When I first sat down with Bradley Kim, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
A former Air Force Academy football player turned queer singer-songwriter living in North Dakota? It sounded more like the makings of a Netflix drama. But by the end of our conversation, I realized Bradley is anything but a movie cliché.
"Seattle born and raised," Bradley tells me proudly. The youngest of five, his early years included sports and family gatherings. His dad's military background strongly shaped his upbringing, influencing dinner table discussions and Kim's discipline. "I always knew I wanted to attend a service academy," he explains. With a football scholarship to the Air Force Academy, Kim was setting the stage for what seemed like the perfect all-American life.
But life, as we know it, isn't always perfect.
Growing up closeted in a space that felt hyper-heteronormative wasn't easy. "Music was my escape," he confides. The Fray, indie alternative sounds, and artists who could evoke raw emotion became his lifelines. "I'd listen to songs that hit me where I hurt, and I thought, if they can create this space for me to feel seen, maybe someday I can do that for someone else."
Cue his second act: Bradley learns to play guitar, starts experimenting with songwriting, and eventually releases music so personal that it feels like cracking open his journal for the world to see.
When I ask about his most vulnerable work, Bradley doesn't hesitate. "Hands down, it's '20.'" The song, currently his most popular on Spotify, is a poignant reflection on a dark time. "For years, I didn't think I'd live past 20," he confesses. "Growing up closeted, combined with other struggles, made me feel like I wouldn’t make it."
Shelby Evanson for Bradley Kim
Written during a work trip at 22, "20" was his way of processing emotions he had long intellectualized but never fully felt. "I didn't think I'd release it," he admits. "But now, seeing it resonate with others has been incredible." He's even promised himself a tattoo of the song title once it hits a million streams.
"It's a reminder of how far I've come."
From "20" to his lighter, more playful tracks—he affectionately calls them his "dumb bitch era"—Bradley's music invites listeners to embrace their full spectrum of humanity. "Life is messy," he laughs. "We make mistakes, fall for the wrong people, and that's okay. Sometimes, it's more than okay; it's hilarious."
Kim came out publicly in 2018 while still playing Division I football. "I didn't see anyone like me in sports or the military," he explains. "I wanted to be that person for others." The response was overwhelming. Messages flooded in from closeted athletes and military members who found hope in his story. "It was humbling," he says. "I realized I had a platform not just to represent but to uplift."
That same ethos guides his music career. Despite his initial fears about the music industry's reputation, Bradley found a surprisingly supportive community. "It's less scary than you'd think," he tells me. "At the end of the day, everyone's just human. They want to connect."
This year, he co-wrote for queer artist Jordy and is featured on a Bentley Robles track. His latest EP, Done for the Summer, dropped in September, showcasing breezy tracks he wrote post-deployment. "It's my way of figuring out life again," he says.
Ultimately, Bradley hopes his music becomes a sanctuary for listeners. "I want my vulnerability to inspire theirs," he affirms. "I want my openness to give them permission to be open, too." And if he could time travel to his younger self, his advice would be on similar grounds. "Do what makes you happy. Be yourself. Life's too short to live it for someone else."
Austin Quach for Bradley Kim
Whether it's through songs about queer love or playful anthems of self-reflection, Bradley's work is a reminder that we all deserve a soundtrack where we feel seen, celebrated, and a little less alone.
And with Bradley Kim, there's no doubt the music will keep playing.
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