Keedron Bryant
{{Short description|American singer (born 2007)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Keedron Bryant
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2007|07|03}}
| origin = Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer}}
| years_active = 2020–present
| known_for =
| notable_works =
| instrument = Vocals
| label = Warner
| genre = {{hlist|Gospel|R&B}}
}}
Keedron Bryant (born July 3, 2007) is an American singer. He is best known for his 2020 protest song, "I Just Wanna Live", which earned viral popularity following the murder of George Floyd.
Life and career
Keedron Bryant was born in Sicily, Italy on July 3, 2007, to Johnnetta Bryant, a minister and civilian worker for the United States Department of Defense, and Kendric Bryant, a minister and member of the United States Navy.{{cite web |last1=Soergel |first1=Matt |title=Even in 2020, there are things to be thankful for, says young 'I Just Wanna Live' singer |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2020/11/25/keedron-bryant-i-just-wanna-live-singer-and-family-thankful/6406483002/ |website=The Florida Times-Union |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=November 25, 2020}} He began singing at age 5, deciding he wanted to be a singer at age 7.{{cite web |last1=Macias |first1=Ernesto |title=Keedron Bryant Is Ready to Change the World, One Song At a Time |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/keedron-bryant-i-just-wanna-live-nice-to-meet-you |website=Interview |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=June 19, 2020}} He grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, performing in his church choir and in school musicals, as well as watching DVDs of gospel singers given to him by his father.{{cite web |last1=Wheeler |first1=André-Naquian |title=Keedron Bryant: "People need to hear Black people's cry" |url=https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/y3z9bg/keedron-bryant-interview-people-need-to-hear-black-peoples-cry |website=i-D |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=September 21, 2020}}
He first gained attention in mid-2019 after a video of him singing the gospel song "Brand New Life" went viral online. In 2019, he won the award for Youth Male Vocalist of the Year during the Gospel Choice Music Awards.{{cite web |last1=Baptiste |first1=Brooks |title=Jacksonville 12-year-old becomes gospel singing sensation |url=https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/jacksonville-12-year-old-gospel-singing-sensation-wins-youth-male-vocalist-of-the-year/77-1ee97416-2c4d-43c8-a273-64beb83ffbeb |website=First Coast News |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=July 3, 2019}} He appeared on the fourth season of the NBC variety series Little Big Shots in May 2020, where he performed the gospel song "Oh Happy Day".{{cite web |last1=Haneline |first1=Amy |title='Little Big Shots' star from Jacksonville Keedron Bryant's moving song after George Floyd's death: 'I just want to live' |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/entertainment/local/2020/06/01/little-big-shots-star-from-jacksonville-keedron-bryants-moving-song-after-george-floyds-death-i-just-want-to-live/41744833/ |website=The Florida Times-Union |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=June 1, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Baptiste |first1=Brooks |title=Jacksonville child superstar to appear on 'Little Big Shots' Sunday |url=https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/gmj/jacksonville-kid-to-appear-on-little-big-shots-sunday/77-c9deddf1-9aa1-4b0e-a6d4-20dfbb3601b2 |website=First Coast News |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=May 22, 2020}}
The following month, Bryant's mother wrote the breaking hit "I Just Wanna Live" one day after the murder of George Floyd in response to seeing Floyd call out for his mother.{{cite web |last1=Tracy |first1=Brianne |title=Andra Day Breaks Down in Tears While Watching Keedron Bryant Sing: 'You Are a Beacon of Hope' |url=https://people.com/music/andra-day-breaks-down-tears-while-watching-keedron-bryant-sing-beacon-of-hope/ |website=People |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=EN |date=June 17, 2020}} A video of Bryant singing the song a cappella was posted to YouTube and Instagram, where it quickly gained viral success, earning praise from former President Barack Obama, basketball player LeBron James, singer Janet Jackson, and actress Lupita Nyong'o.{{cite web |title=Keedron Bryant: Warner Records signs black protest singer, 12 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53102728 |website=BBC News |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=June 18, 2020}} After seeing Bryant's video on television, American producer Dem Jointz released a reworked version the song, which was then discovered by the head of urban marketing at Warner Records.{{cite web |last1=Shaw |first1=A.R. |title=Dem Jointz shares how his collaboration with Keedron Bryant led to record deal |url=https://rollingout.com/2020/06/19/dem-jointz-shares-how-his-collaboration-with-keedron-bryant-led-to-record-deal/ |website=Rolling Out |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=June 19, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Fekadu |first1=Mesfin |title=Singer of black anthem song signs record deal |url=https://apnews.com/article/52fec1dac4293fdccdc438c371fd00be |website=Associated Press |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=June 18, 2020}} Bryant then signed a record contract with Warner Records through Dem Jointz's production company, UMUWWA, and released the Dem Jointz-produced version of "I Just Wanna Live" as his debut single alongside a lyric video.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Jiggy |title=Keedron Bryant Sings BLM Anthem 'I Just Wanna Live' for Dr. Dre |url=https://thesource.com/2020/07/07/keedron-bryant-sings-blm-anthem-i-just-wanna-live-for-dr-dre/ |website=The Source |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=July 7, 2020}}
Later that month, he appeared on the ABC television special Juneteenth: A Celebration of Overcoming and the virtually-held NAACP-run special Juneteenth Black Family Reunion: The Music, The Moments, The Movement to perform the song.{{cite web |last1=Cicchiello |first1=Christopher |title=12-year-old who went viral with 'I Just Wanna Live' song signed to record deal |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/warner-records-sign-keedron-bryant-i-just-wanna-live-singer-t184724 |website=Today |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=June 19, 2020}} Bryant also gave an opening performance at the 20th BET Awards and was invited to sing the national anthem during the sixth NASCAR Cup Series race of 2020.{{cite web |title=12-Year-Old Gospel Artist Keedron Bryant Performs National Anthem for Sunday's Nascar Cup Series Race from Atlanta Motor Speedway on FOX and FOX Deportes |url=https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/latest-news/2020/06/06/12-year-old-gospel-artist-keedron-bryant-performs-national-anthem-sundays-nascar-cup-series-race-atlanta-motor-speedway-fox-fox-deportes |website=Fox Sports |access-date=December 8, 2020 |location=Charlotte, NC |language=en |date=June 6, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Respers-France |first1=Lisa |title=BET Awards 2020 opening was fire |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/28/entertainment/bet-awards-highlights/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=June 29, 2020}} The police brutality-based music video for "I Just Wanna Live" and a remix of the song, featuring American singers Andra Day and Lucky Daye and American rapper IDK, were released in July 2020.{{cite magazine |last1=Legaspi |first1=Althea |title=13-Year-Old Viral Star Keedron Bryant Confronts Police Brutality in New 'I Just Wanna Live' Video |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/keedron-bryant-i-just-wanna-live-video-1035301/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=December 8, 2020 |date=July 29, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=LaTesha |title=Black Children Grow Up Too Fast In Keedron Bryant's 'I Just Wanna Live' |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/we-insist-a-timeline-of-protest-music-in-2020/2020/09/02/907974139/black-children-grow-up-too-fast-in-keedron-bryants-i-just-wanna-live |website=NPR |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=July 27, 2020}}{{cite magazine |last1=Kaufman |first1=Gil |title=Keedron Bryant Recruits Andra Day, Lucky Daye and IDK For New Version of His Viral Hit 'I Just Wanna Live' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9424980/keedron-bryant-i-just-wanna-live-video |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=July 31, 2020}}
On September 11, 2020, Bryant released his debut EP, I Just Wanna Live, an R&B record.{{cite web |last1=Arnold |first1=Chuck |title=Viral sensation Keedron Bryant drops 'I Just Wanna Live' EP |url=https://www.thefloridastar.com/articles/viral-sensation-keedron-bryant-drops-i-just-wanna-live-ep/ |website=The Florida Star |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=September 19, 2020}} Also in September, Bryant released a gospel rendition of "I Just Wanna Live" alongside a music video.{{cite web |last1=Ju |first1=Shirley |title=Keedron Bryant / New Gospel-Inspired "I Just Wanna Live" Visual |url=https://flaunt.com/content/keedron-bryant-drops-gospel-inspired-i-just-wanna-live-visual |website=Flaunt |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=September 11, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Rashed |first1=Ayana |title=Keedron Bryant Lifts Spirits With Heavenly "I Just Wanna Live" Gospel Spirit Mix |url=https://respect-mag.com/2020/09/keedron-bryant-lifts-spirits-with-heavenly-i-just-wanna-live-gospel-spirit-mix/ |website=Respect |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=September 4, 2020}} In October 2020, he released a cover of the Marvin Gaye song "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" for the Hollywood Records album I Can't Breathe/Music for the Movement, and appeared on the Jermaine Dupri song "Change".{{cite web |last1=Alston |first1=Trey |title=Jermaine Dupri's "Change" Is For This Moment … And Much More |url=https://www.bet.com/article/s552na/jermaine-dupri-talks-change-video |website=BET |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=November 24, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Nwulu |first1=Mac |title=The Undefeated Music Companion Piece "I Can't Breathe/Music for the Movement " Set for Release October 16 |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2020/10/the-undefeated-music-companion-piece-i-cant-breath-music-for-the-movement-set-for-release-october-16/ |website=ESPN |access-date=November 8, 2020 |language=en |date=October 16, 2020}} He released his Christmas EP, The Best Time of Year, on October 30, 2020, through Warner.{{cite web |last1=Rashed |first1=Ayana |title=Keedron Bryant Releases Joyous Holiday EP 'The Best Time Of Year' |url=https://respect-mag.com/2020/10/keedron-bryant-releases-joyous-holiday-ep-the-best-time-of-year/ |website=Respect |access-date=December 8, 2020 |date=October 30, 2020}} On January 14, 2022, he released his third EP, Keedron, which featured his singles "Hello" and "Stubborn".{{cite web |last1=Samuels |first1=Keithan |title=Keedron Bryant Releases New EP 'Keedron' |url=https://ratedrnb.com/2022/01/keedron-bryant-releases-new-ep-keedron/ |website=Rated R&B |access-date=March 28, 2022 |language=en |date=January 15, 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Hynes |first1=Hayley |title=Keedron Bryant & Curly J Team Up For New Song & Video, "Stubborn" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/keedron-bryant-and-curly-j-team-up-for-new-song-and-video-stubborn-new-song.1993210.html |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=March 28, 2022 |language=en |date=November 6, 2021}}
Public image
Billboard included Bryant on their "21 Under 21" list in November 2020.{{cite magazine |title=21 Under 21 Ones To Watch: Jawsh 685, Tate McRae, Keedron Bryant and More |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/21-under-21/9478474/billboard-21-under-21-ones-to-watch-2020/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 8, 2020 |language=en |date=November 6, 2020}} Later that month, he was chosen as a finalist for Time Kid of the Year. "I Just Wanna Live" was selected as the top song of 2020 by Associated Press, while Esquire named "I Just Wanna Live" as one of the greatest protest songs of all time.{{cite web |last1=Fekadu |first1=Mesfin |title=AP's song of the year: Keedron Bryant's 'I Just Wanna Live' |url=https://apnews.com/article/ap-song-of-year-keedron-bryant-b35fac4131a627385563c7c39c7d5858 |website=Associated Press |access-date=January 4, 2021 |language=en |date=December 9, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Anna Grace |title=The Best Protest Songs Represent the Universal Fighting Spirit of Music |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/g35289221/greatest-protest-songs/ |website=Esquire |access-date=March 23, 2021 |language=en |date=January 23, 2021}}
Personal life
Bryant attended Oakleaf Junior High School in Orange Park, Florida.
Discography
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Details |
| scope="row"| I Just Wanna Live
|
|
|---|
| scope="row"| The Best Time of Year
|
|
| scope="row"| Keedron
|
|
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:15em;" |Title ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Album |
| scope="row" |"I Just Wanna Live"
| rowspan="3" |2020 | rowspan="2" |I Just Wanna Live |
|---|
| scope="row" |"U Got This" |
| scope="row" |"Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)"
| I Can't Breathe/Music for the Movement |
| scope="row" |"I Know I Been Changed" {{small|(with Symba featuring Gary Clark Jr.)}} | 2021 |
| scope="row"| "Faithful"
| 2023 | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row"| "I Love You Jesus"
| 2024 | {{TBA}} |
=Guest appearances=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of non-single guest appearances, showing year released, other artist(s) featured, and album name ! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" style="width:1em;" | Year ! scope="col" | Other artist(s) ! scope="col" | Album |
| scope="row" | "Smile"
| 2020 | Yello Is The New Black |
|---|
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bryant, Keedron}}
Category:American child singers
Category:American contemporary R&B singers
Category:American gospel singers