We were lucky to catch up with Brandon Vee Burroughs recently and have shared our conversation below.
Brandon Vee , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
The music industry is a very large place, and with so much talent out there, I believe what I give to my listeners is introspection reflection and joy. I think it’s important to get back to, simple human emotions.
Post COVID, people are, a little unraveled. We’ve spent time away from family, and have endured death, isolation, financial stress and uncertainty. I feel like my music, give a comfort, a knowing that it will be ok, because transformation is part of life.
My performances are ceremonial. I start with prayer to my ancestors, and to the creator, with the intention of cleansing all who are around me. African drum music is going while I light Sage.
Sage has been a known herb to cleans spiritually and physically (bacteria) many indigenous tribes used this and so it’s essential, that as part of my own lineage that I bring honor to that, and make sacred space for everyone there.
Next, I give positive affirmations to everyone in the crowd and have them repeat it, as my job is to cleans, and fill them with self affirming love and lastly, connect to them through the love of music. As far as I know that is, quite different from anything I’ve ever been a part of!
Brandon Vee , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Well, that’s a loaded question, first and foremost I am a single father of two beautiful girls, who are 10 and 11. I’m also by day, a director for the M&Ms brand, and a music artist. I think all of these tied together have, allowed me to build:
1). perseverance , because my industry demands that you keep going, no matter what, through questioning yourself, albeit losing money on investments of projects, or creating the next song. Raising, little women will certainly remind you that you must continue on, and persevere through role modeling as you would want them to learn to keep going after the things that are important to them in life.
2). adaptable problem solver: managing a multi million dollar business during the day, post COVID has been challenging within itself. It’s taught me to utilize all resources and waste none, pivot, reassess and be fearless about doing things in a different way. Music is no different, you are your own brand and so, you are constantly looking to loop in continuous improvement, of your “how” you are going about it.
I want anyone to know, that my brand and who I am do not sit separate from each other. Being genuine, and authentic is a must in everything i present to people, in everything I say, in all of my interactions, because I aspire to continue improving, who I am and being authentic with others, has reflected so much beauty and learnings for me.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I got into a near death car crash in 2015, and It really rendered me helpless with 5 disc herniations. It taught me, I wasn’t in control of my life, and where I was headed an I really needed to make some changes within myself.
I’ll never forget riding in the car with my girls, and I played a lot of my music in the car, and I had usually lowered it when a curse came on but, this time I had forgotten. The girls reaction was, priceless, but they seemed, so disappointed in me.
I had realized what, l speak about, and the Impact of my words were much more than my creative expression, they were an extension of my being. It made me reflect on, what I wanted my impact to be on others, ingesting my music. It was then, I decided I wouldn’t curse in my music and only use it for higher vibrations.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
I think a combination of Napoleon Hill, Keys of Success and Good to great by John Collin’s, taught me, what it really took to transcend “good”.
I don’t think anyone enters a competitive space wanting to just be “good”, I think everyone aspires to be great, and I truly learned amazing points of how to leverage and acquire the right components for heading towards greatness.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thatmanvee
- Twitter: Www.twitter.com/thatmanvee
- Youtube: www.YouTube.com/user/brandonveemusic
Image Credits
@thisistyla @kmosnaps