Bizzy Bio — BIZZYTHOWED

Brandon ‘Bizzy’ Hollemon has been building a career in music ever since his second grade teacher handed him a set of wooden blocks and he immediately began banging out complicated rhythms. The 36-year-old maestro boasts a rare combination of virtuoso guitar skills, a world-class musical education, over a decade of hands-on studio experience and has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry including Nicki Minaj, The Weeknd and French Montana. Now, Bizzy is shining even brighter as his Grammy- winning skills are showcased on Ariana Grande's upcoming album "Sweetener"

The Houston, Texas native learned about music listening to his dad’s collection, which ran the spectrum from classic rock to Curtis Mayfield to NWA. “Growing up in the 90s, what music you listened to defined you,” Bizzy recalls. “It determined how you dressed, who you hung out with. My school had Goths, head-bangers, rap kids, and the Future Farmers of America. But I didn’t have a clique. I listened to it all.”

When he was 11, Bizzy and his dad watched Guns ‘n’ Roses and Metallica’s infamous 1991 stadium tour on TV. “I loved the aggression and energy. It was powerful. I wanted that power.” Soon after, his father passed away and Bizzy, already a seasoned trombonist, took up the guitar to cope with his loss. “From the moment I learned to play a power-chord, that was all I wanted to do.”

Music was his destiny but Bizzy is not one for convention. He turned down a spot at a performing arts high school in Houston in order to carve his own path. At 19. he successfully auditioned for a spot at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he majored in guitar performance. He completed his education studying audio engineering in Miami.

While in Miami he co-founded the band, Purple Popcorn and set up his production company, Mean Stringz Entertainment. Working at local studios, he learned that his diverse musical background separated him out from his contemporaries. “In a roomful of producers, I knew the most about music,” Bizzy grins. But his point isn’t braggadocio. In the melting pot of modern music he says it is “imperative” to draw inspiration and techniques from all genres – whether rock, hip hop, funk, pop, or country. “There are only seven notes in music. What makes you stand out is how you interpret them.”

Whether performing as a guitarist (TV appearances include Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Tonight Show or in the studio, Bizzy brings profound musical insight and technical virtuosity to every project. When working on the albums "Kissland" and the Grammy Winning "Beauty Behind The Madness" with Abel Tesfaye – aka The Weeknd – Bizzy drew on a range of influences including Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, the Smiths, and the Police. The result: deeply felt, rich-textured songs praised by the New York Times as “mournful, pungent, [and] unnerving.”

With the success Bizzy is poised to push things forward. “Music is my craft, my trade. It is what I was born to do.” Citing Jimi Hendrix, Tupac Shakur and Metallica as inspirations, he spells out the code: “My motto is, ‘No play, no eat.’ There is no other way.” Given his unique combination of skills as a musician/performer and a gifted studio guitarist and music producer the only question is how high and how fast Bizzy’s star will rise.

MUSIC CREDITS

Year Album Artist

2019 While We Wait Kehlani Composer

2018 Sweetener Ariana Grande Guitar, Composer

2017 Evolution Pt 1 Prince Charlez Composer

2015 Beauty Behind the Madness The Weeknd Guitar

2013 Kiss Land The Weeknd Additional Production, Bass, Composer, Guitar, Instrumentation

2013 Excuse My French French Montana Guitar

2010 Pink Friday Nicki Minaj Composer

2009 Guilt Mims Composer

2009 Loso's Way Fabolous Guitar

2009 Pitbull Pitbull Composer