Hip-Hop Lives Here
Hip-Hop Lives Here
When he was growing up, music was something of an escape for Clinton Brand. Now he wants to share his own music with everyone he can, as a light for others in the dark.
“There are a lot of people in general who are struggling and I want to be that light,” he says. “To show them don’t give up, if you have a dream you can chase it.”
Brand, better known by the stage name CB3, is an emerging hip hop artist who overcame countless obstacles in his childhood before realizing he had a gift for music. He was taken away from an abusive mother at a young age and sent to live with his grandparents. When he was 8, with his grandparents experiencing homelessness and his father no longer in the picture, Brand ended up in foster care for several years. His mother eventually passed away when he was a teenager.
“So I’m an orphan at 14, getting bullied in school and I just started writing,” he says. “Writing down my feelings. Later on I think those two kind of intertwined, the music and the writing and the writing slowly turned into me going to talent shows and performing in front of the school and people started telling me, ‘Wow, you’re really good at this. Ever thought about actually making music?’”
His answer was always no, but years later a music career has become a reality for the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native. This month, CB3 released his newest single, “Tick Tock” featuring Aylius.
Time is ticking, don’t wait for nobody
I’m on a mission, to be great like Mohammed
I got tunnel vision, I can only see the top
But time is ticking, tick tock
That mission, Brand says, is to “uplift others, build a foundation for my family, face my fears and overcome them. Be the best me I can be and then more.”
It’s an inspiring track, but not a lighthearted one. Brand says it’s not a song to be listened to carelessly.
“You’ve got to actually hear the words and feel it,” he says.
The single features a beat from Freek van Workum and American producer Aylius, and CB3 is trying to put together more collaborations for his future releases.
“I might even try singing,” he says. “I’ve always been able to sing, but I’m scared to. I might have to give that a try.”
CB3 adds that, “a life lived in fear isn’t a life lived at all” and he’s focused on bringing his music to as many people as he can.
“I never thought I would be doing it professionally,” he says. “I remember having friends over and we would stand on the couches and play music and I remember when I was dancing and singing along with the music thinking like wow, I actually like this feeling inside. It kind of ignites my soul. That probably sounds corny but it feels good. That’s when I realized I love music and it’s something I want to pursue.”
Stay connected to CB3 on all platforms for new music, videos and social posts:
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
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For Virginia singer and rapper THEDONRRRM, it’s all about the three Rs: real, raw, and rare.
As his name suggests, the music of THEDONRRRM keeps it real, with lyrics that tell stories from his life. His songs are raw: he doesn’t pull punches or hide from the ugly side of life. And his sound is rare, from the contrast between his singsong melodies and gruff rap vocals, to rhythmic experiments from hip hop/R&B to Brazilian funk.
All these elements can be heard on the new single, “DON’T GO.”
Over the catchy Latin bounce of the Brazilian funk beat, the hook showcases THEDONRRRM’s melodic singing. The lyrics, based on the real pain of a fading relationship, paint a picture of two hearts drifting apart.
She said please don’t go
You can’t leave me laying here alone
Keep telling me that she been hurt before
She feel like I don’t love her no more
The melodies are soft and catchy, and seem to fit the youthful image of THEDONRRRM. But soon, his alter ego appears, represented by deep baritone rap lyrics explaining that he can’t be home because he’s “chasing the cheese.”
I know it hurt when I’m out on the road
I’m missing your love but I’m stuck in that mode
She running to me when I walk in the door
“DON’T GO” is the sixth track off of the album, Call Me After You Hear This. While THEDONRRRM has been releasing music since 2016, this record marks his first full-length release. It may have been a long time coming, but something real is worth the wait.
Born and raised in Richmond, VA as Donovan Bennett, THEDONRRRM was introduced to music by his father, a DJ who helped him build his first home studio in middle school. By high school, he was recording, mixing, and mastering records for himself and others.
Building on that experience, THEDONRRRM is now a sought-after mixing and mastering engineer. With credits including the 4x platinum single “Party Girl” by StaySolidRocky, THEDONRRRM runs his music production business out of his personal studio, 3R’s Studios in Richmond.
But despite his talent at making other artists sound good, his current focus is primarily on his own career as a genre-bending artist. With upcoming appearances on the east coast (including New York City) and music videos in the works, the message is clear: THEDONRRRM is busy making honest, well-produced, and unique music that is well-worth repeated listening. Real. Raw. And rare.
“DON’T GO” and is out now with promotional support from Starlight PR. Listen everywhere, and follow THEDONRRRM at the links below.
Spotify | YouTube | Instagram | Apple Music | TikTok | Tidal | Amazon Music
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