Today we’d like to introduce you to Dexter Kelly.
Hi Dexter, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
“The highest human act is to inspire” – Nipsey Hussle.
Growing up, I played several instruments. I started with the piano, then the drums, guitar, and even the cello so you could say music has been a part of my journey from a young age. I used music as a creative outlet to express myself in ways that words couldn’t. I didn’t know that one day music would be the focal point of my life. I grew up playing five sports and athletics always came easy to me so I thought that was my purpose. Little did I know music was my passion. As I grew away from playing instruments, I still maintained a deep connection to music and listened to every genre you could think of. My favorite thing to do growing up was attend concerts. There’s something about live music that made me feel so alive I couldn’t get enough of it. Music was always an escape from reality. No matter what I had going in my life, I could as turn to music to make me feel free. After playing Division 1 football at the University of Oregon and The University of Texas San Antonio, I decided to pursue a career in music. Since I started making music the writing was the thing that came natural to me. I was writing multiple songs per day that expressed my emotions that I felt others can relate to. Music is just a creative way of expressing your emotions so I always want to tell a story that others can relate to. I am forever thankful for the talent God blessed me with that allows me to express who I really am and the thoughts inside my head. My main goal is to inspire others to be themselves and reach the full their full potential by chasing whatever God has put in their heart.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest obstacle I have had to face in my music career is trying to figure out my sound. Since I am influenced by so many genres and artists, it has been hard to limit myself to one style and genre. Music makes me feel free because it allows me to express the different sides of me that make me who I am. Another challenge I have had is transitioning from being an athlete to an artist. Now that I recognize myself as a music artist, I am showing my friends, family, and fans a completely different side of me and that can be a vulnerable place. I thank God that I am confident in who I am as a person which allows me to block out any doubt and fear that artists struggle with when they are showing their art to the world. Showcasing your art can be challenging because we as humans tend to think about what others think. I had to stop looking for approval from others in order to fully embrace who I am an artist and I haven’t looked back.
What matters most to you?
What matters the most to me is inspiring the next person to fully chase their dreams in whatever they are pursuing. I want people to understand that the world is yours and you can do anything you put your mind to. It is important to find what you are passionate about and completely invest your time and energy into it without caring what others think or have to say. I want to use my platform to glorify God and the gifts he has given to me because without the higher power, I am nothing. In order to do this, I have to continue to think about the message I am communicating to my audience because it is easy to be led astray in this industry. We are put on this earth to create and that is what matters.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dexterkellyy/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DEXTERKELLYY
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS81-8N9yhCffE2mP3mZIBw
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/dexxterr
