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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

Questlove, Questlove Michael Review, Questlove Michael Jackson Movie, Questlove Instagram
April 21, 2026
Questlove went into the 'Michael' movie with the mind of a superfan. Instead, he left with a greater appreciation for…
Todd Blanche, Southern Poverty Center, Kash Patel, SPLC, SPLC Indictment
April 21, 2026
The Southern Poverty Law Center is facing a federal indictment alleging it defrauded donors by using money to pay informants…
Trick Williams, Jade Cargill, Oba Femi, WWE, WWE Wrestlers, WrestleMania
April 21, 2026
Stars were made and cemented during WrestleMania weekend, with Black men and women the future of pro wrestling belongs to…
April 21, 2026
She faces a federal trial in Miami over allegations she and her brother stole $5 million designated for their family…
Winston Salem North Carolina Shooting, Teens Killed North Carolina, Mass Shooting North Carolina,
April 20, 2026
Two teens were killed and five were injured following a mass shooting in Winston-Salem, North Carolina during a planned fight.
IShowSpeed, IShowSpeed Caribbean, IShowSpeed Caribbean Tour
April 20, 2026
Months after his wildly successful tour of Africa, IShowSpeed is hitting the road again, this time visiting 15 countries in…
Stephanie Elam, Stephanie Elam CNN, Stephanie Elam Leaves CNN, Stephanie Elam Black Women TV News
April 20, 2026
As Stephanie Elam departs CNN after a two decade career, she joins a list of other Black journalists who've exited…
D4vd charged, D4vd charged first-degree murder, D4vd Celeste Rivas Hernandez, D4vd singer, D4vd murder case
April 20, 2026
Singer D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder and other felonies in relation to the death of a 14-year-old girl…
Run DMC, Run DMC Jam Master Jay, Jam Master Jay Killing, Jam Master Jay Case
April 18, 2026
One of three men believed to to be involved in the 2002 death of pioneering DJ Jam Master Jay is…
Brandon Scott, Brandon Scott Cerina Fairfax, Brandon Scott Justin Fairfax, Brandon Scott Comments Femicide
April 18, 2026
Baltimore Brandon Scott issued a stern response to the wave of femicide affecting Black America, addresing men for "coward behavior."
O'Shea Jackson Jr., Destin Tucker, Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Rams, Los Angeles Rams, NFL, Friday Movie
April 18, 2026
The L.A. Rams took it back to 1995 with a re-imagining of the classic film 'Friday,' featuring the sons of…
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…