JUSTBRANDON & WILLIE JONES FIND HEALING IN THE OPEN ROAD
- So FN Dope Magazine
- Dec 17, 2025
- 3 min read
By any measure, justbrandon has never been interested in fitting neatly inside a box. The Southern Indiana–raised artist, born Brandon Gabriel Jones, has built his reputation on blurring lines—between country and rap, intimacy and anthem, independence and ambition. On his new single, “Bury Me On A Backroad,” justbrandon leans fully into that in-between space, delivering one of his most emotionally resonant records to date.
Released via Gravel Road on Wednesday, December 17, the track pairs justbrandon with Willie Jones, the critically acclaimed genre-defying artist best known to mainstream audiences for his collaboration on Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER. Together, the two create a song that doesn’t run from grief—it rides straight through it, windows down, heart exposed.
At its core, “Bury Me On A Backroad” is about loss—but not the kind that demands silence. Built around an emotive, anthemic chorus, the song carries a quiet hope: that pain can be lightened when it’s shared, remembered, and reframed. The “backroad” becomes a symbol of release—far from spectacle, closer to truth. It’s where memory lingers, where goodbyes feel less final, and where healing doesn’t have to announce itself.
Written and produced entirely by justbrandon, the record showcases the same gifted lyricism that made his viral hit “Busch Light Papi” a cultural moment. That song introduced him to a wider audience, but “Bury Me On A Backroad” feels like a deeper thesis statement—proof that virality was never the destination, only a byproduct of honesty.
Willie Jones’ presence elevates the record into something communal. With hundreds of millions of streams and a voice rooted in both country tradition and forward-thinking Black Americana, Jones brings a grounded warmth that complements justbrandon’s raw storytelling. Their collaboration feels organic, less like a feature and more like two perspectives meeting at the same emotional crossroads.
Justbrandon’s path to this moment has been anything but manufactured. He began making music in elementary school, constantly writing and recording with his brothers, slowly building a grassroots following through local shows and independent releases. In 2015, his songwriting reached a national audience after contributing music for social media personality Taylor Caniff, marking an early turning point in his career.
But music is only one lane in justbrandon’s creative universe. As a creative director, he has quietly shaped visuals, branding, and narratives across video production, design, consulting, and A&R. That multidisciplinary lens informs the cinematic feel of his releases—each song existing as part of a larger, cohesive world rather than a standalone moment.
Since signing with Gravel Road following the success of “Busch Light Papi,” justbrandon has continued to expand his catalog with work grounded in lived experience. Community, mentorship, and creative independence remain central to his ethos, positioning him as a rising voice who understands both where he’s from and where he’s going.
“Bury Me On A Backroad” doesn’t chase trends or algorithms. Instead, it offers something far rarer: permission to feel, and the reassurance that grief doesn’t have to be carried alone. In an era of noise, justbrandon and Willie Jones choose clarity—and in doing so, deliver a song that lingers long after the last note fades.
For an artist still on the rise, justbrandon sounds remarkably sure of himself here. If this record is any indication, the road ahead—backroad or otherwise—is one worth following.
Follow justbrandon and Willie Jones across social platforms for updates, visuals, and behind-the-scenes insight into “Bury Me On A Backroad.”
https://www.tiktok.com/@williejones (1.5 M Likes)
https://x.com/WillieJones (144.7k)
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