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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

Victoria Monet, Xania Monet,
November 18, 2025
Victoria Monet is the latest singer-songwriter to call out AI in music, particularly AI R&B artist Xania Monet.
Jordan Garcia, Kiyah Mae Scott, Newark, NJ,
November 17, 2025
Authorities are offering a $10,000 reward after a child and a young mother were killed in a mass shooting in…
Robin Roberts, Roberta Flack
November 17, 2025
Legendary singer Roberta Flack is the next artist to receive the biopic and documentary treatment, courtesy of Robin Roberts.
Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns, NFL,
November 17, 2025
The home of Browns QB Shedeur Sanders was broken into Sunday while he was making his NFL debut vs. the…
Mike Epps
November 17, 2025
Mike Epps' Day-Day character is beloved in the 'Friday' universe but the longtime comedian and actor recalls his awkward scene…
James Pickens Jr., prostate cancer
November 15, 2025
'Grey's Anatomy' actor James Pickens Jr. isn't shying away from his prostate cancer diagnosis and how it has affected his…
Texas A&M, South Carolina, Texas State Trooper
November 15, 2025
A Texas State trooper was relieved of game-day duties at Texas A&M after he bumped into two South Carolina players…
Donald Trump, Pardons
November 15, 2025
President Trump issued additional pardons to two individuals for offenses that weren't covered during their original January 6 pardons.
Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls, 2007 Oscars
November 15, 2025
Eddie Murphy is finally weighing in on him losing the Academy Award to Alan Arkin in 2007, but what made…
Errol Musk
November 15, 2025
Errol Musk, Elon's father, delivered a scathing rebuke of the U.S. not being a majorly white country in an interview…
Michelle Obama, 2024 election, Michelle Obama Kamala Harris, Kamala Harris Atlanta rally, Michelle Obama When We All Vote, Michelle Obama 2024 election, Georgia voters, Georgia voter turnout, voter turnout, Michelle Obama Atlanta rally, When We All Vote rally, theGrio.com
November 14, 2025
Michelle Obama is flatly telling the world, America isn't ready for a female president and don't waste her time asking…
Pusha T
November 14, 2025
Pusha T and his wife Virginia are expecting another blessing. The Virginia rapper revealed he and his wife are expecting…
Don Lemon, Tim Tebow
November 14, 2025
While reflecting on his own trauma regarding child sex abuse, Don Lemon found an ally in his fight against those…
Karen Huger, Karen Huger RHOP
November 14, 2025
"The Grand Dame" is coming back to 'RHOP.' BravoCon revealed the midseason trailer for 'RHOP,' featuring Karen Huger.
Cynthia Erivo Wicked, Cynthia Erivo Elphaba, Cynthia Erivo Red Sea International Film Festival 2024, Why did they make Elphaba black?, Is Elphaba a Black woman?, Elphaba nails, Elphaba micro braids, cynthia erivo elphaba micro braids theGrio.com
November 14, 2025
Cynthia Erivo is giving new meaning to "leaving it all out there," revealing she had a 103-degree fever after her…
Diddy transferred to fort dix federal prison
November 12, 2025
Sean "Diddy" Combs will not be released from prison in May of 2028 according to Federal Bureau of Prisons records.
Marshawn Kneeland, Catalina Mancera, NFL, Dallas Cowboys,
November 12, 2025
Marshawn Kneeland was a soon-to-be father. The Cowboys revealed the news on Wednesday, a week after the NFL player took…
D'Angelo, Swayvo Twain, Michael Eugene Archer Jr.,
November 12, 2025
Swayvo Twain, the eldest son of D'Angelo opened up about his father and what his death has meant to him…
thegrio, eddie murphy, sidney poitier, number one on the call sheet, denzel washington
November 12, 2025
Eddie Murphy loves his brood of 10 kids to the point he has one suggestion for everybody -- if you…
Supreme Court, SNAP payments, Supreme Court, SNAP benefits,
November 11, 2025
The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday the pause for full SNAP payments would continue despite Ketanji Brown Jackson's objection.