The Heat (Toni Braxton album)

After the success of her second studio album, Secrets (1996), which spawned Braxton's signature song and biggest commercial success of her career, "Un-Break My Heart", and sold over 15 million copies worldwide,{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a217105/toni-braxton-yesterday.html|title=Toni Braxton: 'Yesterday'|last=Levine|first=Nick|website=Digital Spy|date=2010-05-03|access-date=2011-09-05}} Braxton filed a suit to be released from her contract with Arista and LaFace Records in Los Angeles Superior Court, citing a law that states employers may not enforce labor or service after seven years.{{cite news|title=Toni Braxton In Contract Dispute|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1426565/toni-braxton-in-contract-dispute/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527071642/http://www.mtv.com/news/1426565/toni-braxton-in-contract-dispute/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 27, 2014|access-date=May 23, 2014|publisher=MTV News|date=August 12, 1998}} After a year of legal issues, Braxton settled her lawsuit with LaFace Records, with plans to release a new album in May 1999.{{cite news|title=Toni Braxton Settles With LaFace Records, Starts Work On Album|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1426556/toni-braxton-settles-with-laface-records-starts-work-on-album/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526161251/http://www.mtv.com/news/1426556/toni-braxton-settles-with-laface-records-starts-work-on-album/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 26, 2014|access-date=May 23, 2014|publisher=MTV News|date=January 13, 1999}}

In February 1999, Babyface told MTV News, "We're getting ready head back in the studio with Braxton and we've got everything worked out, and we're really excited about getting back into the studio, getting back to the music."{{cite news|title=Babyface To Head Into Studio With Toni Braxton For New Album|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1425096/babyface-to-head-into-studio-with-toni-braxton-for-new-album/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527094737/http://www.mtv.com/news/1425096/babyface-to-head-into-studio-with-toni-braxton-for-new-album/ |archive-date=2014-05-27 |access-date=May 23, 2014|publisher=MTV News|date=February 18, 1999}} However, only in January 2000, during an interview with CNN, Braxton revealed that the album was going to be released in March 2000, while stating, "Some of the producers on the album are, of course Babyface, R. Kelly, David Foster, Keith Crouch and Keri Lewis of Mint Condition, just to name a few", while also revealing collaborations with Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes from TLC and Dr. Dre.{{cite web|title=A chat with R&B singer Toni Braxton|url=http://edition.cnn.com/COMMUNITY/transcripts/2000/1/braxton/|access-date=March 23, 2014|publisher=CNN|date=January 31, 2000}}

"The Heat" is built on solid ballads and smoldering, mid-tempo dance numbers, as noted by AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine. Colin Ross of PopMatters noted that, "By taking a more active role in the writing and production of the set, Toni's material begins to be constructed around her voice rather than the latest producer's sound."

The album's first single and opening track, "He Wasn't Man Enough", was written and produced by Rodney Jerkins. The R&B song, with synth-funk bassline and Jerkins' taut beats and harp,{{cite news|last=Dalton|first=Stephen|title=NME Track Reviews - He Wasn't Man Enough|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/toni-braxton/3164|date=April 1, 2000|access-date=May 23, 2014|work=NME}} has Braxton warning a female friend not to marry a man the singer knows all too well and that came back begging for forgiveness. On the title track, "The Heat", co-written by Keri Lewis, was described as "an infectious mid-tempo groove." Lyrically, the song talks about wanting to "get it on" and enjoying coed skinny-dipping. Third track, "Spanish Guitar", was written by Diane Warren (who wrote "Un-Break My Heart") and was considered a "latin ballad", inspired by "Un-Break My Heart". Lyrically, the song has the singer inviting an alluring stranger to play her "through the night" like a "Spanish Guitar." The fourth track "Just Be a Man About It" is a telephone breakup song, with Braxton once again questioning the status of a partner's manhood and Dr. Dre playing the wayward lover breaking the news to her, while the fifth track, "Gimme Some", features Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and was named "an R&B/summer 'jerky funker' track", with Braxton demanding intercourse and oral sex from a man.

"I'm Still Breathing" is another song written by Diane Warren and talks about a woman stung by a painful breakup who summons strength, while "Fairy Tale", co-written and produced by Babyface, is an "acoustic piece" where the singer implies that being "just friends" may be healthier than a "love affair." Pillow talk and ecstatic moaning characterize "The Art of Love", a track that features no discernible lyrics, Braxton's sighs and moans over undulating rhythms". On "Speaking in Tongues", a "sensual affair" with warm harmonies, spiritual expressions are co-opted and woven amid passionate propositions including, "Talk dirty to me." The tenth track "Maybe" has rapid-fire lyrics, informed by hip-hop vocal rhythms and lyrically discuss the singer debating —in rapturous detail— whether or not to have drinks and sex again with her boyfriend ("Should I give him some/Will he make me hot/Will he hit the spot I love a lot", she sings). The eleventh track "You've Been Wrong" was considered "plodding", while the twelfth and final track, "Never Just For a Ring", finds Braxton questioning her lovers lack of fidelity the song features the embittered choral hook "Why?, when?, where?, how?, who?, what?", made you go off and do this crazy thing.

The album's lead single, "He Wasn't Man Enough", was released on March 17, 2000, to critical acclaim,{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kA4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28 |title=Reviews & Previews |magazine=Billboard |volume=112 |issue=11 |date=March 11, 2000 |page=28 |issn=0006-2510 |via=Google Books}} and won a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. It was also a success on the charts, where it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.{{cite web|title=The Heat - Toni Braxton - Awards|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-heat-mw0000256509/awards|work=Allmusic|access-date=May 24, 2014}} Elsewhere, it topped the Canadian Singles Chart, while reaching the top 10 in Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland{{cite web|title=Toni Braxton – He Wasn't Man Enough|url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Toni+Braxton&titel=He+Wasn%27t+Man+Enough&cat=s|website=australian-charts.com|access-date=May 24, 2014}} and the United Kingdom.{{cite web|title=The Official Charts Company - Toni Braxton - He Wasn't Man Enough|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/He+Wasn't+Man+Enough|work=The Official Charts Company|access-date=May 24, 2014}} The album's second single in the US was the song "Just Be a Man About It". It reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.

Outside of the US, "Spanish Guitar" was released as the album's second single on September 11, 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.click2music.com.au/click/titledetail.boa?title=74321780712|title=Spanish Guitar (The Remixes)|website=click2music.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001031115240fw_/http://www.click2music.com.au/click/titledetail.boa?title=74321780712|archive-date=31 October 2000|access-date=18 June 2023}} Initially, LaFace Records did not release it as a single due to the promotion of "Just Be a Man About It".{{cite web|title=Spanish Guitar #1 CD Toni Braxton|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1248988&style=music|work=CD Universe|access-date=May 24, 2014}} It achieved moderate success on the charts around the world, reaching the top 40 in Austria, Belgium, Netherlands and Switzerland.{{cite web|title=Toni Braxton – Spanish Guitar|url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Toni+Braxton&titel=Spanish+Guitar&cat=s|website=australian-charts.com|access-date=May 24, 2014}} In the US, when it was released as the album's third single, "Spanish Guitar" only managed to reach number 98 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 20 on the Adult Contemporary and topped the Dance Music/Club Play Singles. The album's final single, "Maybe", achieved minor success on the R&B and dance charts, due to the cancelled racy video.

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-heat-mw0000256509 |title=The Heat – Toni Braxton |website=AllMusic |access-date=July 2, 2020}}

| rev2 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev2score = B+{{Cite magazine | last = Farber | first = Jim | title = The Heat Review | magazine = Entertainment Weekly | access-date =October 17, 2011| url = https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,276094,00.html | date = April 28, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212080054/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,276094,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 12, 2013}}

| rev3 = People

| rev3score = Mixed{{cite web | last1 = Tirella | first1 = Joseph V. | last2 = Linden | first2 = Amy | last3 = Foege | first3 = Alec | title = Picks and Pans Review: The Heat | work = People | access-date = 2013-04-08 | url = http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20131068,00.html | date = May 1, 2000}}

| rev4 = Plugged In (publication)

| rev4score = Mixed{{cite web | last = Waliszewski | first = Bob | title = Toni Braxton: The Heat | website = Plugged In (publication) | access-date = 2013-04-08 | url = http://www.pluggedin.com/music/albums/2000/ToniBraxton-TheHeat.aspx}}

| rev5 = PopMatters

| rev5score = 7/10{{cite web | last = Ross | first = Colin | title = Toni Braxton: The Heat | website = PopMatters | access-date = 2011-10-17 | url = https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/braxtontoni-heat/ | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130131213334/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/braxtontoni-heat/ | archive-date = January 31, 2013}}

| rev6 = Q

| rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web | title = Toni Braxton - Heat CD Album | website = CD Universe | access-date=2013-04-08 | url = http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8215431&style=music}}

| rev7 = Rolling Stone

| rev7score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine | last = Walters | first = Barry | title = Toni Braxton: The Heat : Music Reviews | magazine = Rolling Stone | access-date = 2011-10-17 | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/tonibraxton/albums/album/229292/review/5946676/the_heat | date = June 8, 2000 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080726014552/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/tonibraxton/albums/album/229292/review/5946676/the_heat | archive-date = 2008-07-26}}

}}

The Heat received a positive reception from most music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic wrote that the album "is a confident, assured, sexy effort that reaffirms Braxton's status as one of the finest contemporary mainstream soul singers." While praising the singles "He Wasn't Man Enough", "Spanish Guitar" and "Just Be a Man About It", he wrote that "The Heat slightly runs out of momentum toward the end, but there aren't many dull spots on the record -- it's all stylish, sultry, seductive, appealing urban contemporary soul that confirms Braxton's prodigious talents."

Jim Farber wrote a positive review for Entertainment Weekly, stating that the album is "tasteful, well-performed, and – best of all – consistent stuff, throwing the lovelorn a reliable lifeline." Collin Ross wrote for PopMatters that the album has "a mixed bag", but "despite being largely formulaic, The Heat offers some moments of quality." He also hoped that "Keri Lewis/Braxton collaborative will play a more substantial role on her next album." Barry Walters wrote a favorable review for Rolling Stone, saying that the album "updates and diversifies her stylistic surroundings while delivering the expected boudoir soundtrack." He also wrote that "Braxton radiates sublimely sensual romance" on the album.

At the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards, the album's lead single, "He Wasn't Man Enough", was nominated for Best R&B Song and eventually won a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while the album itself was nominated for Best R&B Album.{{cite web|title=Rock on the Net: Toni Braxton|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/artists-b/tonibraxton_main.htm|website=Rock on the Net|access-date=May 24, 2014}} Braxton was also nominated for Best R&B/Soul Album, Female at the 2001 Soul Train Music Awards, but lost to Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds Vol. 1 by Jill Scott. Braxton won two American Music Awards for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album (The Heat).

The Heat debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 199,000 copies in its first week.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=872108 |title=Braxton Can't Knock 'N Sync From No. 1 |magazine=Billboard |date=May 4, 2000 |access-date=April 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206062411/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=872108 |archive-date=February 6, 2009}} It debuted at number one on the magazine's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, while the album's lead single, "He Wasn't Man Enough", held onto the top spot of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for the second week in a row.{{cite news|title=Toni Braxton Tops R&B Albums, Singles Charts|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/871656/toni-braxton-tops-rb-albums-singles-charts/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527083213/http://www.mtv.com/news/871656/toni-braxton-tops-rb-albums-singles-charts/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 27, 2014|access-date=May 24, 2014|publisher=MTV News|date=May 4, 2000}} In its third week, the album fell to number seven with 101,000 copies sold.{{cite news|last=Jenison|first=David|title='N Sync Tops; Hanson Tanks|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/39871/n-sync-tops-hanson-tanks|access-date=May 24, 2014|publisher=E! News|date=May 17, 2000}} The Heat was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and as of April 2011, it had sold 2,093,000 copies in the US, according to Nielsen Soundscan.{{cite web |last=Maza |first=Erik |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2011-04-toni_braxtons_declining_record-story.html |title=Toni Braxton's decade-long record sales slump |work=Baltimore Sun |date=April 11, 2011 |access-date=November 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617015616/http://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2011-04-toni_braxtons_declining_record-story.html |archive-date=June 17, 2018}}

The album topped the Canadian Albums Chart, while it reached number three on the UK Albums Chart, staying 19 weeks on the latter. The album also reached the top 10 in many countries, such as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. As of December 2002, the album had sold four million copies worldwide.{{cite magazine |last=Morgan |first=Joan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uyUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA142 |title=Fully Exposed |magazine=Vibe |date=December 2002 |page=142 |via=Google Books|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417210242/https://books.google.com/books?id=uyUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA142#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 17, 2021}}

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 48:35

| title1 = He Wasn't Man Enough

| writer1 = {{hlist|Rodney Jerkins|Fred Jerkins III|LaShawn Daniels|Harvey Mason Jr.}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins|LaShawn "Big Shiz" Daniels{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length1 = 4:21

| title2 = The Heat

| writer2 = {{hlist|Keri Lewis|Toni Braxton}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|Keri|Braxton}}

| length2 = 3:30

| title3 = Spanish Guitar

| writer3 = Diane Warren

| extra3 = David Foster

| length3 = 4:47

| title4 = Just Be a Man About It

| writer4 = {{hlist|Braxton|Johntá Austin|Teddy Bishop|Bryan-Michael Cox}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Bishop|Braxton{{ref|b|[b]}}|Cox{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

| length4 = 4:50

| title5 = Gimme Some

| note5 = featuring Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes

| writer5 = {{hlist|Jazze Pha|Braxton|Babyface|Lopes}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|Babyface|Jazze Pha|Braxton{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

| length5 = 4:03

| title6 = I'm Still Breathing

| writer6 = Warren

| extra6 = Foster

| length6 = 4:15

| title7 = Fairy Tale

| writer7 = {{hlist|Marc Harris|Tommy Sims|Babyface}}

| extra7 = Babyface

| length7 = 4:22

| title8 = The Art of Love

| writer8 = {{hlist|Braxton|Lewis}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Keri|Braxton}}

| length8 = 3:47

| title9 = Speaking in Tongues

| writer9 = Braxton

| extra9 = {{hlist|Keri|Braxton}}

| length9 = 3:46

| title10 = Maybe

| writer10 = {{hlist|Braxton|Keith Crouch|John Smith|Mechallie Jamison|Samuel Gause}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|Crouch|Braxton{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

| length10 = 3:08

| title11 = You've Been Wrong

| writer11 = {{hlist|Braxton|Brian Casey|Brandon Casey|Bishop|Kevin Hicks|Thom Bell|Linda Creed}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|Bishop|Hicks{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

| length11 = 3:45

| title12 = Never Just for a Ring

| writer12 = {{hlist|Daryl Simmons|Braxton|Pure Soul}}

| extra12 = Simmons

| length12 = 4:01

}}

• {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a vocal producer
• {{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} signifies a co-producer

• "You've Been Wrong" contains re-sung elements from "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed.

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Heat.{{cite AV media notes |title=The Heat |type=liner notes |others=Toni Braxton |publisher=LaFace Records |year=2000 |id=26069 2}}

{{Div col}}

• Toni Braxton – lead vocals {{small|(tracks 1–7, 9–12)}}; background vocals {{small|(tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7–12)}}; arrangement {{small|(tracks 2, 8–10)}}; vocal arrangements {{small|(tracks 4, 10, 11)}}; keyboards {{small|(track 9)}}
• Rodney Jerkins – arrangement, background vocals, all instruments {{small|(track 1)}}
• Fred Jerkins III – arrangement {{small|(track 1)}}
• LaShawn Daniels – arrangement {{small|(track 1)}}
• Nora Payne – background vocals {{small|(track 1)}}
• Sharlotte Gibson – background vocals {{small|(track 1)}}
• Keri – arrangement, all instruments {{small|(tracks 2, 8, 9)}}
• David Foster – arrangement, keyboards {{small|(tracks 3, 6)}}
• Simon Franglen – Synclavier programming {{small|(track 3)}}
• Dean Parks – guitars {{small|(track 3)}}; acoustic guitars {{small|(track 6)}}
• Andrés de Léon – background vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
• Sue Carwell – background vocals {{small|(tracks 3, 6)}}
• Felipe Elgueta – Spanish lyrics adaptation {{small|(track 3)}}; synth programming {{small|(track 6)}}
• Teddy Bishop – drum programming, keyboards, vocal arrangements {{small|(tracks 4, 11)}}; all instruments {{small|(track 4)}}; all other instruments {{small|(track 11)}}
• Debra Killings – background vocals {{small|(track 4)}}
• Sara Martin – background vocals {{small|(track 4)}}
• Dr. Dre – additional vocals {{small|(track 4)}}
• Johntá Austin – vocal arrangements {{small|(track 4)}}
• Babyface – keyboards {{small|(tracks 5, 7)}}; guitar, vocoder {{small|(track 5)}}; drum programming, acoustic guitar, background vocals {{small|(track 7)}}
• Jazze Pha – drum programming {{small|(track 5)}}
• Nathan East – bass {{small|(tracks 5, 7)}}
• Greg Phillinganes – piano {{small|(tracks 5, 7)}}
• Sherree Ford-Payne – background vocals {{small|(tracks 5, 10)}}
• Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes – rap {{small|(track 5)}}
• Chris Jennings – drum programming {{small|(track 6)}}
• Michael Thompson – electric guitars {{small|(track 6)}}
• Keith Crouch – arrangement, vocal arrangements, all other instruments {{small|(track 10)}}
• John Smith – guitar {{small|(track 10)}}
• Benjamin Wright – string arrangements, string conducting {{small|(track 10)}}
• Charles Veal Jr. – concertmaster {{small|(track 10)}}
• South Central Chamber Orchestra – strings {{small|(track 10)}}
• Kevin Hicks – guitar {{small|(track 11)}}
• Tamar Braxton – background vocals {{small|(track 11)}}
• Trina Braxton – background vocals {{small|(tracks 11, 12)}}
• Towanda Braxton – background vocals {{small|(tracks 11, 12)}}
• Brian Casey – vocal arrangements {{small|(track 11)}}
• Brandon Casey – vocal arrangements {{small|(track 11)}}
• Ray Edwards – keyboards {{small|(track 12)}}
• Dorian "Soul Dog" Daniels – keyboards, bass {{small|(track 12)}}
• Daryl Simmons – keyboards, background vocals {{small|(track 12)}}
• Tony Williams – drum programming {{small|(track 12)}}
• Pamela Cork – additional (bridge) background vocals {{small|(track 12)}}
• Tamecia Simpson – additional (bridge) background vocals {{small|(track 12)}}

{{Div col end}}

{{Div col}}

• Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins – production, mixing {{small|(track 1)}}
• Harvey Mason Jr. – recording, Pro Tools {{small|(track 1)}}
• Steve Baughman – recording assistance {{small|(track 1)}}
• Dexter Simmons – mixing {{small|(track 1)}}
• Tyson Leeper – mixing assistance {{small|(track 1)}}
• Roger Lopez – mixing assistance {{small|(track 1)}}
• LaShawn "Big Shiz" Daniels – vocal production {{small|(track 1)}}
• Keri – production, mixing {{small|(tracks 2, 8, 9)}}; recording {{small|(tracks 8, 9)}}
• Toni Braxton – production {{small|(tracks 2, 8, 9)}}; co-production {{small|(tracks 4, 5, 10)}}; album production
• Claude Achille – recording {{small|(track 2)}}
• Xavier "X-Man" Smith – recording assistance {{small|(tracks 2, 8)}}; mixing assistance {{small|(tracks 2, 8, 9)}}
• Michael Zainer – recording assistance {{small|(track 2)}}
• Steve Hodge – mixing {{small|(tracks 2, 8, 9)}}
• Brad Yost – mixing assistance {{small|(tracks 2, 9)}}
• David Foster – production {{small|(tracks 3, 6)}}
• Felipe Elgueta – recording {{small|(tracks 3, 6)}}
• Mick Guzauski – mixing {{small|(tracks 3, 6)}}
• Tom Bender – mixing assistance {{small|(tracks 3, 6)}}
• Teddy Bishop – production {{small|(tracks 4, 11)}}
• Bryan-Michael Cox – co-production {{small|(track 4)}}
• Arnold "AJ" Wolfe – recording {{small|(tracks 4, 11)}}
• Manny Marroquin – mixing {{small|(tracks 4, 5, 11, 12)}}
• Dylan Vaughan – mixing assistance {{small|(tracks 4, 11)}}
• Jazze Pha – production {{small|(track 5)}}
• Babyface – production {{small|(tracks 5, 7)}}; album production
• Paul Boutin – recording {{small|(tracks 5, 7)}}
• Victor McCoy – mixing assistance {{small|(track 5)}}
• Ivy Skoff – production coordinator {{small|(tracks 5, 7)}}
• Jon Gass – mixing {{small|(track 7)}}
• E'lyk – mixing assistance {{small|(track 7)}}
• Keith Crouch – production, recording {{small|(track 10)}}
• Reggie Dozier – string recording {{small|(track 10)}}
• Brent Riley – string recording assistance {{small|(track 10)}}
• Booker T. Jones III – mixing {{small|(track 10)}}
• Joe Brown – mixing assistance {{small|(track 10)}}
• Kevin Hicks – co-production {{small|(track 11)}}
• Daryl Simmons – production {{small|(track 12)}}
• Thom "TK" Kidd – recording {{small|(track 12)}}
• Kevin Lively – mixing assistance {{small|(track 12)}}
• Stephanie Vonarx – mixing assistance {{small|(track 12)}}
• Herb Powers Jr. – mastering
• L.A. Reid – album production

{{Div col end}}

• Jeffrey Schulz – design
• Daniela Federici – photography

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for The Heat}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Toni Braxton|title=The Heat|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2000}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|artist=Toni Braxton|title=The Heat|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2000|date=June 16, 2000}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Toni Braxton|title=The Heat|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2004}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Toni Braxton|title=No Scrubs|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2001|date=January 16, 2001}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Toni Braxton|title=The Heat|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2000}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=トニ・ブラクストン|title=The Heat|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2000|certmonth=5}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|artist=Toni Braxton|title=The Heat|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2000}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|artist=Toni Braxton|title=The Heat|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2000}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Toni Braxton|title=The Heat|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2000|id=7010-3031-2|date=June 2, 2000|access-date=April 17, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Toni Braxton|title=The Heat|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|relyear=2000|certyear=2000|date=October 13, 2000|salesamount=2,000,000|salesref=}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=yes|salesamount=4,000,000|salesref=}}

{{Certification Table Bottom}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Toni Braxton}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Heat, The}}

Category:2000 albums

Category:Albums produced by Bryan-Michael Cox

Category:Albums produced by David Foster

Category:Albums produced by Jazze Pha

Category:Albums produced by Rodney Jerkins

Category:Dance-pop albums by American artists

Category:LaFace Records albums

Category:Toni Braxton albums

Category:Albums recorded at the Village (studio)