We recently connected with Derrick Cobb and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Derrick thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us 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?

To keep it all the way real….My feelings and ideas are never considered because people don’t think I matter. I am not stupid nor am i oblivious. I fit this false a*s idea of the ideal aesthetic, when in fact I struggle so hard with the way I look. People only see tall, dark, and handsome…..when I look in the mirror all I see is this lonely child that is fighting so hard to be seen and to be loved. More times than often I wish i was digestible and I wish I was more loveable.

Derrick, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Our circumstances don’t define who we are… much of this is true when it comes to Derrick Cobb. After graduating from the “Fame” inspired high school “Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Art” Derrick began to experience life in a difficult way. Due to his step fathers religious belief, Derrick would experience being a homeless queer youth for a number of years before he got his official start in show biz. In 2014 while at a dance audition,  Derrick Cobb was asked tto model on the runways of New York Fashion Week (NYFW) and he would soon use the earnings to follow his dreams of becoming a perrfroming music artist. By late 2015 Derrick was working  modeling gigs with the likes of  Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Michael Kors and he began to write songs for local artist as well as himself and began to put together his very own music project.  While doing so Derrick appeared on the popular morning TV Show Arise 360 on BET, CBS News on Logo, and MSNBC Melissa Perry-Harris show to announce that he will be releasing original music and was signing with an indie label in Brooklyn, New York. While promoting his work Derrick was also raising awareness for homeless gay youth in NYC and his social efforts got him an invitation to the white to to meet former President Barack Obama.
In the summer of 2016, Derrick released his very first commercial release entitled” The Elements and ‘The Elements’. The EP represents Derrick’s life through all of the trials and tribulations inspired by his love of dance.  When Derrick dropped ‘The Elements’ in 2016 he began to understand the power of music. Pulling out all the tricks he  was booking shows all over New York City. Bringing out a dance troupe to do full-length choreography and various costume changes he was selling out venues such as The Helen Mills Theatre, The Sugar Bar, Make Music New York and the famous Club Cielo and Webster Hall to name a few.
While touring along the east in 2017 Derrick snagged a few small roles in three indie films earning him 3 IMDB credits. He also has become a brand ambassador for several high-end brands, most recently Tiffany’s and Co. as well even making it into the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) exhibition. In 2017 Derrick learned that his music was streaming in different parts of the world. Not only was his music streaming in the US, but also countries like South Africa, Japan, Russia, Brazil, and the UK started picking up his music. He filmed his music video for “Outta Control” in the iconic Limelight Church in late 2018 in his hometown of New York City. The “Outta Control” music video has been Vevo certified and has been aired on MTV and BET.

In the fall of 2018, Derrick teamed up with Grammy Award Winning producer Ebonie Smith and Warner Music/Atlantic Records to work on a series of demos as well as Derrick’s complete full-length album. Setting his sights on bigger things Derrick and his husband packed up and headed to Los Angeles in the spring of 2019 and quickly got the ball rolling. While reaching for new heights he started doing demo sessions (vocals) with Capitol Records building in Hollywood, CA. He has since then headlined 5 shows in Hollywood and even opened up City Girls. In early 2020 Derrick was soon working on songs for the likes of Cardi B, Future, and Flo Rida to name a few and he continued to be One of the things he nd has been featured in multiple publications. His new music is very popular and ever-growing on streaming platforms such as Tidal, Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music. At the top of 2022, Derrick was honored when he learned that he will be getting his very own Billboard (ad) with Spotify Music in Times Square, a very popular neighborhood. New York City. This allowed Derrick to let the world know he had new stuff on the way and was considered for three Grammy nominations because of it.

Derrick soon became a voting member of the Recording Academy and joined the Advocacy Committee. Using his voice to fight for other creatives as well as Queer artists has been the most rewarding part of his LA musical experience. He was even featured in a PSA that aired during the 65th Grammy Ceremony Telecast to once again advocate for a better world through music. Derrick Cobb is becoming very popular and ever-growing on streaming platforms such as Tidal, Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music. As of this year alone, his music has been streamed across all platforms over 1.5 million streams times. Coming into 2021 his music has played on many local and national radio stations and podcasts. Be sure to check out his social media (@d_cobb) for the latest updates.

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

In all honesty I feel like there is this big misconception that all all creative people want is attention. Being creative is something we can’t help no control. Often times I wish I wasn’t a creative so that way I was more relatable. Whenever we talk about our struggles we are often dismissed or are told to just be quiet. We work hard at what we do and It is heartbreaking at times when things do not work out.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I initially built my audience when I was modeling and I was like yeah this is it. But after i slowed down with that I built up my following by just posting more and being honest about my life. My advice would be to let people in on the journey of being a creative or a public person.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @d_cobb
• Youtube: DerrickCobbVevo