We were lucky to catch up with David “drumc” Curby recently and have shared our conversation below.

David “DrumC”, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Being misunderstood in your gift is just part of being unique. When you think of the greats, they all went through it. Their uniqueness challenged the norm, forcing sounds and genres to evolve. But then there’s another side to that—a lot of people choose to misunderstand you. And let’s be real, they probably do understand, but pride or intimidation stops them from admitting it. That’s still tied to your uniqueness though, because deep down, they might want what you have, but it’s yours, not theirs.

As a music producer, my sound wasn’t exactly “popular” at first. People didn’t say they didn’t like it—they just couldn’t catch it. It was frustrating because even when I’d tweak it, the foundation stayed the same. It felt like I was tapped out musically. But then, songwriting started to emerge—melodies and lyrics I’d been holding back because of fear or the weight of others’ words. Once I let go of that, it all flowed naturally, and my sound evolved into something even more unique. God really knows how to stretch you in the best ways.

What I’ve realized is that a gift is different from a talent. A gift is something deeper—it’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. Not everyone is going to vibe with what you create, but that doesn’t mean you stop creating. Your sound might not be their flavor, but that doesn’t make it any less valuable. It’s like oil for a car—every car needs oil, but not all oils are the same. Some people just need a different kind of musical “oil change,” and that’s where you come in. Sometimes, people even grow into your sound—how many times have we all hated a song at first, only for it to become a favorite later?

Once I accepted that, I stopped feeling misunderstood and started embracing my uniqueness. It gave me peace in every area of my creativity. God has already equipped us with everything we need. It’s just up to us to lean into it, knowing that our gift is meant to stand out.

David “DrumC”, 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?

First off, I just want to say thank you for taking the time to read this. If you’ve made it this far, I’m genuinely grateful.

I’m David Immanuel Curby, but most know me as DrumC. I’m a music producer, songwriter, artist, and a few other things in between. I was born and raised in West Philly and now call Los Angeles home.

Music has been part of my life since I was about 6 or 7, but I really started producing in my teens. My dad, Rev. Stanley Curby, was a Reggae Gospel artist and songwriter—now an author—and he’s a big reason I found my gift in music.

In 2023, I dropped my first single, “Cute Self,” which introduced me as an artist, not just a producer. That was a game-changer for me. After that, I kept the momentum going with releases in 2024, including “Pray,” which I wrote during one of my toughest times, along with tracks like “Rolling,” “Boujie,” “Open House Freestyle,” and the Layers Project with Al 1Thing.

These projects led to the creation of The Beatstro Music Group, a full-service music production, songwriting, and artist development company.

Coming into 2025, we’re kicking things off with our first release, “Go Gina” [Fun Intro], featuring a talented new artist from California, Isaiah Kamari.

If you want to stay in the loop with new music and updates, let’s connect on IG: @drumc.urby.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best way your village can support you is by putting the same energy you give to big-name artists or creatives—who don’t even know you—into the people around you who do. The ones who can actually make a difference in your life and theirs.

There’s nothing wrong with supporting whoever you choose, but just imagine if your friend or someone close to you got the same love you show already-established acts—people you can’t call, can’t reach, and have no real connection to. Meanwhile, your friend is out here struggling to even get a post, a shoutout, or a simple repost.

For a creative, that can cut deep—it feels like a dagger to the heart. But you learn from it. It teaches you hard but valuable lessons about where to focus your energy and who’s really in your corner.

It’s a tough balance, though. You have to be disciplined enough not to let it consume your thoughts or bring you down.

The truth is, creatives are often seen as easy targets—a quick payday with little thought to their growth or elevation. But supporting your local artists or friends isn’t complicated. Take that same effort and those creative ideas you come up with for established names and pour them into the people you actually believe in.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

For me, it’s about my family and the people God has placed in my life to help. I know if I give up or fail, I’m letting them down—even if they never realize it. It’s bigger than me. Every trial, every mistake, it’s all to benefit them. Sure, I get to enjoy the blessings too, but at the core, it’s about helping change their lives.

Money plays a big role—it answers a lot and can be a shield in life. The vision I have for my family and friends requires a lot, and because of that, my battles have been heavier. But I know the greater the battle, the greater the reward.

At the end of the day, I don’t want to let God down. I’m doing my best to walk in what He’s called me to do. I don’t always get it right, but His grace keeps me moving forward and gets me back on track every time.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Drumc.urby
• Youtube: @DrumcMusic