Cedric Brazle Wants to Be a Vessel for the Human Experience Through R&B, Talks New EP, Influences and More (Interview)

For Cedric Brazle, R&B is more than a genre of music. It is an opportunity to connect with people through shared experiences, honest emotions and stories that remind listeners they are not alone.

During a conversation in Washington, D.C., for Concert Daily, Brazle discussed his recently released EP, “Cologne, Vol. 1,” the personal experiences behind his songwriting and his vision for the genre.

As one of the supporting acts on Jai’len Josey’s “Serial Romantic Tour,” Brazle performed the new material for an audience and reflected on the experience of sharing it live for the first time.

(The R&B artist discusses the personal inspiration behind “Cologne,” the importance of vulnerability, his “Casanova” collaboration with Reggie Becton, and his commitment to uplifting the genre.)

“Performing in front of R&B vocal giant [Josey] was something that I never experienced before,” Brazle said. “I think it was the most beautiful experience I’ve experienced before. I can’t relate it to anything else for real.”

One of the most personal subjects behind “Cologne” is Brazle’s relationship with his grandparents, who raised him. Following his grandfather’s passing, Brazle was gifted several of his belongings, including a cologne set that remains a meaningful connection to the person who helped raise him.

“I carry it with me every day. I even have it on stage today because it’s something that reminds me of him,” Brazle said. “It reminds me of the person that raised me and how I’m supposed to be and live this life. And I don’t want to forget that.”

The cologne set serves as a reminder of his grandfather’s influence and the legacy Brazle hopes to carry forward.

Download “Cologne, Vol. 1″ here.

“So when I sing these songs and talk about this project, I want to be in remembrance of my grandfather, who made a huge impact on me,” he said.

That personal connection also informs Brazle’s approach to songwriting, particularly when exploring heartbreak, love and vulnerability. He believes honesty about emotions is important, especially for men who may feel pressured to conceal how they feel.

“I think I learned a long time ago that vulnerability doesn’t mean weakness,” Brazle said. “I learned a long time ago that vulnerability means honesty.”

He hopes to challenge the perception that expressing emotions makes men appear weak and instead encourage people to be more comfortable acknowledging their feelings.

“I want to be the vessel that shows people that vulnerability means that you’re just being honest about how you feel,” he said.

For Brazle, creating that space for honesty means recognizing that all feelings are valid.

“I want to create this momentum that says that whatever I’m feeling is valid and that’s okay,” he said. “And I think men and feelings is an odd combination for people. I know that is, and you have grace for that. But I want to break that barrier down because that shouldn’t be, that has held us back from so much.”

Brazle’s approach is also shaped by his appreciation for music and the artists who have influenced him. He named Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, Usher and Brandy among his inspirations, with the latter two holding a particularly significant place in his musical journey.

“My northern stars, Usher and Brandy,” he said. “I look to them so much because they’ve changed music and they’ve changed the trajectory of what was possible vocally, musically. And I just want to be able to do the same thing that they did.”

He also cited D’Angelo, Maxwell and John Mayer for their storytelling and songwriting. Like those artists, Brazle hopes to create music that resonates with listeners and makes them feel understood.

“I want to be that artist for people,” Brazle said. “I want to be somebody that people can be like, ‘yo, they get me. Like somebody in this world understands what I’m going through. I’m not alone.’ And that’s my biggest dream in the entire universe.”