DeAndre is an American musician, singer – songwriter and Boston based record producer, who is best known as the lead vocalist and principal songwriter of Capiche, Ghetto Cabana, Paper Trail, and Favors to name a few. He is also known for his collaborations with artists from Massachusetts including N.A.P. and Javi and for his DIY Hip-Hop, R&B, Rap label Sub Culture Inc Records (@SubCultureInc) which DeAndre co-founded with his late brother Joey. #RipMyBrotherJoey
DeAndre achieved commercial success at the City Hall Plaza Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts covered by TUS Noches TV. The Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts is considered the largest Hispanic event in New England, with over 185,000 attendees during a three day celebration.
His brand of passionate delivery with vivid stories, clever wordplay and occasional dark humor may not be for everyone, but his one-man operation: written, performed, recorded and released with a do-it-yourself guerrilla mentality made it possible to find its audience.
Prior to his solo career, DeAndre and Javi performed in the indie Hip-Hop duo javi & deandre (a unique sound-blend of Hip-Hop, R&B, and Rap)
DeAndre is currently recording new material and will be releasing his debut EP in 2018.
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?
The way I talk and my clothing are some of my notable characteristics were things that made me say to myself that I that wanted a career in music. Coming up with lyrics and a feel for a good tune are some of my other characteristics. I would observe the hip hop industry and many had an influence on me. J. Cole, Kanye West, Frank Ocean and Jay-Z are certainly big role models.
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?
Growing up, friends would tell me that I looked like a rapper or would see me as famous person, relatively to high school, which sounds crazy now, but still.
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?
It’s about adversity, honest descriptions, the stories of events, and moments people can relate to. And yes, it does have an influence on the songs I write. There are a couple of things I had to endure on my path in becoming a musician, they were insightful for sure. The passing of my brother was the most difficult, but also reinforced my will to becoming a musician.
4.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?
Indeed, many talented individuals out there are not getting recognition for their talent and work. Starting musicians often miss out just because of not taking the steps towards protecting their work. There is a lot of registration and leg work involved to protect creative work. That is how I plan to stand out, and by getting noticed for my honest lyrics.
5.) 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?
I would rather stay independent, but if a major label would want to sign me, I would definitely attend their meeting. The traditional music industry is still alive, and musicians are now able to market themselves because of the internet and social media.
6.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves?
I think it affected the music industry in a good way where major labels have access to a bigger pool and where independent musicians can market themselves.
7.) 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?
Of course they can survive, even if they’re not social media savvy, they hire someone who is. If an artist wants to survive, then social media is obviously an extremely important element, especially when it comes to marketing and branding your business.
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 you make music that is true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
My music is about my life and how I deal with hardships and fears, and how I put those into words. If the general public relates to that story, is that seen as a sell-out? There is nothing wrong with making a good living, that is staying true to my brand.
