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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

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…
Donald Trump, Crypto, Bitcoin, Maxine Waters, theGrio.com
October 24, 2025
Congresswoman Maxine Waters isn't pleased with President Trump's pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao "appalling but unsurprising."
Cam Newton, Special Forces, NFL players, Black NFL players, Black reality TV players, theGrio.com
October 24, 2025
Cam Newton almost put the paws on the Alabama A&M mascot after a 'First Take' segment went a little farther…
Michael B. Jordan, Miami Vice,
October 24, 2025
Michael B. Jordan might have another blockbuster on his hands. The "Sinners" star is in talks to join a new…
Master P, Birdman, Cash Money Records, No Limit Records
October 24, 2025
Verzuz is making a major comeback in Las Vegas as part of ComplexCon with Cash Money Records vs. No Limit…
Wanya Morris, Chilli of TLC, Babyface,
October 22, 2025
After a 2017 interview from Chilli of TLC resurfaced, Wanya Morris konw who started the "lie" Boyz II Men didn't…
D'Angelo
October 22, 2025
Fans and peers alike flocked to D'Angelo's catalog after the singer's untimely passing, with a 796% increase compared to the…
Chris Brown, Kevin McCall
October 22, 2025
Chris Brown seemingly isn't here for Kevin McCall's wishes for $25K, responding to McCall's viral interview with a post on…
October 22, 2025
Sister Nancy, the "Bam Bam" legend who is the subject of a new documentary, champions Jay-Z as the person who…
Russell Wilson
October 21, 2025
Russell Wilson still has an issue with former head coach Sean Payton. In a rare moment on Twitter, Wilson referred…
Bryant Gumbel
October 21, 2025
Bryant Gumbel was taken to a New York-area hospital on Monday after suffering a "medical emergency" according to TMZ.