We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandon Willis and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Brandon, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
When it is time for me to leave earth, I want people to remember me as symbol of black excellence.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I bring the Vibez of black radio, soul, R&B,Jazz, Gospel, Hip-hop, and Rock, translated through a powerful classically trained baritone voice. I accompany myself on keyboards and synthesizers and beat machines, and when I really feel the spirit I take flute solos! Other things that set me apart from most is the love, joy, energy and passion that I bring to every musical setting. I enjoy using my art as a tool to bring people together, and I feel that I do every time. Im proud that I know that music is my purpose. It took a lot of failure and heartbreak for me to get where I am professionally. It was not easy and I still have a very long road to travel. What comforts me in this is knowing that nothing worth having comes easy. There are too many lessons to keep track of. But some of the more important ones are always keep your word (and watch what you say and what you promise in tandem), and keep your circle of confidants small and separate from your work (and never mix business and pleasure), and the most important is QUIT WASTING TIME AND DO IT NOW!
I want people to know that I strived to accomplish every goal that came across my minds eye and failed so many times that success became inevitable!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Assuming we are starting in the morning and its an ideal day, I would take them to Allen Parkway and ride bikes along buffalo bayou all through downtown! Lunch in midtown at my favorite Vietnamese spot since high school, then thrifting in Montrose. Im usually always into some music somewhere so we would probably cap off the evening at a jam session, recording session, gig, or other musical something.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This is one of my favorite questions, and yet the hardest to answer briefly. First and foremost I thank God, the Universe, or whatever you (the reader) sees fit to call the creator of all things in this dimension. Shout out to my mom, moving in the heaven or what have you on all her children’s behalf. Shout out to the collective that I am blessed to be apart of, The Everlasting Vibez! Shout out to Amaru The Musical Nomad, Bee Honey, M3cca, Dannie Walker, Rokmore, I.V, and Jarvis Hooper! Shout out to my brothers in power Johnathan Hulett, Nicco, and Baba Rue Rob!
I have deep love and respect for all these people.
Instagram: @thebiggestbrandon
Image Credits
@uninnocentbystander