Conversations with Brandon Russell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Russell. 

Hi Brandon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
What it do! I go by the name MINDFRAME. I was born Brandon Russell and raised in the great city of Memphis, TN. A place with so much culture, rich musical history, and a unique background. It was only a matter of time before I became influenced by any if not all of it. It all began from my love of reading and music at a very young age. I started off writing my own poetry first, and then began free-styling at school during lunch and writing rhymes (my poetry) to a beat. Then, I and a group of friends entered our 5th-grade talent show and won! We did a remix to the Memphis, TN legends, “Three 6 Mafia” song called “This B****, that H**” and called it This School, That School (pretty dope right?). From that moment on, I knew I was destined for this and was created for it. So, I have been writing and creating my own music since I was 11. 

Also, my family played a huge part in my music taste and upbringing as well! Growing up in Memphis, TN, I was raised on old-school blues and soul music. Also, the late 80s and 90s hip-hop which helps explain the blend of my sound! My Pops (Ricky) is a talented singer and has always led songs in Church for all my life. His love for the Temptations, Teddy Pendergrass, The Four Tops, Earth, Wind, and Fire, etc, taught me about harmony and lyrics. My Mama (Ann), a strong, confident woman, loved strong lead singers such as Sam Cooke, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Teena Marie, and others, who taught me confidence and embracing my uniqueness. My Grandmothers, aunts, and uncles would always play Al Green, Johnny Taylor, The Isley Brothers, B.B King, The Ojays, and many, many more. That wide range of different music and artist taught me soul, passion, and delivery. My oldest brother (Ricky Jr) and my older cousins would expose me to rap and hip-hop. They would put me onto all the Memphis greats like Three 6, Yo Gotti, 8ball & MJG, Playa Fly, Project Pat, etc. Although I fell in love with the “Memphis Sound”, my brother would always introduce variety. We would go from Curtis Mayfield to DMX, Outkast to UGK, and then throw some RnB in there as well. It was like I was being subconsciously prepped and schooled for greatness. 

I first came to Nashville in 2011 to further my education and attended TSU. Since graduating from college (Tennessee State University) in 2014, I moved to Nashville permanently due to work and my unit (military base) was closer. I began taking my music talent and career seriously and never looked back. I released my debut mixtape/album shortly after that hosted by DJ Smallz of Southern Smoke entitled, “Don’t MIND Me”. My singles Party Life, Muddy Waters, and Not Me began gaining me huge traction and started the building of my fanbase. I started performing on stages in different cities, meeting and networking with other people in the industry, and getting my brand solidified (website, social media, etc.) 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has its smooth moments…but there are and have been a multitude of rough patches. It has been a few times that I almost threw the towel in. Sometimes it feels like I don’t have a lot of support from family and friends. That can leave a bad taste of insecurity, intimidation, and self-doubt in your mouth. However, being consistent and having the funds to reinvest in myself is the hardest part I would have to say. There are a lot of vultures, scammers, and pretenders in this industry as well. I can’t even begin to tell you how much money I have been tricked out of. Fake promoters, fake social media accounts, fake booking agents, just fake everything! My Nannie (my grandmother) always taught and told me, “You live and you learn”, and I did. I started doing my own research, asking the right questions, or learning how I could do what they are offering for myself! As an independent artist, you are more than just an artist… you are a business! And in that business, you have to play every role (employee, manager, CEO, marketing, merchandising, and branding)! On top of taking care of your daily responsibilities, paying bills, making dope music, rehearsing for shows, and networking. 

Also, having to be a man of many hats, and my music not “yet” being my main source of income has me spread thin at times. I work a full-time job, I’m a soldier in the TN Army National Guard (Staff Sergeant), and still have to find time to write music, record music, take professional photos and videos, maintain my presence on social media, and print and sell my own merchandise. The saying, “to whom much is given, much is required” definitely applies to my life, my story, and my journey. Many ups and downs, but I would never take any of it back or regret it only because I wouldn’t be who I am today or have made it this far without those hard times, experiences, and situations. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a Rap Artist and I go by the name of MINDFRAME. I’m a talented artist, songwriter, and singer with a specific view on life, my own unique sound of hip-hop, soul, and R&B fused, and a talented southern artist who is well-skilled in punchlines and metaphors. What sets me apart from others is that my music is raw and authentic. I’m an amazing and entertaining artist in the studio and on the stage. I have performed in many cities and states such as Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Kentucky, New York, South Carolina, and even in another country (while on deployment)! A few of my singles (like Homegoing Celebration, Strange Change, and Lay Ya Down) have made it on radio stations such as K97, 101TheBeat in Nashville & Memphis, TN, Atlanta, GA, Huntsville, New Orleans, and New York just to name a few. I have opened up for artists such as Devin The Dude and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. 

What I am most proud of is that in the past 5 years, I have released a mix-tape entitled “DontMINDMe” hosted by DJ Smallz of Southern Smoke (which is available on Datpiff, Livemixtapes, Mymixtapez, and Spinrilla) and also an EP entitled “State Of MIND” (available on all digital platforms). My most recent project is my EP “Outta Sight, Outta MIND” which contains singles such as Strange Change and Lay Ya Down! This project has been nominated for Album of the Year for 2019 for the Southern Entertainment Awards! This project is also available on all digital distribution platforms (iTunes, Spotify, etc.)! I was also nominated for Slept On Artist of the Year as well for the Southern Entertainment Awards! I just released a new single last month entitled “BACK IN MY BAG (What I Want)” which is going crazy right now as well with more new music to come very soon. 

I direct, fund, and sometimes shoot my music videos and my own Documentary Series of my journey entitled “MIND Over Matter” with 5 episodes and counting! I have more music videos and new documentary episodes coming soon as well. I have created my own clothing brand called ABKLLD (AirBornKings, LifeLongDreams) Clothing which is an extension of my music and my brand. My most loved and growing clothing article is my adlib #Shitchea which I print on my shirts. I also have Logo tees and hoodies available with new items to come! 

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I believe it will become much harder to stand out in the music industry because technology is making it easier for everyone to do it. I think and feel it will take away from the gander, the hard work, passion, and talent that most artists like myself have and it will be overshadowed and drowned out from trendy and mimicry music. I also feel like Big Music Labels will not exist or will be on the verge of extinction soon. 

Pricing:

• #Shitchea Shirts – $15
• Logo Tees – $20
• Logo Hoodie – $40
• Features – contact to discuss
• Songwriting – contact to discuss

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.thankgodimframe.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thankgodimframe/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thankgodimframe/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThankGodImFrame
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThankGodImFRAME
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ThankGodImFrame
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Thankgodimframe