Music
Press
"...widely viewed as one of hip hop's most innovative and exciting indie stars." - MOJO Magazine Aug. 2006
• Single ‘Antenna’ featuring Speech (Arrested Development) will be on MOJO magazine’s music sampler in July.
• Braille releases new record, ‘Box of Rhymes’ June 14th exclusively in Japan through Universal/Handcuts.
• ‘Box of Rhymes’ features the track ‘Antenna’ with a special guest appearance from Grammy Winner Speech (Arrested Development)
• Braille has been invited to join ‘The Godfather of Soul’, James Brown on tour this summer in Europe and the U.S.A.
• Braille has been invited to go to Africa with World Champion Skateboarder, Jamie Thomas and Hip-Hop artist, Speech to film a special documentary for the upcoming Sundance Film Festival
• Braille will be touring extensively through Japan in September in support of ‘Box of Rhymes’
• Braille opened up for Hip-Hop legends, De La Soul on a recent European tour
- Intrigue Music
• Braille was named one of the "Next 100" by Urb Magazine in the March issue
• Producers 9th Wonder (Jay-Z) and Rob Swift (X-Executioners) contributed to Braille’s album ‘Shades of Grey’
• Braille toured extensively, doing shows all over the U.S. and overseas in Germany, Spain, Japan, London, France and more.
• Braille opened concerts for the legendary James Brown on 6 different occasions.
• The song "Hiphop Music" was #7 on the Undergroundhiphop.com's top 40
- Intrigue Music
Discography
Lifefirst: Half the Battle : 1997
Shades of Grey: 2004
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
"Helping people understand the things they can't see". Braille has used that one sentence to explain the meaning behind his name for the last 7 years. Before going by Braille, he went by many other random names that never stuck, and before that he was just Bryan Winchester - born and raised in Portland, OR. At age 13 he started making bedroom tapes, and from that moment he never turned back. The poetic nature of his lyrics and concepts intrigued listeners from the beginning. It was Braille's faith in Christ (discovered through hiphop) that inspired the directions he took in content. In his music he often expresses things of either a "spiritual", "emotional" or "personal" nature. Visual lyrics that paint pictures of the unseen has become a trademark stamp of Braille's style. Another trademark is his passionate and un-structured delivery. These characteristics have placed Braille in a category of his own. Not sounding like other artists, but just standing alone as himself. Nothing more, nothing less.
So far in Braille's young and extensive career he has already accomplished a lot. In 2004 he was named "lyricist of the year" by Sphere of Hiphop and his album "Shades of Grey" was crowned "album of the year". In 2005 he was named "one of the next 100" Artist's to watch by URB Magazine and one of the "Top Ten Independent Artists" by Christian Music Today. His single "Hip Hop Music" went to #2 in 12" single sales in Japan and #9 @MP3.com for his album "Shades Of Grey". This year he also opened concerts for James Brown on several occasions, including performances at the B.B. King Blues Club in Time Square New York, the Grove in Anaheim, Les Schwab Ampitheatre in Bend, OR and at the Benidorm Futbol Stadium in Spain, with a crowd of 16,000 in attendance. His 2005 tour schedule also placed him in front of crowds in Japan, Germany, the Netherlands and all over the U.S. including the Vans Warped Tour.
Beyond being an artist, Braille also runs his own label called "Hiphop Is Music". In 2004 he released his sophomore solo album "Shades of Grey". The record included contributions from artists such as 9th Wonder (who has also produced for Jay-Z), Rob Swift (former member of the X-Ecutioners), Supastition, Pigeon John, Manchild (of Mars Ill), Illmind, Kno (from Cunnin Lynguists) and the list goes on. In the future, Braille hopes to use the Hiphop Is Music label as a platform for himself and other artists to shine and share God's love to a universal audience. Braille is determined to continue growth regardless of circumstances - destined for longevity in a competitive industry that often forgets about the integrity of the music and the effect it has on the people who buy it.
Links
