What is your name and what city do you rep?
Hey everyone my artist name is Braydbunch, spelt as one word. One word with the Y before the D. That’s B – R -A – Y – D – B – U – N -C – H for those who can’t read or spell well.
I am also known as Shady Brady and Lady Brady, but most people simply know the real me as just “Brady.” These are just some of the many personalities that make up the Non-Binary Hip Hop Hop EDM Hybrid Braydbunch. I’m a true multi-genre artist like no one has ever seen before.
I also Proudly rep New York and Brooklyn. I was truly blessed to have been born here in New York. Despite all the struggles of life as a trans person, how lucky I was to be born with NYC, the birthplace of hip hop as my backyard. If there is any place for a Non-binary, Transgender, Autistic rapper to take over the Alternative Hip Hop game, it would be in New York wouldn’t it? I have a lot of love for Long Island too. I went to high school out there, actually graduated from the same high school as Mariah Carey did. Problem is, there is still a lot of racism, homophobia and transphobia out there. I hope my music can help open up some minds and spice up Long Island too. Staten Island needs to open up their minds as well.
Tell us about your latest releases, what inspired you to create them?
Truthfully, I was not planning on releasing anything new this soon, but unfortunately I was forced to after getting a computer stolen back in May. I’m in Federal Court at the moment fighting for trans rights and I originally thought the theft was tied to my lawsuit. However, I now know it was specifically about my music. People have been leaking some of my songs on platforms like Audiomack and Soundcloud without my knowledge. Luckily, the hard drive had mostly b-side hip hop crap on it. Mostly, stuff I felt like I outgrew anyway. However, I’ll probably drop a mixtape of my hip hop b-sides as a result later in August. It’s not my best stuff, I have improved greatly, but it shows the growth in me over the years as both a rapper and producer. However, it’s the next mixtape that will make me famous. Wait and see, the glow up is real.
I also have them taking some of the tracks from my upcoming debut EDM album, which is set to be titled as Lady Brady. One of my favorite tracks was just leaked on Audiomack, I learned this morning. Therefore I think I am going to drop the Lady Brady EP this month too. It’s gonna have a b-side or two and two bops. I hope some readers will check it out. If you don’t fit my hip hop, I bet you will dig my dance music. People tell me I am like a mixture of Murda beatz, Marshmello, Alok, San Holo and Calvin Harris all rolled into one. That’s flattering and all, but at the end of the day, I am just Braydbunch. I am me. Authentically me. Much like Mac Miller, I am more than just a hip hop artist, and am always challenging myself with different sounds. Heck, wait til you all hear the rap metal I’ve been secretly working on. When it comes to EDM though, I think my sound will slowly focus on the slap house genre. I love all Alok has done to popularize it, he truly inspired me lately and many are already calling me The Slap House King of New York. I have to also share that 6ix9ine inspired me too. He paved his own lane to success with Yaksha and the Fck Them crew. I love his aggressive style and that helped create Shady Brady believe it or not. I heard him rap and was like “I can do that too.” He is also a marketing genius. The world can hate on him all they want, but 6ix9ine is a musical marketing magician. He also showed me the importance of making fans around the world. I might actually be touring with the Fck Them crew very soon, we are in talks at the moment.
What is unique about you and your music?
Let’s keep it real, no one exists like me on this planet. What other White Non-binary Transgender rapper with autism is out there having New York city kids bump their music. I have had hundreds of New York city teens and college kids chanting “Shady Brady” my name at local shows. I’ll be honest, much of my early success was straight hype, the NYC youth helped push me, because they know who I am as a person and they love the energy. When I first started out I was getting laughed out of rooms. I was also silly releasing poor quality music before I knew what I was really doing. I was like a blue face, couldn’t even rap n beat bu brought some hype that people couldn’t ignore. I took all the hate and feedback as motivation, practice makes perfect and I am slowly silencing all my haters. Many straight kids tell me I completely changed the way they see queer people for the better.
I also am a producer, in fact many say that’ my real talent. I have a few multi platinum artists who have hopped on my tracks already. Some are gonna be on the mixtape I am finishing u too. At the moment, I am trying to get the ink to dry on both deals with both Fivio Foreign’s and Latto’s teams. However, Latto is blowing up and her team might have ghosted me after offering to help make a music video too.
I am hoping to hear back because I am such a Latto fan. She is a goddess when it comes to both talent and beauty. She is one in a billion in my opinion. You see, I am a queer person who doesn’t fit the typical one story narrative the media likes to shove down peoples throats. I am a trans human who is openly attracted to all genders, although I clearly am much more crazy about women. One of the reasons I want to blow up big in this music game is so I can wife up someone like Miss Mulatto. Alyssa, if you hear this baby, let me take you out some time. I’m the best of both worlds. If not, let me get that feature.
Lastly, I am not a hacktivist like most LGBT celebrities or “influencers.” Most of the trans girls and guys are fake as hell posting things due to getting paid to do so by big corporate money. Someone like Janet Mock married a rich dude and now controls much of the message when it comes to trans rights. Her and the Pose on FX gang, are holding many back while convincing others they are progressing things for all trans people. Sadly, their messages often leave many out. Indya Moore and the people who run TranSanta even blocked Braydbunch on instagram. They ignored Braydbunch and some trans NYC kids who reached out for help. Disgustingly, I actually get so much hate from the LGBT community itself, whenever I speak my mind and it doesn’t fit the one story narrative. Queer people have tried to cancel me for saying things that I truly believe in. They are parrots and they help brainwash queer kids too. A lot of queer kids grow up thinking they have to act a type of way, due to the media. I am here to show the world that queer people come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. I just posted an instagram story talking about how I don’t relate to Lil Nas x and that he was too soft for me. I was reported for bullying and harassment for bullying on my instagram. Meanwhile I get death threats on instagram and Facebook and nothing is done when it is reported. Making me more upset is that he was clearly never indie, he teamed up with the Cyrus clan and used TikTok marketing to blow up. Yet, he’s now an icon even though he started rapping while still hiding in the closet? I’m that queer rapper who speaks their actual mind, is an actual activist and is in federal court trying to change the world. The media is ignoring my real story and pushing those like Lil Was x front and center. However, they will surely keep shoving people like Lil Nas X, Ru Paul and Kim Petras down our throats, because they all have money behind them. I am truly indie and unlike Kim Petras who teamed up with Dr. Luke, I produce my own music. I truly hope the queer world doesn’t cancel me, but we are living in odd times. I’m like Eminem, just a little more Feminem as I like to say. I’m the queer rapping GOAT, much of the world just doesn’t know it yet.
What shaped your music?
Everything shapes my music. Every person and everything can inspire me. In fact, this interview inspired a song I just wrote believe it or not. Same with my upcoming Shade 45 interview. I have been writing better than ever as a result of the attention I have been getting lately. I know I started out amateur but if I do things right at this moment, I can be playing with the pros very soon. I truly know I deserve to be playing with the pros. A lot of the music I made earlier on in my career was just for laughs with friends. It had a lot of energy and bops but I wasn’t taking things too seriously. Once I realized I was getting better at the rhyming and flowing, I stopped playing around. Each day I wake up now, it’s all about music until I close my eyes and go to sleep. Even while sleeping, I am often dreaming about music. I dream of performing in front of seas of fans. I am gonna manifest it too.
Seeing Mariah Carey come back to my high school to throw a free concert back in the day was also inspiring as hell. I even got to meet Jay-Z and Da Brat at the show, which changed my life forever. At the time Jay-Z was a star, but Mariah was bigger. I often remind myself that if Mariah sat in the same detention classroom as I did, and escaped my hometown to become a musical icon, then it is possible for me to do that too. I also love the lessons jay-Z showed me, he is way bigger than Mariah today. Like 6ix9ine, I don’t just dig the music, I love his entrepreneurial mind. He is a brand that makes brands. He is a legend and I plan on not stopping until I build an empire like he did. Mariah would be at his level too, but she messed up and married that cornball Nick Cannon, who was always over rated if you asked me. Still love my Mariah though, her and Billy Joel are Long Island legends. I hope. To sell out more shows than billy did at Madison Square garden someday too.
Musically, Eminem, Mac Miller and 6ix9ine have been my biggest hip hop influences for sure. I am sure you will hear more about all that as well. Davidn Bowie is also one of my biggest inspirations in both music and fashion. Alok, Calvin Harris and Deadmau5 are who pushed me to try my hand at the dm world too.
When did you realize you were going to make music professionally?
I was dreaming about this since I was four years old. I won a battle of the bands contest in 8th grade rapping, I was doing my best Fred Durst, backward Yankee fitted cap and all. It was an original song too. I used to win a lot of poetry contests, so rapping and writing sort of came easy for me. That was my first taste of being an entertainer. I was instantly addicted to the natural high of performing and getting cheers from a crowd. Then after meeting Jay-Z at the Mariah Carey show I knew it was possible. Last year, I promised my father I’d make our name famous this year while he was dying on a ventilator in a hospital. I made a lot of music to help heal from the pain of the last two years, and I know many who lost loved ones during this pandemic will relate. I hope my new music can help them heal too. My dad was the greatest coach to ever live. I would not be here today without him. I miss him tremendously and he was a best friend. He was one of the only people from home who truly believed me when I told him I was going to be a star. My father’s death actually lit a fire in me. I won’t stop until I achieve what I promised him I would do. I will continue to blast my music to the heavens for him to hear. I also want to thank Mac Miller and Chance the Rapper whose music kept me going through some of my roughest moments of my life. Chance, thanks for helping me find my faith again. In the last few years I have been homeless, nearly murdered, divorced and much more. Mac and Chance were voices that guided to this moment. I learned things from their songs and will forever cherish these lessons. However, the loss of my father was like nothing I have encountered before. One song that really speaks to me is the Mac Miller song Poppy. Some of my favorite lines are “Cause this world is mine for the takin’, So when I get famous they gonna know what your name is, And no one understand what the pain is, and how the blood runs number where my veins is, I’d like to thank you, cause you made me a man, Told me to never let it go so I’m taking a stand, Always in the crowd when I played in the band.” My dad was always in the crowd when I played trombone, and even coached me in competitive sports. My dad taught me how to be tough, although I am no longer a “man” I am strong and bullet proof due to all I’ve survived and the lessons my father taught me. Part of the reason I am in federal court is my father taught me to never back down when you ‘ve been wronged and you know you are right. Lots of powerful rich New Yorkers want to silence me and have tried already. However, if they want me to shut up about my “real story” then they better make things right or they might have to kill me. By the way I get death threats tied to this lawsuit but I am not backing down. I feel the same way about my hip hop competition. People have threatened to kill me, maybe they will. I am not backing down, I am deaf to the hate.
What type of music do you listen to?
Almost everything to be honest. I am always looking to be inspired. However, due to me being actually autistic, I have my own special interests and passions. My favorite genres to listen to as of late are Hip hop, Trap, all forms of house music, dance pop and lofi hip hop. I grew up listening to grunge like Pearl Jam, and alternative music too. This has had an impact on the music I make. Much of my music is considered alternative hip hop actually. I have been listening to a lot of SiR, Kota the Friend and Caleborate too. I love their styles. They inspire me too, hope I can get as good as them. I like to stay humble and really there is so much to learn, learning never stops. I need to listen to a variety of artists to get inspired by new sounds. If not, I won’t grow musically myself.
What inspires you to write music?
Everything, but pain is one of the biggest inspirations. The last ten years of my life have been pretty painful, and I use my experiences to channel emotion while writing. Now that I am being offered radio interviews and radio stations want to play my music, I know I need to focus on being more lyrical. I haven’t released any new stuff because I knew I was working on my craft, I am determined to be known as a lyrical storytelling rapper one day soon. Most rappers on the radio are talking about the same generic garbage. My story is unique, no one else has walked in my shoes. The world needs to hear more from artists like myself. Hope I can smash through this glass ceiling. I am determined to take Lil was X’s throne too. I also am talking with multiple labels, if my writing is on point, I know it will be easier for me to get the right deal. I am no longer playing around,I need to be a professional from here on out.
What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?
Honestly, music is everything. I am a teacher too. Won’t talk much about that, but I do run an after school program for inner city youth, helping them produce and record their own music. It’s been very rewarding.
I also am passionate about civil rights. Clearly, I hope to be able to use this musical platform to make the world a more equitable place for people like me. I am all for the neurodiversity movement, much of my free time goes to work related to this. I also hope to get my not-for-profit off the ground. I hope to focus on equity related issues for both the transgender and non-binary communities. Feel free to check out Nonbinarytrans.com for more information. Last year, I also helped bring holiday cheer to young queer youth through Nonbinarysanta.com I hope to fundraise enough money to give out scholarships to nonbinary and trans youth at the end of this tear too. I may throw on a concert to raise some funds for this purpose.
Happiness to you is…
Something that is not permanent. It comes in waves. You need to find it. For me, sitting still leads to no happiness. I need to constantly be moving forward, progressing and following passions. Luckily, now that I have found music I believe I have found happiness too. If it wasn’t for some work related drama and my dad not being here, I would be close to perfect. However, I know that once I accomplish all I promised my father, I will be so happy, I could die. In fact, part of me has always felt I might leave this earth early. I need to leave a legacy before I dip out. I want to die happy, so I hope you all buy my mixtapes when they drop. Help me die happy people.
What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?
Don’t rush, slow your roll and listen to those who came before you. I rushed myself early on releasing garbage that makes me cringe. In fact, I am about to delete most of my catalogue because I know how much better I have gotten.
Ignore your rapping “friends” advice too. I had to learn the hard way half of my circle was purposefully holding me back and messing with my head. Some truly stabbed me in my back recently too, but my lips are sealed for now. I know karma will get them, but now that they are to of my atmosphere, I am truly making music for myself. It has helped me find my own sound too.
Lastly, study the greats. Connect with them. I Have superstars responding to my dms that used to ignore me a year ago. Once you improve your product, and earn their respect, they will respect you back. You need to earn your stripes in this rap game. Also, don’t hang out in one study or with one engineer. I hop around now, each studio and each engineer or producer I work with teaches me things. Just like listening to different music gives me ideas, working in different studios does the same. I am inspired everywhere I go. I am hoping to get to record with Id Labs soon just like Mac Miller did. May head there soon before the summer is up. I also have plans to record out of LA soon too, to work with some West Coast superstars.
Tell us about your upcoming projects…
I mentioned multi projects already, but I have many more. I am proud to announce I am the first rapper with their own delta 8 strain. Lots of rappers coming out with their own cannabis strains for years, but the market is getting overstated. I like to stand out and do things my way. I hope the world is ready for Sh8dy Br8dy Delta 8. I am going to monopolize the market.
I am also going on a NYC radio tour soon and even getting interviewed on Shade 45. I plan on going on Hot 97 and Power 105 as well. Full interviews and they are dropping my songs on the radio too. It looks like stations will soon be playing my music across the country as well. I am really excited, I hope I can make the Billboard charts somehow.
Lastly, Yaksha and I are teaming up to try to take over the world again with music. If you don’t know who he is, let me fill you in because the whole world should know about Yaksha. Thanks to Yaksha and 6ix9ine, the worldwide label F*CK THEM has literally went from nothing to something. Today, the label is widely known in Europe and in America due to the success of stars like Tekashi and Trippie Redd. The labels popularity grows more and more every single day. Last night, we Yaksha and I made a deal where I will be dropping exclusive music videos and singles under the F*CK THEM label. I’ve been a fan of Yaksha and the entire F*ck Them crew for a long time and their music is hot too. However, like 6ix9ine, Yaksha is a marketing genius. In case you have not realized yet, I am as well. I am happy to announce I have made a deal with his label and if all goes well, I may be heading to a European tour soon. We are discussing dropping my entire album through his label too. Cant wait to show off my cray over the top videos. I am going to be dropping both hip hop and EDM through F*ck Them very shortly. Yaksha was going to join me from some radio interview in the States but Covid is not making that easy at the moment. I might fly out to visit Yaksha and his superstars real soon. I’ve been needing a vacation and I know I will have a blast with them all. Just like they love my energy, I love theirs. Can’t wait to rock all the F*ck Them and Love Them march too. I’m so hyped about this opportunity.
Where do we find you music / music projects?
Due to having fans around the world and teaming up with F*ck Them and Yaksha, I may release some exclusives on European platforms. In fact, I may drop some things solely on Deezer to win over some more European fans. Deezer is like the Spotify of Europe. I have a lot of fans through out Europe, South America and Africa as well. Been trying to make some waves in Asia but haven’t had much luck yet. Maybe I gotta start producing K Pop too?
Much of my early success was like Mac Miller’s, selling mixtapes out my car and on the streets or after performances. I had some early success even charted with some downloads in the past, but my music was trash then. I have some old stuff on the paid platforms, but plan on taking most of it down this week actually. You can find some of my leaked stuff on Audiomack, I guess I should make an official account on their now too. You can also find much of my work on SoundCloud as well. I have many sounds, if you want to hear my drill look for my single Bring the Freaks Out. It’s got the aggressive Shady Brady sound and some compare me to Max Thademon when they hear it, who I would love to work with by the way.
Any last words for the readers?
If you want to support a real queer icon, stop bumping Lil Nas X and start bumping me. I’m actually authentic and truly independent. Also, stop supporting the rich kids, half the stars out there come from money. Let’s eat the rich people. It will be fun, let’s leave the label head alone though. I need them to sign me first. Yeah, label heads, sign me. Make me a star, before you miss out because I promise I am gonna be one soon. Hope to see you all at my shows. Oh and keep your eyes out for my music videos dropping soon on the FckThem Channel on youtube. Check out my video I just posted on my Vimeo too. Made the video myself and it will give you all an idea about my skills as a producer and music maker. Much love to you all, even my haters xoxo Braydbunch aka Shady brady aka Lady or just simply Brady.
