We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Derek Butler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Derek below.

Derek, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

A lot of time as a creative, NO I am not happy lol Often unfulfilled and underpaid.

Beauty definitely comes from creating in a pressure free and pure environment. Doing what you love with Great people and Learning to lean in and letting go of the pressure and owning the art and gift God gave me.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I remember my first professional job I was 10 years old and I was singing Papa was a Rolling Stone for a child actor on a TV show who needed to sing on the show, but couldn’t sing in real life. I remember getting my first paycheck and being like I can’t believe I’m actually getting paid to do this and I never looked back and the rest is history.

I sing and songwriter professionally and I’ve been blessed to perform and tour with some of the worlds greatest like Stevie Wonder, Justin Bieber, Whitney Houston, Kanye West and many more.

I think I’m the biggest problem I’m still trying to solve everyday lol Its an everyday struggle to continue to prepare, practice, believe and have faith in your dreams in an industry and a world that’s constantly changing and the Creative is not usually taken seriously and often taking advantage of.

I am most proud of my giving. Art is an act of service that is often under appreciated and I’m grateful that’s no matter how I feel sometimes I just cannot give up until I run out of Art haha Which seems impossible since everything is Art really. Everywhere you look there’s inspiration and a creative mind had to create everything that exist.

I may not always be performing as much as I would like but I am ALWAYS songwriting and creating. I’m super excited to share my new single “Simple” which has been a journey and a process to release but is definitely one of my greatest accomplishments so far and I’m so honored I get to share it with the world.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In the music industry, you’re constantly having to pivot and your head is constantly on a swivel. Since I was young, I realize that the music industry can often be up and down and had to pursue additional sources of income. This is why I started my Event concierge service. Working as a concierge allowed me to still be within the entertainment industry, but also continue to be of service and help my peers, my family and friends that need support.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My dad recently passed on October 28 of 2023 and I spent most of the year in the hospital, taking care of my grandmother who moved into the hospital with my dad. The pursuit of a career in music after losing my biggest supporter has definitely been resilience at its best.

I never thought I’d have to continue to try and pursuing Music career without my biggest support and the prayers of my father. Never thought I’d have to look into the audience, once I reach the level success that I am working towards, and that he would not be there.

Now I’m more determined and it’s given me more focus and more resilience to make sure I see this dream through and the hard work of my father, My grandmother, and my ancestors is never forgotten.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Derekbutlermusic.com
• Instagram: @ButlerMusicOfficial
• Twitter: @JustDerekButler

Image Credits

Photographer: Wildersee Harris
Styling: Trey Cameron