I’ve always loved music since I was a kid, and so that carried over into high school. I was involved in choir and a lot of different musical projects and stuff. My brother-in-law then got me into wanting to make my own music, and it just took off from there.

I love D’Angelo and Frank Ocean. I also really like Steve Lacy. Kanye West’s whole approach to music and art is really inspiring. Shafiq Husayn, he’s a well-known producer in the Neo-soul genre, inspires me. I like a lot of old school stuff too, specifically Stevie Wonder and Roy Ayers. I’m also inspired by Ram Dass, he has a lot of far out philosophies and he’s a really great writer. He’s a big influence of mine.

Music is like meditation. When I’m writing music, it feels really, really spiritual when I really get into it. It makes me feel at peace, like where I’m supposed to be in that moment.

I like nature, so going for walks always stimulates my mind. It makes me want to write. I like doing things that make me feel like kid Brandon. Being playful and adventurous… that always makes me feel at peace.

I have a strong belief that a lot of Black, young Americans come from here, from America, based on conversations with my elders and friends. I’ve used Black History Month within the last few years to pose the question of: where do we really come from? What are our roots beyond slavery? What was life like for our ancestors—before there was colonialism and outside influence? That’s something that stares me in the face every Black History Month. I know that we have some Cherokee roots in my family, but I’m still learning what else comes with that, like what are the customs and traditions? I’m really all about reclaiming what was lost or what got distorted throughout time.

I’ll say that without the Divine I don’t think that I would be an artist; I wouldn’t have these gifts. I owe it to the Divine to use my gifts, and to honor that. My process is always channeling God, like I’m really trying to tap into that spiritual place. And I usually allow that energy to fuel my lyrics, to fuel all parts of my writing. If God isn’t in the room when I’m writing, then I don’t expect anything to happen really. They are intertwined.

I always want people to know that there’s magic that exists in everybody, and it’s not exclusive. Nobody is made super special, everybody is literally the same. But how motivated are you? How curious are you to know what the gifts are that you have inside? How far are you willing to go to unlock those gifts? I’m always learning new stuff about my talents and skills that further my art. I want to inspire people to tap into themselves, you know what I mean? And to find what they can give to the world.

Probably the showcase. I think that’s going to be really cool. This entire experience is new for me, so the whole journey has been really, really inspiring. Especially the media training and all these different tools that help us be better artists. I’ve always wanted to learn more about how to be more professional, and this program is walking me through those steps of what to do, you know? It’s been great meeting the other artists, too.

It’s gonna be my full band, and it’s gonna be all new music. So if anybody’s coming to see me that has heard any of my music in the past, it’s all new stuff. Get tickets now for the show on Friday, April 11 at the Madam Walker Legacy Center.