As a part of our new “#FreestyleFeature” interview series, we at TRUE Magazine will be interviewing up and coming artists to give them a chance to spotlight who they are, where they come from, and what drives them to make the great music that they make. The first artist for this feature is Columbus, OH native, Dom DeShawn. With a lot of promise, young Dom shows us in this feature why he is set to make a mark in the music world.
1) What’s your number one inspiration for being an artist?
Truthfully, I’m a fan first and my love for music can’t be put into words. No clue where my life would be if I couldn’t listen, or able to make music. It really keeps me sane in this crazy ass world. I wanna give people that same feeling I have when I hear an amazing song, classic album or music that sets the perfect vibe for the night. So I would say my genuine love for music inspires me more than anything.
2) When did you decide that music was going to be a passion of yours that you wanted to pursue?
Around the age of 17-18 I knew. I was into drawing, originally my dream was to go to art school after I graduated. Around my junior year of high school I had some friends convince me to do a few songs. The shit was trash in my opinion, but I was become obsessed with writing music. Also my homie Destin, at the time he was the first person to make me feel like “making it” was possible. His beats were next level at 16. Music got in the way of my drawing and my hunger for it was steadily fading away. Fast forward to my senior year and got into art school, but my grades were atrocious so I had to attend community college first. That was kind of the deciding moment were I told myself, “Alright, lets get serious about this music shit, Dom”.
3) What do you want your fans to know?
That I’m a normal ass n***a lol. Seriously, I’m no better than you just because I’m decent at making music. The attitudes of a lot of artist and popular folks on scenes annoy me. I’ve always told myself I never wanna be THAT guy. Between social media and my music, I try to put as much of my personality in there. I really want people to feel like they know me, because there’s really no difference between my actual life and how I am with my music. You see rappers with a identity crisis, trying to portray this character to the public, then a whole different n***a in person. God bless them, though.
4) When can your fans expect to hear some new music from you?
Soon!! To be specific Sept, 29th. I’ll be releasing my next project, “Before Sunset” and right now I have the first single out, “AfterhOurz Anthem” out. It’s been almost 2 years since my last project, but the growth will be obvious to fans. Also if you haven’t heard my music before, this will be one of those projects I want them to check out first.
5) Where can your fans follow you on social media?
For Twitter, Snapchat, Soundcloud, IG and anything else, they can find me at @domdeshawn. Lucky and was able to get that name for every social media imaginable. So yea, they can find my black ass everywhere with that @. Btw, thanks for giving me this platform for this Q&A. Really appreciate it.
