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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

Olandria Carthen, Huda Mustafa
October 29, 2025
Olandria Carthen is calling out racist trolls and more after a livestream where someone called her the N-word and her…
Toni Braxton married, is toni Braxton married, Toni Braxton Birdman, Toni Braxton relationship, Toni Braxton birdman relationship, Toni Braxton husband, Toni Braxton divorce theGrio.com
October 29, 2025
Toni Braxton and Birdman are still going strong. During a stop on "Jenna and Friends," the 7-time Grammy winner gushed…
BMF, 50 Cent, DaVinci, Demetrius Lil Meech Flenory
October 29, 2025
'BMF,' the Starz series based on the Black Mafia Family, has been canceled after four seasons, leading 50 Cent to…
Jay-Z, ForbesBLK 50
October 28, 2025
Jay-Z secured a legal win in the ongoing paternity case levied against him by Rymir Satterhwaite, who claims Hov is…
Nia Long, Prince
October 28, 2025
Nia Long is sharing one of her too-good-to-be-true stories, revealing how Prince wanted her in the club -- and she…
Abby Phillip, Cam'ron
October 28, 2025
Abby Phillip is clearing the air about her viral interview with Cam'ron in 2024 and ultimately what was going through…
Cam'ron, J. Cole, Cam'ron J. Cole Lawsuit
October 28, 2025
Cam'Ron is taking his issues with J. Cole to court. On Tuesday, Cam filed a lawsuit over conditions not met…
SNAP, Affordable Care Act, Government shutdown, theGrio.com
October 28, 2025
States including New York, Kentucky, Arizona and others are asking a judge to order the Agriculture Department to resume SNAP…
Hosea Chancez, The Game
October 28, 2025
Hosea Chanchez is mourning the loss of his father, Ephraim Bristow. The 67-year-old was killed in a hit-and-run incident in…
Tyler Perry, Marvin Winans
October 27, 2025
Marvin Winans is getting a big assist from Tyler Perry. A week after a controversial clip, Perry is donating $100K…
Naturi Naughton, Ryan Coogler
October 27, 2025
Naturi Naughton-Lewis is reflecting on a big "what if." During an ABF panel, she revealed she almost had a role…
Chris Rock, Will Smith, Wanda Sykes, 2022 Oscars
October 27, 2025
Wanda Sykes is opening up. In a chat with "Variety," the comedy legend reveals Will Smith did reach out to…
Maryland State Capitol Building In Annapolis
October 27, 2025
Marylanders were in for a surprise Monday evening as a 2.5-magnitude earthquake could be felt near Columbia, in between Baltimore…
Gavin Newsom, California, Supreme Court
October 27, 2025
CA Governor Gavin Newsom told Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on All the Smoke podcast that the anti-woke talk is…
Mya, Mya kids, Mya marriage, Mya Hot &Bothered podcast, is Mya married?, Does Mya have kids?, Mya husband theGrio.com
October 27, 2025
Mya made sure Chicago and Kansas City got a full show on "The Boy Is Mine Tour," filling in for…
Kandi Burruss, Soulja Boy, Speak On It Podcast
October 25, 2025
Soulja Boy is walking back his comments to Kandi Burruss. In a recent livestream, Soulja hoped Burruss could forgive him…
Russell Wilson, Ciara
October 25, 2025
Russell Wilson is standing ten toes down behind his favorite girl Ciara with a doting message on her 40th birthday.
Kamala Harris, theGrio.com
October 25, 2025
Kamala Harris confirms she's not done serving. In an interview with the BBC, the former VP suggests she might run…
Ruth E. Carter
October 25, 2025
Ruth E. Carter is once again giving back to PLC Detroit. The two-time Academy Award winner launched the Apparel Creation…
Police Tape, Shooting, Washington D.C., Howard
October 25, 2025
Four adults and one teenager were shot Friday night in after an altercation near Howard University as the HBCU celebrated…