Divine Brown Reflects on Juno Win, Billboard Success, and the Moment Drake Met OVO 40 in WWETV Vault Interview

WorldWide Entertainment TV revisits a standout conversation from the archives with a true Canadian music icon. Shea Marie Diva & Vixens Podcast – Episode 8 From The Vault features an in-depth sit-down between host Shea Marie and Juno Award–winning R&B and soul singer Divine Brown, recorded at the Toronto YouTube studios.

At the time of the interview, Divine Brown was in the middle of a media run promoting her then-latest single, “Love Alibi,” a song rooted in vulnerability, honesty, and real love. What unfolded during the conversation was far more than a promo stop—it became a rare, reflective look into her career, legacy, and pivotal moments in Canadian music history.

A Song Rooted in Truth: “Love Alibi”

Early in the interview, Divine Brown opens up about “Love Alibi,” describing it as a record that celebrates authentic love without excuses or pretenses. The single reflects her evolution as an artist—one grounded in emotional honesty and lived experience rather than trends.

Reclaiming Her Name and Heritage

Divine Brown also explains her decision to move away from the name Divine Earth Essence and return to her family name. The choice, she says, was about identity, legacy, and pride.

For the singer, reclaiming “Divine Brown” meant embracing her roots fully and standing confidently in who she is—both personally and artistically.

Winning a Juno Award

One of the interview’s most powerful moments comes when Divine Brown reflects on winning the Juno Awards in 2009 for Best R&B/Soul Recording of the Year for her album The Love Chronicles.

She describes the honor as both validating and humbling, recognizing the years of work it took to reach that milestone in an industry that often overlooks independent and R&B artists.

Breaking the Billboard Charts Independently

Divine Brown also recounts the surreal experience of reaching No. 14 on the Billboard US Dance Charts with a remixed track—despite not having the backing of a major label.

She candidly discusses the challenges of navigating the industry independently at the time and how the experience taught her resilience, adaptability, and the importance of ownership.

Touring Canada with the Backstreet Boys

Another highlight from the interview is Divine Brown’s recollection of touring across Canada with the Backstreet Boys. While the tour was brief, she describes it as fun, eye-opening, and physically demanding—especially balancing choreography with live vocals.

The Night Drake Met OVO 40

Perhaps the most culturally significant story comes when Divine Brown reveals how Drake and Noah “40” Shebib first met.

While recording her song “Twist My Hair,” 40 produced the original version. When Drake later came by the studio to record a verse for the remix, it marked the very first time Drake and 40 connected creatively—sparking what would become one of the most influential artist-producer partnerships in modern hip-hop.

The moment, shared casually at the time, has since become a historic footnote in Toronto music lore.

A Vault Interview Worth Revisiting

This episode of Diva & Vixens Podcast captures Divine Brown not just as a performer, but as a pioneer, storyteller, and witness to major turning points in Canadian music history.

From Junos and Billboard charts to behind-the-scenes Drake history, the interview stands as a reminder of the voices and moments that helped shape the culture.