Dom Deshawn's latest album, "AfterParadise," is a captivating and introspective journey that showcases the artist's growth and evolution in the hip-hop genre. With thought-provoking lyrics, innovative production, and a unique artistic identity, Deshawn delivers a deeply personal and engaging musical experience. From the very first track, it is evident that Deshawn's upbringing has played a significant role in shaping his music and creativity. Influenced by artists like Bone Thugs, Busta Rhymes, and Nas, his parents and older brother introduced him to a diverse range of musical styles and genres. This early exposure instilled in him a rich taste in music that is reflected in the eclectic soundscapes found throughout "AfterParadise."
Growing up in Columbus, OH, also contributed to Deshawn's artistic journey, allowing him to be a sponge and absorb sounds from all over the country. While his family introduced him to music outside of the Columbus scene, discovering local artists such as Fly Union, J Rawls, and P Blackk added another layer to his musical palette. This exposure fueled Deshawn's belief that he could gain attention without having to leave his hometown, inspiring him to carve out his own unique sound as a hip-hop artist. The influence of legendary figures like J Dilla, Missy Elliot, and J. Cole is evident in Deshawn's musical style and approach. Dilla's impeccable drum patterns and scatting-like flow have left a lasting impact, while Little Brother's authenticity and storytelling have given him the confidence to be himself and share his own experiences. Missy Elliot's boundary-pushing creativity and Nas' lyrical prowess have also played a significant role in Deshawn's development as an artist. These influences can be heard throughout the album, adding depth and dimension to his music.
Beyond music, Deshawn draws inspiration from various artistic mediums and forms of expression. As a self-professed nerd, he finds inspiration in video games, films, TV shows, and even pro wrestling. This wide range of influences shapes his storytelling and world-building, allowing him to create a unique and immersive musical experience that goes beyond the average artist's repertoire.The origins of Deshawn's stage name, Dom Deshawn, are simple yet meaningful. It is a combination of his shortened first name, Dominique, and his middle name, creating a moniker that represents his authentic self as an artist.
While music is his primary focus, Deshawn has explored other creative endeavors throughout his career. Before pursuing music, he dreamt of becoming an illustrator and creative writer for cartoons and comics. Although he no longer draws, his passion for writing remains, evident in his ability to craft compelling lyrics that resonate with listeners.Significant milestones and turning points have shaped Deshawn's growth as an artist, including his decision to quit his 9-5 job in August 2021 to pursue music full-time. This bold move, supported by his parents and friends, allowed him to fully dedicate himself to his craft and propelled his career to new heights. Since then, Deshawn's confidence, songwriting capabilities, and experimentation have flourished, leading to the creation of "AfterParadise."
In "AfterParadise," Deshawn masterfully balances his personal experiences and emotions with the desire to connect with his listeners. By leaning into his own authenticity, he creates a genuine connection that resonates deeply with his audience. Through his honest and heartfelt lyrics, even those who haven't experienced the exact situations he describes can find solace and relate to his music on a profound level. Several tracks on "AfterParadise" hold special meaning and stand out in terms of their personal significance and storytelling. One such track is "Last Night in Paradise," the album's final song. It highlights the lows one may face in life while offering a glimmer of hope and light at the end of the tunnel. This theme of finding positivity amidst darkness is a recurring motif in Deshawn's work, demonstrating his ability to uplift and inspire through his music.
"AfterParadise" pushes the boundaries of Deshawn's musical style, showcasing his artistic growth and experimentation. The project features a variety of production styles and sounds that expand his sonic palette, while his songwriting reaches new heights. Deshawn's involvement in crafting the hooks, even if he didn't sing them himself, demonstrates his hands-on approach and meticulous attention to detail.Self-reflection and introspection play a significant role in Deshawn's creative process, both in "AfterParadise" and his overall body of work. His tendency to overthink and constantly have thoughts running through his mind fuels his introspective nature. In "AfterParadise," he skillfully masks his introspectiveness within lush soundscapes, creating an enjoyable listening experience that also offers top-notch lyricism for those who delve deeper into the music.
Engaging with his audience is crucial to Deshawn, and he continuously strives to build a connection with fans beyond just his music. Live shows have proven to be the best platform for this, as Deshawn's vulnerability and comfort on stage create an intimate experience for concertgoers. Memorable moments, such as a show where he broke down and cried on stage, further exemplify his willingness to share his emotions and create meaningful connections with his fans.Looking ahead, Deshawn's aspirations and goals for his music career are vast. His primary focus is on touring, determined to bring his music to audiences around the country and eventually overseas. The experience he provides during live performances is unparalleled, and he aims to forge a deep connection with listeners through the power of his music. Additionally, Deshawn is already plotting future projects, ensuring that the impact of "AfterParadise" will be felt for a long time to come.
"AfterParadise" is a testament to Dom Deshawn's growth as an artist and his unwavering commitment to his craft. With its thought-provoking lyrics, innovative production, and profound storytelling, the album captivates listeners from start to finish. Deshawn's ability to balance personal experiences with universal themes creates a musical experience that is both relatable and transformative. "AfterParadise" solidifies Deshawn's position as an artist to watch, and it will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the hip-hop landscape.
Can you share more about your upbringing and how it has influenced your music and creativity?
When I was younger I was fortunate enough to have parents and an older brother with great music taste. Whether sitting in the backseat of my pop whip, hearing artists like Bone Thugs, Busta Rhymes, and movie soundtracks like Love Jones or my older bro blasting Timbo, Nas, Outkast, and more from his room. Without even knowing it, they shaped my taste in music taste.
How did growing up in Columbus, OH, shape your artistic journey and contribute to your unique sound as a hip-hop artist?
Man, I think it benefited interestingly. Although my parents and brother got me hip to so much music, they weren’t aware of the music going on in the Columbus scene. I think it allowed me to be a sponge and get sounds from all over the country. Once I was in my teens and slowly getting hip to Columbus music, it just added to everything. It put a battery in my back seeing folks like Fly Union, J Rawls, P Blackk, Vada Akeem, and others gain attention while being in the city. It let me know early on that we could gain attention and didn’t have to move from here.
Can you discuss the specific ways in which J Dilla, Nas, Missy Elliot, Little Brother, and J. Cole have influenced your musical style and approach?
I honestly can go on for hours about them all lol. But to focus on a few... Dilla crafted a sound and feeling that it’s hard to describe. He made me be a drums first guy whenever I hear a beat, add this scatting-like flow to hooks and melodies(you’ll hear it in Slum Village music), and more. Little Brother was the folk I needed to hear and made me realize I could just be me and talk about my life. They never had crazy records about a life they didn’t live AND were giving you bars. Missy Elliot was one of my first fave artists and Nas was the one that inspired me to pick up the pen and pad, wanting to try rap when I was 15.
Beyond music, are there any other artistic mediums or forms of expression that inspire and influence your creativity?
Everything! Truly, I’m a nerd who loves video games, films, TV shows, and pro wrestling. The list goes on. I think it impacts my storytelling and world-building, doing many things the average artist wouldn’t think of.
Can you tell us about the origins of your stage name, Dom Deshawn, and the meaning behind it?
This one is easy! It's just my first name(shortened from Dominique) and my middle name.
In addition to your music career, have you pursued any other creative endeavors or projects that have allowed you to explore different aspects of your artistic identity?
Before music, my first real dream was to be an illustrator/creative writer for cartoons, comics, etc. I don’t draw anymore, but still very much into writing and have written a few TV scripts.
Can you discuss any significant milestones or turning points in your music career that have shaped your growth as an artist?
There are many, but in August 2021 I quit my 9-5 to pursue music full-time. Although in my heart it wasn’t a hard decision, not having that consistent money coming in was a challenge. I gotta thank my parents and homies who held me down when I was down bad, but it was a decision I’m grateful for, and since my career has progressed more than it ever has before leaving.
How do you balance your personal experiences and emotions with the desire to connect with and resonate with your listeners through your music?
I lean more into my personal experiences. I feel when you hear an artist be so honest, even if it’s something you haven’t experienced 100%, you’ll gravitate towards them even more.
Can you share any specific stories or anecdotes behind any of the tracks on your previous projects that hold special meaning to you?
My song, “Autumn Prologue” was one of the first records I completed in 2020 after the pandemic began. Like everyone else, I was going through a lot that year, but after a breakup, I reached a point where I NEEDED to get everything off my chest. That entire song is exactly where I was in life at the time.
How would you describe your evolution as an artist from your debut project to your latest album, "AfterParadise"?
It’s been 12 years since my first project and I’ve evolved in every way possible. My confidence level, songwriting capabilities, continuing to experiment and try new things, knowing how to make a body of work… I’m proud I always strive to become more skilled than my last work and never be content.
Can you discuss the significance of the album title, "AfterParadise," and how it reflects your current state of mind and artistic vision?
With this project and title, I wanted to capture both my brand(AfterhOurz) and the sound I was going for. My homie Reese gave me the idea in 2019 to combine the title(originally was gonna be called Nique’s Paradise).
What messages or themes do you aim to convey through the lyrics and overall concept of "AfterParadise"?
The tagline for the album is “Not Even Paradise is Perfect”. This plays with the idea that even in this beautiful environment the characters are in, they’re still going through real-life stuff and issues.
How do you feel "AfterParadise" pushes the boundaries of your musical style and showcases your artistic growth since your previous projects?
AfterParadise” is the project I’ve experimented the most on. I’ve pushed myself to do things that are not usually in the normal sound palette and wanted to take my songwriting to the next level. A lot of the hooks you’ll hear I wrote as well, even if I didn’t sing them myself. I wanted to be very hands-on with everything since I knew exactly what I wanted.
Can you talk about the role that self-reflection and introspection play in your creative process, both in relation to "AfterParadise" and your overall body of work?
Self-reflection is just my typical state of mind. I overthink everything and have thoughts always running. For this album, I wanted to mask the introspectiveness within these lush soundscapes. So the average listener can just enjoy the “vibes”, but if you dig a little deeper you’ll hear some top-notch lyricism.
Are there any specific tracks on "AfterParadise" that stand out to you in terms of their personal significance or the stories they tell? Can you elaborate on their importance?
It’s tough to go with just one, but I’ll say the final song on the album, is “Last Night in Paradise”. It’s one of those records where I wanted to highlight the lows you may face and also what the characters on the album went through, but give some light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a theme seen often in my work because I feel that only giving the listeners the darkness wouldn’t be right. Ending on a positive note is key for me.
Can you discuss any challenges or obstacles you faced while creating "AfterParadise" and how you overcame them?
The biggest one was from the first couple of months of recording. I began towards the end of 2019 and was focused on dropping the summer of 2020. Once the pandemic broke out, it put a stop to everything. I couldn’t record like I wanted and my mind wasn’t in that zone to execute this idea I had. Luckily, start of 2022 I went back and started working on it again.
How do you approach incorporating different production styles and sounds into your music while maintaining your own unique artistic identity?
Hmmm, I think that comes from being very in tune with myself and knowing who I am as a person. So, it makes it easier to try out new things, knowing it can still sound like me if I still do it. If that makes any sense lol.
Can you share any insights into your songwriting process and how you translate your thoughts and emotions into lyrics?
It’s slightly different from song to song, but sometimes I might have a thought or experience I want to talk about, and then it’s me finding the production that matches that. Once I do, I write specifically to that beat and get the flow down.
How do you engage with your audience and build a connection with them beyond your music? Are there any specific moments or interactions with fans that have been particularly memorable for you?
I’m trying to get better with the online side of things, beyond IG or Twitter, so recently had a newsletter. The best engagement for me though is the live shows. I think everyone sees how comfortable I am and I’m very vulnerable on stage. Last year I had a show where I broke down and cried on stage. It was the second to last song and was planning to do shoutouts and bust out in tears making eye contact with my parents. I’ll never forget that night.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals for the future of your music career? Are there any specific collaborations or projects that you hope to pursue?
So much! I’ll say my biggest focus as of now is touring. I feel in my heart I’m supposed to be on the road, seeing the country and eventually overseas. Making that connection with the music from listening is great, but the experience I give a show is on another level. Beyond that, plotting some other projects I won’t talk about just yet, but expect me to be pushing “AfterParadise” for quite some time.