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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

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 theGrio.com
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.
D'Angelo, Questlove
November 11, 2025
Questlove, one of D'Angelo's dear friends and long-time collaborators is letting the world in on a secret: New D'Angelo music…
Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, Boxing
November 11, 2025
Mike Tyson isn't hesitating to call his shot vs. Floyd Mayweather should their fight happen in the spring of 2026.
Antonio Brown, Antonio Brown jumped, Black NFL players, crime, theGrio.com
November 10, 2025
Antonio Brown's lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf as the former NFL player faces 15 years in…
A'ja Wilson, A'ja Wilson Iman Taylor, A'ja Wilson Jennifer Hudson Show
November 10, 2025
A'ja Wilson loves the kids! For her youngest superfan, the 3-time WNBA champ not only made an appearance but gave…
Teyana Taylor, Teyana Taylor Grammys,
November 10, 2025
Teyana Taylor tried her best to keep it together but in a new Instagram video, she reveals how she felt…
Netherlands, World War II, WW2, Black soldiers,
November 10, 2025
After news broke of two plaques honoring African American soldiers efforts in Netherlands during WW2 were removed, lawmakers want them…
Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson trailer, Michael Jackson Michael trailer,
November 8, 2025
The 'King of Pop' has another record to his name as the trailer for his upcoming biopic is now the…
Labor Department
November 8, 2025
The U.S. Labor Department is accused of using AI-generated images to portray an "unrealistic" depiction of the current workforce.
Damson Idris, thegrio.com
November 8, 2025
Damson Idris' 17-year-old nephew was among 12 victims in separate stabbing incident in London on Halloween weekend.
Ketanji Brown Jackson, Donald Trump, SNAP Benefits, Supreme Court, EBT, Trump Administration
November 8, 2025
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson granted the Trump Administration an "administrative stay" regarding SNAP payments. Here's why.