We caught up with the brilliant and insightful D Chamberz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

D, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

The worst risk is not taking one at all. I have put myself out there since day one in my journey. I realized quickly I needed to build my own to be respected.

D, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started taking music seriously when I got out of prison. I knew while I was inside that I needed to do better with my life, and took that as an opportunity to figure out who and what I needed to attack when I got out. I used it as a learning experience. When I got out, I got involved with anything and everything I could to make connections and build myself. I was loosely involved in the battle rap world because I was in a group with Math Hoffa, Cortez, Hollow Da Don, BK Bless and a few others called NYB, but, I never got in the ring, it took me a long time to shake that image of me being a battle rapper, and separate myself into the music world. It wasn’t until I got a publicist and manager that I started to steer my career in the right direction. Very few artists have come out of Coney Island, and I considered it my mission to put us on the map as the 6th borough. Me, Torae, and Nems were the only ones in music back then, we were mostly known for ball players. I have worked with a number of artists like Method Man, Benny the Butcher, Fivio Foreign, Fred The Godson, Chinx, Lil’ Fame, Manolo Rose, Bill Collector and many more!

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

My single “I’m French Tho” hit #298 on the national charts. My manager, Josh Mayer at soundbyte Management, said to me “if this is the best you’re ever going to do, how do we make this a full-time career for you?” He helped me create a career out of creating avenues for the underground to rise up out of the underground. I had built so many connections out of being in the underground, my manager and I felt we could build businesses out of helping other artists connect these dots.

I have a record label and consulting company, a weekly radio show, various showcase events, multiple networking events, a charity organization that gets kids off the streets in my hometown, and a clothing brand. My music is the icing on the cake for my career. I had to take these risks and build this empire to be recognized, and it’s all finally paying off. We paved the path for many household names in music, and plan to continue to do so in the future.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Society needs to be willing to pay to support their favorite artists. Unfortunately, with streaming services, we don’t make a lot of money off of our music in general. We rely on ticket sales, merch sales, and other opportunities to bring the monthly checks in. If you support an artist, SUPPORT that artist. Whatever you can, whenever you can.

Contact Info:

• Website: linktr.ee/dchamberzciw
• Instagram: instagram.com/dchamberzciw
• Facebook: facebook.com/dchamberz
• Twitter: twitter.com/dchamberzciw
• Youtube: youtube.com/dchamberz