The Wild Reed: Durrand Bernarr, “a Genre-Bending Talent”

The Wild Reed’s 2024 Queer Appreciation series continues with the sharing of excerpts from Out magazine’s recent interview with out and proud R&B singer Durrand Bernarr.

But first, here’s the music video for Bernarr’s latest single release, “Unknown.”

Anyone who thinks that “R&B is dead” clearly hasn’t met Durand Bernarr. However, Bernarr isn’t only an R&B artist – he’s a genre-bending talent with stamps of approval from the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire and Erykah Badu, two legendary acts with whom he’s worked closely.

Beyond his immense talent, watching a performance by Bernarr will make you feel right at home – even referring to himself as our favorite cousin on our daddy’s side. His commanding energy showcases the theater roots that have crafted him into a skillful showman who isn’t afraid to give the girls a show.

Namely, there is Bernarr’s unforgettable 2023 Tiny Desk performance, in which he paid tribute to Disney Channel’s The Proud Family by dressing as the eccentric uncle Bobby Proud. The singer’s band and background vocalists followed suit and even dressed up as other characters from the series too.

“Looking back at [Tiny Desk], it was so much bigger than me. Because, when I look at it, I’m seeing not just myself, but I’m seeing other Black queer men who look and act like me and showing them that we can take up space. We can be sharp [and] we can be rehearsed if given that opportunity. We can really not only flip the table but set that ***** on fire,” Bernarr tells Out.

Bernarr has been on fire for a while now, and he’s not stopping any time soon. Following his last album, Wanderlust, in 2022, the singer is back with a new single, “Unknown.” Out chatted with Bernarr about his new song, the upcoming album, and a lot more!

“Unknown” is a very vulnerable song. Can you talk about the inspiration for it?

“Unknown” is about someone who has found themselves in love with a friend. The most maddening part about it is the friend feels the same way, but they’re just not in a position to take that next step. I’m kind of just venting about that and trying to find some middle ground. Because there’s fear involved, and healing, and opening up; especially if we’ve been disappointed or let down. It’s probably the most vulnerable record on the project.

What made you decide to make the most vulnerable track of the album your lead single?

Oh my god, that’s a good question. The main thing that we were going for was something that [people] hadn’t really heard from me. I don’t even think I was with [Erykah] Badu yet the last time I did a song that had the ¾ [time signature]. So I was like, “It’s time to give them a little bit of that.”

Tell me about the EP. What was the vibe that you were aiming for?

The main thing is that we’re going to have fun. I’m taking you guys on a little adventure. It takes you through a myriad of genres. We have the neo-soul R&B, and we have some upbeat funk. [It] takes us into jazz, and a little acoustic. I’m really proud of it, and the main reason is because of how quickly we had to put it together.

It seems like life has prepared you for where you are now and where you’re going. Can you tell me something that you’d really like to do in the future?

I would really love a show, and I’m thinking [of it as], like, a variety show. Something where I could really just showcase every myriad of my personality and my skills. I think it would be really, really fun. I also started DJ-ing last year. You gotta ask me what my DJ name is.

What’s your DJ name?

Oh, I’m so glad you asked! It’s DJ TBD, a.k.a. Bra Coley. No relation to the late great Daryl Coley. The TBD stands for The Best DJ. Not that there aren’t extraordinary DJs that have paved the way, it’s just that now that I am on the scene, and I’m the best, okay? Better than all the rest, okay? So come check on my breast and my Tiny Desk.

Your Tiny Desk performance was a huge milestone. How does that feel a year later? And now that you’re a judge for the Tiny Desk contest, is that a full circle moment?

It was happening so fast. We were in the middle of a tour. I’m so glad that I took Mel’s suggestion to do The Proud Family instead of Popeye. We had so many different costume ideas from The Mask, Carmen Sandiego, and Beetlejuice. You know, just really letting my inner child play on stage. But now I’m seeing people dressed up on Tiny Desk and I’m like, “Oh yes, they’re so inspired.” I love that for them.

That’s why Bobby [producer] made such a big deal about that performance being really special to him. I came ready. Usually, folks come there, and they’re stripping down their set. [I was] like, “I have 20 minutes. I’m about to show my entire ass and do everything that I can possibly do.” The only thing I didn’t do was probably hop on the piano and do, like, a backflip.

The Wild Reed

Sunday, June 30, 2024

Durrand Bernarr, “a Genre-Bending Talent”

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