My name is DRE. I am an American singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, actor and filmmaker from Grand Rapids, MI. I am 22 years old and I am all about the retro/1980s aesthetic and I translate it through film and music, I primarily make 1980’s inspired Pop, Funk and R&B/Soul music. I just released the first single “Locked in a Kiss” from my upcoming album. I hope to entertain, uplift and gift people a sense of nostalgia with my music.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2e7cowOcpwZ2yzdtJ6yP7U?si=M_4SPm_ESAugVMaL5II0kQ
Website: https://dmcghee321.wixsite.com/mysite
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official_dre84/
Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJkKKxL6/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/Official_DRE84
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM8DS5m6zhT0u80VyyLFXRQ
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 discovered at a very young age that I love entertaining people, through music, dance and film. I got pretty well-known although out school for my musical talents and my ability to captivate and command an audience. My influences I would say depends on the task/style I’m working on, if I’m doing retro Pop music it’s Michael Jackson, if I’m doing modern Pop it’s Bruno Mars, if I’m doing funk it’s Prince if I’m composing or producing a track it’s Miles Davis or Teddy Riley, I’m inspired by lots of musicians.
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 get compared to Bruno Mars and Michael Jackson the most from a vocal and aesthetic point. I’m inspired by both artists so I take it as a huge compliment when people draw comparisons of me to them.
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?
Lots of love and also heartbreak, I write about many things, love, intimacy, spirituality, politics life in general, but I would say love and positivity are the things that inspire me to write and make the music. I would say the most difficult thing I’ve endured is no one knows how to market my music, since it’s intentionally dated and not mainstream anymore but I view it as a plus because it’s different and stands out from everything else that’s out today.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
I can’t really say it’s a spiritual thing, if I could write a song everyday I would but it doesn’t flow like that, usually I won’t write something for days, weeks and even months but one day I’ll write on average 7-15 songs and start recording them the following day.
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?
I plan to be original and make what I love instead pretending to be something I’m not just to fit “today’s ever-changing trends,” I believe I can standout with my creativity in my work. I would only sign to a major label if I get 3 things, 1. Complete creative control of my music/videos and performances, 2. I get to own all my master recordings and 3. I get to keep Majority of my touring and merch money, if I can’t get anyone of those three things then I’d happily stay independent. I don’t believe it’s dead, it’s just a new era.
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?
Currently I’m making decent money from music however it is not my only income source, I’m a businessman and I fund my music career with knowledge. I do almost everything myself and learned by myself. The advice I give to any musician who wants to make music a career is to do it because you love it. I’d say pretend as if you’d never get any money and if you would still find yourself making music, then continue, if you can’t see yourself making music because you’re not getting paid then I’d switch careers if I were that person.
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 whether we like it or not is a very big part of being known in today’s era of entertainment, although I’m an 80’s inspired musician and don’t really know too much about social media despite my young age, I do understand that it is an important tool to learn how to use to get yourself out there and gain fans, I think it’s a double edge sword in a way too, because literally anyone can be a musician now and everyone streams so it’s basically free music and I think we tend to not value things that we can get for free and things that are not rare anymore.
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”?
Different strokes for different folks, I don’t really listen to today’s music because it all sounds the same and usually has the same subject matters, I would call these kinda artist “trend followers” I believe I am a “trend setter” I make my own lane and those who are interested in originality and creativity will gravitate towards me and my music.
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
5 years from now I will be 27 years old. I see myself in 5 movies and 3 albums that I made. I see my fanbase growing and growing and I see myself doing concerts as well and of course working on something new.