Durand Bernarr Talks Grammy & GLAAD’s ‘A Night of Pride’

Fresh off his first Grammy win for Best Progressive R&B Album, Durand Bernarr is getting into a brand new chapter of his profession with the arrogance of an artist who is aware of precisely who he’s and the influence that comes with it.

When requested what it feels prefer to formally add “Grammy winner” to his title, Bernarr summed up the second with a phrase that captures each the humor and the truth of his present whirlwind.

“It looks like yesterday’s value shouldn’t be right this moment’s value,” he instructed BOSSIP’s Lauryn Bass. “That’s the easiest way I can describe it, as a result of there’s an excessive amount of happening proper now. I can’t sit nonetheless and be alone with my ideas.”

Moving The Genre Forward While Honoring Its Roots

Winning within the Progressive R&B class carries a selected that means for Bernarr, who views the label much less as a field and extra as a course.

“It means shifting ahead, determining what different ways in which we will inform a narrative in a selected style, whereas additionally nonetheless respecting the inspiration that has been laid, after which the place we will take it,” he defined. “It’s form of like a passing of the baton. So yeah, shifting ahead.”

The win introduced each emotional aid and a shift in how he sees his personal place within the trade.

“I did have slightly little bit of aid validation, like, ‘Oh wow. This can occur. This is a actuality,’” Bernarr mentioned. “And it additionally did shift, as a result of I’m seeing the wonder in me being myself, me staying true to myself, discovering methods to hone that and tailor it in order that it’s me, and that made room for me.”

Reflecting on his journey, he added that his path into the trade has by no means felt conventional.

“I actually got here by means of the again door of the trade. I genuinely really feel like I got here bust by means of the again door,” he mentioned. “But I additionally had keys, I simply wasn’t utilizing them on the similar time. But this time I used to be like, ‘No, I bought one thing for y’all.’ I simply used my foot.”

Bringing Queer Artistry Into Traditionally Masculine Spaces

Bernarr lately carried out at GLAAD’s A Night of Pride throughout soccer’s largest weekend, a cultural area typically related to conventional masculinity. For the singer, exhibiting up authentically in that enviornment is non-negotiable.

“It feels prefer it’s a kind of, like, ‘Who gonna examine me?’ Like I’m right here,” he mentioned. “I’m going to make noise. I’m not right here to shrink back from something I’m feeling. I’m filled with pleasure. I’m filled with audacity. And I’m right here to share that.”

While he acknowledges that visibility doesn’t imply common acceptance, he stays targeted on representing in the easiest way he can.

“I additionally perceive that all the pieces isn’t for everyone. However, if I’m going to characterize, then I’m going to characterize the easiest way that I can.”

When requested about LGBTQ inclusion in sports activities areas, Bernarr leaned into humor whereas imagining what that visibility might appear to be.

“Could you think about two Judys being sportscasters? Because I’d like to do it,” he joked. “Just ensure that we bought our french toast and mimosas. Oh take a look at him throwing that ball. You higher catch it. He missed it. Yep. You know, I don’t miss no bass, youngster. It’ll be humorous.”

Aligning With Brands That Show Up For The Community

His partnership with Smirnoff for the occasion felt pure, he mentioned, due to the corporate’s longstanding assist for LGBTQ audiences.

“First and foremost, Smirnoff has at all times offered an excellent time on the membership,” Bernarr mentioned with fun. “Especially once I’m feeling the temper for slightly little bit of vodka. A little bit screwdriver, in case you’re nasty. But additionally that they’ve been very supportive of the LGBTQ plus neighborhood. To be aligned with a enterprise that can also be contemplating us is essential.”

Balancing Authenticity With Responsibility

While Bernarr initially targeted solely on being himself as an artist, he now acknowledges the broader affect he carries.

“When I first began, it was essential that I deal with myself,” he mentioned. “Now I see that there’s a accountability for me, as a result of my voice and the issues that I say maintain weight.”

He pointed to his NPR Tiny Desk efficiency as a second that exposed how his visibility can encourage others.

“When I did Tiny Desk, it was about me. But afterwards, it was about everybody else that appears like me, that acts like me, that’s like, ‘Wow, if he can try this, so can I.’”

That realization shapes how he approaches his platform right this moment.

“I need to make my folks proud,” he mentioned. “I need to make individuals who have felt the issues that I felt proud, and to see that there’s peace of thoughts on the opposite aspect of what it’s that you simply’re going by means of.”

What Queer Joy Looks Like And What Comes Next

For Bernarr, queer pleasure shouldn’t be summary. It is seen, embodied, and already on show.

“Just watch my acceptance speech,” he mentioned. “Watch me operating down that aisle, watch me slicing up on the purple carpet, watch me having my father come into the interviews expressing his pleasure and his delight. That is what queer pleasure seems like.”

Now, with a Grammy secured and his visibility rising, Bernarr says the instant future is each busy and well-deserved.

“A nap,” he joked when requested what’s subsequent. “I imply, I’m already gonna be right here and there and in all places. Talk exhibits, podcasts, interviews. It’s coming down the pipeline. I’m trying ahead to the world understanding what I do know, and that’s, I’m superb.”

This Grammy second isn’t just for Bernarr, however for all R&B lovers who’re excited for the style’s future. With pleasure main the way in which, Bernarr’s subsequent chapter seems daring, sensible and unmistakably his.