At least Brother Apathy's Masonic allusions in his work are bona fide, unlike so many other musicians like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Jay Z, and others displaying 'Illuminati' symbols and references without knowing a single thing about them, in some marketing attempt to be 'edgy.' In real life, I understand Bromley is quite contemplative and truly practices the precepts of the fraternity. That's both refreshing and reassuring.
He is a member of Wooster Lodge No. 10 in Colchester, CT, and is also affiliated with Brainard No. 102 in Niantic.
UPDATE 1/3/17:
The January 2017 issue of Connecticut Freemasons has been put online and can be seen HERE. The interview with Brother Chad Bromley by Ryan Howard begins on page 3 and continues on page 6.
Interestingly, he addresses questions that have arisen from Masons who have expressed concerns over the profanity and violence that have appeared in some of his music (and other rap and hip hop lyrics and videos):
"I’m very unapologetic about the profanity and adult material in my music. It’s entertainment. It’s my career...and I know what I’m doing. I’m a professional at what I do. Some brothers have had issues with my songs that have foul language or violence. But if Robert DeNiro was a Master Mason, those same brothers wouldn’t say a thing to him about cursing and violence in his movies. It’s the exact same thing. Entertainment and art."
Brother Bromley's Masonic references and imagery and his open discussions of the fraternity with his thousands of fans have influenced many into looking deeper into Freemasonry for themselves. He has privately assisted many of them in petitioning lodges all over the country and the world. If just 5% of his audience pokes around on the web, or tours a Masonic temple, or asks their grandfather why he's wearing a Masonic ring, he has done a great service to the fraternity, as well as to those individuals on a personal level. However, at the end of the interview, he has a few extraordinarily wise words of caution aimed at anyone who seeks Masonic membership based merely on superficial interest, celebrity worship, or momentary curiosity:
Freemasonry isn’t a fast food, microwaved experience. You don’t join a lodge, and they hand you over some ancient book of secret esoteric wisdom and hidden truths. That book doesn’t exist. Freemasonry is completely what YOU make it. If you joined because you read a Dan Brown novel, or saw a crazy YouTube video...you’ll probably be bored after the first year, and end up not coming back to lodge. You have to make connections with like minded brothers... travel. Fall in love with the words, lectures, ideals, morality and work of the craft. Don’t be stagnant, just showing up to business meetings and degree after degree and wonder why you’re bored. There’s so much to learn and see. It just takes a lot of work. But it’s worth it.
