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

Alright, Donny 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?

For me, I think it is important for an artist to understand how their craft and outlet creates a perception of who they are and TRULY how they view themselves to their listeners and audience. It is a serious thing because whether it is music like for myself or whatever outlet a creative uses, this is how we connect with the world and allow for our message to be shared. Everything that we do has to be intentional and purposeful. My goal with my music is to allow for someone to never ever feel alone as well as show that anything is possible as long as you believe in yourself and push yourself through all obstacles that stand in your way. So I cannot just go out there and rap about drugs, violence, and pure negative things because this will taint my intention to those who listen to me and then I am taking away from what my goal is and thus become misunderstood. So I have to stay consistent not only with my work but also with myself so that way I am staying true to who I am and how I want to be seen in the industry as well as the world. It’s easy to sell out for a quick dollar but harder to stay true to yourself no matter what everyone says and feels. This is what makes the difference between a true artist versus a misunderstood individual.

Donny, 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 really look at art as a medium. It’s a true space in which you can create worlds, universes and emotions in a way that listeners can dissect and digest it in a multitude of ways! I truly keep this in the back of my mind when I create my music or content. I am not trying to fit in what is popular or what the “mainstream” sound is. My goal is to tell a story and connect with my listeners. I focus on energy and vibes. I want it so that I can fit whatever vibe that a person can experience. From heart break to hype me ups to car rides to studying to singing in the shower! I feel like that is what makes me different and truly sets me apart! When you listen to Donny Parks…you are really hearing and learning me and my sound is not something to “blow up” or to “fit in”! Its real thoughts and emotions aka REAL MUSIC.

I feel like this mindset is what has gotten me to where I am at today. I am doing shows throughout the East Coast of the United States. I have a fan base that is all throughout the country and even international! I have been able to model and do photoshoots for multiple companies and perform for huge groups such as the Girl Scouts of America! It is still an up and coming process but from where I stated 4 years ago to where I am at now, it has been nothing but pure improvement and growth! It has not been the easiest ride because of the fact that my sound, style and direction is different so, for me; my journey has been A LOT of hardworking, consistency, and outworking the artist next to me. I literally live in the studio and I am always making videos or songs or content in order to create this world that I am building with my brand/art and I have learned that this is how you properly become successful. It is not about the money or the numbers…it is about the integrity and identity you create! How you are is how you will be and what energy you put into this world is what you will get out of it!

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

I think that for me, the most rewarding aspect has to be seeing the impact that my music or my work does to my listeners or any individual that comes across Donny Parks. For me, I dealt with a lot of mental challenges and viewpoints throughout my life that made me feel as if I was inferior or insignificant in my life as well as the world in general. When I was younger, this caused me to reach some very dark points and extreme lows in my life. It was my faith and truthfully music that allowed me to even think about seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. It was an artist’s vulnerability to share all that they have gone through and emotions that they have or currently are dealing with that allowed me to know that I was not alone in the world and that everything will be okay as long as I continue to push through. It is always darkest before the dawn and I had to have that same faith that I would reach better points so I made efforts everyday to get and to be better. It was music that saved my life so when I began to create music myself, I never forgot that mindset for myself. I decided to dedicate my music and my purpose to creating outlets and chances for my music to do the same that music did for me in my life. I wanted to give hope to others out there that they are not alone. There is someone else out there is has or is going through the same exact thing and I am okay and turned out just fine so I know that they can be too! It is that simple encouragement that I love seeing. People receiving and coming up to me and speaking about the impact my music had on their life that makes this journey worth it. The money, the fame, the notoriety means nothing to me; I much rather have 1 person say how Donny Parks put a smile on their face and helped them out of a dark place in their life. That is the purpose and reward I seek and appreciate the most with music and Donny Parks as an outlet.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I believe that the best way that you can support artist is by simply listening to them and their stories. As an artist, I am always trying to find my crowd and fanbase but many don’t want to take the chance because I may not be as popular as a big name artist! However, we all have to start off somewhere. Drake didn’t just wake up and become Drake. Kanye wasn’t Kanye overnight. It is a growth and a journey and a procuress to create and master this craft we call artistry. So, the best way for anyone to grow to have an outlet to grown in. The only thing us artist look for is an opportunity. Sometimes your new favorite can be someone you never heard of before but if you never take that chance you will never discover that artist. So allow for new artist and up and coming artist to have a chance to perform, communicate and connect with the community or simply put: share their music and their story. I think nowadays we focus too much on numbers and popularity versus intention and talent. So if you really want to support us, give a true chance to be us and then let us know how you TRULY feel. We want to grow and improve to but we cannot do it alone. So, help in our journey by giving us a chance to be us. You never know what can happen if you give the right person that one opportunity…

Contact Info:

• Website: www.donnyparks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donny__parks/?hl=en
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/donny__parks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZWBEguL-gmoKjfEipc8SoA
• Other: https://songwhip.com/donnyparks