Last year’s Singersroom NextDiva runner up, Dawn Richard, is on a mission to make her own individual statement in R&B. Not knocking what other artists are currently doing, the former Danity Kane and Dirty Money member wants to make an impact like the divas before her so the next generation of newcomers can have someone to lean on. Below are some snippets from part 1 of my one-on-one with this rising star.
The Moment… We decided to take a risk and put lyrics that meant something into records and sonically told a story and make R&B a conceptual story, which is something R&B really hasn’t been in a long time, we haven’t seen conceptual R&B albums in a while.
The Goal…I wanna start a new sound for R&B, not because I want it to be so different and eclectic…I’ve always been with a group of people who like to push people forward to the next thing. Whether you wanna call that progressive or being different, I just call it trying to push people to a limit, pushing the limits of music. Even as a kid, I always loved those artists that would do that.
The goal I think is for us to be the misfits of this industry, I think I want us to be the rebels, I want people to look at us and say “alright they’re about to put out something so I can already expect them to push me some place else.””
Being Different…I think everybody has their lanes, and I think that’s what makes them great. I love Melanie Fiona and what she’s done with her album. She’s dope, and I think that’s great music for R&B…I just feel like what we’re trying to do and who we are as artists is a different lane.
The Dream’s comments on “Blacks Can’t Do Soul Music Anymore”…Whether Dream may believe that and whether it’s true or not, what’s the solution for us to do it? We just have to keep going until people get it and I’m like the prime example of keep going.
Longevity…Your life span as an artist is long and longer in R&B and soul, if you think about it, then say a pop artist because you have that performance level of cult following.
Dawn Richard has been captivating audiences for over a decade with her unique sound. Her music is powerful, moving and meaningful to so many people across the globe. In this exclusive interview, Dawn talks about capturing the moment, being different, longevity in an ever-changing industry and more.
From singing in girl bands to becoming a solo artist, she’s never been afraid of taking risks or pushing boundaries when it comes to creating new music. Whether you’ve been following her career since day one or are just discovering her now, there is no denying that Dawn has made an incredible impact on popular culture today.
In this article we will explore what makes Dawn such an inspiring figure – from discussing how she captures moments to stay creative and motivated to why she keeps going even after facing obstacles along the way. By the end readers may come away feeling invigorated by her story as they learn more about what drives her passion for making music!
Reflections On Creativity
Creativity is a powerful expression of the human spirit. It’s an ability to capture moments and express them in unique ways that resonate deeply with others. For singer-songwriter Dawn Richard, creativity has been a way to explore her identity while staying true to herself and inspiring others along the way.
Richard began writing music at age 12, discovering early on how she could share stories through songwriting. She explains that capturing emotions in words was always easy for her, allowing her to create vivid images for listeners. This creative process helps Richard stay connected to her roots as well as find new directions for her artistry.
The artist also emphasizes the importance of being different when it comes to creating meaningful works of art. With the amount of content available today, Richard believes standing out from the crowd requires more than just making something unique – it must have purpose and longevity too. For Richard, expressing yourself authentically means “being comfortable enough within your own light…to be able to jump off into other galaxies or universes” without sacrificing who you are in the process.
Strategies For Lasting Success
As Richard has navigated her own creative journey, she’s developed strategies for lasting success. To begin with, the artist stresses the importance of taking risks and never settling. As she puts it, “you have to be willing to try something you’ve never done before, even if it doesn’t work out in the end”. In other words, don’t be afraid to take a chance on something new – it might just lead you down an unexpected path.
Second, Richard emphasizes the need for resilience when pursuing your craft. She recognizes that there will always be obstacles along the way but encourages creatives to stay focused on their goals and keep pushing forward despite any setbacks. This advice is especially valuable given how quickly trends can come and go in today’s digital landscape.
Finally, Richard believes investing in yourself is key to long-term success. By setting aside time each day for self-care and reflection, creatives can better understand themselves and use this knowledge to create works of art that truly represent them as individuals. With these habits in place, they’re more likely to make meaningful connections with others while also creating content that stands the test of time.
Conclusion
I. Reflection on Creative Expression
My journey as an artist has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but I’m thankful for all the lessons learned along the way. Through it all, I’ve always tried to stay true to myself and take risks in order to capture moments that are unique and special. By pushing my boundaries creatively and challenging myself to think outside of the box, I believe I am creating something truly meaningful which will stand the test of time.
II. Strategies for Lasting Success
In addition to creativity, having strategies for success is just as important if you want your work to have longevity. This means staying focused on what matters most: making sure that everything from production quality to marketing strategy is up-to-date with current trends so that you can reach your intended audience effectively. It also requires discipline when it comes to managing expectations and dealing with criticism; not everyone will like or understand your work, but if you keep at it long enough, eventually people will recognize its value!
III. Conclusion
At the end of the day, being an artist is about finding your place in this world by doing what makes you happy – even if it doesn’t follow traditional paths or standards set by others. As long as you focus on capturing moments authentically while crafting strategic plans for success, there’s no limit on what we can achieve!
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.
