Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon DeShaun.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Brandon. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started singing in the children’s church choir at the age of four. I knew as a child that I singing was what God gave me to do here on Earth. Life threw a lot of monkey wrenches in an attempt to thwart me off my path and discourage me from pursuing my purpose, but as of 2016, I have been recording music and performing at shows, showcases, and open mics around the city. Music is the love of my life. When I was going through the dark times and valleys of life, it was music and my gift of singing that kept me strong and ultimately alive. I fought depression with my music. I’m fighting abandonment and low self-esteem with my music. I plan to fight homelessness and food insecurity here in Atlanta with my music. I have this idea that I can eventually buy properties and create urban farms to feed people in Atlanta’s many food desert stricken communities. Buy buildings and create homeless shelters and homeless rehabilitation centers.
My music is the platform and vehicle for me to be able to uplift and empower my community. I used to be homeless. I used to walk around with holes in my shoes and shower once every three or four days at a time. I know what it’s like to be stuck in the grasp of despair. I know what it’s like to worry about where my next meal was going to be or if I was going to have enough money to buy food. I know what it’s like to be at the mercy of other people when it comes to living arrangements, to sleep on the couch or be uncomfortable in someone else’s house. I know what it’s like to feel unwelcome in a space where I am supposed to lay my head. God is good, and because He allowed me to overcome my situation, I feel it my divine duty to help others overcome who are currently living this experience also. I want my music to empower people to live their most authentic selves, to inspire social change, and to foster a culture of love no matter what an individual looks like or where they’re from.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, it hasn’t. I battled homelessness. I had to fight and overcome depression and panic (anxiety) attacks. I’ve been in physical altercations. One time I had a group of guys hop out of a car on me with semi-automatic weapons aimed at my head. God is amazing. I wouldn’t be here today had it not be for Him and His protection over my life. I’ve battled thoughts of inadequacy along this journey. Emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical brokenness have all been apart of my journey. I’ve had negative balances in both my accounts before. Early this year, I had a break up with my then-girlfriend, lost my job, and was being evicted from where I was staying all in the same month. Life has not been easy. But I love singing, I love music, and I’ve fallen in love with the process and my journey. The ability to see the light in the tunnel is amazing, and the knowledge that everything is formulating around me for my greater good is reassuring. Life isn’t happening to me. Rather it’s happening FOR me. It took me a while to grasp this. But I’m finally comprehending what this truly means.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am a recording artist. I sing and write songs. Singer-songwriter. I also a model and dance. I am most proud of my ability to remain sane and positive during all that has transpired over the last seven to eight years of my life. Like I said it hasn’t been easy, but it’s all been worth it. I sing from a place of inspiration. I believe this sets me apart from others.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I believe our city is a good place for a business like mines. I would recommend Atlanta for visiting artists. We have infrastructure issues. I’m an Atlanta native that grew up in El Paso, TX, and over the years, I’ve seen the city get more and more crowded with limited focus by the local government on enhancing the infrastructure, i.e. better roads, traffic, focus on the homeless population, resources for the less fortunate, etc.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/brandondeshaunthesinger
Image Credit:
Martin Granger: @mrtngranger
Oshun Dara: @queentut_photography
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