The Woman Behind Beyonce: Just Don’t Call Houston Proud Brittani Washington a Backup Singer

Anyone who’s seen the Oscar Award-winning documentary 20 Feet From Stardom might be familiar with the life of a backup singer for a star musician. But don’t call Brittani Washington, a proud product of Houston (via Port Arthur), a “backup” anything.

Washington has most famously commanded the stage (and appeared in several videos) for another Houston name: Beyonce. She’s established herself as a first-class musician touring with some of the most famous artists in the world. Without musicians like her, big-time artists wouldn’t be so big-time. Washington is the hand that makes a clock tick.

Her striking outfits and stage presence (often styled by Tina Knowles) – par for the course for Beyonce’s impeccable visual aesthetics, onstage and in videos – command attention. Beyonce has always elevated women musicians as part of her artistry, and the outspoken, charming Washington is a kindred spirit, with her work for Black Girls Rock, a community-driven effort to provide black women and other women of color empowerment, mentorship, education, research and general promotion of creative musical experiences, all culminating with a yearly smash concert and awards ceremony on BET.

Washington is also an aspiring solo artist, who recently dropped the earworm single “Wanna Be Me” on SoundCloud and iTunes. After Washington wrapped up the seventh edition of Black Girls Rock, we were able to talk to her about the secret life of touring with superstars, becoming a seasoned, professional musician, and who inspires her the most.

How you got started.

I got started in music at the age of five in my room pretending to be Diana Ross. I loved the song “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” It was my personal anthem at the time. When my mom and dad heard me playing this song, they immediately decided that I should play it for their church. So, there I was one Sunday morning getting the first and biggest standing ovation of my life.

I didn’t even know that performance would be the beginning to my career in music. 

Who discovered you.

I was discovered by my sister Myra Washington who allowed me to play in her local band in Houston. She knew I was playing at our mom and dad’s church and she gave me a side gig when I was attending Prairie View. By this time, I had been playing for our church for 12 years.

I always believed in myself and understood that if you wanted something the only person holding you back is yourself. I was told that Beyonce was holding auditions for an all-female band and I decided to go! I didn’t really take the audition seriously because I had never auditioned before and I really didn’t have the time to really prepare myself, [because] I learned about it the night before. 

Up until that point I was the only female musician that I knew until I stepped into the audition space. When I walked in the door, there were so many there holding sheet music and wearing church clothes. I’ve always considered myself to be a stylish person, and this was Beyonce we’re talking about, so I decided to go full on Black Madonna! I had the longest black pony tail, a diamond bra-like top with a really short skirt, so of course I stood out. I got so many different looks from the other girls, but I knew what I was there for so I didn’t let that intimidate me.

It was my turn to go into the audition space and I was ready! I don’t remember ever being nervous, I just remembered having something to prove… or should I say, show the world. When I walked in there was a keyboard with a light shining down on it. At the time I had to weigh about 110 pounds and with the clothes I was wearing it looked like I was playing dress up. The judges didn’t take me seriously at all.

The song we were supposed to perform was Beyonce’s “Work it Out” from the movie Goldmember. The judges looked at me and said, “ Awww, you can play anything you want,” I’m guessing because I didn’t really look the part. I decided to play a song that my dad really loved by Sly and the Family Stone (“If You Want Me to Stay“) and got a standing ovation by the end of my performance.

From there I went to final auditions in New York which would be my first time flying by myself and leaving my family. I made the auditions in New York and one week later (which was my birthday) I was on the stage at the BET Awards playing “Deja Vu” with Beyonce and Jay-Z. 

A few tours with a lot of A-list artists later, I was discovered by CeeLo Green and I am still currently playing and singing with him at his live performances. He recently asked me to please stay available for his performances. That was a great compliment for me. 

Your biggest influences.

I would have to say that the biggest influence on me and my style would have to be three people: Michael Jackson, Prince, and Marvin Gaye. These three people are the very definition of what my artistry is. The magic of Michael Jackson, the talent of Prince, and the silky voice of Marvin Gaye. I rarely compare myself to anybody but I have learned so much from these artists. May they all rest in peace.

A funny or interesting anecdote about Beyonce.

There was one time when we were on the Beyonce Experience Tour when the song “Suga Momma” was about to start. For this particular song, Beyonce smoked a fake cigar and sat in a chair, but this time the cigar actually blew up in her face causing her to get the fake ash powder all over her face! She immediately ran to my keyboard and we had to hurry and dust it all off before the lights came on.

Her and I made it in time just so she could get back to her seat and start the song. It wasn’t funny at the time but now I always laugh when I think about it.

What the life of playing with stars is like.

I think people assume that this job is easy… it’s definitely not. You’re away from home, your friends, and your family for months, sometimes years at a time. When you are a musician on tour, you barely get to play or practice for yourself because you’re always on the road. I didn’t see a piano or keyboard until it was showtime.

Sometimes there were pianos at the hotels we stayed in but the hotels didn’t allow us to play. Being on tour with an A-List musician is not just about how well you can play, but also your overall appearance. I was in an all-female band so for the promo tours we had to look fabulous!

I was dancing and playing keyboards in five-inch heels while wearing a leotard and smiling the whole time. Production is a process! On some of these television shows we did several takes until we got the perfect one.

Who else have you shared a stage with.

I’ve played for people like Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson. I just recently played for Tyrese as he sang “Where Is the Love” alongside India.Arie as a tribute to Robert Flack. I got a chance to play with George Michael when he joined the stage with Beyonce to accompany her in “If I Were a Boy.” I’ve also played for… Jennifer Lopez, Fantasia, Shakira, Gladys Knight, Erykah Badu, Anthony Hamilton, Brandy, Jill Scott, Jay Z, Kanye West, Mary Mayr, Sheila E., Mary J. Blige, Ciara…

Taking it from performing onstage to starring in videos.

Video days were so long but so much fun! It consists of waking up super early, getting hair and makeup done, wardrobe, and waiting for your turn. I was in Beyonce’s song “Green Light” where I literally started out wearing spandex tights, high heels, and a white collar long sleeve shirt and tie, with a black belt and costume jewelry. Before we went on the set, miss Tina [Knowles] always checked out our clothes to make sure they were fabulous. By the time she had finished recreating my outfit, all I was left with was a white collar shirt and some really high heels. She always had a good eye for fashion and I looked amazing.

Black Girls Rock.

I am fortunate enough to have played all the Black Girls Rock award shows. The show is about giving back to our community and reaching out to women who rarely get noticed for the great deeds they perform in their communities. It’s a celebration of style, class, and dedication to women of color. Black Girls Rock teaches little girls all over the world what it feels like to be successful and not to give up on their dreams just because they don’t see a lot of people that look like them being celebrated or published as much as other races. It’s a great and positive show and Im glad to be a part of it.

Your next move.

My hope for my solo career is to spread a message of love to the world, not just through music but through my actions as well. I want to make music that has longevity, and at the same time tell my life story so that when I’m not in this world anymore people would know Brittani Washington was here. Sometimes it’s super hard to categorize myself in a certain genre because I do play multiple instruments and sing, but if anybody can do it it’s me.

That’s how much I believe in myself, I had a great mom and a great village! 

The world is about to experience a lot of great shows and great music from Brittani Washington. I’ve been searching everywhere for the next Michael Jackson, the next Prince, and the next Marvin Gaye… and I guess that would just have to be me. I’m so ready.