Q&A With Rising Mobile, AL Based Underground Artist Deshawn

Where are you from & what was it like growing up there?

I’m from Mobile, Al. Small city, where everybody seems to know everybody or its 7 degrees of separation.

What was the earliest hip hop memory you can recall?

Earliest memory was Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik video. My Pops would have videos playing all the time back then. He had all the latest music and it was a wide range of stuff. That was my first memory, but the one that stuck with me was when I bought my first cassette tape. That was Bone ThugsEast 1999.

Tell us a little about the underground Hip Hop scene out of your city?

There’s alot of highly talented underground artists in Mobile that would prove valuable if given the opportunity. You could literally scroll through the scene and you’d wonder why or how some are not on a bigger platform. This city is an untapped goldmine.

Who’re some of your biggest influences?

I was heavily influenced by Hov, Kanye, Lupe, Lauryn Hill, D’ Angelo, Badu. Its more but I’d be here all night naming them lol.

Where did your moniker originate?

Its my middle name and what I go by amongst my family and people close to me.

I really wouldn’t say I have a grind lol. I just do what feels right and put it out and whatever it attracts, I welcome. So, I don’t think covid affected it one way or another honestly.

You just dropped a new project “Dressed for the Tiny Desk” . How does it stand out in comparison to your previous efforts?

I played with a sound/style on the project prior to it but didn’t commit fully on it. On Dressed for the Tiny Desk I feel like I went all the way in with the neo soul style, well, my rendition of it lol.

What’s your favorite track off your latest project, and why? And please reference your favorite bar from this song that highlights your elite level lyricism.

My favorite would probably be “Singing Shit”. Its just a carefree cut that kinda embodies my personality. My favorite bar on that track is “Your Ex irrelevant…your faux locs tell me this.” Not my favorite one on the project though lol.

Our most important question, what is your definition of underground hip hop?

My definition of underground hiphop is music that is truly the artist, whatever the case. Its honest, it doesn’t conform, and its original.

Lastly, is there any advice you’d like to give to those trying to set their foot in as recording artists?

No advice. I ain’t shit lol. I’m still trying to get a foot in the door.