New Orleans singer and songwriter David Debrandon Brown—better known by his stage name, Lucky Daye—is becoming another staple in the contemporary R&B sphere with his striking voice and experimental instrumentals.
Secular music was something Brown was restricted from listening to since his mother was part of a religious cult. Even so, Brown taught himself different melodies by singing lines from children’s books and Bible verses. Both Brown and his mother fled the cult and their New Orleans home due to Hurricane Katrina. And from there, Brown was able to expose himself to classic R&B artists at the age of eight. His music draws inspiration from the likes of Lauryn Hill, Prince, Rick James, and Stevie Wonder.
His EPs I and II illustrate a vast array of moods that Brown is capable of singing about in regards to romance. In I, Brown’s debut single “Roll Some Mo” and other tracks such as “Extra” and “Late Night” reverberate the same psychedelic funkiness as Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange. “Ready For Love” is a more stripped approach of Brown’s voice, accompanied by softer instrumentals to accentuate the rawness of the song.
In II, Brown incorporates more of a hip-hop cadence in songs such as “Karma” and “Paint It” with his lyrical raps. Brown’s flow on “Karma” pays homage to Ginuwine’s “Pony,” but his rendering presents a stark contrast by personifying karma’s role in love: “Keep on playing with a trigger, she might shoot back.” “Misunderstood” is a vulnerable take on insecurities that permeate through many romantic relationships, and just like “Ready For Love” in his preceding EP, the unembellished truth of heartache is apparent in this track.
Lucky Daye is an artist that deserves more spotlight. The complex layering of echoed vocals, acoustic instrumentals, and subtle synthetically-produced sounds in his discography showcase his impact on the contemporary R&B scene.
— Patricia Damocles, Asst. Poetry Editor; Asst. Layout Editor; Communications & Media Editor