S. Samuel
Brooklyn rapper Foxy Brown recently revealed past plans to come together with R&B diva Mary J. Blige to create their version of Jay-Z and R. Kelly's 2002 Best of Both Worlds joint album.
Foxy said the project ultimately went down the drain when she temporarily lost her hearing in the mid-2000’s.
“People don’t know, me and Mary J. Blige recorded five records for an album called The Best of Both Girls, like Jay and R. Kelly did The Best of Both Worlds,” Foxy revealed at a show. “Mary’s like a big sister to me. And in the middle of recording those records, I lost all my hearing.” (“The Vanessa Jasey Show”)
Last year, Foxy opened up about sudden her hearing loss.
“It was 100 percent gone, overnight,” Foxy explained. “They don’t even know why. I have the best surgeon in the world who specializes in ear problems, and operations and surgeries. Wednesday night [in 2005], I was out shooting the cover of XXL with Jay-Z, Kanye and LeBron, and Thursday morning I woke up and couldn’t hear anything. I was completely deaf. 100 percent. I just knew that God had got me then. Because I kept running and dodging him and he kept giving me signs and little warnings, and they say God will get you first in private and if he don’t get you then, then he’ll get you in public.” (“The Mo’Nique Show”)
Reports on the cause of her hearing loss surfaced in 2005.
Foxy suffers from sudden and severe sensorineural hearing loss. Although not too many people have this, (only 1 in 10,000) it is known that the condition is mainly caused by viral infection. According to reports, the rapper made the condition worsen after trying to hide the hearing loss in hopes that medication could help restore everything. Foxy also added that she had been deaf for four months without speaking out. (Hip Hop DX)
Earlier this year, R&B singer Ne-Yo hinted at plans to make a Best of Both Worlds-esque album.
“We have been talking about getting in, trying to do kind of a Best of Both Worlds-type vibe situation,” Ne-Yo said, referring to 2002’s joint album from Jay-Z and R. Kelly. “It’s just something about his voice and my voice that makes sense together. We been kicking ideas around and I can’t say exactly when to look for it, but definitely look for it. Keep your eyes peeled, we’ll be out there.” (MTV)
Check out Foxy Brown’s speech down below:
