Darion Amiir Brown known as BLKHRT AMiR (born February, 24th 2000) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. A Rockford Illinois native, the singer created a following on Soundcloud in 2017 with his smooth blend of upbeat and bass filled R&B sound that made his mark in his city. Growing up as a musical prodigy to his grandfather, he developed a love for singing, the acoustic guitar and piano at a young age. He’s a self taught singer and songwriter influenced by Michael Jackson, Jodeci, and H-Town which helped him form his sound. He dropped his debut mixtape Blackheart Vol, 1 in 2019 which featured his first widely distributed single “Don’t Tell Nobody”. He dropped a single in December called “Unless” which is his most streamed song to date and its also the first single to an (untitled) EP coming in 2020. He is dropping a new song titled “I Wanna” on May 22nd 2020 which will be the 3rd single for the EP.
IG: https://www.instagram.com/blackheartpapi/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/blackheartpapi
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/blackheartpapi/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/58ewcs76PXWRYOIZjFtggW?si=QxFrA1HcTb-ohW_t2Goxgw
SoundCloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/blackheartpapi
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/blkhrt-amir/1450860634
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIxi2ktDWxqcvkmmm9Z2ajQ
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
I’ve always loved singing since I was kid. I grew up doing musicals in middle school and the first couple years high school. Also, my grandfather played the guitar, drums, and piano so it was always instilled in me to love music. In 2016 I wanted to drop out of high school so I figured “hey, why not make music?” I decided to stay in school and graduate and people enjoyed the music I made so I figured to just keep going with til I couldn’t. My biggest influences would probably be Michael Jackson, Jodeci, 2Pac, and Lil Wayne.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
I don’t really like to compare myself to other artists but I would say my music is in the same lane as artists like Chris Brown, Tory Lanez, and Bryson Tiller. What separates me though, is the fact that I can be inspired by these artists and not bite their style. I think being an individual in the music industry is super important because you want people to love you for you not love you for trying to be someone else.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
I think heartbreak and depression have definitely had an influence on the music I’ve made. Going through break ups and feeling alone is something everyone can relate to but I try to focus on making more positive music. The most difficult thing I’ve had to endure on this path is realizing that you can’t satisfy and please everyone so you might as well make music you love. I’ve also had to learn to endure that fact that people will try to use you if you let them, so watch your back because the snakes always watching.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
Every song is different with me. When I write I usually smoke one and let the beat tell me the words while I try to find the best melody that will fit the song. When I’m writing love songs, I’m usually in a good mood and I’ve most likely been around a girl who’s inspired the song. When I’m writing sad songs, it comes more naturally to me because I’m good at being sad I guess haha but most of the time I wrote those kind of songs in my living room with the lights low. I record with two engineers mostly and each one has a different process. One things that’s always consistent with me is the fact I always sing the song in one take to get a feel for my delivery, I keep certain things I said, cut what I don’t like then I go to the beginning of the song and I punch in line by line until I finish the song. It doesn’t get more specific than that, I’m not the type to only do hooks first or always do verses first.
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
These days everything is all about promotion and marketing. Hopefully my music will speak for itself and I’ll stand out with the content I produce but I plan on constantly trying to market my music correctly and get in front of as many people as possible, if people don’t see you they can’t judge you whether it’s good or bad. I prefer to stay independent until a label comes with a deal that makes sense, I can actually keep my masters, and if they actually have something to offer. It’s better to be independent if you want to keep control of everything in your camp and if you are already super big. If you want mainstream fame then you’ll most likely need a label and don’t like the fact that it’s like that but it’s the industry. The traditional music industry model as we know is definitely dead but it could be worse.
6.) Are you able to make a living with your music? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your music career? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music?
Music is one of my few incomes but within the next years I would like to make music my main source of income. I work 2 regular jobs currently to find music but I’m quitting soon to work on being an engineer and get into producing. My advice would be, if you want to get in the music industry you should learn the music industry. Learn to do everything you would pay other people to do and once you do that you’ll be unstoppable.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
I think the internet and social media is a great tool and a curse. It has definitely had a negative impact on the music industry to me because for one labels don’t care about talent, they care about popularity and what/who will sell. Secondly, social media has made so many people wanna make music because it’s so easy to monetize but now it’s just over saturated with people who think they’re talented. And third, it’s all a popularity contest now and people are so annoying with their marketing tactics it’s all downhill. I feel like you don’t necessarily need to be social media savvy to survive in the music industry but people around you do because if you’re talented and you can make good social media content you will definitely win, if you’re consistent.
8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
I don’t think making music for the general public is “selling out”. You literally HAVE to go mainstream at some point if you want to receive some real and consistent revenue (in my opinion) but if you’re an artist that’s making mainstream music that’s not you and it doesn’t fit your brand then you’re selling out. Stay true to you and if it works out then it was meant to.
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
5 years from now I see myself still being consistent with music, owning all my masters, and on a billboard somewhere in America. I also see myself having multiple sources of income specifically from fashion, music, art, and hopefully television. I’m manifesting all of that into existence.