Brandan “Bmike” Odums is the founder and director of 2-Cent Entertainment LLC – a youth education social enterprise that produces mixed media content and events in the overlap between pop culture and social awareness. Founded in 2005, 2-Cent began as a hip-hop-oriented, grassroots, entertainment company geared towards addressing problems in the community. Since then the company, through Brandan’s vision, has made itself a household name across New Orleans and surrounding areas.
A highly sought after visual artist and filmmaker, Brandan uses these mediums to tells the stories and makes statements to grab the attention of the younger generation who hold the responsibility to spark change in the world.
Following the success of his Project BE in 2013, a series of graffiti murals depicting iconic African American civil rights leaders at the Florida Avenue public housing complex in New Orleans’ 9th Wards, Brandan’s most recent work include #ExhibitBe, the largest graffiti gathering in the South held at the site of an abandoned five-story apartment building on the West Bank in New Orleans. In 2014, #ExhibitBE gained national attention, welcoming over 100,000 visitors during its three month opening.
An award winning artist, Brandan has been honored as one of “20 New Orleans Artist You Should Know” by Complex.com, Gambit’s Weekly 40 under 40, and a Joan Mitchell Foundation Grantee.
Remaining true to his mission to help youth use the arts to evoke change, Brandan regularly speaks to student groups and in 2013 launched the 2-Cent Summer Session, media arts camp, in New Orleans.
A highly sought after visual artist and filmmaker, Brandan uses these mediums to tells the stories and makes statements to grab the attention of the younger generation who hold the responsibility to spark change in the world.
Following the success of his Project BE in 2013, a series of graffiti murals depicting iconic African American civil rights leaders at the Florida Avenue public housing complex in New Orleans’ 9th Wards, Brandan’s most recent work include #ExhibitBe, the largest graffiti gathering in the South held at the site of an abandoned five-story apartment building on the West Bank in New Orleans. In 2014, #ExhibitBE gained national attention, welcoming over 100,000 visitors during its three month opening.
An award winning artist, Brandan has been honored as one of “20 New Orleans Artist You Should Know” by Complex.com, Gambit’s Weekly 40 under 40, and a Joan Mitchell Foundation Grantee.
Remaining true to his mission to help youth use the arts to evoke change, Brandan regularly speaks to student groups and in 2013 launched the 2-Cent Summer Session, media arts camp, in New Orleans.
