Get the latest gossip

How Brent Faiyaz Turned Independence Into Big Business


Brent Faiyaz talks his label ISO Supremacy & "keeping my ear to the street" in Billboard cover story.

That tension stems from Faiyaz’s raw, fearless lyrics, which explore subjects ranging from life post-pandemic and the pressures of fame to romance and self-love, paired with his melodious and innovative blend of R&B, Afrobeats, rap, pop and other sonic influences. Because of that edge, especially in its lyrics, some listeners have labeled his music “toxic,” pointing to songs like “F*ck the World” (“Your n—a caught us texting/You said, ‘Baby, don’t be mad, you know how Brent is’ ”) and “WY@” from Larger Than Life(“I be doing sh-t I really shouldn’t do for real/That’s why I always tell you to come through for real”). As with Baisden, PULSE Music Group senior vp/head of creative Ashley Calhoun and now with Xu, Stoute and Richman, Faiyaz’s business interactions reflect how he has prioritized building long-term relationships as an independent artist.

Get the Android app

Or read this on Billboard