Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to shine the spotlight on this week's featured artist. Introducing an emerging musical sensation poised to captivate the world's ears, D'east, hailing from the vibrant city of Kingston, Jamaica. With an unwavering devotion to his craft, D'east has seamlessly woven his lifelong passion for music into an inspiring journey towards the zenith of the industry. Fueled by an unyielding local fan base, he's been on an upward trajectory, steadily ascending towards the pinnacle of recognition. Beyond mere melodies and rhymes, D'east envisions music as a powerful tool for enlightenment, striving not only to entertain but also to educate. His artistic mission revolves around infusing positivity into impressionable young minds and delivering profound messages that resonate with the hearts of many. As his star continues to rise, D'east stands as a beacon of musical promise, committed to crafting a sound that reverberates with meaning and purpose. We had the distinct pleasure of engaging in an exclusive interview with D'east, delving into the insights and inspirations that fuel his remarkable musical odyssey.
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BPM: Could you provide our readers with a glimpse into your background as a recording artist, including your upbringing and early experiences that have shaped your musical journey?
D’east: My musical journey started at Kingston College. This school is filled with creative minds and comedians, and as such, I was surrounded by a lot of peers that were making music out of jest. I would make rhythms by hitting the benches in the classrooms and remixing popular songs - usually parodies, like food songs in the canteen. This built my confidence, because you had to be quick and witty to do this among peers who were quick to laugh. I would also voice students and other peers my age at home by making a make-shift studio with a computer microphone that was wrapped with socks.
When I left high school, I started downloading music from a website that had a chatroom. This is where I met Mark and Bradley. We would hang out and talk about music; talking about something you love with other people who are also passionate about it, makes your appreciation for it grow even more. This is what happened with me and music. They created a crew called Fraseca, that I would then later join.
Music was never something that I had initially thought about as a career; athleticism was my first priority. I was an exceptional track runner and was good at football. My mom had cultivated this since I was a child, but as my life’s journey would have it, I fell in love with music, and haven’t looked back since.
BPM: Could you kindly share the story behind your stage name 'D'east' and shed light on any significance or meaning it holds? Furthermore, I'm intrigued by your moniker 'Grabba Chest.' Could you provide some insight into its origin and symbolism?
D’east: The 'D' is the first letter of my given name - Dominic. The 'East' symbolizes the fact that the sun always rises in that direction first, and is a reminder for me to always keep looking that way. The moniker, 'Grabba Chest' on the other hand, came into fruition because I love weed! I love making weed songs, I love smoking it, I like smelling it. My close friend Humble Lion dubbed me that one day when we were hanging out, and the name stuck.
BPM: Your collaboration with Markus Records is quite notable. Are there any other producers with whom you're presently engaged or aspire to collaborate with in the future? If so, what draws you to working with these producers? Is there a specific element in the beats they create that resonates with your artistic vision?
D’east: I’ve worked with a number of talented producers, some of which include: EchoBeats, Fuze, Krisbeatz, KevStar Records and Mari the Producer. They’re always open to telling me their ideas and creative vision. They’re also very straight-forward, and I never have to question what’s on their minds. I love when producers are passionate about what they do, and own their work. It makes the chemistry even better.
There are also a number of producers that I would love to work with in the future. Steven 'Di Genius' McGregor is one that I definitely aspire to collaborate with because he’s been in the industry for so long, and still manages to maintain his relevancy. He’s also very talented.
I’d also love to work with Ricky Blaze, Don Corleon, Metro Boomin and True Ambassador. These are producers that I’ve grown up watching, and they have inspired me along my journey.
BPM: If you were to introduce your music to someone who is unfamiliar with your work, how would you best describe the style, mood, and essence of your musical creations?
D’east: I would say that I’m a versatile artist. My primary genre is dancehall; however, I’ve dabbled into EDM and plan on dabbling into reggae as well.
I would describe my music as vibey, uplifting, multifaceted (because of the different topics that I speak about), and raunchy at times.
BPM: In what ways do you believe your personal background and life experiences have shaped and impacted the development of your musical style and the themes present in your lyrics?
D’east: A lot of the topics that I sing about come from my own experiences and what I've been through. However, there are times when I sing about things that I aspire to achieve or want to see happen for myself. I put these thoughts into the universe as a way to attract them to me. For instance, 'Nah seh mah drive big Benz now, but imma get there.'
BPM: In the current music landscape, it's evident that sensuality often garners attention across various genres. Similarly, many dancehall tracks share similar themes, even though they're delivered by different artists. How do you manage to maintain your authentic artistic vision while also considering the expectations of your audience and the prevailing trends in dancehall lyrics today?
D’east: I try to keep up to date with what’s happening by reading news blogs and tuning in to social media. This way, I can manage to keep my songs trendy by using certain slangs and incorporating certain situations. It’s important, however, that I stay true to myself and my beliefs. I won’t jeopardize my values and principles for the sake of relevance or hype.
BPM: How does collaboration factor into your creative process? Have you engaged in any notable collaborations with fellow artists, or do you have any aspirations to collaborate with specific artists in the future?
D’east: I actually don’t have a preference in terms of doing singles or collaborations. Once the energy is right, I can work with anyone.
Some notable collaborations that I’ve done in the past are, “Spaceship” with D’yani, and “Work & Party” with Flexx.
I would love to work with Busy Signal though. He is actually someone that I look up to in the music industry. His artistry and songs made me fall in love with the genre, and he is also very versatile. From his freestyles to his regular songs, he still manages to keep it corporate and professional too.
Ricky Blaze is another artist that I would love to work with. He’s vibey and has great dancing songs. He would be the perfect person to do a collaboration with, now that we’re in the TikTok era.
Bounty Killa & Buju Banton are also artists that I would love to do collabs with. They are the generals when it comes to my music.
Meek Mill is another artist whose music journey I've been closely following. He's an inspiration.
Other artists that I'd love to work with, if given the chance, include: J Hus, Kumar, Skepta, Vanessa Bling, Dua Lipa, Dave East, Valiant, Vershon, Masicka, Govana, and Chronic Law.
BPM: Navigating the challenges that come with being an emerging artist can be quite demanding. Have there been moments in your journey where you've felt like giving up? If so, what strategies or inspirations do you draw upon to rekindle your motivation and push forward? Are there any particular influences or sources of strength that have played a significant role in your perseverance?
D’east: I’ve definitely had my fair share of times when I’ve felt defeated. When this happens, I try to clear my head from all my negative thoughts.
I’ll do this by either smoking and resting or listening to dancehall rhythms on YouTube - which really helps. Sometimes the energy of the music brings me back to life.
Watching TV is also a great way for me to escape. I recently watched Wu-Tang, which depicts men who are torn between music and crime but eventually rise to become an American success story. Things like that inspire me, because I realize that a lot of people have to go through struggles within the music industry, and it makes me feel like I’m not alone; like I’m not the only one who experiences defeat.
Reading books is also a great way for me to escape. Big up Sharpe Reads who always has great book recommendations.
BPM: When it comes to managing feedback and criticism from both fans and critics, what is your approach? How do you navigate and interpret the positive and negative input you receive, and how does it influence your growth as an artist?
D’east: I embrace constructive criticism as an artist driven by a desire to elevate my craft. Understanding how I can refine my skills and welcoming diverse viewpoints is paramount to me. However, I can sense energy and I’m able to discern when negativity is directed my way.
BPM: Do you find yourself drawn to or inspired by any musical genres beyond your primary style? Are there specific genres that you enjoy exploring or that have influenced your creative process in unexpected ways?
D’east: I listen to London rap, afrobeats, pop and a lot of intricate harmonies of acoustic guitars. I also listen to Latin music too, because I’m intrigued with their dedication to preserving foundational musical elements while pushing the boundaries of innovation. It’s from these diverse influences that I gain inspiration, and then able to infuse my own distinctive style and essence into the songs that I create.
BPM: How do you view the dynamic between lyrics and melody in your music? Could you elaborate on your process for ensuring that these two elements work harmoniously together, creating a cohesive and impactful song?
D’east: My favorite way of crafting a song is to immerse myself in the creative process alongside the producer, witnessing the gradual construction of the rhythm firsthand.
From the get-go, I will start to sync with the melody and hum. From this, I’ll vocalize a line, which then becomes the cornerstone for layering additional lyrics until the composition evolves into a complete song. An example of this was the song I did called, “Sed Time,” that was produced by Fuze. From the very inception of shaping the rhythm, I was present, and the song began to take shape in real-time as the rhythm resonated with my creative instincts.
BPM: What exciting developments are on the horizon for D'east? Are there any ongoing projects or upcoming collaborations that you'd like to share with us?
D’east: I’ve been doing a lot of stage performances throughout the year, and this has been an incredibly invigorating experience. It has been helping to increase recognition and awareness among a broader audience, and that makes me really happy.
The Magnificent Mixtape is a recent collaboration of mine. It's already available on YouTube, and I'm currently in the process of crafting a part 2 that I plan to release soon.
I also have an EP set for release in January 2024. The direction of this endeavor is not clear as yet, however, the date is guaranteed.
With that, we conclude our insightful interview with D'east, hoping you've enjoyed this glimpse into the artist's journey and vision. Be sure to join us again next week as we unveil the next captivating spotlight artist of the week.
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Cover photo by Anorak Productions
Stay connected with D'east on his social media platforms below:
www.facebook.com/OfficialDeast
www.youtube.com/OfficialDeastMusic
www.audiomack.com/Deastmusic
For bookings contact:
Watch "Magnificent Mixtape"
Watch "Loyal Language"
Watch "Wul It"
Watch "Spaceship" ft D'yani
Spotlight Artist - D'east
Photo Credits: Anorak Productions
