Give us a general description of you as an artist. What cultures and experiences cultivate this persona or identity of yours?

My name is Brandon Keyes, stage name Brandon Wave, and I just make what my heart tells me. My foundation comes from my musical experiences as a child; Michael Jackson, Debarge, Al Jarreau (to name a few). My family is a huge inspiration in my life, everything I do is for them. The Keyes name. I’m going to go by my government name, Brandon Keyes, when it’s time to unlock that door. My sister, Jessica, helped shape my identity as a person and as an artist. She’s my best friend, always providing clarity to this life thing. My identity is still being formed but so far, it’s to make music that makes my soul smile. To always be me, unapologetically, because the world has enough “clones”. That’s what I work on daily, trying to shut out all distractions and influences to create freely. To be me.

How has your experience in the industry been thus far?

I wouldn’t say I have extensive industry experience, but so far it’s been great. I’ve been blessed to meet people that have opened my eyes to the music industry and where I can fit in it. I had an “outside looking in” feeling towards the music industry growing up in San Diego. The more I travel and grow, I realize how obtainable my goals are with tremendous work and prayer. It’s about consistency. It’s about connections, connections, and more connections. If your network is strong, anything is possible and that’s what I’m working on. Building relationships and growing as a professional in this industry. I was also blessed to have confirmation from my favorite labels that I am headed in the right direction. That was the moment I knew my dream can be a reality. I just gotta go harder.

Do you have an outstanding moment since you got into the music industry that makes you realize how important it is to make music like this? If so, what would that be?

My experiences in LA from 2018-2019 showed me how important it is to just be myself. I had so many doubts as a child about the music industry and if that goal was truly obtainable. Being in LA for only a couple of months showed me that I was more than on the right track, I just need to fine-tune my mind. It is very easy to lose yourself in this world, especially when you have a burning desire to make it by any means necessary. It is about patience, planning, and diligence (amongst a slew of others). I’ve seen that the music I create gives me peace and it can do the same for others, which is still crazy to me. Music is extremely powerful, so I want to use my talent wisely and spread positivity. There’s a lot of negativity out there and if you let it, it’ll eat you alive. I want to be a positive light for everything around me.

\What do you think personally sets you apart from the rest of your peers in the music industry? What do you bring to the industry that you believe no one else has the ability to bring?

I’d say my versatility, honesty, ear for music, & personality separate me from my peers. I have a great range and it only improves every time I’m in the studio. From rapping slow to fast, switching flows, bending genres, I don’t think there’s too many at my level who can do what I can. I’m never afraid to try something new and I only want to keep pushing myself to explore more sounds. I’m honest, I am who I am. I’m not trying to be the toughest, the flashiest, nothing but Brandon. Too many rappers try to be something they’re not or what they think the audience wants. My fans know they’re getting the authentic Brandon. I think I have a crazy ear for beats too and my fans can vouch for me. The more curated my ear gets, the better my production and beat choice will be. Finally, I’d say my personality, it speaks for itself. If you love me, I love you. If you hate me, I love you.

Is there any one song that you’ve made that stands out from the rest? Any songs that people should listen to that will get people hooked?

From my oldies, I’d have to go with Clout 9 or Flame on. That’s when I started taking music seriously, I feel like it’s a good foundation of who I am as an artist. Clout 9 is my baby. I poured my whole self into that song, from the beat to the lyrics. It was the first time I felt like a true artist. Flame On is just vibes. Those are still fan favorites to this day. From my newer stuff, 10 x 10 & Only Son. Those are some of my favorite songs of mine right now. They showcase my versatility well. Only Son is my more energetic side & 10 x 10 is in more of an emotional vein. I really love 10 x 10.

What were the main influences behind 72 Hours? What was the concept or event, person, place, or thing that cultivated the idea behind this collective of 12 tracks?

72 HOURS is cultivated from 3 separate 51/50 holds that I was put on in 2018. I was living in LA for 6 months for school. For the first 4 months, I tried to focus on school, but I felt myself slipping into a deep depression. My family life was array and I felt awful deep down inside. I could barely get out of bed. Over Christmas break, being back with my sister Jessica & my best friend Harrison, allowed me to slowly climb out of my depression into a new form. From January 1st to February 25th, I slowly became more and more manic. I stopped caring about school, completely threw myself into my music, & all the homies around me were on the same page. I never felt so unstable, motivated, and efficient in my whole life. My emotions were irrational, and I was extremely unpredictable. I was losing my sense of reality and sense of self, but it felt amazing.

Through my mania, I managed to connect with Interscope Records and channeled all my emotion into working with them. The week of my meeting with Interscope, I felt my anxiety and emotions reaching a fever pitch. I didn’t know how to help myself. Crying tears of fear one moment, then elated, feeling pure joy the next. It was a roller coaster that I could not stop. As my meeting approached on Friday, I knew I needed something to calm my soul. The only help I knew of was Xanax, which I had previously quit cold turkey in the summer of 2017. The morning of my meeting I took a Xanax. As I was leaving for my meeting, I blacked out, broke away from my friends and family, and threatened one of my school’s staff severely. After the incident, around 12:00pm, I had to be whisked away from the school and driven around Santa Monica to cool off. That is my last memory before waking up in the hospital that night, in a wheelchair, surrounded by my family and closest friends.

The Xanax I had taken that morning had significant traces of Fentanyl. I was told by the doctors that I passed out and missed my meeting. I became irate. They proceeded to tranquilize me, and thus began my 72 HOUR journey. I was hospitalized for a total of 18 days. For those unfamiliar with the process, you are held for a 72-hour mental evaluation & if you pass the evaluation, you are free to go. If you don’t pass, you can be held for another 72 hours, and the process repeats. My first 3-day hold was at the same hospital that Steve-O had been hospitalized at, then released. I was still extremely manic and had a run-in with the police where I was then held on two consecutive 72-hour holds (6 days), at a separate facility. After being released again, I felt more troubled and was taken into custody again. My last hospitalization was a triple 72-hour hold or 9 days. After the last release, I was sent to a rehabilitation center, where I slowly began to find myself.

It was by far the lowest point of my life. I was expelled from my college, missed my meeting with a major A&R from Interscope, missed my SXSW set & a few other opportunities that at the time, felt like my turning point. I thought my whole world crashed. However, it was my rebirth. It strengthened me, preparing me for God’s true purpose for me. I view life through a different lens now. A clearer, more grateful, and realistic one. I’m truly thankful for every day. That is what 72 HOURS signify for me. A change of heart. An ode to human resilience. The resilience in all of us. It’s an ode to the darkness that makes way for the brightest light. Seeing the title “72 HOURS” reminds me that no matter how much despair I may feel at any moment, nothing is permanent. Life is an ocean of emotion; the waves never stop. I pray that someone can find solace in my music, the same way I do.

What is your personal favorite track(s) from the album? Why that/those track(s)?

My personal favorites are Lonely Club, Roots & 10 x 10. I have a strong love for ballads and really had a desire to make one, which is how Lonely Club was born. I love my lyrics and the way the whole song came together. I produced the beat too, so it’ll forever hold a special place in my heart. Roots is something I can always ride around to; I love the lyrics as well. ‘Roots on me, Kunta in my blood. I don’t want no Franklin’s; I throw them Tubs.’ Shout out Harriet Tubman, they still need to throw her on a bill. 10 x 10 feels like a piece of me in audio form, I can run that song back 100 times and not get tired. Sahara produced the beat beautifully and I did it justice lyrically.

I’m hearing a lot of genres in this album, from trap to R&B to even pop at times. How do you think these genres affect you as an artist, and if not these, what type of genres do you believe really represent you as an artist currently?

All the genres you hear kind of make-up who I am as an artist. Hip Hop is what got me into creating music, but R&B just hits different. If I could have everything my way, I’d be able to sing like Luther Vandross. I was raised on R&B & soul, so it’s ingrained in me. In middle school, I started to like Pop a little more hearing Ke$ha, Lady Gaga, and all the random 2010 radio music. It resonated with me. Being a producer has shaped my ear and the artist I’ve become. I’m always trying to expand my horizons musically and play or hear something that makes me feel. I’d say I’m a hip-hop artist, but I’ll always be all over the board. Whatever vibe comes to me in the studio, I just run with it and try not to question my instincts.

A good amount of the songs on this album are sad. Beautiful, but sad. It’s been a melancholy time for us in the world the past year or so, do you believe any of the past events had any effect on any of the new music you have made??

Thank you for calling them beautiful, I really appreciate that. Between COVID and all the awful events last year with the tragic deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor & George Floyd (to name a few), I reflected on what’s truly important to me. The message that I put out to the world has more meaning to me now. I guess I’ve grown up a little more. I don’t want to just say anything because it sounds cool, or at least try to lessen that with every song. I want what I make to be meaningful to me above all and hopefully have the chance to impact someone’s life for the better. Just make them smile or turn a bad day into a better one. We only have so much time on this earth, so I want my music to be a reflection of who I am, the good and the bad. I want my fans to know me inside and out. Hopefully, they rock with it, but if not? I’m just happy they clicked play. There are a billion songs out there so if someone chooses to play mine, I can’t be anything but grateful. Thank you so much for this interview & shout out to Nefarious Supply for this opportunity!

Shout out to Brandon Wave for interviewing with Nefarious Supply. Be sure to check out his music on SoundCloud and if you enjoyed this interview and want to stay up to date with him you can follow him on Instagram. If you enjoyed this interview and want to stay up to date with the content coming from Nefarious Supply you can find us on Instagram, and Twitter. Be sure to also check out our new collection SZN 3 which dropped and use discount code SZN3 to get 10% off your first order!