As a music fan, there’s nothing better than stumbling upon one of your favorite albums of the year unexpectedly. Being a live music lover led me to cross paths with talented multi-instrumentalist Braxton Cook who I randomly went to see on a whim at the Grammy Museum recently. I was so impressed not having heard a note before, I bought his brilliant album ‘Not Everyone Can Go’ on the spot (yes, that still happens).

Inhabiting the R&B/jazz intersection, ‘Not Everyone Can Go’ without any skips, remained in constant rotation. Dropping a deluxe version today to close out a dope 2025, Braxton adds more gems to the previously released lush and stellar soundscape collection. Further delving backwards into his discography, I happily discovered Braxton’s diverse range from the jump.

After the show a few weeks later, I luckily touched base with Braxton to discuss his fascinating background, growing up with a father who taught Civil Rights and Constitutional Law, ultimately landing at Julliard where he’d meet Jon Batiste and Jahaan Sweet, future critical collaborators on his musical journey. Beyond picking up an Emmy and two Grammys recently, he’s shared stages and NPR Tiny Desk spaces with the likes of Solange, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Mac Miller, aTunde Adjuah and Tom Misch!

Check out our interview where we discuss all of this below! Get tix to see Braxton in 2026 here and cop the deluxe album here!