the soon-to-be-released track to life.

“Creative vision coming to life,” Toni wrote on her Instagram post. “So excited for you guys to see this video, directed by my BFF @billiewoodruff. #Deadwood”

Keep your eye out for “Deadwood” in the coming weeks and Sex & Cigarettes early next year. Something tells us that Toni’s new music will be hot and well worth the wait.

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