Welcome back to Heart and Soul. Bradd, you are one of our favorite artists and we appreciate your authenticity and sincerity along with your obvious talent. You have a lot going on.
Congratulations to you on your recent Anniversary, new baby daughter, new EP and music video
How old is your baby girl?
Thank you for having me, and thank you for the anniversary well wishes. It’s always a pleasure to be among friends and supporters. My baby girl is 8 months old now, and this journey with her is way different from our first child. She thinks she’s our boss.
Before we go into details on each please share how are you balancing your time.
Many of our readers like yourself also have to balance parenting, marriage, multiple careers along with staying healthy mentally and physically. What are your some of your tips / secrets please share?
Life be life’n, but I do my best. I have a wonderful support system in my wife that helps me manage a lot of things. I don’t believe in wasted motion. Don’t try to do everything on your own, and guard your time. I give of myself, but I don’t have any problems saying no to things that aren’t in my best interest. I left procrastination in college. I do my best to get things done before they need to be done so I have time for fun and family activities. Family time is a must. I’ll stop what I’m doing to give them their time, then complete my tasks after they’re asleep. When it’s time to rest, I rest. I love my naps, and I honor the Sabbath. Even God rested. Take a break; those breaks allow you to process, refocus, and reenergize so you don’t get overwhelmed or burnt out. I was never a calendar or schedule kind of guy, but I’ve had to become one with the increased responsibilities and demands.
Listening to your new ep, we notice a change in production and musical style.
Please elaborate. How did this come about and why?
Yes, my new EP, I Choose You, is a blend of R&B, Afrobeat, and funk. I love Afrobeat! I’ve always wanted to hear myself over that style of production. After my Sam Cooke tour last year, I was itching to continue my creativity. I was contacted by a young lady on Instagram from Nigeria, Precious Anson. She’s an A&R who manages a team of producers and handles pretty much everything an artist might need to execute a successful campaign. Her ear, preparation, and knowledge of my music were impressive. She sent me close to 60 tracks to listen to; it was exactly what I had been looking for. Her enthusiasm for the project really motivated me to put this together. After the songs were written, I called in composer Jerry Compere, who helped me turn beats into songs. Jerry is also the MD (music director) of my Sam Cooke show. I hope to do more of these collaborations in the future—grown folk music with a bop!
How would you now categorize your new musical direction? Not putting any limitations on your artistic expression but for descripitive purposes
I would still categorize my musical direction as R&B. Some might call it Afro-soul. Wherever it fits on your playlists or in your lexicon, I’m fine with it—just keep playing it!
‘Missing Piece’, ‘Dance Amongst the Stars’ and of course “ I Choose You” are our favorites
how did the collaboration with Deborah Bond come about?
Thank you! Those are my favorites too. My son is anxiously awaiting the music video for “Missing Piece”—that’s next up! He won’t leave me alone about it.
DeBorah and I go way back. I’m not sure how many years it’s been at this point, but she’s one of my closest friends now. We’ve done many shows together, but until now, we never had the opportunity to collaborate in this way. I was determined not to let the moment pass. When I heard the music to “Dance Amongst the Stars,” I immediately thought she would sound great on it. So, I wrote the hook in her style, thinking I would pitch it to her. She loved it, told me to keep it b/c i sounded good singing it. We fleshed out the direction and verse melodies and there you have it.
We love the music video for “I Chose You”. The messages are beautiful please tell us how it all came about? Do you see yourself directing music visual for other artists?
I appreciate that! The goal is to make being in love and relationships healthy and cool again. Ideas for my music videos are dictated by budget. If I have a healthy budget, I can be creative; if I have a small budget, I have to be even more creative—ha!
I would love to work with other artists in any capacity where I can add value. I love collaborating; for me, that has always been the best part of being an artist. Out of budgetary necessity and the convenience of technology, many artists are more self-contained these days, so those opportunities don’t come as often as they used to.
However, I do get the chance to create, manage, and market content for other brands and organizations as part of my balancing act.
We know your influences from your bio especially Sam Cooke and Luther Vandross, who are you listening to now that has caught your attention?
Wow, let me check Apple Music! I’m listening to a mix of old and new. For the old, I have Ryan Leslie, Exodus by Bob Marley, Voodoo by D’Angelo, Live in Cook County Jail by B.B. King, and The Hill by Travis Green. For the new, I’m enjoying The Force by LL Cool J, Hood Hymns by Tobe Nwigwe, Crybaby by Rae Khalil, Cruzafied, and a few more in the queue like Jean Deaux, Jerome Thomas + Pitch 92, and Asha Imuno.
Who would you like to collaborate with that you have not already ?
I’m patiently anticipating my collaboration with Kwamé Holland—that’s going to be EPIC! I’m also excited about working on my next project with Oshy Byrd, who co-wrote “Missing Piece” with me. He’s one of the best writers and vocal arrangers I’ve ever heard. If I can get Kwamé, Oshy, and Jerry working collaboratively on my next project, the Grammys will be falling out of the sky!
Meet Bradd Marquis, the soulful force behind the new EP I Choose You, where urban adult contemporary meets the vibrant rhythms of Afrobeats, R&B, and funk. This music, crafted for lovers of classic soul, channels the essence of legends like Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, K.C. Hailey, and Mary J. Blige, resonating with both nostalgia and fresh innovation.
With 16 years in the game, Bradd has captivated audiences worldwide, paying tribute to Sam Cooke while evolving his sound. His latest work, I Choose You, showcases a unique blend of polyrhythmic Afro-beats and heartfelt Black American music. Produced alongside talents like Prosee and Jerry Compere, and featuring lyrical contributions from indie star DeBorah Bond, this six-song collection is a love letter to romance, vulnerability, and commitment.
From the emotional journey of “My Everything” to the dance floor celebration in “Dance Amongst the Stars,” each track invites listeners into Bradd’s world as a devoted husband and father, celebrating love in all its forms.
With a history of hit songs and unforgettable performances on platforms like Apollo Live and the Soul Summer Tour, Bradd Marquis is on a mission to redefine R&B. His podcast, Iron Sharpens, will further amplify his message of Black love and healthy manhood.
Discover the magic of Bradd Marquis and experience love through his music with I Choose You—a testament to the beauty of commitment and the artistry of a true SOULMAN. Find Out More – BRADD MARQUIS website https://www.soulmanmediagroup.com/braddmarquis
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