Because of You
Bryan Abrams
"Because of You" is Bryan Abrams' debut solo single, an autobiographical ballad written and co-produced by Abrams and co-produced by Hamza Lee.
Biography
Bryan Abrams is an internationally-recognized, two-time Grammy-nominated, American Music Award and two-time Soul Train Award-winning, R&B/pop singer-songwriter with over 12 million albums sold worldwide, three Billboard #1 Hot 100 and R&B hits and is an Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductee. Bryan is best known around the world as the original lead singer, frontman and founding member of the 90’s crossover hit group Color Me Badd. Abrams has cemented an indisputable musical legacy that transcends generations. With a variety of songs placed in a diverse portfolio of radio, TV, commercials, soundtracks and film, Abrams’ voice is recognizable across virtually all genres and demographics. Abrams also has starred as himself in an episode of Beverly Hills 90210 (1992), a reality TV series, Mission: Manband (2007), Rock & A Hard Place (2008), appeared on an episode of Dr. Phil (2019), and a variety of talk shows, such as Jimmy Kimmel, The View, Jay Leno and more.
As a 30-year entertainment veteran, Abrams dedicated his entire professional career to songwriting, performing and recording as a founding member of the iconic, 90’s group Color Me Badd . . . until now.
Having lived with addiction for over 25 years, Abrams has now put his focus on his mental and physical health, and is proudly in his third year of recovery. He has dedicated his life and musical artistry to raising addiction awareness and mental healthcare advocacy, focusing on issues affecting minorities, marginalized and underserved communities as well as philanthropy work. The legendary R&B/pop vocalist, known around the globe for his sultry “blue tone,” has rediscovered his will to live and reignited his passion for music. Having faced many public challenges including substance use disorders, a life-long battle with obesity and tensions within the group he founded, Abrams is painfully aware of the toll that being self-sacrificing can take on a person’s mental health.
Born on November 16, 1969, in his hometown of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Abrams discovered the roots of his fighting spirit run as deep as his proud Choctaw Nation heritage. Losing his father to murder at the tender age of two years, and raised by a single mother, Abrams learned to survive, entertaining himself while watching iconic artists like Elvis Presley light up the television. As he sought mental refuge from bullying and insecurity surrounding his childhood struggles with obesity, he would obsessively study legendary performers such as Luther Vandross, Lionel Richie and the Commodores, Michael Jackson, Donny Hathaway, Luciano Pavarotti and Plácido Domingo. While academics were never his strong suit, Abrams poured his heart and soul into music from his early teens. After observing Vandross’ weight loss transformation and receiving pressure from his potential bandmates, he became ablaze with a determination to slim down his look and achieve success in music.
In 1985, Abrams auditioned several singers and assembled the members of CMB, teaching them harmonies as the self-proclaimed “music nerd” in the group. His ultimate dream of becoming a successful solo artist presented itself early on. Before the group’s signing with Giant Records executive Cassandra Mills, Abrams was privately offered a solo recording deal by late, legendary Uptown Records executive Andre Harrell. Enamored with the brotherhood and acceptance he found within his band at the time, Abrams declined the offer out of loyalty to the group’s best interests. In his unrelenting commitment to CMB’s success, Abrams would pass up countless opportunities to embark upon his solo career over the years.
Those stifled dreams, blind loyalty and pressure to conform to industry standards would eventually turn to cancer in his heart and mind, leading to decades of struggle with substance use and eating disorders, chronic depression and battles over his intellectual property. Abrams found himself at rock bottom due to his addictions, and was inspired to take his power back only by the desperation and disappointment he witnessed in the eyes of his wife and daughters.
After taking time to heal, settle legal matters with CMB, deal with the global pandemic, and focus on his health and sobriety, Abrams’ zest for music has returned and prompted him to dive into the vault of songs written and set aside over the decades. He’s discovered new coping mechanisms such as swimming, meditation, prayer, and enjoys being a family man when he’s not creating music. He is now actively writing and recording in the studio with longtime co-collaborator, producer and friend, Hamza Lee, to create prolific, chart-worthy music that displays his eclectic songwriting mastery and allows him to fulfill his lifelong dream.
Stay tuned to Bryan Abrams’ next life chapter and upcoming music, film, television and book releases.
Photo Credit: Erik Johnson
Photo Credit: Erik Johnson
Photo Credit: Erik Johnson
Photo Credit: Erik Johnson
Photo Credit: Erik Johnson
Photo Credit: Greer Inez
Photo Credit: Greer Inez