Mix #3: Brandy's Full Moon (2002) (With Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins)

Mix #3: Brandy's Full Moon (2002) (With Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins)

From Referential by Dr. Khaliden Nas

March 19, 2026 · 1h 35m · Season 3 · Episode 1

About this episode

In this episode, Dr. Khaliden Nas and Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins discuss Brandy's influential album 'Full Moon' and its impact on modern R&B.

New Series! MIXepisodes: Where I'm joined by past guests and new to talk about, what I’ve been, calling their ‘cornerstone album’. We go in depth and track by track on some of our favourite musical projects to break apart what it’s doing, why we love it and why it’s important. On the second chair, I'm joined by Black Fat Femme Podcast's Dr Jonathan Paul Higgins to talk about the album known as the 'Blueprint of Modern R&B', Brandy Norwood's 2002 third full musical release 'Full Moon'. Cited by everyone from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers to Jazmine Sullivan to Beyonce for its influence; this is the album that first garnered Brandy the moniker of the 'Vocal Bible'. 'Full Moon' was birthed in collaboration with Brandy Norwood, legendary producer Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins and his songwriting team (that included the likes of Kenisha Pratt, Fred Jerkins & LaShawn Daniels); the album also featured the work of Mike City, Warryn Campbell and Keith Crouch (+ an uncredited Michael Jackson on background) to create its tableau fusion of R&B, Pop, Garage, House and Soul. We get into all that + Dr Jon Paul Higgins! 'Black Fat Femme' the podcast/the book Remembering the world before streaming…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Khaliden Nas

Guest: Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins

Topics covered

  • music analysis
  • R&B
  • album discussion
  • influence of artists
  • vocal techniques

Keywords

  • Brandy
  • Full Moon
  • R&B
  • music production
  • vocal bible
  • album analysis
  • Rodney Jerkins
  • influence

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Full Moon, Black Fat Femme Podcast, Blueprint of Modern R&B, R&B Enya

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