FAMU Students Take a Journey With ‘Sun Shines On Us All’ Album
FAMU student artists are featured in “The Sun Shines On Us All” album cover, with Bronson “Israel” Jones, left, and Giahni Bosquet.
Published via The Tallahassee Democrat
Florida A&M University is renowned for uniting imaginative talents. Bronson “Israel” Jones and Giahni Bosquet exemplify this legacy.
Jones is a senior English major from Gainesville. Bosquet, on the other hand, is a fall 2022 philosophy and fine arts graduate from Miami.
The two artists formed a close friendship as members of Voices poetry group on FAMU’s campus.
In March, Jones and Bosquet began crafting their 15-song coming-of-age chronicle. “The Sun Shines on Us All” takes listeners on a journey of love, sacrifice, desire and maturation.
The album is just one part of their larger journey, however.
In September 2022, Jones delved into his most vulnerable emotions through a 10-track album titled “Black Boys Don’t Cry.”
“The Sun Shines on Us All'' portrays various phases of personal growth in Jones’ life. His journey takes us from his roots as a Florida native, through the trials of navigating the music industry as a signed artist and, finally, to his current state of introspection as an independent artist.
As for Bosquet, “The Sun Shines on Us All'' was released shortly after his debut album, “Deep Shades of Brown.” Through both albums, we gain valuable insight into Bosquet’s talent for writing and producing music.
“Deep Shades of Brown '' delved into Bosquet’s self-discovery journey as a Black man. “The Sun Shines on Us All'' illustrates the crucial role music has played throughout such a journey.
“Owe it to my evils to do better. I’m writing raps to help keep me from feeling empty on the inside but then the riptides be getting stronger, or they getting deeper. And my money getting longer but my vision getting weaker. I been digging for something deeper outside of me,” Bosquet says on “Cutting Pedals.”
Jones and Bosquet’s dedication to their art has left a significant impact on their peers, including Trentin “BOMA” Cintron.
Cintron also attends FAMU and has witnessed many behind-the-scenes moments that occurred during the album’s creation. Additionally, he is featured on the 13th track titled, “Above Me.”
“These two are nonstop when it comes to music. They take their art seriously and it shows. Their dedication is crazy and I like to think it rubs off on me. They’ve shown me to keep the ball rolling regardless of the bumps in the road. Above me was something me and Bron connected on an emotional level. We both know what we’ve been through. It wasn’t even supposed to be on the album,” Cintron said.
“The Sun Shines on Us All” is the beginning of an endless end, according to Jones.
“You are never not going to get new music from us. We plan to stay in y’all face for a long time,” Jones said.
What’s ahead for these artists is a substantial lineup of videos, interviews, photo books and music. They are also working in close collaboration to create the soundscape for a student film titled, “In the Chateau.” The film is being written and directed by FAMU students.
“It's world domination season. We got the world next,” Bosquet said.
Their journey does not conclude here, however. Jones, Bosquet, and Cintron have teamed up with FAMU student Derrick Taylor, director of “In the Chateau,” to establish Brick Road Records.
“We got mad projects lined up … I’m ready to show the world what Brick Road is all about. Once the public sees what we’ve been doing behind the doors then our shine is evident. More music. More videos. More shows. A lot to come for the Brick Road,” Cintron said.
“The Sun Shines On Us All” is an album centered around self-discovery and reflection. Jones and Bosquet are using their life experiences to demonstrate that, despite life’s challenges, the sun shines on us all each day.