Today we’d like to introduce you to Breana Mitchell
Breana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m Brezay, born and raised in Memphis, TN. My journey began as a little girl inspired by performers like Ciara, Michael Jackson, and Chris Brown. Watching them dance and perform, I dreamed of doing the same one day. I started as a dancer, blending Memphis Jooking with my own creative style. Over time, my fan base grew, and I became an influencer. I even appeared on the TV show The Sauce, hosted by AYO and TEO, which opened up new doors for me in dance. But deep down, I felt that something was missing.
Growing up, music was all around me—my family could all sing, and family reunions were filled with performances from our family choir. But singing made me nervous; any mistake felt exposed. With dance, I could cover up any slip-ups, but singing felt vulnerable. Despite this, as I grew older, I started pushing past my fear. A friend from middle school, Jeffrey (aka JKIDD), and I teamed up to learn the ropes of music production. He’s an incredible drummer, and while he learned producing, I worked on songwriting. Our first song was rough, but it was a start, and we were proud of it.
One day in class, after finishing our work early, JKIDD was playing one of our recordings when our teacher overheard and asked to listen. Nervous, I watched as he played the song for the class—who ended up laughing at us. I felt humiliated, and honestly, I wanted to give up music right then. But JKIDD encouraged me, and we kept practicing, learning, and recording, often skipping class to work on songs. Gradually, our music improved, and I found some of my sound. I released my first single, “Crazy Feeling,” and then an EP called No Rules, which became one of my most popular releases, blending pop and R&B.
In 2021, at 21, I posted a reaction video with my parents on TikTok, which went viral, racking up millions of views and gaining thousands of followers. From there, things took off—I received opportunities like having my music featured on TV shows The Rookie Feds and Platonic and even opened for Bryson Tiller. Seeing fans sharing my music and creating videos to it was incredible. I told my producer that I wanted to explore all styles of music, to challenge ourselves to be versatile. We wanted the ability to fit into any musical setting, something not every artist or producer can easily do.
Today, I sing, rap, and mix genres in unexpected ways. Alongside music, I also launched my clothing brand, BREZERK, at Jackson State University, where it sold out on the first day. The brand reflects my passion for fashion, with the name inspired by the way people would say, “Your fit goes crazy.” Creativity runs deep for me, and I’m constantly involved in graphic design, content creation, and promoting my brand. Recently, my brand collaborated with the Memphis Grizzlies (191 Collabs) that will drop in March, along with my new music release.
In everything I do, consistency and focus have been key. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, even when others doubted or laughed. I know who I am, and I see myself as a “Bright Light.” This is only a short version of my story—there’s much more to come!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve faced so many challenges along the way. I heard “no” countless times when all I wanted was a chance to sit in rooms with people I could learn from. Often, people overlooked me because I didn’t fit the mold of a particular kind of artist they had in mind. But I knew who I was, and I was determined to stay true to myself.
I appreciate constructive criticism because it pushes me to grow, but changing who I am—my personality, style, or values as an artist—was never on the table. Being a creative, to me, is about staying authentic and finding new ways to express yourself. At the time, people weren’t ready for that, but my consistency eventually shifted the conversation. It was only a matter of time.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I Do Currently
I work independently as an artist and entrepreneur, running both my clothing brand and a marketing company.
What I Am Known For
I’m known as a dancer, artist, singer-songwriter, fashion designer, and graphic designer.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of having God at the center of everything I’ve accomplished—and everything I will accomplish in the future. I couldn’t have done it without Him. Even when I stumble, He lifts me up and puts me back on track.
What Sets Me Apart from Others
What sets me apart is that I am genuinely, authentically myself. No one else can be me, no matter how hard they try. Authenticity is about being true to who you are. Sure, we can draw inspiration from others, but it’s important to make it our own. These days, that can be hard for some people, especially with so much pressure to please others. But staying true to myself has always been my guiding principle.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5 to 10 years, I see myself becoming one of the most influential people you’ve ever known. One of my goals is to win multiple Grammys and build a multi-million dollar business. I know these dreams are big, but no dream is too big when it’s meant for you. With faith and hard work, anything is possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/grindcityrecords
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brezay__/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breana.mitchell.92/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXxX1LFNSXi3_hhs3PYn9tw
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@brezay__
