One day I was at my mentor, DeWayne “PD” Wright’s office and he said, “B you should go back to school.” Again I immediately shot down the idea of the student life. I really didn’t think I was cut out for college or the work it would take to graduate. After a short discussion about possible schools to go to, PD mentioned Somerset Christian College. I checked out the site and before I knew it I was applying for college. A couple weeks later I was taking an entrance exam and in August 2008 I was accepted as a student. Still with doubts in my mind I walked into the first day of class not really knowing what to expect but I walked in and I never looked back.

Four years have passed and we are here. I’m a couple days away from walking across the stage in front of
my family, friends, and classmates. Looking back at it now, if someone would have told me I was going to be here four years ago I would have looked at them crazy. The truth is as I went through college, I was learning how to believe in myself again. I didn’t do everything right. I didn’t get the grade I wanted in every class. I didn’t graduate with honors but I made it. I accomplished something that even I didn’t think was possible. I had more than one opportunity to walk away but I didn’t and now I can finally say “I MADE IT“.

I believe the words “I can’t” is an excuse used when someone fears greatness. We’re all capable of greatness. The difference between good and great is work ethic. Do you really want it? These past two semesters were the greatest challenge in my life thus far. Up until 2011 I was a double major. My ultimate goal is to have my PHD before I’m 30. Sounds crazy but that’s what I want to accomplish. After I started putting my plan together to make it happen, I realized completing a double major would throw me off. With that in mind I went in knowing I would have to complete 17 courses in 2 semesters. Long story short I did! Even when people told me I couldn’t, I kept going. I maintained a 3.5 GPA and I made the Deans list for the fall and spring semester. The truth is, none of that would be possible if I didn’t believe I could do it. Just because the mountain seems too big doesn’t mean you can’t get around it. Trust in the Lord, place your faith in him, and He will guide your path. Life and Death is in the power of the tongue. When you say “I can’t” chances are, you never will. Speak life and positivity into your obstacles. Lean not to your own understanding and believe God will give you the strength to endure until the end.

I’m writing this to anyone with a dream. You can accomplish it! You can achieve anything you put your mind to! I never thought I was college material. I never thought I was smart enough. I never thought I was good enough but the truth is I never tried. I never asked because I feared rejection. I never tried because I feared failure but if I never learned how to fail, how could I succeed? This journey wasn’t easy but it was worth it. I’ve not only learned how to remain persistent; I’ve learned to believe in myself again. Never allow anyone to tell you what you can’t do, or who you won’t become. If I can do it, so can you. – youngmindBIGDREAMS “I’M LIVING IT”

DREAM BIG!

DREAMERS,

I know its been a while since I have last blogged. I have been working diligently to complete school work for graduation, preparing for marriage and finishing Growing Pains. This hasn’t been easy at all and I can honestly say this has been one of the most challenging moments in my life. I was really excited to release HERO last week but something went wrong, pushing the single back. Once again I have let you down and I owe you an apology. I am sorry and I pray you will forgive me. I am grateful for your support and your words of encouragement. Please continue to pray for me as I do for you. I’ve been presented with many opportunities that I can’t wait to share with you all. Single will be here shortly and the album will be released this summer. I love you and thank you again for your prayers.

B.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.- 1 Corinthians 13:11 A verse is just a sentence until you live it.

What’s up Dreamers? I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted a blog. I received your complaints and I promise I will post more consistently throughout the year. I’ve been so consumed with schoolwork! I’m graduating college in May and the workload has been heavy. I’m wrapping up my album “Growing Pains” and completing my book “youngmindBIGDREAMS” as well. This past November I began to work as an Assistant Youth Director of Agape Family Worship Center in Rahway, NJ. On top of all that I’m getting married this year! I turned 23 today and for the first time in my life I’ve seen myself the way other people see me. With that being said I think it’s time that I grow up!

“I’m already living someone else’s dream – youngmindBIDREAMS. I was on Facebook last night and a young man left a comment on my page that said “Hey B-Luv, I met you the day President Obama was inaugurated and you left an impact on me.” That comment alone made me realize the platform God has given me. President Obama is the first African American President of the United States. On one of the most important days in our country’s history, you met me and “I” left an impact? WOW. That statement showed me that no matter how unsuccessful I think I am, there is somebody out there that views me as a success.

All my life I felt unqualified and even when I know I earned something I always felt like there was a mistake made. I’ve been places and met people that I know my name doesn’t belong in the same sentence with let alone the same room. I’ve doubted my gifts, talents and abilities more than you know. I’ve quit time and time again. I’ve tried, failed and tried again only to find myself about to give up. Truthfully I’ve battled low self esteem and depression all my life. I wanted to be accepted and embraced by my peers. I desired to fit in and be like everyone else. The truth is, I know that there’s someone reading this right now who is feeling the same way. My words of advice to you would be: Never allow a moment to detour you from what God has planned for your life. I wanted to be like them but truthfully I wouldn’t be who I am today. I’m living my dreams and I didn’t have to be like anyone else to get here. God doesn’t make mistakes. You weren’t an accident. Don’t live your life like you were. Be who God called you to be!

When I was a child, I spoke and thought like a child but when I became a man I put those childish things away. Living with a mentality of being unqualified is childish way to live. Why aren’t we speaking life into our heart? Why aren’t we reading the scriptures to our minds? I am a child of a God who doesn’t have limits and boundaries. Stop allowing your mirror and the people around you to predict your future. Trust God and believe that He has a future for you. You’re worth so much more than what you see. Stop being so childish. GROW UP!

So as I look at what I’ve accomplished, what I’m accomplishing and what I’m about to accomplish, I fully understand that nothing I have is deserved. Everything I am a part of, every idea that I have, every day that I live is a privilege. I’m not worthy of anything. Just as easy as it was given, God can take it away and give it to someone else. I am thankful. True maturity is understanding who you are and where you are going. I’m tired of trying to live life with my eyes closed. It’s time that I trust God. It’s time that I GROW UP! Success is in the eye of the beholder. The mirror you’re holding may never tell you that but the One who is holding you always will. Thank You Lord for allowing me to see the way you see me. Thank you!

1/3/12

23..

B<3

What’s up Dreamers! I have decided to push “Growing Pains” back until early 2012. Threre are many reasons why I decided to change the date. For one, I believe I have a great body of work. When you’re an independent artist you can come and go without the proper tools in place.  I can name about 20 albums that were released in 2011 that nobody heard about. The truth is, talent is not enough. If you don’t have the proper marketing and promotion in place, you can release the “best project that nobody will ever hear!” I’ve worked to hard to just put out a project and it not reach it’s full potential. I linked up with some great people to handle marketing and public relations. I took a huge step of faith and made this project from my heart. I shed a lot of tears trying to make this happen. There were countless moments where I felt like giving up but thanks to God and you I can say we’re just about complete. Your encouragement to me has been unmeasurable. Your support has been indescribable. I’m just a young man from Linden, NJ who wanted to share the love of God with people. I didn’t expect to have so many of you from so may different places supporting this art and I am thankful. So I apologize if this news upsets you but, I promise it will be worth the wait!

This album was created from a broken place and most of the songs were written on my knees. God really dealt with me over the past 2 years about my heart and who I am. Growing Pains is based from Hebrews 12:11 – No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. I use to hear people use this term so much. “My back hurts, its just Growing Pains” That literally can be true and from God’s view point thats exactly what it is. God will allow moments in our lives to happen that feel like pain. The truth is it’s growth. When you grow physically you stretch. God uses the pain in our lives to make us Grow in our faith. He is spiritually stretching us towards him. So this album is Faith based and tells a beautiful story that I will explain as we get closer to it’s release. In the mean time, check out the album cover and let me know what your think! It’s simple but its me!

I will be releasing a new single this month!

God Bless and thank you for your support!

B-LUV

I lived life in fear of failing so I never tried. I lived in fear of being heartbroken so I never loved. I ended up with no education because I feared I wasn’t intelligent enough. I never applied for a job because I feared I would never be promoted to a higher position than when I entered. I never picked up a book because I feared that I could never understand the words on the page. I never raised my hand in class because I feared my question was dumb. I never took a driver’s test because I feared the car accidents that may be down the road that I couldn’t see. I never opened a bank account because I feared I wouldn’t have any money to fill it with. I feared chasing my dreams so I never ran my course. I feared going the extra mile because there was a chance I may have to crawl to get there. I feared giving my all so I never took a risk. I feared the pressure of 4th quarter decisions so I passed the ball every time even when the play was designed for me. I feared hearing bad news so I never picked up the phone. Truth is I never dialed either. I feared opening doors because I didn’t know what was behind it. I never became what God wanted me to be because I lived in fear.

How many ideas are laying around the house on notebook paper? How many thoughts are collecting dust in your mind because you’re afraid to speak them? How many dreams have you killed because you were afraid to speak life? My point is that we all have ideas but we all don’t possess the drive and confidence to execute those ideas. We all have goals but we “think” we can’t make them happen. Thats a lie and this is the truth: God has equipped you with the talents and abilities to achieve the possible but we have to make the decision to go forward with it. An idea is just an idea until you do something about it. Opportunities are presented but until they are taken, until they are attempted, they are just what they are, opportunities. If I never try, how could I succeed? How can I become something never seen if I’m afraid to do what has never been done? How can I believe for the impossible if I’m afraid to trust God?

Fear and failure go hand in hand. We all have it and never want to face it but the truth is if I never failed, I could never prevail. I was playing Uno with the fam a couple nights ago and every time I got my hand, I said this is not looking good. I don’t have any Draw 2′s or 4′s, no skips. All I had was numbers but I played my hand and I won. It’s not about having the best hand, it’s about how you play it. This same principle can be applied to life. Some of us come from rich families, some from poor. You may go to college or stay home because you can’t afford it. No matter what your circumstance may be, take the cards life deals you and play the best game of your life…even if it’s 52 Pick Up! Even if you fail, even if you don’t win the first time, play the game. Live life to the best of your abilities. If you never try, you won’t give yourself the opportunity to become something. Failure is usually the chosen option when your other multiple choice options are faith, love, success and legacy. It’s something you choose! If you never TRY, you’ll never SUCCEED! – youngmindBIGDREAMS

Psalm 37:4 - Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (NIV, 2010)

I love the electric guitar. It has been my favorite instrument forever! If you have heard any of my music, about 90% has electric guitar in it. The truth is I have never played it in my life! My grandfather had an old guitar in his closet. I remember when I was younger, I would sneak in his room to play. I didn’t know what I was doing but I knew one day I wanted to play it! Some years went by and after some negotiations he finally let me have it! I had my first guitar. It was out of tune, missing strings etc, but it was mine! I wanted to take this craft seriously. I am a rap artist but no matter how much I love to rap, worship is my HEARTBEAT. No matter where I minister, there’s always room in the show to let God know how much I love Him. When I don’t have my band, I have to minister with tracks. Sometimes it’s the worst because you are a slave to the LENGTH of the song. When the song is over, you have to move on. When you have a band, the song can last until you are ready to continue to the next song. My heart’s desire has been to play guitar as we worship so that even after the track has stopped and the spirit is moving I can continue with the move of God. I had my grandfather’s guitar but I wanted my own. This year my sister surprised me with a red electric guitar for my birthday. It was everything I could ask for. I decided that I was going to take some lessons and really make it happen. This past Monday was my first lesson. I walked in the building and my teacher met me in the front. I followed him to the back, we introduced ourselves and began the lesson. He  asked me who my influences were and I told him Jimi Hendrix and John Mayer. He agreed with my selections and we continued with the lesson. We began to go through the different parts of the guitar: the neck, pickups, bridge etc. The lesson was going great. He taught me the E F & G chords and he demonstrated on his guitar. He continued to play and I said “that sounds like worship music.” He looked at me with a straight face and asks, “Do you listen to worship music?” I said “Yes I do” and I began to name some of the artists I listened to. Then he says, “Well I am a pastor.” I think my heart skipped a beat. My teacher is a pastor. My desire was to become a skilled guitar player so I can add this element to my live shows. Eventually I was going to ask my instructor to teach me how to play some worship songs but my teacher is Pastor with a heart for worship. The lesson was wrapping up and we began to talk about worship and hip hop and after that I told him I will see him next week. I said all of that just to say this: God knows your desires and your dreams.

He knows your heart. He knows what you want to be and He also knows how hard it is to achieve these things – without him. See 1 Corinthians 2:9 says -”No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him“– BELIEVE! He knows what you want to become. Just allow him to do it! When we stress, when we worry, we shut God out. You can’t drive with your eyes closed and expect to get home safely nor can you worry and have faith. I didn’t know that my first guitar lesson would be taught by a Pastor who has a heart for worship. Who would have known? God did and he reassured me in my first lesson. “Brandon, you want to play guitar? Okay. Let me set this person up with him, on this day.” Its just that easy- for those that LOVE him! God knows my heart so He is giving me my desires!

So I am writing this to you; BE CONFIDENT IN WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU! No matter how hard you think it will be, no matter how much work has to be done, trust God! When you give Him your heart, He will give you the desires of yours. Do the possible! Sign up for lessons, tryouts, class. Ask for help and guidance. As you’re doing what’s possible, trust God and as you’re trusting HE WILL DO THE IMPOSSIBLE! Confidence sounds so good when your the one playing the instrument. So whether the sound of your confidence is the brush moving back and forth across a canvas, or the pencil on a paper writing letters to inspire. Whatever your gift is, whatever your passion may be, be confident about it! You have the power to do the unseen, and unheard. Play on young artist, play on… The Sound of Confidence…. (I will expound more on this in my upcoming book – “youngmindBIGDREAMS”

FINDING SATISFACTION IN BEING CONTENT WITH SMALL MINDED DREAMS IS LIVING LIFE WITH LIMITS… This past Monday- Feb 14th, I released my first single “Love of my Life” ft. Canton Jones on Itunes! I was at work and I was waiting and waiting for the song to be available online! When I finally found out, tears filled my eyes. True happiness feels good. Right after I saw it was available, I called my manager, excited, speechless, overwhelmed and she said this “You can’t stop every time you score a basket, there’s more work to do!” It took me a couple hours to understand it but when I did, it inspired me in ways I never imagined! I processed her thought as this: When Michael Jordan scored in a game he didn’t celebrate after every dunk, after every shot. He didn’t celebrate until after he won the game! There is more work to do indeed! Getting a single out is a big accomplishment, and that’s a reason to celebrate, but there’s so much more that needs to be done!

Comfortable - being in a state of physical or mental comfort. Satisfied - Filled with satisfaction; content – The definitions are similar and I believe at one point in our life, this is where we would like to be. Comfortable. Satisfied. We all want a good job, a family, beautiful house, nice car, a couple hundred thousand in the bank – but in between there, a word comes up – SETTLE! How can you achieve those levels of comfort when you’re satisfied with your $9 an hour job because you will get a nice tax return! Why are you stopping? We serve a God who created the universe, why are you satisfied with just that? Our mindsets have become this - I have achieved something. I am excited about it! Great, you won the game but there’s an entire season left to play. My comfort allowed me to SETTLE therefore I became satisfied with my current victories and not my future goals. WHY AM I SETTLING? WHY AM I CONTENT WITH THESE SMALL MINDED DREAMS?

I have to remind myself everyday that my current is not my end…If I became comfortable with my current, I would be settling. I owe it to myself to do better than what I find easy! I deserve to do my best because when God created me, He didn’t do it with limits. He created me with purpose. If I settle, how will I ever fulfill what God has for me? There’s too much left to do.. I refuse to be satisifed with being comfortable…

This was one of the hardest songs to get done on the project. At the time Canton Jones was working on Kingdom Business 2. I sent him the record in January 2009, he didnt get to record his part until June-ish. I remember the first time I heard his vocals. It was about 4 am, and my Iphone went off, an email came in. It was unexpected , at this point i didnt think CJ was going to do it. He sent it and as soon as I pressed pay these tears of Joy and excitment filed my eyes. I wrote the song out of true emotion. “Your the love of my life/I need you by my side/Im going through some pain/but theres power in your name” When I wrote it, it was around the time of 08, I was in this deep depression. Things weren’t going the way I planned. I owed producers and I had bills. It was a very frustrating time. One day I was alone and I began to cry out God where are you and a voice as clear as day said Im here I never left, where are you? That let me know that I was the one who went away. Searching for answers when the answer was right here. So this song was birthed out of true emotion and Love. Inspite of what was going on the pain I was feeling, God was there lovng me unconditionally.

Anyway so I thought my lyrics were immature on the original version. So this time around I wanted to write something with some substance. I had these amazing vocals from Canton, David Beverly went back and made the music sound fuller. New sounds and 808′s. It sounds grown up from its previous release. So Im trying to rewrite the song. I wrote it about 6 times. Trying these different concepts out. Finally I said I will go back and write it later. I took a small vacation to Tampa, FL and down there I was listening to an unmixed version of “table for two” by TWyse. I heard the project months before it came out. I loved the concept. T got me through a lot of frustrating times over the past couple of years. A text here, a call there, spoke life into me when I didn’t believe in myself! He encouraged me in so many ways to trust God, believe God, Spend time with God, seek his face, tithe your time, etc. He is honeslty one of my biggest inspirations as an artist, a man after God’s Heart, Minister, Husband and Father. I can go on and on but anyway his idea was to take God on a date. So as I was playing that on repeat, I loved the concept but I had no clue how could I releate .The idea is so far ahead by itself but how could i relate it to my generation? We are growing up fast. A lot of children are dating young in the church. I wanted to take this opportunity to show how a relationship should be. So I decided to borrow the other side of the resturaunt. I wanted to take God out just to show much I care, and how much I appreciate what he’s done for me! So the first couple of lyrics are painting a picture of what “my” date with God would be like.

“Tonight will be special made for just you and I/threw on my best tux, reservations set for 9/ Louis (Vuitton) over my eyes/let this moment begin/because while I have your time I want to be intimate/Picked out the finest roses, threw on my best cologne/left my phone at home, just so we could be left alone…

As the song goes on I speak on worship, God’s unconditional love inspite of my flaws and the man I want to become for my wife. “He truly is the Love of my life and hopefully he is yours as well! So I hope you enjoy it! Hopefully T will do a verse for me when he has time lol!

LOVE OF MY LIFE FT. Canton Jones AVAILABLE ON ITUNES RIGHT NOW!!!!! http://bit.ly/dKXmcI

VIDEO COMING IN A COUPLE WEEKS! I CANT WAIT TO SHOW IT! THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!

Love YALL!

B!

I’m writing this to anybody who woke up from their dream and stared at their ceiling, waiting for a sign or signal. I’m writing this to every artist who has dedicated their time and energy to an idea, cause, mission or project. I’m writing this to you, the one with so much talent and potential. I’m writing this to you, the one that was told by everyone it can’t be done! I’m writing this espically to you, the young mind with the big dream. IT WILL HAPPEN! I too, am you. Artistically, it becomes so hard to create and believe. I can see the idea, I can write out the dream, but I struggle with my faith because what I wan’t seems to hard to achieve. Yeah, this is for you…FAITH will speak for you when Fear wants to run its mouth..so you don’t have to say a word, let your faith have the conversation for you! BELIEVE PAST WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE!