Conversations with Darius Butler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Darius Butler.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been making music for as long as I can remember, going back to my baby instruments. In high school I learned how to record and edit myself, bought a microphone at home and started from there. Through the years I’ve fine tuned my songwriting and engineering skills. After moving across the country from Washington DC, I’ve used those same skills to release multiple projects, singles and videos as well as to book performances at music festivals and local venues from LA to NY.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are definitely some challenges to being a paraplegic artist. Some venues aren’t arranged or even built with accessibility for my wheelchair to go on stage or worse, even get in the venue! The good thing is there is nothing worse than that feeling and even that can’t discourage me from continuing to live my dream.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
When asked what I do there is really so much, the best word I can think of is a musician. I can write the song, sing/rap it, record myself, mix it and master it, I know my way around the bass guitar and trumpet, and before my injury I played the drums in a couple bands. I’ve sang in church choirs and even my university gospel choir at Howard. I’m known most for my singing and my diversity in the music I make, I can go from funk to hip-hop to jazz to reggae to my hometown’s signature sound, go-go. I’m most proud of my work ethic, I spend hours upon hours on my bass or writing or singing or even engineering songs, I spend more time making music than anything else. What makes me different from others is the place I make my music from and the reason I make it, both very internal and esoteric I want to say.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to never stop, keep going, as long as there is fire in your heart for what you do you get to it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willchairjimi
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1XPs7d6CNb/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@willchairjimi
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/Anes6uiXoKmb9R435V

Image Credits
Mya Dupree, Devin Butler, Lateef Barton