Toronto’s Brandyn Leo Drops Vulnerable New Single “Beats 4 U,” Blending Dancehall Grooves with RnB Heart
Rising artist Brandyn Leo returns with his most heartfelt and vulnerable release to date, “Beats 4 U,” available now on all major streaming platforms. Fusing the energy of dancehall with smooth RnB melodies and polished pop sensibilities, the Toronto-born, Jamaican-raised singer-songwriter is carving out his own lane—one that’s fierce, fearless, and full of soul.
After earning accolades in professional theatre and leading the hip-hop group Iambic, Brandyn Leo has found his voice as a solo artist with a message. He brings together pop, gospel, RnB, and reggae/dancehall influences, inspiring his listeners—particularly Queer and P.O.C. voices—to live with courage and heart. His motto, ‘Stay Fierce & Fearless,’ is more than a mantra—it’s the pulse of his sound.
“Beats 4 U” dives deep into the emotions of falling in love, told through the lens of someone rediscovering what it means to be vulnerable. “I never thought that it would work… I try to keep it together, but I wear my heart on my sleeve,” Brandyn sings, layering confessional lyricism over a bouncing beat. The chorus—“Are you feeling what I’m feeling? ’Cause my heart beats for you”—has already started resonating as a potential couple’s anthem.
The track was written in Gatineau, Quebec, during a moment of unexpected creative breakthrough.
“It came out like a stubborn knot,” Leo says. “The melody was flowing, but the words weren’t.”
Despite early hesitations, it quickly became a crowd favorite during live performances, pushing Brandyn to embrace its message of emotional openness.
Produced with glossy polish and a sense of emotional urgency, ‘Beats 4 U’ is reminiscent of early Sean Paul’s infectious rhythm, Khalid’s vulnerability, Burna Boy’s global bounce, and modern Drake’s melodic flow. The upcoming music video, set for a November release, follows a young woman navigating an unpredictable romance, mirroring the song’s tender tension.
With ‘Beats 4 U,’ Brandyn Leo proves he’s not just making music—he’s making moments. And with each new release, his message gets louder: Love bravely. Live boldly. Let your heart beat out loud.
Hi, Brandyn! Good to see meet! Care to introduce yourself to the readers for those not familiar with your music?
My name is Brandyn Leo, Singer songwriter from Toronto. My style is a mix of Rnb, Pop, Soul and Dancehall/reggae.
I’m a musical theatre kid who went to Randolph college of the Arts (Big up Randolph!) making the transition from theatre to music has been interesting. Theater will always have my heart and I hope to go back to it one day, But I want to make a mark in the industry no matter how big or small that may be, I have a voice and vibe that I want to bring to the world.
“Beats 4 U” is described as your most vulnerable release yet. What moment or feeling sparked the first lyric of this track?
To be honest I was at the studio of my manager’s house in Ottawa, ON at the time, and he played the beat, and the words just fell out. I wasn’t really a fan of the song at first cause I thought it was a bit mushy for me. But when I would perform it, people from all walks of life, women men and folks in-between really dug it, and I started to fall in love with it myself. It’s fun to sing vocally. And if I’m truthful the song actually expresses my own personal vulnerability. Although I’m a ball of fire to most people when they first meet me, I am sensitive and I really do wear my heart on my sleeve.
You’ve blended dancehall, RnB, pop, and gospel throughout your work. How do you approach weaving those influences into a single cohesive sound?
I just follow my heart and stay true to my authenticity. Those sounds are all in me. I’m lucky to have grown up in a city that is so diverse. I started singing in church. I was pentecostal and trust me those guys know how to jam! As a kid and in school at home we were bumping Usher, Destiny’s Child and all that. Doing all the choro in the mirror and we were serious. ( my sibling and I) I’m born to both Jamaican parents and so the Caribbean influence is just natural. When I hear good reggae it reminds me of home family and purity, One Love. Which is the vibe I want to have subconsciously in my work.
Your motto, ‘Stay Fierce & Fearless,’ pulses through this track. How do you stay connected to that mantra when you’re feeling creatively blocked or emotionally exposed?
It’s wild being an artist, it’s hard to follow your dreams, It’s challenging just being human. And we all have hardships. I use this motto not just for my audience but for myself. Leo represents the Lion in the zodiac. Symbolizes courage, boldness and fearlessness. Leo rules the heart, the seat of the soul. And basically I try to embody that energy to motivate myself and others.
As someone uplifting Queer and P.O.C. voices through music, how do you hope “Beats 4 U” resonates with those communities specifically?
Well I guess maybe when I wrote it came from my own experiences of navigating romance as a queer person, which can be treacherous, and that’s rare in RnB. “Beats 4U” is the kinda song that’s about being vulnerable in a time where people are more hesitant to let their guard down. And being able to love freely, (but cautiously). Beats 4U isn’t just about romantic love, You can sing the chorus to your granny or scream it to your best friend, that’s the vibe it gives and I think that’s why it’s fun.