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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

Angela Simmons, Angela Simmons Pastry, Angela Simmons Pastry Jordan Brand, Angela Simmons Shannon Sharpe
June 29, 2026
Angela Simmons and her sister made history with Pastry, crafting a $75M sneaker brand that at one point, was outselling…
Deion Sanders, Deion Sanders Cancer, Deion Sanders Cancer Free, Deion Sanders Colorado
June 29, 2026
One year after undergoing comprehensive bladder surgery, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders says he's officially cancer free.
OJ Simpson, OJ Simpson Buffalo Bills, OJ Simpson Sports, Buffalo Bills
June 29, 2026
The Buffalo Bills are declining to honor O.J. Simpson at their new stadium, after previously having him as part of…
Eve, Eve Tiny Desk, Eve NPR Tiny Desk, Eve Black Music Month
June 29, 2026
NPR Music set out to craft a love letter to BET for Black Music Month, across several genres and uplifting…
Twista, Twista Tax Evasion, Twista Chicago, Twista Rapper, Twista Guilty
June 27, 2026
Former Roc-A-Fella rapper Twista pled guilty earlier this week to five counts of misdemeanor tax evasion and faces five years…
Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, Louis Farrakhan, Nation of Islam, Mother Khadijah
June 27, 2026
Khadijah Farrakhan, the wife of NOI leader Min. Louis Farrakhan for 72 years, has died. She was 90 years old.
Josh Stein, Josh Stein Governor, Josh Stein Confederate Flag, Confederate Flag Great American State Fair, Great American State Fair
June 27, 2026
Governor Josh Stein and others are slamming the use of the Confederate flag at North Carolina's exhibit at the Great…
Cape Verde, Cape Verde World Cup, Cape Verde World Cup 2026, Cape Verde Knockout Rounds, Cape Verde Soccer
June 27, 2026
Cape Verde is continuing the moment for African nations in the World Cup, becoming the smallest country ever to reach…
Tia Mowry, Tia Mowry Dating, Tia Mowry Love Life, Tia Mowry Manifestation, Tia Mowry Manifest
June 26, 2026
How did Tia Mowry find love again after divorce? The actress tells SiriusXM that it was all about manifesting her…
Zaire Ware, Zaire Wade Arrested, Zaire Wade Dwyane Wade, Zaire Wade Domestic Violence
June 26, 2026
Zaire Wade, the son of Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade, was arrested Sunday on felony domestic violence charges in California.
Latissa Perryman, Latissa Perryman Ohio, Christopher Manning Ohio, Jarvis Perryman, Christopher Manning Case,
June 26, 2026
Before her son's killer was sentenced to 37 years, Latissa Perryman wondered why Christopher Manning couldn't get life.
Doug Martin, Doug Martin Wrongful Death Lawsuit, Doug Martin Oakland, Doug Martin Death
June 26, 2026
The parents of former NFL All-Pro Doug Martin have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Oakland and…
Barack Obama Higher Ground, Michelle Obama Higher Ground, Higher Ground Netflix, Higher Ground Disney
June 24, 2026
The Obama's are pivoting. After eight years and 20-plus projects with Netflix, their Higher Ground Productions will go independent.
Barack Obama Trump, Barack Obama All The Smoke, Barack Obama Donald Trump, Barack Obama Suite Trump's Head, Barack Obama All The Smoke Interview
June 24, 2026
In a new interview with "All The Smoke," former President Obama spoke candidly about Donald Trump's 'fascination' with him,
Big Tigger, Big Tigger Arrest Update, Big TIgger Statement, Big Tigger Atlanta, Big Tigger Wife, Big Tigger Instagram Statement
June 24, 2026
Radio host Big Tigger has denied all allegations against him stemming from a June 20 arrest tied to an alleged…
BET Advisory Board, Keke Palmer., LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, BET Advisory Board Keke Palmer, BET Advisory Board LL Cool J, BET Advisory Board Queen Latifah
June 24, 2026
Keke Palmer is joining LL Cool J, Queen Latifah and BET founder Bob Johnson on the network's newly minted Board…
Jalen Brunson, Jalen Brunson Children's Book, Jalen Brunson Knicks, Jalen Brunson Jalen Plays It All, Jalen Plays It All
June 23, 2026
Jalen Brunson is adding a new title: children's author. The NBA champion is set to release his first picture book,…
Oprah Whitney Houston, Oprah Whitney, Oprah Whitney Houston Story, Oprah Whitney Houston 2009, Oprah Winfrey Whitney Houston
June 23, 2026
In a now viral acceptance speech, Oprah is opening up about protecting Whitney Houston in a moment that could have…
Big Tigger, Big Tigger Arrested, Big Tigger Battery, Big Tigger Domestic Abuse, Big Tigger Georgia,
June 23, 2026
The former BET host faces aggravated battery and child cruelty charges as an ongoing legal matter involving his wife continues.
Ronjera Abrahams, Carlos Abrahams, Abrahams Family Abrahams Family Quadruplets
June 22, 2026
The Abrahams Quad, a Charlotte family that documented their life as a family of nine, is mourning after the patriarch,…