Growing up in Vicksburg, Miss., rapper and vocalist Troop Brand used his bucolic upbringing as a springboard for his creativity and imagination. Like many young vocalists seeking an outlet for their aspirations, he got his start singing in the church choir. His mother, Yolanda Troupe, was a working gospel singer and urged him early on to take his talents seriously. This meant not only accompanying his mother on tour and exploring life on the road, but also seeking as much additional instruction as possible, including classical training in opera.

“Once a month I would travel two hours to sit in a room with others in the area and sing,” he recalls. “Then once every three months I would travel eight hours to a cabin and stay there for a week for exercise and training. We would literally be running through the mountains singing opera songs.”

Although he spent much of his youth listening to hip-hop and classic R&B (his father was a big Al Green fan), it wasn’t until Troop Brand entered college—first at Mississippi State University and later at Morehouse—that he began to pursue the art form in earnest. His move to Atlanta was particularly crucial to his development as it expanded his horizons, allowing him to grasp firsthand the doors a bustling music scene could open.

“That was the turning point for me,” says Troop Brand. “One of my good friends started producing and I just felt like perfect timing.”

In 2017, Troop Brand made waves with his single “Indeed,” a smooth, genre-bending cut that showcased the artist’s silky vocals and dynamic flow. The track’s success led to further opportunities, including a chance to collaborate with the likes of ATL producer Wheezy (Drake, Meek Mill, Young Thug) and the Far East Movement.

With his new single and video “Knocking on Doors,” however, Troop Brand looks poised to come into his own. Fusing elements of southern hip-hop, R&B, and soul, the track bristles with buoyant energy, even as the MC laments what he describes as “the trials and tribulations of breaking into the music industry.” Created by FilmYouFamily, the video accentuates the song’s celebratory atmosphere with its focus on bright colors, partying, and balloons, but its Troop’s pop sensibilities and plainspoken honesty that stand out the most.

All of this bodes well for the artist’s forthcoming debut, Carpe Diem, which is scheduled to drop at the edge of the month. Whether or not he can truly seize the day remains to be seen, but for now Troop Brand believes he’s in the right place and he’s certainly not afraid to dream big.

“Atlanta is dope AF. I honestly don’t want to live anywhere else other than here… I want to bring to the city what Outkast brought in the ‘90s.”

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