Brandon Nembhard is dropping his second EP, and its focal point is asking “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” Since dropping his first EP “Think or Swim” in 2023, Brandon’s been exploring his own lane as an innovator in sub-genres of rap and hip-hop whilst also self-producing, directing, and shooting his own content around music. We caught up with Brandon just after the release of his latest single “CEILING” and ahead of “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?”
Hi Brandon, how are you doing?
Feeling good! Had a pretty slow morning, just catching up on sleep. It's been a lot of late nights since “CEILING” came out, but I’m loving it.
We’re catching up ahead of your new EP, “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” which is dropping in October. Can you walk us through the inspiration for this EP?
I’m ready for it to drop now, honestly. October [when it's dropping] still feels like a long way off! For me, [the EP’s] been done for a while, so I’m kind of just sitting on it at the moment, waiting for it to come out. I’m grateful that right now feels like a placeholder, like some space between things, but I’m excited for it to come out, for sure.
Would you say your sound has evolved since your first EP “Think or Swim” dropped in 2023?
Definitely. For starters, we had budget for this one. The last one was more “bedroom music,” whereas this feels more produced; I mean, [“IF NOT NOW, WHEN?”] is still “bedroom music” but it's more cohesive. It knows what it is. The last EP was more of a mixture of different tracks thrown together, whereas this feels more organised.
Your latest single “CEILING” only dropped a couple days ago: how have you been feeling since the track came out?
It only came out five days ago, but so far it's been really well-received! It's the first track of the new sound that I’m moving into, so I’m glad people are vibing with it.
The micro-film that’s dropped ahead of your EP has the vibes of a premonition mixed with a nightmare mixed with a sketch show. What inspired the route you went with its cinematography?
Atlanta. [People actually commented on the similarities between the film and the show, which] I’m so happy about. I’m so glad that they actually noticed what the inspiration was.
I’m guessing that the people featuring in the video might also feature on tracks within the EP? Am I right?
Yeah, you’re right!
What was it like working with your mates on micro-film alongside the EP?
It's good to work with your friends but… none of them are actors. I mean, some of them are actors but some of them aren’t. [So when shooting the visual content around the EP] it was a lot of work. It was a collaborative project though, and one I really enjoyed making. And we’re still producing more visuals to accompany [“IF NOT NOW, WHEN?”] still now.
We know from the video that knowledge isn’t free but can you give out one free piece of advice to young creatives trying to break into the music industry right now?
Just keep making things. I started out by making beats, copying other people’s and seeing if I could replicate them, and I think that helped me understand how music worked.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would you pick?
Andre 3000. Just saw him at All Points East and I was like “yeah, that’s still the dream.”
Lastly, can you share anything exciting that’s on the horizon for you in 2024?
There might be another EP. I think this next one will be fully self-produced, and bigger.
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