Durand Bernarr stole hearts at the Grammys. Now, he wants to make sure you can't look away

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It was only a matter of time before Durand Bernarr was impossible to ignore.After more than two decades in the music industry (including singing background vocals for Erykah Badu) and 13 projects deep, the Cleveland-born singer has built a devoted following on the strength of his elastic vocals, tongue-in-cheek lyricism dosed with healing affirmations and flamboyant live shows, which feel as indebted to Broadway as they are to R&B.His 2023 NPR Tiny Desk concert, now with more than 2.9 million views, offers a succinct introduction.So when Bernarr — born Bernarr Ferebee Jr.

— darted to the Grammy stage in February to accept his first award, for progressive R&B album for “Bloom,” the viral moment felt perfectly on brand.When asked how his life has shifted since, he reaches for a vivid metaphor.

“If I can compare it to a fire, there were several pieces of wood,” he told The Times, “and now there is gasoline and lumber and all types of stuff thrown into it — so now it is ignited.The fire can be seen from farther away.”He didn’t wait long to feed it.

Two days later, Bernarr was back in the studio, initially aiming to create a deluxe version of “Bloom.” Instead, the sessions grew into an entirely new project, “Bernarr.,” a self-titled offering named in honor of his dad, whom he shares a name with.Due out May 1, it features contributions from R&B pioneer Raphael Saadiq, pop star Khalid, rapper Vic Mensa and more.

Bernarr released the first single, “Wild Ride,” with singer-songwriter James Fauntleroy and an accompanying video in late March.Music The singer reflects on his journey from child star to R&B innovator, the success of ‘Mutt’ and why the art of live musicianship is necessary in the age of AI.Ahead of upcoming shows at the Blue Note jazz club April 29 in L.A.

and the Netflix Is a Joke festival, where he’ll be merging his m...