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About Brandon Caldwell

Brandon Caldwell is a staff writer and journalist at theGrio.com, where he contributes his expertise in music and pop culture. With a career spanning over a decade, Brandon has established himself as a prominent voice in music journalism, previously serving on the Audience Engagement team at ESPN and as the Online Editor for Radio One Houston.

His extensive editorial background includes serving as the editor-in-chief of Day & A Dream.com. Under his leadership, the site grew from a grassroots project started in 2009 to a significant cultural platform, amassing over 3 million unique views while providing a launchpad for up-and-coming freelance and music journalists in the Houston area.

Brandon's reporting and commentary have appeared in a wide array of prestigious publications, including Pitchfork, Billboard, Texas Monthly, and Complex. A member of The Recording Academy, he has provided on-the-ground coverage for major industry events such as the ESSENCE Festival, South By Southwest (SXSW), and Atlanta’s A3C Hip-Hop Festival.
Areas of Expertise

Music Journalism
Hip-Hop Culture
Pop Culture Analysis
Live Festival Coverage
Audience Engagement

Professional Experience

Staff Writer and Journalist — theGrio.com (Present)
Audience Engagement Team — ESPN
Online Editor — Radio One Houston
Editor-in-Chief — Day & A Dream.com (2009–2018)

Education or Background
A native of Missouri City, Texas, Brandon currently resides in Arcola, Texas. His work is deeply rooted in an understanding of 21st-century media and a commitment to creative storytelling within the music scene.

All Articles

Ms. Juicy, Ms. Juicy Little Women Atlanta, Ms. Juicy Arrested
April 28, 2026
Ms. Juicy, one of the stars of the beloved Lifetime reality series 'Little Women: Atlanta' was arrested in Georgia earlier…
Lumumba Sayers, Lumumba Sayers Case, Lumumba Sayers Update, Lumumba Sayers Colorado
April 28, 2026
A jury deliberated for two hours before convicting former MMA fighter and anti-violence activist Lumumba Sayers of second-degree murder.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II The Pivot, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II City Planning, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Before Hollywood
April 28, 2026
Before he stars in 'Man on Fire,' Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is opening up about a major pivot in his life,…
Megan Thee Stallion Stephen A. Smith, Stephen A. Smith Megan Thee Stallion Breakup, Stephen A. Smith Relationships, Stephen A. Smith Split,
April 28, 2026
Stephen A. Smith has plenty of questions about Megan Thee Stallion's breakup with Klay Thompson, namely as to why it…
Khary Golden, Khary Golden Teach For America, Khary Golden Teach For America Feature, Black Male Teachers, Black Male Educators
April 28, 2026
Black male teachers might be a scarcity in U.S. but Khary Golden and Zahkee Williams are among those changing the…
North Carolina A&T, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina A&T University Financial Aid, North Carolina A&T University Audit
April 27, 2026
An audit into financial aid at North Carolina A&T determined nearly $5 million was improperly given to student relatives of…
Lizzo, Lizzo New Album, Lizzo Reclaiming Bitch, Lizzo Album, Lizzo Birthday
April 27, 2026
Lizzo is reclaiming her time and her energy. The singer used her 38th birthday to reveal a controversial new album…
Allyson Felix, Allyson Felix Track & Field, Alyson Felix Unretires
April 27, 2026
After four years away from the sport, Allyson Felix is returning to track and field with one goal in mind:…
Jam Master Jay, Jam Master Jay Case, Jam Master Jay Case Update, Man Pleads Guilty Jam Master Jay Killing
April 27, 2026
A 52-year-old man has pled guilty for his role in the 2002 murder of Run-D.M.C. DJ Jam Master Jay, but…
Megan Thee Stallion Klay Thompson Split, Megan Thee Stallion, Klay Thompson, Megan Thee Stallion Breakup
April 25, 2026
Megan Thee Stallion is done with Klay Thompson. The rapper took to her Instagram Stories to confirm the split, alleging…
Ron DeSantis, Ron DeSantis DEI, Florida DEI, Florida DEI Programs
April 25, 2026
Legislation that would eliminate DEI programs in the state of Florida has been signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis,…
Michael movie, Michael Jackson biopic, Nia Long Michael, Colman Domingo Michael, Jafaar Jackson Michael, Antoine Fuqua Michael theGrio.com, Michael Box Office
April 25, 2026
The Michael Jackson biopic was expected to reset the record book for music biopics. Now it could shatter the previous…
Zohran Mamdani, Chi Osse, Deed Theft Prevention Office, Deed Theft, Zohran Mamdani Deed Theft, Chi Osse Deed Theft
April 24, 2026
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani has established an official Deed Theft Prevention Office, another extension of his work toward the Black…
Tye Kieonne, Tye Kieonne Bali, Ohio Woman Bali, Ohio Woman Bali Prison
April 24, 2026
A Black Ohio woman and her family have turned to the community for help as she faces years in a…
Chrisopher Gillum, Christopher Gillum Arrested, Mass Shooting Plot Jazz Festival, Christopher Gillum New Orleans Jazz Fest
April 24, 2026
An ex-police officer was arrested after his family and authorities alleged he wanted to 'harm Black people' in a New…
Calvin Duncan, Calvin Duncan New Orleans, Calvin Duncan Elected, Calvin Duncan Clerk
April 24, 2026
The Louisiana GOP has passed a bill veliminating Calvin Duncan's position after he was duly elected, mainly at the behest…
Ashley Everett, Ashley Everett Virgin Voyages, Ashley Everett Apology, Ashley Everett Beyoncé
April 22, 2026
Professional dancer Ashley Everett apologized for Virgin Voyages on Wednesday, one day after she alleged she was "kicked off" stage…
Brian McKnight, Brian McKnight Lawsuit, Brian McKnight Brian McKnight Jr., Brian McKnight Legal
April 22, 2026
Singer Brian McKnight is suing several people, including his ex-wife, estranged son and others over what he believes are defamatory…
Pat McGrath, Pat McGrath Chapter 11, Pat McGrath Bankruptcy, Pat McGrath New Leadership
April 22, 2026
Pat McGrath Labs is officially on a new journey. A Florida judge has OK'd the company to exit Chapter 11…
Taylor Rooks, Taylor Rooks Foundation, Taylor Rooks Undue My Medical Debt, Taylor Rooks Gwinnett County
April 22, 2026
Taylor Rooks, the Taylor Rooks Foundation and Undue My Medical Debt have partnered to wipe out medical debt for thousands…