Brilliance
Detroit, Michigan, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Review of opening act at the Detroit Music Awards. - Detroit Live Magazine
Flo Rida
8/20 • Clutch Cargo’s
After making it big in ’08 with his hit “Low,” rapper Flo Rida has been producing hit after hit and touring across the country – not to mention inspiring thousands of girls to go out and buy as many apple bottom jeans and “boots with fur” as they could find. He’ll be at Clutch Cargo’s this Friday to celebrate mardi gras, so get your girls, grab some beads, and come on down. Hometown hero Brilliance also performs his new single, "Beautiful In Every Way." It’s time to get those hands in the ayer. • 9pm • 18 + • More info at clutchcargos.com
- Real Detroit Weekly
Detroit Music Awards
Celebrating Twenty Years Of Detroit's Best
by Adam O'Connor | April 12, 2011
click to enlarge
Detroit Music Awards Set to Turn the Ripe Ol' Age of 20
The Detroit Music Awards turn 20 years old this year. April 15 will see The Fillmore packed with a who's-who of Detroit music royalty. But there's also a whole bunch of folks you might not know, whether they're up-and-comers or local mainstays that you just haven't familiarized yourself with yet. Well, we've done the heavy-lifting for you, and put together a quick list of five artists who you should take the time to get to know.
Brilliance
The story of the man who calls himself Brilliance is a story of hard work, self-promotion and understanding the roots of what it is you're doing. To be stereotypical for a quick moment, most musicians are influenced by the artists that came before them in their respective genre. They draw their inspiration from a style that they would like to emulate, or perhaps their ear is drawn to a particular type of similarly categorized music. Brilliance, the MC and hip-hop artist from the Detroit suburbs, has gained influence from a pool that includes more of a rock and soul vibe, which is highly evident upon listening to the man work. His father's love of blues and classic rock led to his current inclusion of a more diverse offering in his brand of hip-hop. He counts among his influences not just Nas, Tupac and Eminem, but Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Sublime. His penchant for creative endeavors outside of music has also assisted him in his promotional efforts. Aside from being a musician, he is also a graphic designer, writer, and producer. Starting at the young age of 19, he's been networking, pushing his music into club rotation, buddying up to the most relevant radio stations, working with highly respected producers (Jared Lee Gosselin, Asar, Jeff Bass) and perfecting his live show. His performance, which features multiple live instruments (which is rare for hip-hop) is what he feels has helped his "transformation back into a live feel, back to my roots," and that is ultimately what sets him aside. That showmanship in particular will be under the microscope at the 2011 DMAs, as he will be performing, and it has been promised that it will be one to remember. Brilliance is nominated for "Outstanding Hip-Hop Artist/Group," "Outstanding Hip-Hop/MC" and "Outstanding Urban/Funk/Hip-Hop Record - Real Detroit Weekly
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Luster, splendor, and excellence are all parts of the dictionary definition of “brilliance.” However, in music circles, “Brilliance” refers to the Motor City rapper whose “Shades Down” has become a radio and online sensation. Now, with his latest track, “Beautiful in Every Way,” building on that success, he appears to be on the verge of a serious breakthrough.
A veteran of nearly ten year in the music industry, Brilliance has worked with many of the top producers in the country in studios on both coasts. But, when presented with the chance to work with creative mastermind Jeff Bass, co-writer and producer of the Grammy- and Oscar-winning song “Lose Yourself,” he jumped at the opportunity.
“His appeal covers all ages,” says Bass. “He has tremendous potential to create major hit music, and his positive lyric content should take him a long way.”
“Working in my hometown of Detroit, and working with Jeff, is a dream situation,” says Brilliance. “The immediate goal is to put out four albums in the next five years. At the same time, we’re looking at other aspects of the entertainment business, such as movies and TV. There’s no reason those goals can’t be met, making my work widely known in the next few years.”
With that positive attitude, and his obvious talent, anything seems possible.
That’s sheer “Brilliance!!!”
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