22-year-old Broward County-based singer/rapper/producer, based out of DaShawn is no stranger to our page. Having made a few appearance over the past on single or EP’s, today he comes through with an official interview that helps give a clear overview of the artists behind the music. We had the chance to chop with up with DaShawn about various topics such as favorite project he’s worked on, South Florida’s music scene, and his latest single “Blood Red.” Check out the full interview down below.
How did you start making and what gave you the motivation to stay with it?
I started making music as a release. I didn’t like who I was at the time so music/writing served as my form of expression. Ever since, it’s been something I’ve used to talk about the things on doesn’t normally get to talk about.
What are some of the biggest mental tools you can obtain to be successful in this field?
Patience, Planning, and Pace. It’s a marathon, and if you lack 1 of the 3, everything will seem unachievable.
Being from Broward, how is the underground music scene out there?
South Florida is a goldmine. We have it all. Every last bit of what it takes to become the next major creative hub is here. My team and I are trying to cultivate a culture here, providing a platform to elevate our scene.
Do you have a favorite musical project that you’ve worked on?
My last EP “Something’s Just Feel Better” was why most enjoyable project. It’s a piece of me, I didn’t make a project about my life, I lived my life and a project was made. One of the most natural things I’ve ever done.
Your new single “Blood Red,” is it part of a full-length offering?
Nope, Blood Red is just a single. It’s most likely the last hard-rapping single I’ll drop this year. I told y’all, “I’m on my singing shit.”
From an artists standpoint, how involved should the artist be in the post-production stages?
If you’re an artist, you should be involved with every single piece of your work. You’re not the engineer/producer/photographer more often than not. Their job is to do their job, that one thing. As an artist, every detail centered around your art requires your involvement.
How have you been educated in production? Do you think official education is necessary?
As a producer/engineer, I myself have never went to school for either of the two. The internet is everything. Anything you want to know is a click away. Education is still extremely important in mastering your craft. Not a single expert is uneducated, so attempting to bypass knowledge you’ll need to know, won’t help in the long run.
Do you think producers should learn how to mix, master, and engineer?
As a producer, you should have a general knowledge in all fields applicable to yours. You don’t have to do it all, that one area may just be your calling, but be being well rounded never hurt anybody.
Do you prefer to work with big names or newcomers?
I work with people on the same level as me. No egos, just work. We all hungry.
How do you navigate the gray area of producing for friends?
I don’t care honestly. Everybody who my dog know I gotchu. Always been that way. I think a lot of producers are taking the wrong approach trying to play a numbers game too. Find a handful of artist and develop your/their sound together. Watch it pan out from there.
Are there any marketing tips you can share with you artists coming upright now?
Be yourself. Anything else, will never last.
If you were to describe your sound, how would you describe it?
Honest, always true to what I feel. I create off emotion, and feelings change everyday, so I never want people to get a feel of what I have coming next. The only thing I want people to takeaway from my sound is it’s honesty.
What’s your recording process like?
A mess. Sometimes I’ll be producing and start humming a!melody, which inevitably leads me to recording a chorus. When inspiration strikes you gotta act, fast. With me, it doesn’t have to make sense right now, when recording with friends, we’re just creating. We’ll figure everything out at the end.