You just recently charted at #38 on Hip-Hop/Rap iTunes Chart with your song “Run My Check" (feat. Jadakiss). How does that feel?
I am absolutely over the moon. To even have my song charting on iTunes is something that I had dreamed of as a little kid. The fact that “Run My Check” broke into the top 40 is such a blessing and I am so grateful for those who purchased the song and have been supporting it. I am also very grateful to Jadakiss for his massive contribution to the song. It’s been such a privilege to see the track take off in the way that it has.
Tell us about your background getting to where you are today?
I’m originally from New Jersey, and I started singing at a very early age. I began taking vocal lessons at around 8 years old. Before that, I took piano lessons when I was 5, which led to an overall love for music. When I was in middle school, I picked up the steel pan as a second instrument to heighten and strengthen my abilities within music. I would go on auditions throughout elementary school and perform at local events. At 11 years old, I performed a Whitney Houston song in the finalist round at the Apollo Theater, which was a big leap from the local shows I was doing. As I started getting more and more serious, I would perform across the country, and even book international performances at music festivals from middle school into high school. I didn’t start with any industry connections. My parents were not in the industry, nor did they know anyone in the industry. Every connection that I’ve made was built off individual events that I either booked from auditioning or venues that I performed at. I made connections in New York, and after I moved out to Los Angeles right before high school, I made connections on set from television shows that I booked. I don’t think people realize how difficult it is to break in without any connections. Although it is possible, it will just more than likely take you much longer. I’ve been doing this for over a decade and I’m still going.
What is the most challenging thing you have overcome in your life?
I want to first say, that I am incredibly blessed. Simply being alive, in good health, and surrounded by people who care for me, is more than I could ever ask for. I think that everyone has had to overcome challenging periods of time in their lives. Just like everyone else, I’ve undergone hard times, but I try not to dwell on them. Nearly every hardship was a blessing in disguise. I can honestly say that some of my greatest struggles I have yet to overcome. However, just like I’ve always done, I am never giving up. There is a quote that I love and I’m paraphrasing, but it says something along the lines of “the race is not for the swift, but for those who endure to the end.
What do you want people to take away after listening to your music?
In general, I try to put out something that I find to be inspirational to a certain extent. However, with this song and previous songs of mine like “Feel the Beat,” I think it’s also nice to have a balance. “Run My Check” is less serious, but I do feel that it can be relatable to many who’ve endured similar monetary situations.
Any new music coming out soon?
I have many unreleased songs, but at the moment, I am focused on giving “Run My Check” my undivided attention.
What is your greatest achievement as a musician?
I would love to name one event or accolade that moved me internally, but as I become more mature, I have realized that my greatest achievement has been the beauty and struggles within my journey to musical success. There were frequent periods of stagnation and fear for my future as an artist. I look back at everything and am so proud of how much I was willing to endure to get here today. I am so proud of my journey and staying true to myself, my morals, and my beliefs the entire way through. I never gave up. I pushed through the difficult times.
What are 3 words that describe your music?
Overall, I think that each song I’ve put out has a different feel to it. However, I would describe “Run My Check” as playful, rhythmic, and light-hearted.
Describe your creative process when you write new music.
Writing new music is such an exciting feeling. I don’t typically write in the studio, but I have done it a few times before for certain songs. I like going to different spaces and seeing how the environmental shift affects my train of thought. I will have the instrumental track and typically start mumbling melodic ideas for a chorus, and then transition into the pre-chorus, verses, and bridge. Then I crack down on the message I’d like to convey and start writing.
Which qualities do you think make a great musician?
To my mind, authenticity always wins people over. If you are trying to be exactly like an artist who everyone already knows and loves, I think you’re doing yourself a disservice.
What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
I remember shortly after releasing my first original song in 2013, I was doing an interview about it. The interviewer, who I actually still know to this day, told me that the industry is full of liars, fakers, and fairy-tale makers. I can’t say that he was wrong. There isn’t a successful artist out there who hasn’t gotten swindled at least once.
Anyone you’d like to thank?
I’d like to thank everyone who has purchased “Run My Check” and everyone who’s been supporting the song and music video. I have to thank Jadakiss for adding his magic to the track and my producer who put the beat together, Duane DaRock. I have to thank my family as well, because they are always vouching for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.
Do you produce your own music? If not, who do you work with?
Over the last four years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with the super producer known as Duane DaRock. He is very skilled and knowledgeable about music, and he creates the coolest beats. Not only that, but he has been one of the few people in the industry who has demonstrated trustworthiness. When you find a fellow musician or producer that you can trust, just understand how rare that is. Value people who will match their actions to their words. He hasn’t let me down, and on top of that, I feel that he’s helped me in defining my sound, while still giving me the freedom to be myself as an artist.
Anything else you want the audience to know about you?
I would like for everyone to know, that I pride myself in never following others. I have always done my own thing, and at times it can feel incredibly isolating, but authenticity is so important to me. It is what helps distinguish me from other artists. I have always loved pop music, and I wanted to somehow create my own identity and my own brand. On a final note, I also want to encourage other artists to think smart, always have a plan, and never give up.
Where can people listen to your music? Please add links.
The music video is on WorldStarHipHop’s website and YouTube channel. You can listen to “Run My Check” by Briannagh D (feat. Jadakiss) on Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud, and any streaming platform.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5VIArvZkqVBdpkjyBq68DB?si=febd4f8f4ebe4183
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/run-my-check-feat jadakiss/1611142155?i=1611142164
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/briannaghd-music/run-my-check radio?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
