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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

Jordan Chiles, Jordan Chiles UCLA, Jordan Chiles Gymnastics
March 14, 2026
She has notes from Beyoncé and Olympic gold. But as she prepares for her UCLA finale, Jordan Chiles is looking…
Raven-Symoné, Raven-Symoné Surgery, Raven-Symoné Breast Reduction
March 14, 2026
In a new interview, Raven-Symoné is speaking out about the cosmestic surgeries she had before she was 18 ... and…
EPA Trump, EPA Air Pollution, EPA Trump Administration, EPA ethylene oxide,
March 13, 2026
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing weakening a rule on a cancer causing chemical that also sterilizes medical equipment.
Shaquille O'Neal, Shaquille O'Neal Marriage, Shaquille O'Neal Biological Father
March 13, 2026
In a chat with Craig Melvin, Shaquille O'Neal reveals he has no issues with his biological father considering his own…
Taylor Hale, Taylor Hale Playboy, Taylor Hale Big Brother,
March 13, 2026
Taylor Hale made history with her 'Big Brother' win. Now she's stepping even bolder in making a stance for consent…
Tyler Perry, Tyler Perry BET+, Tyler Perry Paramount, Tyler Perry Paramount Plus
March 13, 2026
Tyler Perry's stake in BET+ is now Paramount's. The company acquired it from the mogul while merging BET+ into Paramount+.
Karamo Brown, Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Mario Lopez, NBC Universal, Access Hollywood, NBC Universal Syndication
March 13, 2026
NBCUniversal announced the cancellation of several shows, including 'Karamo,' 'Access Hollywood' and 'The Steve Wilkos Show.'
March 13, 2026
Byron Allen's Allen Media Group, the parent company of HBCU Go, announces a new partnership with the UNCF, beginning with…
Jada Pinkett Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith A Different World, A Different World Reboot, A Different World Revival
March 11, 2026
The 'A Different World' reboot is looking like the Black Avengers as Jada Pinkett Smith has teased her return as…
Miss J Alexander, Miss J Alexander America's Next Top Model, Miss J Alexander Runway
March 11, 2026
Despite a dehibiltating stroke, Miss J Alexander isn't letting that stop him from coming back to what he loves the…
Soulquarians, Questlove Soulquarians Reunion, Questlove Erykah Badu, Questlove Common, Questlove Bilal
March 11, 2026
During a mailbag episode of 'The Questlove Show,' Questlove hinted at a possible reunion of the Soulquarians, albeit in an…
Jamal Bryant Target, Target Boycott, Jamal Bryant Target Boycott
March 11, 2026
Pastor Jamal Bryant has announced an end to his nationwide Target boycott, but other organizers are continuing with theirs.
Colman Domingo, Paris Jackson, Colman Domingo Michael Movie, Paris Jackson Michael Movie, Colman Domingo 'Michael,' Paris Jackson 'Michael'
March 11, 2026
Colman Domingo is hitting a peak as he approaches the 'Michael' biopic. But Domingo is also addressing some issues around…
Dionne Warwick, Dionne Warwick New Album, Dionne Warwick Dwuets, Dionne Warwick Lawsuit, Dionne Warwick Royalties
March 10, 2026
Dionne Warwick is reclaiming not only lost royalties but preparing fans for her final album, 'DWuets" on March 20.
Young Thug, T.I. Killer Mike, Supreme Court, James Broadnax, James Broadnax Case,
March 10, 2026
Killer Mike, T.I., Young Thug and several other individuals have petitioned the Supreme Court in relation to James Broadnax, a…
Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey, Sonny Burton, Sonny Burton Clemency, Sonny Burton Decision, Sonny Burton Death Penalty, Sonny Burton Alabama
March 10, 2026
Alabam governor Kay Ivey commuted the sentence of Sonny Burton, a 75-year-old man set to die for a 1991 murder.
Cory Booker, Cory Booker Tax Plan, Cory Booker $75,000, Cory Booker Tax Break
March 10, 2026
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker has unveiled a new tax plan titled the "Keep Your Pay Act," centered on eliminating…
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Man On Fire, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Netflix, Yahya Abdul Mateen Man on Fire
March 10, 2026
Yayha Abdul-Mateen II is set to give his take on a character popularized by Denzel Washington in Netflix;s 'Man on…
Atlanta Hawks, Magic City Monday, Atlanta Hawks Magic City Monday Promotion, Atlanta Hawks NBA
March 9, 2026
The NBA has put a halt to the Atlanta Hawks' plans to hold 'Magic City Monday' on March 16, citing…
Dwight Howard, Dwight Howard Amy Luciani, Dwight Howard Amber Rose Howard, Dwight Howard Divorce
March 9, 2026
Dwight Howard is filing for divorce from estranged wife Amy Luciani, hours after Luciani made disturbing accusations about Howard.