No cap, just christ
by Charity Graham
Growing up, when your aunties told you to “do that ‘lil dance you was doing,” most folks hit their Dougie (or Wu-tang, to each their own) and kept it pushing. But, for Brandon Willams, him paying homage to Michael Jackson in an impromptu family reunion performance foreshadowed a budding career in music and performing. It’d be a long time before he’d pick up a mic, though, and become known by his stage name, Antonio Sincere.
Raised in the church, the Georgia native was no stranger to the Most High. In fact, he remembers being able to hear God’s voice since childhood audibly. Surely, this helped to build the foundation of faith that emboldened him to dream fiercely and fearlessly about his future.
“I always knew I had something,” Williams said,
“but I didn’t know where I would take it or how it would happen.”
At first, he thought he’d take it to the court. Standing at 6’0, dreams of one day playing in the NBA fueled Williams to Southern Wesleyan University, where he played as a shooting guard at the collegiate level. Then, in February 2020, an emotional phone call with his mother bore a revelation: God was calling him to do music. And he did just that. “Mad at You” was the first song Williams had ever written and recorded. He’d eventually begin to go by Antonio Sincere, stage name derived from his middle name. If he’d left that first single up on streaming services, you’d find it differing drastically from the scripture-laden sounds we hear from him today.
It was during his time studying business at Florida A&M University that Williams began to mature in Christ while simultaneously searching for his musical niche. Living in a college town presented the perfect opportunity to do some soul-searching as he ventured into his own pocket of clever wordplay and Jay-Z-inspired delivery. Beyond the structural sound and production of his music, he initially modeled the lyrics after what most hip-hop praised: sex, money, and drugs. And while he wasn’t a perfect person‒ I mean, who is?‒ he wanted his music to better mirror the life he actually led. Going back to the church kid roots planted in him Sunday after Sunday, his music began to lean more positively.
It was a slow lean, but a lean nonetheless. In the same way that pouring water into a cup of coffee doesn’t immediately make it crystal clear, we hear Williams’ content transition on songs like “Green” and “Journal”. Bars and punchlines that speak on God and his faith were nestled in with worldly themes and, in some cases, explicit language. Similar to the life he was leading outside of the studio.
Meeting his girlfriend and journeying further into his spirituality alongside her, Williams credits a lot of his growth in Christ to his relationship. However, one transformative night of prayer in November of 2024 following a sermon by Pastor Phillip Anthony Mitchell left him “overwhelmed with conviction.” That night, he no longer wanted God to simply be an element of his music; He wanted Him to be its driving force.
Moving forward with God at the forefront, Williams now strives to be a pioneer in gospel rap. His latest releases captures and express his journey to letting God lead his life. His most recent single “Fear the Lord” now stands alone as a song with God at the center, showcasing his choice to live for Him and Him alone‒ a message he conveys carefully and creatively. Sampling Mary J. Blige’s “Everything”, “Fear the Lord” came to be as Williams’ music often does‒ jotting down lyrics wherever and whenever inspiration sparks and finding a beat to match them afterward. The song serves as a cautionary tale for those living life as if they have no one to answer to.
“We’re so worried about life and not who gave us this life,” Williams said.
“I lived that same way and it’s not rewarding, it’s not fulfilling.”
Brandon Williams’ openness to document and articulate his spiritual journey through his music is admirable, and signifies the passion and authenticity he pours into it. If this is your introduction to Brandon Williams and his musical moniker Antonio Sincere, prepare to see a lot more of him soon! According to the artist, we can look forward to plenty more songs dropping soon and more live performances for those in the Atlanta area.
Follow him on Instagram @antoniosincerely to stay tuned.
