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:
.jpg)
With his new track, “Dreaming,” Jeryko’s melody lifts your head to the clouds while the beat keeps your feet tapping on solid ground.
When dealing with feelings of loss, anxiety, depression, fear, or even isolation, people often rely on personal interests and activities to help pull themselves through.
.png)
Exclusive Interview with Jimmy Mallia
.png)
Growing up in Jamaica, Debbian Barr was raised on reggae. She emigrated to the United States in the ’80s, got married, raised four children, and along the way became an accomplished martial artist.
Mundane Miracle, an Electro-Retrowave artist, shares his recent journey into music-making and how that process is both literally and figuratively reflected in his newest single, “Culmination,” which he wrote and produced himself.
I just write what’s on my mind,” JUSTHUTCH simplifies, when asked how her album concept, “Maze,” came to her.
While most high school students are figuring out homework and what to do with their free time, one rising hip-hop and rap artist out of Mississippi is busy making music on his terms.
Friday Dies is back from the ashes, and Mark Friday is making the announcement with a head-banging thrash number from the past, “Protect Your Temple.”
Sometimes love is simply what helps people get through the darkest of times, and this is the message in the new track “You Are The Light” by The Radiance, which is inspired by tragically losing a spouse to COVID, but having a beautiful daughter to push th
.png)
When Jimmy Mallia released his first song at the turn of the year, it wasn’t to start a career. He wanted to put out some of the music he had been writing for 15 years for somebody to hear.
Advertisement
Leave a comment