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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

Kimora Lee Simmons, Kimora Lee, Kimora Lee Name Change
February 27, 2026
Don't call her Kimora Lee Simmons anymore. The Baby Phat founder and reality TV star is changing her name in…
Ras Baraka, Ras Baraka Newark, Newark Mayor ICE, Newark ICE, Newark ICE Collision
February 27, 2026
Newark mayor Ras Baraka is blaming ICE for what he deems an "illegal pursuit" that led to a chain-reaction crash…
Peter Thomas, Real Housewives of Atlanta, Peter Thomas Released From Prison, Why Was Peter Thomas In Prison?
February 27, 2026
Peter Thomas is once again a free man. The 'RHOA' alum was released from federal custody after serving more than…
Cardi B, Stefon DIggs, Cardi B Stefon Diggs Breakup, Cardi B Relationships, Stefon Diggs Relationships
February 25, 2026
Cardi B and Stefon Diggs are done, for now. A source told PEOPLE that Cardi felt things got "too heated"…
Pat McGrath Lab, Pat McGrath Bankruptcy, Pat McGrath
February 25, 2026
Pat McGrath Lab, the cosmetics line founded by Patricia McGrath, could be on the upswing after a $30 million injection…
Melania Trump Prince, Melania Trump Grace Jones, Melania Trump Documentary, melania trump film, melania trump soundtrack
February 25, 2026
Count Grace Jones and the Prince estate among Black artists who refused to lend their music to the 'Melania' soundtrack.
J. Cole, J. Cole Joe Budden, J. Cole The Fall Off, J. Cole Honda Civic
February 25, 2026
Joe Budden says he was "happy" J. Cole's Honda Civic broke down while doing his trunk sales for 'The Fall…
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees 2026, Rock Hall 2026 Nominees, Lauryn Hill, Wu-Tang Can, Sade, Mariah Carey
February 25, 2026
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame unveiled its nominees for the 2026 class including Lauryn Hill, Wu-Tang Clan, Sade…
Mary Cosby, Mary Cosby Son, Mary Cosby Robert Cosby Jr, Robert Cosby Jr Dies
February 25, 2026
Robert Cosby Jr., the son of 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' star Mary Cosby, has died at the age…
Donald Trump, Donald Trump DC Crime, Donald Trump State of the Union, Washington D.C.
February 24, 2026
President Donald Trump claimed there was no crime in D.C. after deployment of the National Guard. Numbers say otherwise.
Mara Brock Akil, Mara Brock Akil Book, Mara Brock Akil Novel
February 24, 2026
Mara Brock Akil is taking her storytelling talents to her first book. Akil is set to release 'The Revelation of…
Joy Reid, Joy Reid Firedversary, Joy Reid MSNBC, Joy Reid MS Now
February 24, 2026
Joy Reid is singing and thriving. The political commentator and host celebrated her one-year 'fireversary' from MS Now with gratitude.
Marvin Sapp, Marvin Sapp Engaged, Who Is Marvin Sapp's Fiance,
February 24, 2026
Congratulations are in order for Marvin Sapp! The gospel singer is preparing to say "I do" to Dr. La'Boris Cole!
February 24, 2026
Jay-Z, Serena Williams and Robert F. Smith are some of the notable Black investors to be named to ForbesBLK 50's…
50 Cent T.I. Beef, T.I. Diss, 50 Cent Diss, T.I. King Harris, King Harris T.I.
February 23, 2026
T.I. is still on the warpath in his feud with 50 Cent. Less than 24 hours after releasing a diss…
U.S. Women's Hockey Team, State of the Union, Trump, Laila Edwards
February 23, 2026
The U.S. women's hockey team politely declined the invitation from President Trump to attend the State of the Union on…
New York First State To Offer Free Public University Tuition For Middle Class
February 23, 2026
A Hunter College professor is under fire after making racist remarks on a widely attended Zoom call earlier this month.
Summer Smith, Collin County Texas, Texas Jury, Boy Forced To Drink Urine, Asher Vann Case, Racial Bullying
February 23, 2026
A Texas jury ruled in favor of a teen accused of racial bullying after a Black parent said he forced…
Kandi Burruss Divorce, Kandi Burruss Todd Tucker, Todd Tucker Divorce
February 23, 2026
Kandi Burruss is letting a small glimpse in on the reasoning behind her divorce from Todd Tucker in a new…
Michael B. Jordan Delroy Lindo John Davidson, BAFTA Awards Delroy Lindo, BAFTA Awards Michael B. Jordan, BAFTA Awards John Davidson
February 23, 2026
BAFTA and John Davidson have apologized to Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo for Davidson's N-word outbrst toward them during…