Unchained Genius

I'm thrilled to be part of this year's @recordingacademy New Member Class and join countless creators and professionals who serve, celebrate, and advocate for music year-round. As a member, I'll have the power to make a difference for my peers, the greater music community, and my own journey. This is truly an amazing honor, to be apart of the Recording Academy. Special thank you to @its_thecan and @beatsbysolitaire for the belief in me. Also thank you to my @isproacademy and @ispromusic family and everyone for your support. There will be more to come from @unchainedgenius soon!!! #iamtheacademy

It’s official — I Heard The City Breathe: The Narration is now available on all streaming platforms. This project started as a vision rooted in Chicago, community, youth collaboration, and personal reflection. Now, after months of creating, performing, exhibiting, and sharing the story behind the work, the music is finally here for everyone to experience. Thank you to every student, producer, engineer, artist, partner, family member, and supporter who helped breathe life into this project. Listen now, link in bio!!! #IHeardTheCityBreathe #7Metrix #NowStreaming #ChicagoMusic #IndependentArtist ISProAcademy UnchainedGenius

Thanks again for all the birthday love and to everyone who came out to experience the final day of I Heard The City Breathe at the @beverlyartcenter . Shoutout to @rooks_looks and @sxucougars for the opportunity again.This year has been a wild ride, but it has also opened the door to a new chapter in my artistic journey. For a long time, I kept music and art at a distance. Not because I didn’t love them, but because expressing myself that honestly carried a weight I wasn’t always ready to hold. I often found myself moving around the edges of the work instead of fully stepping into it. But this project changed that. I Heard The City Breathe literally breathed life back into me — pun fully intended. It reminded me why storytelling matters, why music heals, and why our stories deserve to be heard. This week, I Heard The City Breathe will be dropping on all DSPs. Stay tuned as the inspiration, backstory, visuals, and music continue to unfold. This is only the beginning. More is definitely on the way. Purchase: I Heard The City Breathe: The Narration https://www.even.biz/r/i-heard-the-city-breathe-the-narration Presave: I Heard The City Breathe: The Narration /hyperfollow/7metrix/i-heard-the-city-breathe-the-narration

Been doing tours of my exhibition I Heard The City Breathe these past few weeks. Appreciate everyone that has been coming through. May 1st, is the last day the exhibtion will be up at the @beverlyartcenter . It also just so happens to be my birthday. If you want to check us out I will be there from 2 pm to 7 pm Friday. Thanks to everyone that has supported. Music and videos will be on DSPs this weekend!

I’m honored to share this article on I Heard The City Breathe and the incredible opening reception at the Beverly Arts Center. This project is deeply personal to me, rooted in the Black experience of Chicago and brought to life through visual art, music, film, and collaboration across generations. The article captures the heart of the night and the community that made it so powerful. I’d love for you to take a moment to read it, learn more about the vision behind the work, and see what this exhibition means to me and everyone who helped shape it. Link in Bio!

Still taking in all the love from the opening reception of I Heard The City Breathe. It was a beautiful reminder that family goes beyond blood — it lives in community, collaboration, and shared purpose. Thank you to @sxucougars , the @beverlyartcenter , @rooks_looks my students @nightsky2206 , Skyler, @7kcjay , and @beatsby_christian , and my incredible ISPro family for helping bring this vision to life. The exhibition is up through May 1, and the project is out now on EVEN with all proceeds supporting the artists and students through equal royalty splits. Reach out for a tour and come experience the work. ❤️ #IHeardTheCityBreathe #ChicagoArt #SouthSideChicago #ISProAcademy #SupportArtists

I’m excited to personally invite you to my exhibition I Heard the City Breathe at the Beverly Arts Center. This project means a lot to me because it reflects not just my artistic vision, but the heart of Chicago, the stories that shaped me, and the power of creating with the next generation of artists. To have this work recognized by Saint Xavier University and shared in this way is truly special. The show will be up April 6 through May 1, and I would really love for you to come out to the reception on April 11 from 6–8 PM. We’re celebrating the art, the story, the journey, and the community behind it all — and there will also be a live performance of the EP during the reception. Come vibe with us, support, and experience I Heard the City Breathe in person. Chicago, this one is from the heart. Link in bio!!! #IHeardTheCityBreathe #BeverlyArtsCenter #SaintXavierUniversity #ChicagoArt #ChicagoArtists BlackArt BlackCreatives ArtReception LivePerformance SupportLocalArt ChicagoCulture ISProAcademy UnchainedGenius

You’re invited to the I Heard The City Breathe Reception on April 11 at the @beverlyartcenter . This special evening is more than an art reception — it is a celebration of Chicago, community, and creative expression through film, photography, visual art, and a live performance of the EP. The exhibition will be on view April 6 through May 1, but I would especially love for you to join me for the reception and experience the heart of this project in person. Sponsored by @sxu_visual_arts and @rooks_looks Nathan Peck, Head of the Art Department at the Visual Arts Center, with support from @chicagodcase Individual Artist Grant and the @illinoisartscouncil Catalyst Grant. FREE TICKETS IN BIO!!! #IHeardTheCityBreathe #BeverlyArtCenter #ChicagoArt #ArtReception #LivePerformance ChicagoCreatives BlackArt VisualArt ShortFilm EPRelease ChicagoArtists SouthSideChicago Brian7MetrixSykes

#BeTheRipple and support @isproacademy ! For our next campaign spotlight, we’re amplifying ISPro Academy, a non-profit dedicated to empowering aspiring musicians and producers aged 15-40 by providing industry-ready skills in audio engineering, music production and business through hands-on training, internships and networking opportunities. ISPro celebrated several milestones this year including participating an immersive evening featuring original music from the “I Heard the City Breathe” EP, a cinematic short film that unveils the creative journey behind the project, and a live conversation with the artists and ISPro Academy students who helped bring this vision to life. In 2025 ISPro also joined exciting events in collaboration with the @chicagosymphony (Soundpost Renaissance Remix), the @msichicago (Black Creativity Career Showcase), @aic_chicago (Exuberus Teen Night Tabling & Artist Showcase), and received funding through Chicago Cultural Treasures/IFF and @comed ’s Powering the Arts grant. In 2026, ISPro Academy aims to launch a comprehensive Workforce Development Program in collaboration with the WIOA initiative, the City of Chicago, and the State of Illinois, to create clear career pathways in Music Production for adult learners. Their goal is to deliver high-quality, industry-standard education while raising funds to build out a state-of-the-art music facility featuring professional studio spaces and modern classrooms; further enhancing our students’ educational experience and career readiness. Play a vital role in helping ISPro Academy expand their intergenerational and community-rooted programming at academy.ispromusic.com and head to the links in our bio to  - donate directly,  -support the collective campaign with a donation, or  -support by purchasing a Holiday Hustle ad! #BeTheRipple #CollectiveCampaign2025 #Fundraising #BustlingSpaces

You came out in 6 degree weather.... For Love.Gratitude. Community. Legacy. Thank you to everyone who came out on December 14th to celebrate I Heard The City Breathe. Braving the cold to be present, to listen, to feel, and to show love did not go unnoticed. Your energy filled the room and transformed the space into something truly special. We are deeply grateful for the familial presence, the joy, the conversations, and the collective spirit that made the night unforgettable. Every smile, every exchange, every moment of connection reminded us why this work matters and why community is at the heart of everything we create. The I Heard The City Breathe album is officially live on EVEN 🎶 👉 Link is in the bio — we’d love for you to experience the music and continue the journey with us. And this is just the beginning… More behind-the-scenes content is on the way, and music videos will be dropping very soon. Stay tapped in. From the bottom of our hearts—thank you for being part of this moment and this movement. With love & gratitude, Brian “7METRIX” Sykes #IHeardTheCityBreathe #ChicagoMusic #ChicagoCreatives

Tonight, we celebrate. I am extremely proud and excited to officially release I Heard The City Breathe. This project has been a journey rooted in faith, artistic vision, growth, and deep learning—and none of it would have been possible without the incredible artists, producers, and students who poured their hearts into this work. I am eternally grateful to each of you. Special thanks to everyone who came out and supported the I Heard The City Breathe Music Business Series. Your presence, questions, and energy helped shape this project in powerful ways. Thanks to our partners: @chicagodcase @illinoisartscouncil @chicagohiphopheritagemuseum @2112chi @sxucougars @rooks_looks @bgorman357 @faithshalamie @tea_murda @its_thecan @the.blkroom @moxechicago It is my hope that the music and stories from this body of work touch the hearts of people in Chicago and beyond. This is a project made with profound depth, intention, and love for our shared experience. To the city that raised me, nurtured me, and taught me the value of life—I will forever love you. Please come celebrate with us tonight. Love always, Brian “7METRIX” Sykes #IHeardTheCityBreathe #ChicagoCreatives #chicagomusic

Join us for an unforgettable evening, 12/14 at 6:30 as we celebrate the release of the "I Heard The City Breathe" EP and Short Film! 🌆 This is your final chance to grab tickets—just a few days left! Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of our journey, hear the stories behind the music, and dive into the creative process through our live panel discussions. 🎤🎬 Special thanks for helping us make this project happen: @creationsoundstudios @2112chi @bgorman357 @chicagodcase @illinoisartscouncil Get your tickets now and come share this milestone with us! [Ticket link in bio] #IHeardTheCityBreathe #ReleaseParty #MusicAndFilm ChicagoArtists