We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deshunte’ Benham . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deshunte’ below.
Deshunte’ , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?
It was January 2022 when I received my first royalties check from my distribution company from my first single “Look into my eyes “ off my SOUL OF A KING -Ep. I’d released that particular song August 5, 2021. I refreshed the app to make sure I wasn’t dreaming and once the thoughts of disbelief dissolved, it hit me hard ! Full of excitement and joy from the hard work an dedication I put into this craft. But I knew this would happen jus wasn’t sure of the timing of it all taking place. My motto was that I build a discography so vast and quality based that when I do I have my moment to “Pop/Take off” with a hit song(s) going viral etc, that I would stay “popular “ due to my ground work prior. I didn’t give myself a window of time to “blowup “ or be “successful “ because that always destroy the art and the artist in the long run and I didn’t want that burden on myself. Success for me is changing others lives in as many positive ways possible. I’m all about self improvement.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Deshunte’ and I’m from a small town in Georgia , called Cartersville. I’ve been a musician & poet my entire life which drove the motivation to create my own record label (D.S.M EMPIRE). I’ve always been in love with music and poetry. Where I’d have constant complaints an bad reports go home due to how much I wasn’t “paying attention “ in class because of how my attention was always on writing whatever come to mind to rhyme. As I got older I eventually wonder away from idea of being a musician and focused on sports and business classes during my last few years in high school. I had one of my closes friends like a brother to me that always ask me at random “aye bro you thought about rapping again and possibly do some local shows an eventually go on tour ? “ and I’d brush the idea off due to the fact I haven’t “rapped” anything in years an honestly felt that we were to old for that dream. Even tho we were jus in a early 20’s at the time. Year after year he’d run the idea across me and response on my end would always be the same ….. “No” but the thought of entertaining for a living lingered in back of my mind on and off for a while due to me being a pure creative at heart. Until October 15th , 2021 happened. I’d broke my leg in a terrible car accident heading to work. Blessed to be alive , doctor told me before I left (ER) that if the impact speed would’ve been 1 to 2 miles faster I would’ve died on impact.That reality check set heavy on my mind for months as I recovered battling with my mental health, going from “doing everything on my own” to “Needing help with literally everything “ really put my ego/pride in check. But In chaos of it all I found a value for myself and appreciation for others like never before. I had a choice to make go down hill mentally or make the most out of this time off and really maximize my space creatively. So I started making “sound tracks “ for movie & show ideas I had then instrumentals for artist I really liked. one day it hit me, let’s see if I can try and freestyle over this beat I made and see how MY VOICE sounds over it . So I did and I found the spark again where I couldn’t stand the original version which made me keep re-recording until I liked what I heard. Thus , DesoulMusic & D.S.M EMPIRE label was born. As I mentioned earlier I’m a natural creative at heart so I really love making music in its purest form. Whether that be Instrumentals or sound track and cover art I can do it all. I this with confidence so easily because I had no choice but to use what I had (my phone) at the time to bring my creative thoughts to life. Stubborn an determined as I am I knew that I couldn’t provide for others what I couldn’t do for myself first , hints why I honestly used myself as the crash dummy to see reality of it all. Now that I’ve done everything independently I’m confident in my abilities when I offer a potential client my services. I honestly put everything under “digital creator” I produce music , covert art I can edit videos photos the whole nine. I hang my hat on great customer service and consistency , I always ask , how can I BE OF SERVICE then everything else will fall in place.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The mission I have during this journey as a creative and as a business owner is layered in my eyes. I say that in the light that I want to leave a “legacy “ for those after me to be able follow and remember. Not in the sense of ego but importance of impact I know that’ll have on the generations after me. Seeing what’s possible and whats yet to be done. I had one example of what “legacy “ meant growing up which is my grandfather with a huge political & social status that seemed impossible to ever out perform one . But one day my grandfather taught me it’s about the positive influences an interactions you have with people that last forever not jus your last name or financial status . That concept has always been a part of my life since that day. I want my siblings & friends to know that you don’t have to live in a box and it’s okay to be creative an unique to what Almighty created uniquely to be. To never short your future self an all their grand opportunities due to your lack of from your past. Lastly I want to be able to confidently & humbly face THE CREATOR with a empty plate of gifts an say to em I’ve used EVERY gift to capacity thank you for it all…
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Self doubt honestly and allowing those around that never pursued their personal dreams and goals to place their fears on me. I grew up in environments where you would be told you can do or be anything long as it was athletically involved… so I pushed myself to the bring of no return in sports because that’s all I knew at the time but luckily for me atleast I got my athletic journey cut short do to numerous “career” ending injuries. That forced me to find different avenues of expression and opportunities, which helped me discover business management classes , art classes and leadership programs where I had a chance to witness youth in “Power” positions like president of west district high school or Vice President of robotics clubs with people that looked like me. My senior year I was elected as Vice President of our national leadership club for our county , that opens my eyes to so many different perspectives which helped create the entrepreneurial eye I have today. I beg anyone out there to never allow your environment to become your final say in YOUR life .
Contact Info:
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