Durand Bernarr
“Grace looked like knowing I’m not going to get it right the first time and to allow myself to be a human being.”
He’s a sunflower, and we’re loving this garden he’s building with his notes and tunes! Our next CUT in Blaque artist is flourishing: Durand Bernarr.
Durand Bernarr was born on September 16, 1988 in Cleveland, Ohio. Durand is an entertainer through and through, embodying every sense of that title: singer, producer, songwriter, phenomenal performer…we love a star! As Durand skips further into his career in the music industry, we’re in a constant awe and admiration for his evolving talent and warming authenticity.
Durand started his music journey off as most musicians of our time do: the great and grand internet. His early YouTube page, Alcohol Harmony, was the launching pad of his music endeavors. Through his early music, he released mixtapes that eventually caught the attention of Erykah Badu, with whom he eventually sang background for. The climb didn’t stop there; talented as ever and connecting with stars (such as The Internet, Anderson.Paak, and Ari Lennox), Durand continued to pursue his own music career, releasing his first EP Sound Check in 2016 and self-titled album DUR& in 2020.
Song of the Show
A CUT in Blaque segment highlighting Black LGBTQIA+ musical talent from around our community across genres through a series of artist videos, song snippets, and reviews to increase awareness amongst our people.
It’s not difficult to recognize the stardom of Durand. His powerhouse notes, flawless falsetto, and sensual storytelling has gladly kept listeners in a delightful daze. Whether you’re binging on any of his YouTube content (hello, The Terrell Show!) or revisiting his lives performances (we’re especially head-over-heels with his set at Black Queer AF, the first Black LGBTQ music fesitval!), you can always bet to have a grand time grooving to his tunes.
As always, it goes without saying how much we appreciate having an artist show up and show out in their truest self. Representation is everything, and we love seeing Durand portray healthy Black Queer love in his music videos and photoshoots. Of course, we also love being able to sing along to lyrics that tell our stories beautifully. In an industry where it can be a risk to portray who you truly are, we’re grateful that artists like Durand are taking that risk every time!
Durand is currently working on his next album, in addition to gearing up to perform at the famous Roots Picnic this summer. He also recently joined “Pull Up”, an incubator and creative community that will give “creators of color access to capital and other resources” (hosted by Paetron). What are some of your favorite projects from him? Let us know in the comments below!
Starter Pack: Durand Bernarr
Each Starter Pack playlist is a curated compilation of a Black Queer artist’s greatest musical hits, further exploring the music of the African diaspora. This includes jazz, blues, gospel, rock and roll, hip hop, and R&B.