Blending elements of Alternative Indie R&B and Hip-Hop, BRIEL the Artist emerges from the Bronx with a bold, genre-defying sound.
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In a music scene saturated with formulas and conventions, BRIEL the Artist stands as a refreshing voice, unearthing his truth through DAMN GENESIS, a debut mixtape that is as much a cathartic outpouring as it is a celebration of self-reclamation. With a spirit characteristic of musical pioneers, BRIEL busks the limitations of genre with remarkable ease, crafting a narrative that’s as layered as it is raw.
Upon first encountering the tracks of DAMN GENESIS, it becomes clear that this isn’t just a mixtape—it’s a manifesto. The title itself reflects a duality central to BRIEL’s vision: “DAMN” speaks to the fierce evisceration of outdated identities and constraints, while “GENESIS” signals a sacred rebirth, an embarkation on the journey of self-creation and empowerment.
The mixtape opens wounds boldly but heals them with tenderness, deftly engaging with BRIEL’s layered experiences as a gay Black man navigating love, faith, and personal validation in an often unfriendly world. His artistry shines brightly in tracks like “SITUATIONSHIP,” a reflective dissection of love’s complex dance, urging us to scrutinize the myth of the savior complex. Meanwhile, “PRETTY” scratches beneath the veneer of masculinity to expose a raw vulnerability, querying, “Can I be soft? Can I be enough just as I am?” In doing so, BRIEL not only questions traditional norms but also offers solace to those who have felt similarly confined.
Taking inspiration from his roots in R&B, Hip-Hop, and Indie music, BRIEL’s sonic palette is as rich as his lyrical narratives. The emotional authenticity of DAMN GENESIS promises to resonate, crafting a space where personal and universal themes converge, all through a fusion of heartfelt crooning and spoken word urgency.
Making waves with prior standout performances at the Apollo Theater and Brooklyn Museum, BRIEL has captivated audiences keenly aware of his potential. Having headlined his debut concert series, “The Coming of the Year Sessions,” he now draws listeners closer, inviting them to witness a transformation that is not only auditory but deeply emotional.
In BRIEL’s own words, “DAMN GENESIS represents the death of who I was told to be, and the birth of who I truly am. It’s about burning away the fear, the expectations, and the guilt that were never mine to carry—and creating a new beginning on my own terms.” This project, therefore, is not just an exploration but a declaration—a journey from ashes to artistry.
As BRIEL the Artist prepares to release DAMN GENESIS across all streaming platforms, music critics, playlist curators, and those spotlighting queer Black artistry should take note. This mixtape is both an emotional diary and a musical revolution—a story awaiting to be embraced by many.
DAMN GENESIS dropped June 25, but its impact is set to reverberate far beyond. In a world striving for more authentic connections, BRIEL’s music acts as a bridge—a testament to the power of reclaiming one’s narrative with unapologetic grace.
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