Media and Press
PRESS RELEASE: BREN.D.O
Neo-Soul’s New Storyteller
Bren.d.o Announces Breakthrough Year With iTunes R&B; Charting Singles
Southern Illinois artist blends alt-R&B;, pop and neo-soul; ‘Electric Love Affair’ and ‘Boom Boom‘ gain national traction
Southern Illinois native Brendan “Bren.d.o” Jennings is redefining modern R&B; with a sound that merges alt-R&B;, pop, and neo-soul. In 2025, his singles Electric Love Affair (feat. Kendra Chanae) and Boom Boom charted on the iTunes R&B; charts, fueling rapid growth across streaming and social platforms. Called “neo-soul’s newest storyteller,” Bren.d.o pairs melodic hooks with emotional, cinematic production.
Bren.d.o’s music has drawn comparisons to artists like Prince and Bruno Mars while remaining distinctively his own, rooted in storytelling, optimism, and community. In addition to music, Jennings is the author of the 2025 novel Chemical Exposure and continues community history work tied to Southern Illinois.
Bren.d,o also has a book out. Chemical Exposure is a psychological thriller novel by Brendan Hope Jennings (Bren.d.o) that explores the blurred lines between nightmares and reality. The story follows Daniel, a man haunted by vivid dreams that lead him to uncover a hidden threat endangering his community, based in Southern Illinois.
The momentum around Electric Love Affair and Boom Boom follows collaborations with Alpha Recording Group and distribution support through Virgin/UMG channels. With new releases and live performances planned, Bren.d.o is poised for a breakout stretch in the year ahead.
Media Contact
Brendan Hope Jennings (Bren.d.o) — Email: bhj4scb@gmail.com
Management Luciano Layne (Alpha Magazines / Alpha Recording Group) — Email: luciano@thealphamusicgroup.com
ABOUT BREN.D.O
Bren.d.o is an alt-R&B; singer-songwriter and author from Southern Illinois. His work blends soulful hooks and modern production with community-minded storytelling. Recent releases include Electric Love Affair and Boom Boom, supported by Alpha Recording Group and Virgin/UMG distribution channels. Jennings has become a prominent voice for the preservation of African American history in Southern Illinois, mapping and documenting the 19th-century Lakeview community and its AME church roots. His historical work has been featured by WPSD Local 6, Illinois Humanities, and the Carrier Mills–Stonefort Library District’s History of Carrier Mills Vol. 2. Brendan was also a candidate for Saline County Illinois Board in 2024. Combining artistry with purpose, Bren.d.o continues to spotlight the culture, creativity, and legacy of small-town America on a national stage.




Links about Bren.d.o
Explore interviews, articles, and features highlighting Bren.d.o’s journey across music, authorship, and community history.
Music & Features
- SoapLife Magazine – Kendra Chanae Sparks Late-Night Emotion and Modern Romance on New Single “Electric Love Affair”
- R+ – Kendra Chanae ft. Bren.do – Electric Love Affair: Neo soul about an electric attraction and a love that alters the senses
- The Chicago Journal – Bren.d.o: Building Music, Memory, and Meaning in Southern Illinois
- infomusic.fr – Kendra Chanae electrifies hearts with “Electric Love Affair”
- Musical Frequencies – Italy Kendra Chanae lights up the night: “Electric Love Affair” is the pop anthem we needed.
- Lacaverna – Mexico – From electronic pulse to current introspective metal
- fenomenmag – Kendra Chanae Sparks Late-Night R&B Energy on “Electric Love Affair” featuring Bren.d.o
- Music Reload – Night, Neon, and Alchemy: Kendra Chanae Bewitches Us with “Electric Love Affair”
- Music for the Misfits – Bren.d.o – Electric Love Affair
- larksandlines = Bren.d.o: turning small-town stories into modern neo-soul
- Larksandlines – the roundup: darkness, duality & immersion
- Mumubl – Why Bren.d.o Is the Artist I Can’t Stop Thinking About — & Why His Discography Marks the Start of Something Bigger
- IhouseU – Introducing Bren.d.o: Neo-Soul’s New Storyteller from Southern Illinois
- Music Crowns – From small-town roots to global R&B: Bren.d.o’s 2025 breakthrough
- TAGG – Meet Bren.d.o: The Southern Illinois Artist Building a Universe Across Sound, Story, and Community
- Curious For Music – Bren.d.o Is Turning Southern Illinois Into Neo-Soul’s New Creative Hub
- Melodrift – Bren.d.o Is Writing Southern Illinois Into the Future of Neo-Soul
- We Speak Media – Bren.d.o Is Poised for a Breakthrough with a Vision Bigger Than the Charts
- Music Observer – Bren.d.o: Neo-Soul’s Newest Storyteller
- I’m Not From London Blog – A Feature on Bren.d.o: The Southern Illinois Visionary Reframing Modern Neo-Soul
- Flex Music Blog – Bren.d.o – A Southern Story of A Rising Star…
- Rotate Magazine – Bren.d.o Is Making R&B Feel Real Again
- Rotate Magazine Insta Post
- Findyoursouds – Bren.d.o Announces Breakthrough Year With iTunes R&B; Charting Singles
- Ignite Music Mag – Bren.d.o’s Essential Five: The Albums That Shaped Neo-Soul’s New Storyteller
- Tits Upon Tyne – Bren.d.o Artist Profile (Introducing Bren.d.o: Neo-Soul’s New Storyteller from Southern Illinois – Interview)
- The Gatekeeper Space – Melt Into Bren.d.o and Kendra Chanae’s Neon Lit “Electric Love Affair”
- Rockdafuqout – Bren.d.o & Kendra Chanae Team Up for New Release “Electric Love Affair”
- Off The Street Music – “Introducing Bren.d.o: Neo-Soul’s New Storyteller from Southern Illinois”
- Alpha Magazine – “Meet Bren.d.o: Neo-Soul’s Newest Storyteller”
- Barnes & Noble – Chemical Exposure by Brendan Jennings
- MSN / PRNewswire – MTV’s “When Spicy Meets Sweet” Finale
- Archived Official Site – “When Spicy Meets Sweet”
- IMDb – When Spicy Meets Sweet (2008)
Historical & Community Work
- WSIL TV 3 – Black History Month presentations at SIC 1.29.2026
- WPSD Local 6 – Lakeview Township Seeks Historical Designation
- WPSD Local 6 – Lake View Community Honors Veterans
- Illinois Humanities – Harold Washington’s Illinois Roots
- Lawrence Lore – Harold Washington: Roots, Branches, and Bridges
- Belt Magazine – Mapping the Rust Belt
- Encyclopædia Britannica – Rust Belt
Creative Work & Pop Culture
- DeviantArt – Full Raccoon City Map by Ruhe1986 (Bren.d.o)
- Variety – Director Johannes Roberts on Staying Faithful to Resident Evil
Political & Advocacy
- Ballotpedia – Brendan H. Jennings (Saline County Board Candidate 2024)
- Facebook Event – LGBTQ+ Town Hall with Equality Illinois (Carbondale)