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

Hi Danyelle, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful project I would have to say was writing a series of songs and poems that told the story of those incarcerated both adults and females. A lot of people who have never been behind prison walls have a negative view of everyone there. This was I chance I was given to tell the story of those incarcerated to people who may not ever visit or listen to the story from the side of the inmate.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Music has always been an integral part of my life. As a kid I was always humming melodies I would hear in my head or playing around on the keys from the keyboard my older brother purchased for me. By the age of 16 not only was I playing music by ear but I also released my first jazz single entitled You Mean The World. At age 21 I signed my first major record deal and got a taste of what the music industry was really like. I quickly realized I wanted to write music that had meaning. Songs that would make people think or challenge their perspective. Songs about love and the journey of life. Even songs that would life peoples spirits when they were feeling down. Music is the one thing that crosses race, sex and culture. I am honored to be able to do it with my life.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is sharing my faith and my passion through songs and knowing the positive impact that is has made. I have had times when either a teenager or adult has approached me and said they were thinking about unaliving themselves but after listening to the lyrics of of a song I wrote, it just spoke to them and they realized they were not alone. I have even had the chance to do small intimate concerts for people who were victims of human sex trafficking. Again, music can say things and be heard in a way that plain words may not do justice. The outcome has been amazing.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Creatives are truly a different breed. Meaning, not everyone understands the vision. There have been NUMEROUS times, even now where I will explain an idea that I have in my head just for the person I’m speaking to to say “I don’t get it”. It is very very challenging finding like minded creatives who can think outside the box with you. That is truly a challenge that I still face today. I can honestly say my vision is always bigger than my budget and a lot of times those ideas don’t see the light of day because of that. I’ve had so many times that I’ve sketched out an idea, spoke to someone about it (didn’t work), did my research, drew everything out only to not have the finances to complete the project. Then within 3 to 5 years I would usually see my idea on the market but someone else was able to do it. That can feel like a real gut punch at times but just keep moving. When you are lucky enough to find someone who dreams as big as you, GO ALL OUT! If you don’t ever find that person keep going anyway. You never know how much it may affect someone. Even if that one person is you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.danyellespeaks.com
• Instagram: officiallydanyellespeaks
• Facebook: Danyelle Speaks Artist Page
• Youtube: Danyelle Speaks
• Soundcloud: Danyelle Speaks
• Other: Spotify: Danyelle Speaks

Image Credits

Whaun