Today we’d like to introduce you to Darion Ja’Von.
Darion, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My parents realized I had rhythm around the age of two. Shortly after, I started learning how to play the drums. I would beat on pots and pans around the house so much my dad finally bought me my first drum kit. At the age of 8, I became the main drummer at my dad’s church.
By age 12, I was singing, writing songs, playing the piano and acoustic guitar. I went on to attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts on scholarship. While in school, I started creating arrangement videos with my best friend and roommate, Darek Cobbs. Under the alias Gummyworms, we garnered international attention with our Trey Songz, Katy Perry and Drake cover videos, reaching over a million views.(https://youtu.be/CfGjOEaDWFw) The buzz we received opened up doors to share the stage with many artists and landed me my very first world tour. After touring, my bestfriend, Darek Cobbs and I received a call from Rodney Jerkins to come to Los Angeles and work under his production company “DARKCHILD.” It was there I would meet my mentor and now business partner Brandon Caddell (CEO of BNCEG). 2014, I entered the world of scoring with the help of Brandon, producing and scoring all the music for Nick Cannon’s DRUMLINE 2 on VH1.
Since then, I have produced original music for networks such as FOX, ABC FAMILY (Now FREEFORM) & DISNEY. In 2016, I landed the film “The Perfect Match” producing five tracks and performing two original songs (Opportunity & Too Late). That opportunity lead to me releasing my very first solo project entitled “Honest.” 2020 finds me as the Musical Director for TINASHE, Ne-yo, Doja Cat, Arin Ray, Gallant, Sevyn Streeter, Melanie Fiona, Mack Wilds and preparing to release more music.
Has it been a smooth road?
There is no smooth road in this business. Through the years, I’ve faced many obstacles. But I have always been a very driven and determined individual.
At a very young age, my father instilled in me the value of not only working hard but outworking everyone else around me.
Whether it was packing my roommate’s drums into a cab to perform at bars around Boston or driving from Jersey to New York 5 days a week to take gigs that paid in meals, I was determined to do whatever I had to do, to build my career.
From 2008-2014, I submitted 1000’s of song ideas for tv and film placements and received not one yes. But that did not deter me from my dreams. I always felt as though the struggle would not last forever, eventually the door would open.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like best about LA is definitely the weather, the opportunities and all the beautiful people. I’ve made so many amazing connections here in this city. I’ve had the pleasure of building a brand new team of super talented musicians, meeting and working with major inspirations such as Kanye West, and pursuing my acting career as well.
LA has been amazing although I must admit, I will always be an East Coast Kid at heart.
What I like least….LA is so EXPENSIVE to live and in my opinion everything shuts down way too early. Lol, I am a night owl. But even then, LA has been nothing but positive vibes for me.
Contact Info:
- Email: darionjavonmgmt@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Lamont Roberson II
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