Bernarr Ferebee Jr., better known by his stage name Durand Bernarr, is an American singer-songwriter and producer. He frequently provides background vocals for neo-soul artist Erykah Badu and featured vocals for other artists such as Anderson .Paak, Kaytranada, and The Internet. In 2019, Bernarr was a runner-up on the BET reality music competition The Next Big Thing. He released his latest album Wanderlust in 2022.[1][2] Bernarr earned a 2025 Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album nomination for the album En Route.[3]
Durand Bernarr | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Durand Bernarr |
| Also known as | alcoholharmony |
| Born | September 16, 1988 Cleveland, Ohio |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, producer, vocal arranger, pianist, DJ, skater, actor, host |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano, keyboard |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | DSING Records (Independent) |
| Website | durandbernarr.com |
Early life
editBernarr was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.[4][5] He was raised an only child by his mother, a professional music teacher and vocal coach, and his father, an audio engineer who worked with artists like Jay-Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, Jill Scott, and Whitney Houston. At 16, Bernarr accompanied his father on tour for Earth, Wind & Fire as a production assistant.[6] He attended church where his mother was the music director and his interest in music was further nurtured by the gospel music he heard there.[7] He cites Erykah Badu, Rick James and Little Richard as his biggest influences.[2]
Career
editIn 2008, Bernarr began to grow his digital fanbase by posting YouTube videos that incorporated singing, dancing, and comedic commentary. He also covered popular songs by artists like Kanye West, Amy Winehouse, and Gnarls Barkley.[6] In 2009, he released his first mixtape titled alcoholharmony: The MixT@pe consisting of studio versions of his popular covers from YouTube and original content via Bandcamp.[8]
In 2010, Bernarr released his second EP 8ight: The Stepson of Erykah Badu, a compilation of Badu covers and medleys.[9][6] Shortly after, Badu messaged him through Twitter and, having heard 8ight, she hired him as a background vocalist in her band Nedda Stella in 2011.[6]
in November 2012, he released his holiday EP titled "EXTRA Stankin' Christmas". He's also independently released various EP's and LP's distributed between 2010 and 2014 on Spotify, apple music and Bandcamp. Some of which have been removed. In September 2016, he released a 7 track EP, "Sound Check" and released a video for the lead single "Around".
Bernarr collaborates with various known name as well as indie artists as a feature or providing backgrounds. He has collaborated and performed with Ari Lennox, Kaytranada, The Foreign Exchange, The Internet, Sam Sparro, Thundercat, Knxwledge, Qveen Herby, and Teedra Moses.[7][8]
Bernarr competed on BET's 2019 reality music competition series The Next Big Thing.[1] He both rapped and sang, and eventually finished as one of the top three performers.[7]
He released the album DUR& (pronounced Durand) in September 2020.[10] In a review, Lucas Aubry of Numéro stated that the album "once again shows his incredible ability to go up in the highs like D’Angelo and down into the low and groovy frequencies of Nate Dogg in numerous rapped moments."[6]
Bernarr earned a 2025 Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album nomination for the album En Route.[3]
Personal life
editBernarr resides in Los Angeles.[2] He identifies as queer.[9]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- #Blameitonthemango (2014)
- DUR& (2020)
- Wanderlust (2022)
EPs
edit- EXTRA Stankin' Christmas (2012)
- ANXIETY (2013)
- Sound Check (2016)
- En Route (2024)
Mixtapes
edit- alcoholharmony: The MixT@pe (2009)
- 8ight: The Stepson of Erykah Badu (2010)
- Some Time in December, 1987 (2011)
- 80's Baby (2012)
as featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Album | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Hang on 2 Your Love"
(Sam Sparro featuring Durand Bernarr) |
2013 | Quantum Physical, Vol. 1 EP | [11] |
| "Freefall"
(Kaytranada featuring Durand Bernarr) |
2019 | Bubba | [12] |
| "Self Aware"
(Qveen Herby featuring Durand Bernarr) |
2020 | EP 8 | [13] |
| "Facetime (Remix)"
(Ari Lennox featuring Durand Bernarr) |
2020 | Shea Butter Baby (Remix EP) | [14] |
| "Red Aura"
(Tech N9ne featuring Qveen Herby & Durand Bernarr) |
2023 | Bliss | [15] |
| "Weird"
(Kaytranada featuring Durand Bernarr) |
2024 | Timeless |
References
edit- ^ a b Lynch, Joe. "4 Rising Artists You Should Know in 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- ^ a b c "Durand Bernarr: 'I don't look at music like a competition, I'm doing me.'". Loverboy Magazine. 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ a b Monroe, Jazz (2024-11-08). "Grammy Nominations 2025: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
- ^ "Lena Waithe and AT&T Debut 4 Artists You Should Know". www.out.com. 2019-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ Rodriguez, Anthony (2016-10-12). "Durand Bernarr Comes Back 'Around' | SoulBounce | SoulBounce". www.soulbounce.com. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ a b c d e Aubry, Lucas (2020-09-25). "Durand Bernarr, le phénomène repéré par Erykah Badu sur Twitter". Numero.com. Archived from the original on 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2020-11-27.
- ^ a b c Street, Mikelle (2019-10-30). "This Viral Singer Turns Gospel Into Bops About Fuckboys and Weed". Out. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Durand Bernarr Is Soul Music's Best Kept Secret". Sound of Life. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ a b Francis, Glendon. "9 LGBTQ Artists to Discover During Black History Month". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- ^ Clark, Kevin L. "Kaash Paige Introduces Essence's Official Cuffing SZN Opener Playlist". Essence. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- ^ "Sam Sparro & Durand Bernarr Give Us Something To 'Hang On 2'". www.soulbounce.com. 2014-02-05. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
- ^ "Encore: On 'BUBBA,' Kaytranada Captures Dance Music's Central Tenet". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
- ^ "Sam Smith, MUNA, & 6 More New Songs by LGBTQ+ Artists You Can't Miss". www.pride.com. 2020-07-31. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
- ^ "Ari Lennox drops 'Shea Butter Baby Remix EP' with Doja Cat, Smino and Durand Bernarr – Music News". KVSP Power 103.5. 2020-03-27. Retrieved 2020-11-28.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Nevares, Gabriel Bras (2023-07-30). "Tech N9ne Is Feeling The "BLISS" On New Album". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2024-01-12.