Christopher Brent Wood (born September 19, 1995), most famously known as Brent Faiyaz, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. Faiyaz is recognized for his smooth vocals and atmospheric slow-jam productions, often drawing comparisons to artists like Slim (of 112) and The Weeknd.
Faiyaz was born and raised in Columbia, Maryland. Even though his parents didn't always understand his musical aspirations, he began writing and recording music at the age of 15. He started uploading his experimental music to SoundCloud in 2014. During that time, he moved from his hometown to Charlotte, North Carolina, before settling in Los Angeles, California, to further his music career.
Faiyaz's career gained significant momentum with his feature on GoldLink's single "Crew" in 2016, alongside Shy Glizzy. The song was a commercial success, reaching number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and receiving a Grammy nomination. In October 2016, Faiyaz formed a group named Sonder with record producers Dpat and Atu, releasing their debut single “Too Fast” on October 25.
In 2017, Faiyaz released his debut studio album, Sonder Son, recorded during a month-long stay in the Dominican Republic. In February 2020, he released his fourth EP, Fuck the World, which debuted at number 20 on the Billboard 200. His second studio album, Wasteland (2022) peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and spawned the Billboard Hot 100-charting singles, "Gravity" (with DJ Dahi featuring Tyler, the Creator), "Wasting Time" (featuring Drake and the Neptunes), and "Price of Fame".
Faiyaz's musical style is rooted in R&B, soul, and hip-hop. He is influenced by artists such as Erykah Badu, J Dilla, and D'Angelo.
Recently, Brent Faiyaz has been in the headlines due to rumors linking him romantically to singer and actress Halle Bailey. These rumors began circulating after DJ Akademiks shared pictures suggesting that Bailey and Faiyaz were vacationing together in the Caribbean. The rumors intensified when DDG, Bailey's ex-boyfriend, accused her of being with Faiyaz during a Mother's Day getaway in St. Lucia. DDG allegedly sent Bailey messages and social media posts speculating about her being on a private island with Faiyaz. Bailey has denied these rumors, stating that she was in St. Lucia with her sister, Chloe.
Halle Bailey, born on March 27, 2000, is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She initially gained recognition as one half of the musical duo Chloe x Halle, alongside her sister Chloe Bailey. The duo began their career by posting covers of pop songs on YouTube, eventually catching the attention of Beyoncé, who signed them to her label, Parkwood Entertainment, in 2016. Chloe x Halle released two albums, The Kids Are Alright (2018) and Ungodly Hour (2020), and earned five Grammy Award nominations.
Bailey transitioned into acting, with a notable role in the television series Grown-ish (2018-2022). Her portrayal of Ariel in Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid (2023) brought her widespread acclaim and solidified her status as a rising star. In 2023, Bailey released her debut solo single, "Angel," which received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song.
