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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

Shadasia Green, Shadasia Green Hospitalized, Shadasia Green Boxer
April 18, 2026
Shadasia Green was stretchered out of Barclays Center and hospitalized on Friday night shortly after a brutal TKO loss to…
Bianca Huntley, Bianca Huntley Atlanta, Bianca Huntley Death, Bianca Huntley Shot
April 17, 2026
Bianca Huntley, 34, was shot and killed while on an Atlanta highway on Tuesday. Her mother says she will be…
Roland Martin, Roland Martin Justin Fairfax, Roland Martin Justin Fairfax Tribute, Roland Martin Alpha Kappa Alpha
April 17, 2026
Journalist Roland Martin has deleted a post speaking of his personal relationship with Justin Fairfax and Cerina Wanzer Fairfax that…
Ice Spice, Ice Spice Assault, Ice Spice McDonald's, Ice Spice News, Ice Spice
April 17, 2026
Bronx rapper Ice Spice found herself in a physical altercation with a woman inside and outside an L.A. McDonald's earlier…
Anderson Paak, Anderson Paak Ticket Bots, Anderson Paak New Company, Anderson Paak Concert Kit
April 17, 2026
Anderson Paak is joining the fight against scalpers and bots. The Grammy winner is endorsing a new tool aimed to…
NYPD Assault, NYPD Assault Brooklyn, NYPD Assault Mistaken Identity, NYPD Police Brutality, Timothy Brown Assault
April 15, 2026
A viral video featuring NYPD officers attacking a Brooklyn man in a case of mistaken identity has now prompted an…
Tina Campbell, Tina Campbell Husband, Tina Campbell Mary Mary, Tina Campbell Divorce,
April 15, 2026
Tina Campbell's husband, Glendon, filed for divorce from the gospel star after 25 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
A'ja Wilson, A'ja Wilson WNBA, A'ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces, A'ja Wilson Contract, A'ja Wilson Supermax
April 15, 2026
A'ja Wilson continues to make history. The WNBA's only four-time MVP has inked the largest contract in league history to…
Drake, Drake Hip-Hop, Drake The Game, Drake Kendrick Lamar Feud, Drake Kendrick Lamar Beef
April 15, 2026
The Game suggested that Drake hasn't been appreciated and hip-hop has suffered a nose dive because of it. He's flat…
T.I. King Harris, King Harris Arrested, T.I. King Harris Arrest
April 14, 2026
Even as King Harris found himself handcuffed on several traffic violations in Atlanta, T.I. made sure he was there to…
Cardi B, Cardi B Good Hair, Cardi B Good Hair Beauty Line, Cardi B Haircare, Cardi B Hair Line
April 14, 2026
As her Grow-Good Beauty brand is set to launch, Cardi B is looking to put to bed one of the…
Courtney A. Kemp, Courtney A. Kemp Nemesis, Courtney A. Kemp Netflix, Netflix Nemesis
April 14, 2026
Courtney A. Kemp is making is clear with her new show for Netflix in 'Nemesis,' fans of 'Power' are in…
ScHoolboy Q, Rapper Fitness, ScHoolboy Q Ozempic, ScHoolboy Q Workouts, Rappers Who Work Out
April 14, 2026
The TDE rapper said he'd "never been more offended" after fans accused him of being on Ozempic; he's working out…
Luther Vandross Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Wu-Tang Clan Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Sade Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2026, Queen Latifah Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, MC Lyte Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, RRHOF
April 13, 2026
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame revealed its induction class for 2026, including Sade, Wu-Tang, Luther Vandross, Queen Latifah…
Debbie Allen, Debbie Allen Clark Atlanta University, Debbie Allen Commencement Speaker, Debbie Allen Atlanta
April 13, 2026
Legendary entertainer Debbie Allen is set to deliver wisdom to students of Clark Atlanta University with this year's commencement address.
Louis Carr, Louis Carr BET, Louis Carr BET Future, Louis Carr Fortune
April 13, 2026
BET President Louis Carr wants to bring the Soul Train Awards back as he shapes the future of the network.
Victor Glover, Victor Glover Artemis II, Victor Glover's Family, Who Is Victory Glover's Family?
April 13, 2026
Fresh off his Artemis II mission, Victor Glover proudly thanked his 'cocoa-skinned ladies': his wife Dionna and their four daughters.
Deborah Cox, Deborah Cox Broadway, Deborah Cox Musical
April 11, 2026
Years after Céline Dion made "My Heart Will Go On" famous for 'Titanic,' Deborah Cox is continuing their connection on…
Jackie Young, Jackie Young WNBA, WNBA Contracts, Jackie Young Aces, WNBA Expansion
April 11, 2026
Aces guard Jackie Young became the WNBA's first million-dollar player. She won't be the last as the league continues to…
Craig Melvin, Craig Melvin Today Show, Craig Melvin Journalism, Craig Melvin Villanova, Craig Melvin NBC, Craig Melvin Pivot Podcast
April 11, 2026
Ahead of serving as the commencement speaker for Villanova University, Craig Melvin is reflecting on his journey, his family and…