Brent Faiyaz

Christopher Brent Wood, known professionally as Brent Faiyaz, was born on September 19, 1995, in Columbia, Maryland. He began making music around the age of 12, initially focusing on rap. In 2014, Faiyaz started uploading his music to SoundCloud and later moved to Los Angeles, California, to further his music career.

Career Beginnings

Faiyaz released his debut EP, "Black Child EP," in 2013. He followed this with the "A.M. Paradox" EP in 2016, released through his independent label, Lost Kids. A significant turning point came in 2016 when he was featured on GoldLink's single "Crew" alongside Shy Glizzy. The song was a commercial success, peaking at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance.

Sonder

In October 2016, Faiyaz formed the R&B trio Sonder with producers Dpat and Atu. The group's name is inspired by the realization that every passerby has a life as vivid and complex as one's own. Sonder released their debut EP, "Into," in 2017, which was praised for its moody soundscapes and Faiyaz's emotive vocals.

Solo Success

Faiyaz released his debut studio album, "Sonder Son," in 2017, an autobiographical work reflecting on his upbringing. He gained further momentum with his 2020 EP, "Fuck the World," which debuted at number 20 on the Billboard 200 chart. His second studio album, "Wasteland" (2022), was a major success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200. The album featured successful singles like "Gravity" (featuring Tyler, the Creator) and "Wasting Time" (featuring Drake). In 2023, Faiyaz released the mixtape "Larger than Life" under his new creative agency, ISO Supremacy.

Musical Style and Themes

Brent Faiyaz's music is characterized by its blend of contemporary R&B with '90s influences, often described as "toxic" and "raw" for its unfiltered lyrical content. His music frequently explores themes of love, relationships, fame, and introspection with a dark and soulful vocal delivery. While primarily an R&B artist, his work incorporates elements of hip-hop, and he has occasionally rapped on his tracks. His visual aesthetic is often intentionally grainy and amateurish, setting him apart from the polished look of many contemporary R&B artists.