Indie Spotlight: M A E S T R O
If “maestro” means “prodigy” or “distinguished musician,” Maestro Harrell, the actor, performer and producer known to many as Randy from HBO’s The Wire, is living up to his name. He started piano lessons at age three, and, as a child, performed on The Tonight Show and Sinbad’s The Vibe. After a successful acting career that included roles on Guys Like Us and in the Will Smith movie Ali (Harrell played the young Cassius Clay), he began experimenting as an EDM producer and DJ, releasing the electro-house track “Drop It” with producer Antoine Becks. His dance single “For You,” a collaboration with Canadian DJ duo Dzeko and Torres featuring Delora, earned more than five million streams on Spotify in less than a year. The dramatic, unpredictable R&B bombast of his three solo singles evokes groups like the Weeknd and the Chainsmokers, who he names as inspirations. “I Don’t Care,” his most recent track, has already reached more than one million plays on Spotify and hit number 10 on Spotify’s U.K. viral 50 list.
Community
Connect with BMI & Professional Songwriters