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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

Mystikal Rap Sentence, Mystikal Prison, Mystikal Son Million Tyler, Mystikal New Orleans
June 22, 2026
Million Tyler, the son of New Orleans rapper Mysitkal, is speaking out after his father was sentenced to 20 years…
Karmelo Anthony, Karmelo Anthony Evidence, Karmelo Anthony Body Cam Footage, Karmelo Anthony Trial
June 22, 2026
Karmelo Anthony's appeal process is set to look a bit different as a new legal team has stepped in to…
Cam Newton, Cam Newton Josh Hokit, Josh Hokit UFC, Cam Newton UFC, Josh Hokit Michelle Obama, Cam Newton Michelle Obama
June 22, 2026
Cam Newton is the latest prominent former Black athlete to call out UFC fighter Josh Hokit for his remarks about…
Knowa De Baraso, Knowa De Baraso Breakfast Club, Knowa De Baraso Young Voters, Knowa De Baraso Interview
June 22, 2026
The young political commentator has been vocal about combatting misinformation online, especially for his generation of future voters. As the
Jason Collins, Jason Collins ESPYS, Jason Collins LGBTQ+ Visibility, Jason Collins NBA
June 22, 2026
Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, will posthumously receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS in…
T.I., T.I. Verzuz T.I. Verzuz Joe Budden Podcast, T.I. Joe Budden Podcast, T.I. Verzuz 50 Cent
June 22, 2026
In a recent appearance on the 'Joe Budden Podcast,' T.I. didn't hold his tongue about Verzuz, saying he's past going…
Karmelo Anthony, Karmelo Anthony Evidence, Karmelo Anthony Body Cam Footage, Karmelo Anthony Trial
June 20, 2026
A Texas court release body cam footage, photos and surveillance footage related to the Karmelo Anthony trial in an act…
Tay Keith, Tay Keith Family, Tay Keith Memphis, Tay Keith Death, Tay Keith Family Statement
June 20, 2026
The family of Tay Keith have issued a statement regarding the Memphis producer's death, cherishing the son and brother they…
Chris Powell, Chris "CP" Powell, Chris Powell ComicView, Chris Powell Rooftop Series, Chris Powell BET, Chris "CP" Powell BET
June 20, 2026
BET is relaunching its stand-up comedy series 'ComicVIew' with a 10-episode series starting on June 30.
Juneteenth, Woman Celebrating Juneteenth, Juneteeth Removed From Calendar, Idaho Juneteeth
June 18, 2026
As Juneteenth expands even more as a federal holiday, Black Texans are mindful of the growth of the holiday, while…
Father's Day, Father's Day Grief, Grief On Father's Day, Father's Day Essay
June 18, 2026
For some, Father's Day is a day to remember and grieve. A writer recalls the moment he learned to properly…
Black Doctors, Black Doctors Flexner Report, Abraham Flexner, Flexner Report Black Doctors
June 17, 2026
Abraham Flexner's report on medical education shaped modern medical schools as we know it. It also helped bring forth systemic…
Mississippi, Kohen Wiley, Kohen Wiley Shooting, Kohen Wiley Mississippi,
June 17, 2026
The officer involved in the shooting death of one-year-old Kohen Wiley in Mississippi has been placed on administrative leave.
James Dolan Knicks, James Dolan Donald Trump, Knicks White House, Knicks Trump, Knicks Donald Trump, Dolan Trump
June 17, 2026
The NBA champion Knicks are set to be the first NBA team to visit the Trump White House, according to…
Natasha Doll, Natasha Doll Trend, Natasha Doll Racism, Natasha Doll China
June 17, 2026
The "Natasha" doll trend in China has spurned backlash globally for its depiction of violence against a Black baby doll
Mississippi, Kohen Wiley, Kohen Wiley Shooting, Kohen Wiley Mississippi,
June 16, 2026
A community in Mississippi is demanding answers after a one-year-old boy was shot and killed by police responding to a…
Mystikal, Mystikal Sentenced, Mystikal Rape Case, Mystikal Jail, Mystikal New Orleans
June 16, 2026
Rapper Mystikal was sentenced to 20 years behind bars stemming from a 2022 arrest on rape and false imprisonment charges.
French Montana, French Montana NBA Finals, French Montana New York Cab Driver, French Montana Cab Driver NBA Finals,
June 16, 2026
A cab driver who had his vehicle damaged during the Knicks title win got help from French Montana and hundreds…
Jalen Brunson, Rick Brunson, Jalen Brunson Rick Brunson, Jalen Brunson NBA Finals, Rick Brunson NBA Finals, Jalen Brunson Knicks, Rick Brunson Knicks
June 16, 2026
Jalen Brunson not only won a title, he gave his dad, current Knicks assistant Rick, the perfect birthday and Father's…
Quinta Brunson, Jalen Brunson, Qunita Brunson Jalen Brunson, Are Quinta Brunson and Jalen Brunson Related
June 15, 2026
After Jalen Brunson's triumph with the Knicks, Quinta Brunson (and even Quentin Brunson) had jokes about their newfound "cousin."