Sibling Band Infinity Song Performs Live

Summary

---

All Of It with Alison Stewart: Sibling Band Infinity Song Performs Live

Date: December 13, 2023
Guests: Infinity Song (Abraham, Angel, Israel, and Momo Boyd, with Anthony Boyd on bass and Benaiah Brudis on drums)

---

Episode Overview

This episode of “All Of It” focuses on the sibling band Infinity Song, whose soulful, harmony-driven soft rock gained viral attention with the song “Haters Anthem.” Host Alison Stewart welcomes the group for a live in-studio performance and a discussion about their journey from Detroit family music sessions and busking in New York City to signing with Jay Z’s Roc Nation label. The conversation covers the band’s collaborative creative process, personal and musical growth, and reflections on culture and genre as Black performers in soft rock.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Viral Success (02:17–03:53)

• Viral Moment: The band’s song “Haters Anthem” went viral on TikTok, but their career was years in the making, grounded in a musical family with nine children and grassroots experience busking in NYC.
• Breakthrough: Their years busking led to their big break—performing for Jay Z at his office, where they secured a record deal on the spot.

Notable Quote

“Their careers didn’t just happen out of nowhere from this viral moment. They’ve been putting in the work for years, from Detroit all the way to New York…” – Alison Stewart (02:46)

---

2. Live Performances: "Metamorphosis" (03:59–09:16)

• Infinity Song performs "Metamorphosis," the title track from their new EP, emphasizing themes of transformation and self-discovery.

Notable Lyric

“Can I be someone else? Someone who makes their dreams come true and drinks from wishing wells...” – Infinity Song ("Metamorphosis" live, 04:14–09:16)

---

3. Writing Process and Collaboration (09:22–11:28)

• Collaborative Songwriting: “Metamorphosis” marked the first time all siblings wrote together, singing in unison to reflect unity.
• Typical Routine: Usually, members write songs independently, then bring ideas to the group.

Notable Quotes

“It was really the first song that we all wrote together... It’s sung in unison from top to bottom... written as one voice." – Angel Boyd (10:31)

"Normally we’re all individually sequestered in our spaces of creativity, and then come to the group with a finished song.” – Abraham Boyd (09:38)

---

4. Impact of Busking in NYC (11:28–13:05)

• Performance Experience: Years of busking gave the band an invaluable performance edge and confidence.
• Networking: The viral success and industry connections (including Jay Z) began with busking, but the greatest benefit was honing live performance skills.

Notable Quote

“More than anything, [busking] afforded us the opportunity to perform, which is really important as performers… we can really perform.”—Israel Boyd (11:43)

---

5. Doubt, Resilience & Milestones (13:05–13:56)

• Facing Uncertainty: The group regularly faces creative doubts and has to reaffirm their path.

Notable Quote

“I often have to come back to that realization because, yeah, I have periods of doubt… just normal human doubts.” – Momo Boyd (13:13)

---

6. Genre & Identity: Black Artists Doing Soft Rock (13:56–15:16)

• Stereotyping: The band discusses reactions to their choice of genre, challenging assumptions about Black musicians.
• Music’s Origin and Ownership: Abraham points out that soft rock’s origins include Black artists and stresses music’s universality.

Notable Quotes

“Once I told somebody that we were a soft rock band, and they immediately followed up with, ‘So you do R&B?’... soft rock is the genre... Black artists belong in soft rock.” – Abraham Boyd (14:13)

---

7. Musical Family & Influence (15:25–16:32)

• Family Tradition: Their father, “the OG Creative,” instilled their independent spirit, work ethic, and musical collaboration.

Notable Quotes

“Our dad is a pioneer... he’s definitely the glue... he works as our manager as well, so that helps.” – Angel Boyd (15:29)

“Songwriting and producing, it was our family tradition growing up.” – Abraham Boyd (16:23)

---

8. Live Performance: "Haters Anthem" (16:32–20:19)

• Momo introduces “Haters Anthem” as a satirical song poking fun at jealousy and comparison.
• The band performs their viral hit live in the studio.

Notable Quote

“It pokes fun at everybody’s nature to be a little bit jealous or to be a little bit comparative...” – Momo Boyd (16:48)

---

9. The Jay Z Moment (20:47–24:28)

• Nerves and Affirmation: The siblings recall their surreal, cinematic audition at Roc Nation’s Times Square office—an affirming turning point in their journey.
• Song Choice: "Dream On" by Aerosmith was performed, reflecting their dreams and persistence.

Notable Quotes

“As soon as we stepped off the elevator, he just had such a warmth about him... it was the most exciting and most just affirming moment I think of our lives.” – Momo Boyd (21:11)

“It was special...Dream On was an easy pick.” – Abraham Boyd (22:28)

“Sometimes you need these victories in order to keep you going.” – Israel Boyd (24:23)

---

10. Looking Forward to 2024 (24:28–25:24)

• Future Vision: Infinity Song aims to inspire and connect with audiences, embracing their role as entertainers.
• Empathy in Art: They stress the importance of giving people hope and reminding them to “keep breathing.”

Notable Quote

“The job of entertainers... is to remind people that we’re still breathing... We look forward to seeing a lot of people through whatever they’re going through.” – Abraham Boyd (24:35)

---

Memorable Moments

• Humor and Warmth: The siblings often joke with each other and the host, especially around family traditions and mix-ups (“You had reindeer on the mind” – Alison Stewart, 12:33).
• Genre “Boxing”: Abraham’s recounting of being asked if they “do R&B” captures the awkward and often funny realities of public perceptions about music and race.
• Cinematic Jay Z Audition: Their awe and excitement are palpable as Angel describes the skyscraper view and the moment the elevator doors opened to Jay Z’s welcoming smile (22:04).

---

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “It wasn’t by... accident that we wrote [Metamorphosis] together. I came to everyone and I was like, we’re all going to write on this song.” – Angel Boyd (10:31)
• “Soft rock is the genre... actually, it originated with Black artists, but I won’t get into that, because music belongs to everyone.” – Abraham Boyd (14:13)
• “Our dad is a pioneer, the OG Creative of our family... he’s definitely the glue.” – Angel Boyd (15:29)
• “It was the most exciting and most just affirming moment I think of our lives.” – Momo Boyd on meeting Jay Z (21:11)
• “We look forward to singing songs that resonate with people and we look forward to seeing a lot of people through whatever they’re going through.” – Abraham Boyd (24:35)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:17 — Introduction to Infinity Song & "Haters Anthem"
• 03:59 — Live performance: "Metamorphosis"
• 09:22 — Songwriting process discussion
• 11:28 — Growth and experience from busking in NYC
• 13:13 — Reflections on doubt and determination
• 13:56 — Discussing genre identity and public perceptions
• 15:25 — Family and creative upbringing
• 16:32 — Live performance: "Haters Anthem"
• 20:47 — Remembering the Jay Z audition at Roc Nation
• 24:28 — Band’s outlook and plans for 2024

---

Summary

The episode offers an intimate, joyful, and insightful portrait of Infinity Song: their roots in Detroit, their evolution on NYC streets, warm sibling dynamics, and conscious artistry. It both delves into the particularities of their sound—soft rock through a Black, familial, contemporary lens—and highlights universal themes of transformation, perseverance, community, and hope. The live performances of “Metamorphosis” and “Haters Anthem” showcase their signature harmonies and lyrical honesty, making this a rich and rewarding listen for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

---

Transcript

[A]

Oh Gekko, I just love being able to file a claim in under two minutes with the Geico app.

[B]

Could you sign a Sign what?

[A]

The app? Yeah, sure. Oh, it rubbed off the screen when I touched it.

[C]

Could you sign it again?

[A]

Anything to help, I suppose. Get more than just savings.

[D]

Get more with Geico.

[B]

Attention party people. You're officially invited to the party. Shop at Michael's where you'll find hundreds of new Items starting at 99 cents with an expanded selection of party wear, balloons with helium included on select styles, decorations and more. Michaels is your one stop shop for celebrating everything from birthdays to bachelorette parties and baby showers to golden anniversaries. Visit Michaels store or michaels.com today to supply your next party.

[E]

Some days call for sleek and straight, others for slouchy and relaxed. Whatever your vibe, Old Navy has the denim fits to match from extra high rise to barrel. It's not just a mood, it's a whole style range. And with jeans Starting at just $22 you can collect them all. Snatched waist go extra high rise straight lived in staple vintage slim, low slung and laid back slouchy wide. You've got range. Your denim drawer should too. Premium fabric deluxe details your perfect pair or weights. Shop in store or [e-mail] oh my gosh.

[F]

Have you been to Marshall's lately? They have all the brand name and designer pieces you love, but without the jaw dropping price tags. Alright, so here's the you should never have to compromise between quality and price and at Marshalls, you don't have to. Marshall's believes everyone deserves access to the good stuff and that's why their buyers hustle around the clock to make it happen for you. Visit a Marshalls store near you or shop [e-mail].

[D]

Listener supported WNYC studios.

[A]

This is all of it. I'm Alison Stewart live from the WNYC Studios in soho. Thank you so much for sharing part of your day with me. This past summer, a soft rock vocal group you may have heard and seen busking in Central park went viral with this song. Nope, that's our theme song. It's Gonna Happen.

[C]

I love the way it feels to be a hater. Something so sweet about thinking that I matter just to wake up every morning, lay in bed and somehow never ever rise to the occasion or even hold up under pressure. But we all know that it doesn't even matter if I waste away and no one thinks I'm clever.

[A]

That song called Haters Anthem, it caught fire on TikTok and the band who wrote it go by the name of Infinity Song. They're a group of siblings, Angel, Israel, Abraham and Momo Boyd. But their careers didn't just happen nowhere out of nowhere from this viral moment. They've been putting in the work for years, from all the way back to their days in Detroit. Growing up in a musical family, nine kids total and singing with their dad's choirs to when the family picked up, moved to New York when they became familiar faces performing around the city in Times Square, on the subway and one of their favorite spots but Bethesda Terrace in Central Park. Those efforts led to a Day in 2016. It's a legend by now when the band got an opportunity to perform in front of Jay Z in his office. One of the songs they sang, Dream on by Aerosmith. Well, Jay Z liked them, signed them to his label immediately, and the Infinity song, dream continues on. The band is here for a special performance of songs from the new EP Metamorphosis. Welcome the Boyd siblings, Abraham, angel is Israel and Momo Boyd on acoustic guitar. We've got Anthony Boyd on bass and Benaiah Brudis on drums. Thank you all for coming in.

[D]

Thank you for having us.

[A]

This is huge. You're going to start us all with a song. What are we going to hear first?

[G]

We're going to do Metamorphosis first.

[A]

All right. Anything you want people to know about the song before we hear it.

[H]

This song is kind of like a good song to go into the new year with. It's all about transformation. So right on.

[C]

Yeah. I've never had a decent answer to a single question I don't say my opinion opinions too loud I'm always second guessing I can't take many chances I just stick to what I'm best at My personality it lends to bed first impressions what I give to give it all I've got what'd I do to be something I'm not? Never planned to be so nonchalant Now I'm stuck on autopilot and sometimes I don't like my Can I be someone else? Someone who makes their dreams come true and drinks from wishing wells Someone that they call lucky and I never seem to fail but sometimes I don't like myself Can I be someone else? Working give it all I've got what I do to be something I never plan to be so nonchalant Now I'm stuck on auto SA but look at all the things you did look at your metamorphosis finally you found your gift and now you're on a rocket ship? You're standing there on that stage all because you had to fake? You're basking in the light of day A resurrection from your grave the powers in the breeze you sway rooted in the darkness day Sam, you didn't have the confidence you couldn't see your way through it? Look at all the things you did look at your metamorphosis? Finally you found your gift and now you're on a rocket ship? You're standing there on that stage because you have the faith. You're basking in the light of day? A resurrection from your grave? Like flowers in the breeze you sway but rooted in the dark you'll stray?

[A]

Those are my guests. Infinity song live from WNYC Studio 5. That was great. Gorgeous.

[C]

Thank you.

[A]

I'm just going alphabetically. I was trying to figure out who to ask what question, so I'm just going alphabetically. But feel free to jump in if you hear a question. You think, oh, I really want to answer that. Abraham. Start with a. What's the writing process with this group?

[D]

You know, it's a varied writing process. Metamorphosis, the song we just performed, is a special song in that it was really the first song that we all wrote together. Angel let it off. She came to the group with an idea, a skeleton, and then from there, we all contributed. We all built it out together. It was very collaborative, but normally we're all individually sequestered in our spaces of creativity, and then we come to the group with a finished product, a finished song at least. And then we go into the studio, and whoever writes it usually produces it as well. So it's a. It's a varied songwriting process.

[A]

Angel, what was going on with you when you came with that idea of this song about change and evolving?

[H]

That is such a loaded question, because, like, the song says, sometimes I don't like myself. That is exactly what was going on with me. And if I'm being honest, I'm still in my own personal process of metamorphosis, which feels like that song a lot of. A lot of times. But it also has very strong days of, like, okay, I'm. I'm into the light now. But I think that song represents a lot for us as a band, because it wasn't by. It was by design that we wrote it together. I came to everyone, and I was like, we're all going to write on this song. It's not just gonna be me writing. It's not gonna be one person. We're all gonna write on it. It Was actually, if you listen to the record, it's sung in unison from top to bottom or from beginning to end, and it's sang as one voice and written as one voice. So as a group, that's super important. And that's why we titled the rep Metamorphosis.

[A]

So you guys were busking around New York for 10 years. That's a lot of time to hone your craft. What opportunities did busking offer you, and how do you think it really helped you all grow?

[G]

I think that more than, like, yes, busking offered the opportunity of, you know, meeting famous people, I suppose, and even it was the pipeline to us getting signed. But I think more than. More than that, busking offered us the opportunity to perform. And you have a lot of artists who, you know, they don't perform. They. They might make music and in the studio and then, you know, live with it. But, you know, performing to get that opportunity can be hard sometimes. And to make your own stage just to make. Just to, you know, take the. What is it? Take the deer by the reins or the horns or whatever. Take the bull by the horns. I don't know what that saying is. I probably messed it up.

[A]

You had reindeer on the mind.

[G]

But, yeah, it more than anything, afforded us the opportunity to perform, which is really important as performers. And I think now when we get on stage, we can really perform. And that's something we're super confident in, is our performance capabilities. Not just our ability to write the song and produce the song, but the ability to perform the song in a captivating way that, you know, draws attention and holds the audience's attention.

[A]

Momo, when did you really realize, oh, this is gonna work? This is, like, gonna be what we do?

[E]

I think I have that realization very often, because very often it's easy to doubt. You know, it's a very, very challenging career, very challenging path. It's not just laid out for you. And there's no, you know, the milestones, they can be few and far between until you hit a stride. And so I often have to come back to that realization because, yeah, I have periods of doubt where it's like, can I even write songs? Am I good? Just normal human doubts. So, yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So, Abraham, I'm gonna ask you guys talk about being soft rock. So I'm gonna ask you this because I'm a black person. Asking you, as a black person, what is the wildest thing someone has said to you about being a black group singing soft rock?

[D]

This is funny. This is a funny question. I think once I told somebody that we were a soft rock band, and they immediately followed up with, so you do R and B? I was like. I was confused. I was like, wait, no, we do. I said soft rock. And I. I hate that I told that story. But it struck me so hard. I was like, soft rock is the genre, but it's. You know, I'm fine with it. I think we. Everyone's discovering us.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

And everyone is rediscovering that, you know, specifically, black artists belong in soft rock. Actually, it originated with black artists, but I won't get into that, because music belongs to everyone but in its origin stories, you know?

[A]

But it's interesting. That response from that person is like, oh, I decide a box. Like, even. Just without even thinking about it. They probably didn't mean anything about it, but it's just with the way the society trained us to think, and it's unfortunate. It is.

[D]

We're excited to reintroduce it in a different way than what collectively, we're all used to 100%.

[A]

Angel, would you tell us a little bit about your dad?

[H]

Sure. Our dad is a pioneer, the OG Creative of our family. He is. If you think we're creative, then you have not met him, but, yeah, he's where we get all of our kind of independent thinking and a lot of our work ethic and values from. And our existence is obviously a. An extension of his existence. And our. The way that we are together as a band has everything to do with him. So it's not easy to stay together as a band at all, or especially as a sibling band, and then to work together as siblings going into adulthood and all of that. But he's definitely the glue. And he works as our manager as well, so that helps.

[D]

Also, songwriting and producing, it was our family tradition growing up. And, like, around the kitchen table, we would write songs, so.

[A]

So it's organic to the family very much. Let's hear. You're gonna hear a play another song for us. Haters Anthem. Israel. I'm gonna ask you to set this up.

[G]

Haters Anthem. I would love to set it up, but I feel like I'm not as well equipped as Momo, who wrote it.

[A]

You're up.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

Haters Anthem is really just a satirical fun song. It kind of pokes fun at everybody's nature to be a little bit jealous or to be a little bit comparative and to think, like, oh, I could have did that better. You know, even if we try to act like we're so good and, like, so such a model Citizen. Sometimes we have that inside of us. And so this pokes fun and just, like, makes light and like, brings it to light of that feeling that we sometimes have.

[A]

Here's Infinity Song.

[E]

I love the way it feels to be a hater. Something so sweet about thinking that I'm.

[C]

Better just to wake up every morning, lay in bed and somehow never ever rise to the occasion or even hold up under pressure. But we all know that it doesn't even matter if I waste away no one thinks I'm clever Just as long I've got my ego and it tells me I'm superior I could probably go a lifetime being barely mediocre I still convince myself every time that I'm better. When I'm 99 and wasted time and you lived out a happy life? I still will have the peace of mind to know if I wanted to try I could have left you all behind? I could have crossed the finish line? But I'd rather be dissatisfied with everything you do And I would rather sit and criticize While watching from the sidelines? Cause I know no matter what you do or what I don't do? My pride will always come from me telling me that I'm better than you? I love the way it feels to be a hater? I love the way it feels to be a hater? I love the way it feels to be a hater? Something so sweet about thinking that I'm better Just to wake up every morning, lay in bed and somehow never ever rise to the occasion or even hold up under pressure. But we all know that it doesn't even matter if I waste away and no one thinks I'm clever Just as long I've got my ego and it tells me I'm superior I could probably go a lifetime being barely mediocre I still convince myself every time that I'm better than you.

[A]

We'll have more with Infinity Song after a quick break. This is all of it. This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. My guest this hour is the band Infinity Song. We've got in studio Abraham, Angel Israel, and Momo Boyd. And who's gonna. Angel, you're up. Tell us who else we have here. Who's.

[H]

We have Anthony Boyd, who is not a relative, but he's on the base. And we have Benijah Brudis on the drums.

[A]

All right. Just wanted to give y' all a shout out. Thank you for being here as well. All right, Momo, what was it like on your way up to Jay Z's Office knowing that this could possibly become your record label.

[C]

It was.

[E]

When I really think about it, it was really, really nerve wracking. We didn't know what it was gonna be like, how he was gonna receive us. We didn't know anything. We were just going to the top floor and hoping for the best. But when, as soon as we stepped off the elevator, he just had such a warmth about him radiating off of him, a big smile. And he was just so excited to like, see us and like have us there and hear what we had for him and hear what we were all about. And so, I don't know, it was, it was the most exciting and most just affirming moment I think of our lives.

[H]

A cinematic moment. It was the most surreal cinematic moment. Like I literally think back and like that felt like a movie.

[C]

It did.

[A]

Like you're in the elevator, the door opens and then there's Jay Z.

[H]

And you're at like the top floor of this skyscraper in Times Square. So you're looking out and you're just seeing this whole view of all this city around you. And like, that really stands out in.

[E]

My mind for him being the king of New York. And it just. And we had been busking and like making our own name in New York for like 10 years at this point. It just all made so much sense.

[A]

Abram, how'd you decide what to sing?

[D]

I don't even know, honestly. We had been rehearsing these songs. We performed specifically Dream on by Aerosmith during that time in our lives. That was our anthem. Like, we didn't know when it was going to happen. We didn't know when our dreams would be realized. But something in us just kept us pushing forward. And we so grateful to God that he allowed us to experience that moment because it was special. So Dream on was an easy pick.

[A]

Israel, want to hear about you from you about that day.

[G]

What did that day feel like? Ah, Momo set. Nerve wracking. And I feel like that's, you know, that was aptly put. I feel like that is exactly how it felt. I was very nervous and felt. Just looking back, we were just so young and just not just so young and had so much growing to do. And looking back, it's just. I can see. I'm, I'm. I can. We were very, you know, we were very good still at the time, but just the, the youth that we had at the time was really apparent and we were just, you know, we were on the very beginning of our metamorphosis as a band. You know, we, we, I, me and Momo were pretty much new to joining the band and we were teenagers. We had been in the band for some few months at that point. And so it was, you know, nerve wracking. It was, you know, an eye opening moment and it was, it was really needed too at the time because you know, sometimes you need these victories in order to keep you going.

[E]

Absolutely.

[G]

And so at the time that was a victory that we really needed and I'm very grateful that we got it.

[A]

Abraham, what in the plans for infinity song for 2024?

[D]

2024 is going to be a great year for Infinity Song. We look forward to performing for a lot of people and I want to quantify great. Everybody's going through, you know, our own challenges, like everybody globally, as a collective community, everyone is going through something. The job of an entertainer, I believe is to remind people the job of entertainers, I believe is to remind people that we're still breathing. And that's our job and we take it very seriously. We look forward to inspiring a whole bunch of people. We look forward to singing songs that resonate with people and we look forward to seeing a lot of people through whatever they're going through.

[A]

The new EP is called Metamorphosis. The name of the band is Infinity Song. Thank you so much for coming to the studio and performing.

[D]

Thank you for having us.

[B]

Attention party people. You're officially invited to the party shop at Michael's where you'll find hundreds of new Items starting at 99 cents with an expanded selection of party wear, balloons with helium included on select styles, decorations and more. Michaels is your one stop shop for celebrating everything from birthdays to bachelorette parties and baby showers to golden anniversaries. Visit Michaels store or michaels.com today to supply your next party.

[F]

Oh my gosh. Have you been to Marshall's lately? They have all the brand name and designer pieces you love, but without the jaw dropping price tags. Alright, so here's the truth. You should never have to compromise between quality and price. And at Marshalls, you don't have to. Marshall's believes everyone deserves access to the good stuff and that's why their buyers hustle around the clock to make it happen for you. Visit a Marshalls store near you or shop online at marshalls. Com.