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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

Gullah Geechee, Gullah Geechee Georgia,
January 27, 2026
A Gullah Geechee community in Georgia overwhelmingly won support for a referendum that barred large homes being built on historical…
Mario, Mario Singer, Mario Baby, Mario Girlfriend
January 27, 2026
Singer Mario is a dad! The 39-year-old singer and girlfriend Esmeralda Rios welcomed their first child on Monday.
TikTok, TikTok Ban, TikTok Exodus, TikTok Leaving, I'm Leaving TikTok
January 26, 2026
The TikTok USA deal is done, but several users are leaving the app due to several factors, including its new…
Sterling K. Brown, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Sterling K. Brown Wife, Ryan Michelle Bathe Husband, Sterling K. Brown Ryan Michelle Bathe, Sterling K. Brown Marriage
January 26, 2026
Sterling K. Brown is approaching 20 years of marriage with Ryan Michelle Bathé and is letting the world in on…
Khaby Lame, Khaby Lame TikTok, Khaby Lame $900 Deal
January 26, 2026
Khaby Lame, the world's most followed person on TikTok, is collecting a major bag. The content creator just sold his…
Sly Dunbar, Sly & Robbie, Sly Dunbar Jamaica, Sly Dunbar Death, Sly Dunbar Dead
January 26, 2026
Sly Dunbar, one of the most influential drummers in the history of reggae, has died according to his wife. He…
Quinton Aaron, Quinton Aaron Blind Side, Quinton Aaron Life Support
January 26, 2026
'Blind Side' actor Quinton Aaron is reportedly "fighting for his life" after a fall at home led to him being…
Alex Pretti, Alex Pretti Minneapolis, Alex Pretti Minneapolis Shooting,
January 24, 2026
The 37-year-old man shot and killed by officers Saturday in Minneapolis was identified as Alex Pretti by his parents.
Minneapolis, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Alex Pretti Shooting,
January 24, 2026
The NBA has announced Saturday's game between the Warriors and Timberwolves has been canceled in wake of the shooting death…
Cristina Payne, Corey Holcomb, Cristina Payne Corey Holcomb Incident
January 24, 2026
In a tearful interview with TMZ, comedian Cristina Payne is addressing the viral video of her allegedly being punched by…
Naomi Osaka, Naomi Osaka Australian Open, Naomi Osaka Injury
January 24, 2026
Former world No. 1 tennis player Naomi Osaka is withdrawing from the Australian Open due to an injury she suffered…
Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, The Neptunes, The Neptunes Lawsuit
January 24, 2026
Chad Hugo is suing his former Neptunes partner Pharrell Williams over "fraudulent and malicious conduct" regarding unpaid royalties and more.
Sherrone Moore, Sherrone Moore Case, Sherrone Moore Trial
January 23, 2026
Ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore returned to court this week, where his lawyer proclaimed his innocence in a case that rocked…
Amy Dubois Barnett, If I Ruled The World, Amy DuBois Barnett Hulu
January 23, 2026
Hulu has acquired the rights to Amy DuBois Barnett's upcoming novel 'If I Ruled The World' for a hour-long drama…
Deion Sanders, Karreuche Tran, Deion Sanders Karreuche Tran
January 23, 2026
On his 'We Got Time Today' Tubi show with Rosci Diaz, Deion Sanders opened up on bladder surgery and his…
Jamila T. Davis, Jamila T. Davis Domestic Abuse Survivors Act, Jamila T. Davis New Jersey
January 23, 2026
Days after the Survivors Justice Act was signed into law in New Jersey, Dr. Jamila T. Davis says the work…
Jasmine Crockett ICE, ICE Modern Day Slave Patrols, Jasmine Crockett Jelani Cobb ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement
January 23, 2026
Jasmine Crockett's thoughts comparing ICE to a modern day slave patrol isn't far-fetched, according to noted Black scholar Jelani Cobb.
Michelle Obama, Barack Obama Third Term, Michelle Obama White House
January 21, 2026
Michelle Obama says if her husband Barack Obama ever ran a hypothetical third term, she'd be actively against it at…
Lisa Cook, Donald Trump, Lisa Cook Supreme Court, Donald Trump Supreme Court
January 21, 2026
Supreme Court Justices seemed likely to side with Lisa Cook over her firing from the Fed Reserve by President Trump…
Travis Scott, Travis Scott Fatherhood, Travis Scott Parenting, Travis Scott AI
January 21, 2026
In a new cover story with Rolling Stone, Travis Scott breaks down his thoughts on fatherhood as a dad of…