Culture Shifters Oct. 23, 2024

Durand Bernarr Cannot Be Put Into A Box And Thats What Makes His Artistry So Captivating

Written By Taryn Finley Photography by Erik Carter

The genre-bending singer-songwriter has reimagined what a successful music career looks like and is using his incredible voice in playful and soulful ways unlike any other.

This profile is part of our Culture Shifters series, which highlights people who are changing the way we think about the world around us. To read about our other Culture Shifters, return to the list here .

If its true that the music you listen to informs your thoughts, then Durand Bernarrs fanbase is full of some of the most daily affirmation-saying, boundary-setting, imaginative people on earth.

Bernarrs music is an ode to the past and a leap into the future at the same time. Its what it sounds like when the most confident, well-cared for, healed and therapized persons intrusive thoughts win. Listening to it feels like being high in church during revival week. Sonically, its the most sanctified, secular experience you could imagine. Its easy to understand why he calls himself your favorite cousin on yo daddys side.

Durand Bernarr is the kind of artist whose voice you might recognize but have yet to dive into his discography. Hes collaborated on tracks with Kaytranada, Ari Lennox, Thundercat and Free Nationals. His voice is as soulful as it is playful, bending genres like R&B, jazz, funk and dance at his will. Its hard to not feel like that bitch listening to songs like Mango Butter. Or sing along to soulful ballads like Unknown. Or dance while contemplating how temporary life is on Here; Gone, which his mom ghost co-wrote.

Its easy to enjoy Durand Bernarr. And once the capitalistic, numbers-driven music industry gets out of its own way, his influence could help reshape how we view artistry.

His camera is off for our Zoom interview, which is understandable since his 36th birthday was just two days prior. Even as he recovers from his ongoing celebration, he has a lot more to raise a glass or a blunt to than another lap around the sun.

Theres so many things happening. Its almost hard for me to pinpoint what would encapsulate everything. And I mean, from career wise to, family to friends, everything else in between, he said. Its almost like an amusement park. Lots of rollercoasters. I would at least say that a lot of them are more enjoyable than not.

His star has steadily been on the rise during his 20-year career in music. This past year or so, the crooners presence has been especially impactful. In August, he wrapped up his Rolling With The Homies skate tour, followed by a performance at Brooklyns AfroPunk. Hes released two projects this year, a breezy EP En Route in May, and an EP filled with electronic and dance tracks Charlie Vettuno Presents Where in the World is Carmen Randiego?! in September.

A year after his viral March 2023 Tiny Desk performance, in which he and his band wore costumes giving a nod to the Disney animated series, The Proud Family, newer audiences are becoming exposed to his music. Last summer, he completed his sold out Wanderlust Tour and performed in his first arena tour of his career, singing background for Erykah Badu. Coincidentally, that was also Badus first arena tour.

As he notes at the beginning of the visual EP for En Route, hes beginning to enter a new era. You can keep sleeping on him if you want, but if you choose to go along for the ride, youll quickly find out that the journey is the destination when Durand takes the wheel.