Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Blu.
Brandon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As most artists did, I began rapping at a young age. I recall writing my first rap at about age 8. My mom was heavily involved in the church and didn’t allow my two sisters and I to listen to anything but Gospel on the car radio. I remember the rare occasions when she would turn on 103.3 and Lil Wayne would be playing. Naturally, I became a fan of his music. As I grew a little older, I began to memorize the lyrics and dive deeper into them. I was literally studying the metaphors and it seemed like no matter how many times I listened to a song, something new would impress me. This is probably why I became the artist I am today because I’ve always aspired to be as skilled as the artists I grew up loving. As a kid, my dad would take me on long car rides and show me music of all genres. His ear for music was vast and spread from HipHop to Neo Soul. He also managed a couple of artists in his time. From as young as I can remember, I sang in the church youth choir as well, so I guess I can say I’ve always had music in my life. My first actual time recording music was in high school in about 10th grade. I began hanging out with the basketball trainer of our school team when he expressed to me that he rapped.
This led to me putting out my first tape called the “Come Up” with a couple of good friends of mine. It didn’t gain much buzz outside of our family and friends but the impact it had on me was so much greater than the recognition. It fueled something in me that got me to where I am today. I began signing up for talent shows and all types of things surrounding the craft. I won a few awards in various competitions, one in particular was called ACT-SO. It was funded by the NAACP and gained me some much needed boosts in confidence to know my gift was recognizable by more than just my mom. I put out two more projects since then, a collaboration with a local artist and a solo EP. My plan is to take music as far as I possibly can, meaning tours across the world. However, for now I just love the craft. My plan is to keep doing it for as long as I’m alive because nothing brings me more fulfillment. I think the greatest thing about music is connecting with a listener and hearing their stories about how a song impacted them.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think my biggest challenges in life surround times when people who play a role in my life pass away. When I was in high school, my close friend killed himself and I was beyond heartbroken by it. It impacted my view on purpose and the significance of life. I often wonder if he had enough time to find his purpose. Following that was the passing of 4 of my friends and three family members all within my first year of college. During this time, I struggled with religion and depression. I think the main question I needed answered was why. Why did these people pass so early from tragic acts like gun violence and car accidents when they had so much life left to live. I have lost about 15 to 20 people I considered family or close friends over the past 4 to 5 years and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t have an effect on me. I think with the way things are in the city I come from, there’s no way to escape the reality that everybody won’t make it to see you reach your goals. This is the main reason I think it’s imperative to give people their roses while they are alive and breathing because tomorrow is not promised. You literally can’t predict what it may bring so cherish today. I still can’t say I’ve conquered coping with death, but I will say that I am considerably stronger than I ever was before going through all this. I pray it takes me far enough to make my fallen loved ones proud. That is my only goal.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I make music that has a message. Every song I create serves a greater purpose than just listening and nodding your head. There is an underlying theme or message I am reaching at that I hope resonates well with everyone who listens. I am proud of the fact that my music can represent a person chasing their dreams without relent. People can listen and gather something that might take them a step further than they were before pressing play. I try to provide subject matter that will make people think about what they are hearing. Also, I am proud that my beat selection is a tad different than the usual Atlanta trap sound.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for me would include my parents being able to take a permanent vacation with all expenses paid. I want to be able to provide for my family so they don’t have to work. My wish is that I can create opportunities for my closest friends and family to better their lives on scales they couldn’t have previously imagined. Life has a way of keeping our eyes so peeled for obstacles that we lose the ability to dream. Success for me is giving that ability back to my day ones.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/BrandoBlu
- Phone: 4048605828
- Email: brandoblu1@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandoblu/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/brandoblu
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