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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

Fawn Weaver, Fawn Weaver Lawsuit, Uncle Nearest, Uncle Nearest Lawsuit, Uncle Nearest CFO
January 6, 2026
Uncle Nearest co-founders Fawn and Keith Weaver are taking the company's former chief financial officer to court, alleging fraud and…
Mary J. Blige, Mary J. Blige Lifetime, Mary J. Blige Movies,
January 6, 2026
The Mary J. Blige cinematic universe on Lifetime continues to grow as the multi-hyphenate is set to produce three new…
A$AP Rocky Rihanna, A$AP Rocky Fatherhood, ASAP Rocky Fatherhood, ASAP Rocky Rihanna
January 6, 2026
A$AP Rocky says fatherhood has changed him for the better. In a new W Magazine interview, the 37-year-old rapper admits…
LeBron James, Zhuri James, LeBron James Fashion
January 5, 2026
LeBron James' youngest child Zhuri might need to add stylist to her résumé as she put together a outfit for…
Donne McClurkin, Donnie McClurkin Lawsuit, Donnie McClurkin News
January 5, 2026
Grammy Award-winning singer and pastor Donnie McClurkin is facing a new lawsuit alleging he sexually abused a man for years.
Raven-Symoné, Miranda Maday, Relationships, Raven-Symoné Marriage
January 5, 2026
Raven-Symoné and wife Miranda Maday are in a healthy spot in their marriage, but Maday let it be known her…
Michael B. Jordan, Michael B. Jordan Killmonger, Michael B. Jordan Therapy, Michael B. Jordan News
January 5, 2026
Michael B. Jordan is looking back at his career and how his 2018 role as Erik Killmonger prompted him to…
Mary Sheffield, Mary Sheffield Detroit, Detroit Mayor
January 5, 2026
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield made her first official announcement as mayor an important one for young families as Detroit joins…
Jasmine Crockett, Jasmine Crockett Venezuela, theGrio.com
January 3, 2026
Black lawmakers, from Jasmine Crockett to Ayanna Pressley and others, are weighing in on the Trump Administration's raid of Venezuela.
Samara Joy, Samara Joy Grammys, Elder Goldwire McLendon, Samara Joy Grandfather
January 3, 2026
Multi-time Grammy winner Samara Joy is looking forward to the Grammys on Feb. 1 while honoring her late grandfather, Elder…
Keith Powers, Keith Powers Sobriety, Keith Powers 2026
January 3, 2026
Keith Powers is celebrating a major milestone in his life. The actor recently completed one-year of sobriety and completed a…
Will Smith, Will Smith Lawsuit, Will Smith News
January 3, 2026
A former violinist for Will Smith's "Based On A True Story Tour" is suing him over retaliation allegations after the…
Mariah Carey, All I Want For Christmas Is You lawsuit, Mariah Carey lawsuit
December 23, 2025
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Mariah Carey and awarded the singer $92,000 over "All I Want For Christmas…
Lanier Johnson-Hunt, Atlanta, Fulton County High School, Taser, Police Brutality
December 23, 2025
A Fulton County high school student is speaking out days after he was tased by a resource officer and the…
Dr. Bess Carpenter Dunner, Black Santas, Bess Carpenter Dunner Black Santas, Black Santa
December 23, 2025
Dr. Bess Carpenter Dunner has been collection Black Santas for over 50 years, and she isn't slowing down any time…
Jill Scott, Jill Scott Finances, Jill Scott Million Dollars Worth of Game, Jill Scott Interview
December 23, 2025
In a new interview on the "Million Dollaz Worth of Game" podcast, Jill Scott is getting real about her life…
Kwanzaa, Kwanzaa celebrations, Kwanzaa around the country, Kwanzaa 2024, theGrio.com
December 22, 2025
As Kwanzaa celebrations get underway this week, reframing the holiday as a reset for the new year is the right…
Letitia James, Zohran Mamdani, NYC Mayor
December 22, 2025
NY State AG Letitia James and Sen. Bernie Sanders will be on hand to swear in Zohran Mamdani as New…
Mickey Lee, Mickey Lee Big Brother, Mickey Lee Health, Mickey Lee News
December 22, 2025
'Big Brother' 27 star Mickey Lee is currently hospitalized in critical, but stable conditino after a medical emergency.
Billy Porter, Sepsis, Billy Porter Health Update
December 22, 2025
Tony Award winner Billy Porter is giving fans an update after he was forced to leave a Broadway play due…