In the past year, R&B and their alternative counterparts have focused on mainstream artists, offering little support for underdog musicians. However, on a nippy MLK Day I decided to have a grimy photo shoot at the Oakland Cemetery and bumped into one of (in my opinion) Berklee College of Music’s emerging alumnus, Brendan Musik, who was gracious enough to sit down for an interview. A singer-songwriter and dancer, he is new to the Atlanta music scene, but given his talent I have no doubt that he will become a name worth mentioning soon enough.
Have you always had support from your family?
Yes, I’ve had support from my family, always. I can still remember when I was young my parents would ask me to sing, but not like a show … they just asked.
Have your parents ever pressured you into singing? How do you feel about parents who forced their children into art for fame?
When I was 8, choir was a big thing for me. I even joined the Maryland State Boychoir. But, no, they never pushed me into it. It was a talent for me, and I chose to utilize it. I believe that the push of artists from their parents taking over their career is not a good thing, but it sadly has produced some of the greatest singers we have now.
My parents said: “We could have sent you to auditions. We knew you were talented.” [But] you don’t want to devote your life to your kids in that way. Those type of parents are living through their child, putting pressure on the child to succeed. You quit your job and now the kid is the breadwinner. Children shouldn’t have to worry about that; they’re a child, let them be that with their own aspirations in life.
What made you want to go to Berklee College of Music?
I wanted to apply ’cause my mom wanted me to go to college in some form, so it was no option. Going to Berklee made me realize that I needed to do a lot of growing up, and I needed help. At Berklee I learned how to make my dreams come true, that there are steps that are necessary to my success.
How did you get into dancing?
I’ve loved it forever. I’ve always wanted to do it! [But] it wasn’t until high school, to be honest. I took classes here and there; you know ballet, modern, and hip-hop. It was in college when I started getting more into dancing. It was trial and error. I remember there was a show I did with my friends. We did a tribute to early 2000s artists like Justin Timberlake and such. I realized the hard work that goes into dance. Like the emotion that goes into being a dancer, and the routines, lingo, etc.
Have you been pursuing dance here since you’ve been in Atlanta?
Absolutely! Funny thing, when I first moved here I only took dance classes for the first month and a half. I didn’t really do any music, but I was going to dance class 2-3 times a week. It wasn’t until my third month that I started getting music work done.
What made you decide to go so hard for dance when you first got here?
It wasn’t really a decision. It kinda just came naturally. I had been dancing a lot in Boston prior to coming to Atlanta, so my focus was geared towards that. Plus there’s a lot of great studios here that you can catch a free class at. And I love free class! [chuckles]
Is there any in particular that you like about the Atlanta dance scene?
First off, Atlanta dancers have a stank pocket! The way y’all groove here has this mixture of fluidity with being grounded, and y’all hit hard. Being with dancers here I feel like I have to hit my moves harder and with more attitude. Every class I take, I usually discover new things about my body.
Credit: Kwame Toure
How did you get involved with Tinashe? What was it like opening up for her?
God made it happen, and knowing the right people, and just being ready in general. I know a person who’s a Berklee grad, who books venues. He came and talked to some students at a seminar. I hit up the guy and he loved my music and said he wanted to help. Funny thing is I didn’t do anything with the connect until a year later. I hit him up asking how I could do my own show and he said he had something with Tinashe, he suggested getting me as her opener. I was like what the fuck, can you?!
Months went by, and we kept in contact. I was actually in Atlanta when he called me. It was a blessing because he hadn’t heard me perform but still went hard for me to get that gig. It’s still mind-blowing! In the future I hope I can possibly do that again.
I was so excited, but even when it was about a week away for my performance, I still wasn’t ready. I freaked out and panicked. I had to stop myself and pray, like don’t ask for nothing extra. After it was all said and done, I was good. I just had to believe in myself and be thankful for the blessing.
Did your peers support you in school/social media?
We had Twitter, but no Snapchat or Instagram. I didn’t use it to my advantage. I knew I wanted to be an artist but didn’t have the initiative or foresight when I was younger. I used to produce, but I didn’t share it. I kept it to myself. My peers did support me, though.
How long have you been here in Atlanta?
It’ll be 6 months in February.
How do you feel about the music scene in Atlanta?
My thought of y’all? I didn’t think about it at first. Atlanta wasn’t on my radar until I came here with Berklee [on an exposure trip]. I saw people in the industry, traveling in and out of studios and artists just working on their passion. Black music from black artists is huge here. In L.A. there are all kinds of stuff and people can get overshadowed. I want to be in a city where as a black artist my music is appreciated. I have a network I can get with. I can make it happen here. I’ve already met folks in these past five months who fuck with me heavily.
What is your favorite thing about the Atlanta music scene?
Honestly, I just love that there are so many black people here! Like growing up in Baltimore I’m used to living in a black city, and when I lived in Boston I was slightly thrown off solely because black people were so hard to find outside of my school. But it’s not just about black people; it’s that black soul that I love. There’s nothing like the black creative spirit. You feel it when you see it or hear it, and I’ve felt it ever since I’ve been here.
The bar for musicians is not that high anymore. The talent that is necessary … you don’t have to be that great of a singer, just unique or catchy. If you’re both, it’s lit.
Why do you think so many people in Atlanta find the music industry fascinating?
Atlanta has a big industry. Everybody wants do it, especially when you have T.I., Gucci, and Young Thug in and out the city. Like you know they’re here, and everyone likes it ’cause it’s here. Music is something that one can dominate and you can branch out business-wise into anything. They use it as a stepping stone. The bar for musicians is not that high anymore. The talent that is necessary … you don’t have to be that great of a singer, just unique or catchy. If you’re bot,. it’s lit. There are no restrictions or regulations anymore. Why not try to do music?
How do you feel about our trap takeover and do you listen to it?
I really only indulge in it fully in a club setting. Do I listen at my leisure? No, I don’t like it. Being a singer I identify with [singers] better. Half the time I can’t tell what people are saying, but I’m not gonna search it ’cause it’s not worth it. Like I wish musicality was back in mainstream music. I want more artists. Nowadays people make music for fun and money, but they have nothing to say that’s relevant or of value. They aren’t giving back. I want to hear a message. You don’t have to be conscious. I don’t need an industry full of just J. Cole’s and Kendrick Lamar’s, but we’ve got too many Futures and Young Thugs. There isn’t a balance. Why should I listen to you if you have nothing to say? Why should I buy it? What’s the difference? I only buy if it’s worth it.
What would you like to see in the next year?
There should be more artists to create a better musical atmosphere, and more albums I want to see more real artists in mainstream music. They aren’t getting the recognition.
What genre of music do you feel you fit in?
I don’t know how to place myself in a genre. I like diversity. What I have now is going to sound like pop, but it will have some alternative sounds.
Do you write storyboard music? What is your main focus in your music?
My music is all over the place, but my next project will be like a really deep conversation that goes beneath the surface. People tend to stay on the surface and be average when it comes to subject matter. I don’t want to ignore the feeling I have. I’m emotional [faint laugh], but everybody has envy or hurt. But there’s not enough music that expresses it.
How do you feel about people who stereotype or how people think you might be gay based on your appearance?
It’s deeper. It goes into a lot of issues that echoes how others feel about the LGBT community, but I can’t live my life in other people’s perception of me. As an artist you cannot paint me. At the end of the day I am me regardless. I want to address those type of things in my music so I’m not upset, nor do I stress it.
What are some struggles you overcame about yourself?
Insecurities, confidence, and, like, my appearance. My lazy eye… it mentally messed me up. Growing up I was a skinny kid with glasses. I was always stereotyped in school. I’m blessed I glo’ed and came up a lot, though. In my senior year of high school I got surgery, and midway through college I began to wear contacts. It became a life lesson. Things that can consume you tend to be little and can’t control you if you don’t let it.
Any last message to the youngins out there reading?
You shouldn’t trip about stuff that isn’t going your way at the moment. It’s not how you start out, it’s how you finish. That’s something my mother told me that I still keep to myself ’til this day. The only other thing I gotta say is you’re beautiful, and so just be focused, have a vision, and believe in yourself.
More Info
Facebook: @brendanmusikboxx
Instagram: @brendanmusik
SoundCloud: @brendanmusik
Twitter: @BrendanMusik