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William and Mason Brooks

William “Bill” and Mason Brooks were father and son. They lived together during Mason’s high-school years and disagreed over his intended career in music.

Dynamics and Communication

Bill worked in finance and recognized Mason’s intelligence. He did not understand why Mason would pursue music rather than finance or a similar career. Mason wanted Bill to recognize the thought, revision, and technical work involved in his music. Opinionated and willing to defend his choice, Mason repeatedly argued with Bill about his future.

Main article: Janine and Mason Brooks

Mason’s mother, Janine, often mediated. Mason sometimes understood her intervention as agreement with Bill and felt that both parents opposed his DJ ambitions. That perception left him feeling isolated at home and strengthened his determination to prove himself, alongside his existing enjoyment of music.

As Mason built his music work during senior year and the first years after graduation, he spent roughly a year or two withholding setbacks and difficulties from his parents. He expected disclosure to prompt further arguments against his career choice.

Their relationship remained tense in summer 2025, when “Summer Moon” became Mason’s first online hit. Bill understood Mason’s reluctance to talk as “whatever it is teenagers go through when they don’t want to talk,” treating his withdrawal as a teenage phase.

Health, Access, and Caregiving

Bill considered evaluation for Mason’s ADHD unnecessary during childhood and adolescence. He interpreted Mason’s difficulties as ordinary behavior for a boy or insufficient effort. His recognition of Mason’s intelligence reinforced his belief that applying himself more should be enough. Mason’s ADHD remained undiagnosed during those years.

Shared History and Milestones

Bill and Janine surprised Mason with Tiny as a kitten for his fourteenth birthday, after he had been asking for a cat. Tiny became particularly attached to Mason. Bill’s friend Ryan, a carpenter, later helped Mason build Tiny a catio and built a cat condo for the basement studio.

Bill and Janine bought equipment for their basement, where Mason continued his music-production work after graduating in 2025. He had begun releasing tracks during high school. Mason continued living at home in Baltimore, although he felt that the purchase did not amount to support for his artistic ambitions.

After Janine showed Bill the response to “Summer Moon” in summer 2025, he listened closely to the finished track and messaged Mason himself to say he was proud of him. Mason was still in Richmond. The unexpected praise left him overwhelmed and unsure how to respond, prompting him to call Logan Weston, Malik Carter, Jordan Wells, and James Pennington.

Relationships Family Relationships Mason Brooks