Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Darnell.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Ever since I can remember I’ve been a fan of music, when I was younger my father would play a lot of Jazz and oldies like Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, Diana Ross, the Supreme’s you know Mo town vibes. I can remember when He would drive around he would always tap beats or rhythms on the steering wheel, it sounded so cool to me and I couldn’t put a finger on why, but it was like magic to me.
Fast forward a Few years and I’m bumping OutKast, Eminem, 2Pac, Biggie, Ludacris (which was the first time I ever actually bought a cd), I even rented Ludacris’s album “Word of Mouf” from the library, talk about a throwback. I was always a Hip Hop Fan First nothing could touch it to me. Even though I was always a hip hop fan it wasn’t until my Freshman year of high school that I started reading Poetry and even writing a little bit. Maybe towards the end of that year, I started writing some raps here and there in my room, I would show my friends but not very many people. It wasn’t until my sophomore year that my love for Hip Hop would really took off. I began freestyling with some folks I had met and granted I wasn’t that good but damn it was fun. I remember mobbin out and the homies were bumping guillotine by Raekwon. After I got into Freestyling, I remember thinking to myself “I wanna be really good at this rapping thing” So I started to write more and more and more. This was kinda leading into my Junior year when I met My good friend Visionz who was the first person that I started recording with. Thru him, I met the Homies Kazer and smokey, we would all kick it and freestyle and make music. Right around my senior, I was active with writing, trying to write four pages a day in my composition book. I would also freestyle during lunch or during my open Period. I didn’t really pay much attention in class around that time but still managed to make it out in good shape.
It wasn’t long till I bought my own setup and started recording. Eventually, I was able to do some shows here and there and the consistency was always there. In college, I would freestyle at parties and with a few friends when we would smoke. It was just always my thing.
I’ve performed in San Bernadino for Blacklist Sesh, down in Southeast LA at the Red Wood Room, the Press in Montclair, and at the Neighborhood Watch events in West Covina. The Old Town Pub in Pasadena has been a spot close to home that has also allowed me to perform.
Nowadays, I’ve been writing and recording from home but of course I’m constantly upgrading my studio and equipment. I’ve recently gotten into producing so I have been trying my best to get better and better every day. Nowadays, I’m collaborating with friends while trying to hone in on my sound as an artist and perfect my craft. I’m a recent graduate of Cal Poly Pomona where I studied Communications with and emphasis in PR and got a minor in music, hoping to use my degree to propel my music career.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been the smoothest road so far. The biggest issues are with getting my music moving the way I want it to in means of having it reach a lot of people. But I suppose that just comes with the grind. At first for me, the biggest issue has been finding a balance between Life friends and family work and music. Consistency is one thing that I have been aiming for but its been tough to find.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
In my line of work, I am a Hip Hop Artist. I’m most known for my ability to freestyle and create content that goes beyond the norm of materialism, I like to think I resonate well with the boom bap and conscious movement.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I’m hoping to remain an underground artist, and I just hope that the people that I’ve performed with or gotten a chance to work with or even the artists that I haven’t crossed paths who’s names are making waves get more views and become successful. I want us all to win.
Contact Info:
Image Credit:
Greysmultimedia (black headband pics), Jv_Ortiz_photography (green shirt)
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
