We recently connected with Brandon Williams and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandon, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

My journey started when I was kid at performing arts school. My mother empowered me to be into the arts. I took tap dance classes, ballet, theater, etc.This all happened at San Diego school of performing arts.

Once I mastered the fear of others judgement, I continued to lean into rapping. I started getting into the battle scene 2000s and it never stopped. I had a friend named Drok the Menace, (who still does music now) who used to really push us to record 5-6 songs a day. Full songs though!  Maybe three verses, hook, and a bridge. We also had to do ad libs and stack vocals. I was probably 16 when I started playing shows for money to perform my songs.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a multi-hyphenate creative storyteller. I am often really inspired by artist like Donald Glover, Sun-Ra, Jonelle Monae, Lupe, and Will.I.am. I see potential in creating worlds within worlds. I’ve started doing music and went into business. I have so much information and experience, I believe in sharing the information through music, art, fashion, and community. Also with so much noise in music right now, I’m looking to provide a mature but aspiring palette of sounds. I have in-house beats from producers like KT The Terrible, Khris P, and Chris Doss. The first actual project I will release soon will be Can You Do it 4 Luv? The project is really about the existential crisis happening with humans in today’s society regarding empathy. I feel like we as humans have completely lost our love for people and empathy for the common neighbor. When you look at the homeless crisis in LA you will understand why I SAY IT’S A CRISIS!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

We will thrive as long as we continue to pour our heart into who we support as fans and consumers. Artist have to continue to pour their hearts in the music. We can’t tell people how to engage with the music or how hey chose to digest the music. I’m just always humbled by anyone who supports me or any other creatives I know.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The biggest reward is Inspiring people. I got reinvigorated by music and continued to create during the pandemic. I saw the the impact of that my words still had on people. It didn’t matter how the message was delivered people responded to it. I think as a creative if a person is impacted by the work you do and it inspires them to go and do something, you’ve done your job.

Contact Info:

• Website: brandonat55.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/damefiftyfive
• Facebook: facebook.com/dame55
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-allen-williams/
• Twitter: twitter.com/damefiftyfive

Image Credits
Brighbox Studios, Christoph Night