Meet Brandon “Dame 55” Williams | Multidisciplinary Music Artist & Founder of 55 Media Group

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandon “Dame 55” Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandon “Dame 55”, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I am inspired by Afrofuturism. Afrofuturism evaluates the past and future to create better conditions for the present generation of B.I.P.O.C communities through the use of technology, often presented through art, music, and literature. Growing up in College Hill Cincinnati Ohio and then raised around LA Hip-hop, and skate culture.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart from others is my story! I am an Afro-Futurist CEO and Founder/ CEO of digital Westchester, LA Based Agency 55 Media Group. I have worked in several facets of the industry in marketing and advertising and specializing in the areas of ad sales, brand development, experiential, and brand partnerships. I am also a musical artist known as ” Dame 55.” My credits have included working with EDM producer Boyz Noise, choreography for Bloc Talent Agency, and touring stateside with a creative collective called The Dorks! I went to school at FIDM in 2009 and Art Institute of North Hollywood in 2011. After college, I ventured into the music industry, signing with the Maloof Brothers. Touring with Steve Aoki, Omas Keith, and many more. Later I had the opportunity to work with Insomniac Festival for EDC 2011-2012 as a talent and also consulting in content strategy and marketing. In 2014 as an account executive, I helped scale the programmatic division of Engage BDR, leading to the company’s IPO in 2017. My current and previous clients include Hashtaghappyperiod.org, Own Networks Black Love, Will.i.AM, Hueyouknow.com. Afropunk.com, Dash Radio, Soho House, Zmbizi.com, SuperNova Women, Mastercard, Grub Hub, and many more. Our company had the opportunity to book our clients Black Love on the breakfast club to promote Black Love Season 4 on Own Network. This year we are planning to open a community space in LA that provides equity in the NFT space and convesations around marketing.

I recently partnered with Air Graft as Brand Ambassador with plans to drop our own cannabis brand. We are launching a new business model for delivery. Use my link to get invited to the membership invite-only access- https://airgraft.com/referral/IQDUYFCY if you interested sign-up delivery comes right at your doorstep.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to our office at the Soho works on susnet.  We have lunch at 12, off W Pico Blvd. There are so many great underground after-hour spots Verbz Host that I would check out. Malibu Soho house would be something I would take them to. I always make sure to support the B.I.P.O.C women’s businesses. Helene Henderson,  has an amazing place called Malibu Farms grab dinner there. Ending the night at speakeasy I love £10 (Ten Pound Bar) with Cigars and great rye. If you’re in LA you can’t deny the amazing Mexican food. So I would have to do taco Tuesday and a night at La Descarga for Salsa Dancing and cuban cigars.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to get a huge shoutout to Keni Thacker and 100rosesfromconcrete.com. The goal of the 100 Roses is to be a platform where people of color in the advertising industry can connect, collaborate, and grow together. The network’s purpose is to be a central location for those the least represented in the advertising, marketing media, and public relations to connect with others in the industry. They’re many groups for advertising professionals of color, but none like the Roses. We can learn a lot about each other since all of our journeys are different yet somewhat the same. Having one central hub to network and receive updates on our success, get a little advice from around the world makes it an inspirational and aspirational place for ad folks to be apart of something bigger than advertising itself.

Website: 55mediagroup.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/55mediagroup/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-dame55-williams/

Twitter: twitter.com/55mediagroupla

Facebook: facebook.com/55mediagroup

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmByEC8vYAx9UHaul7s4uqg

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ryZfRlnOjWYd0xZ1Veiga?si=F0IoBRN-Tdi1yG9jz6UVUA

I am also putting out an album called Who Is The Pop Killer on my own label Free Thinking Records. The album features production by Boys Noize, Chilly Gonzalez, Poetnamelife, and many more.

Image Credits
Apollo – Christoph Night