How would you describe your music to anyone who may have never heard it?
David: Think of a renaissance painting in rap form. That's how I see it in my head, and I would hope that translates to my listeners!
What’s the significance of your musical moniker, David? D: I talk about this on my EP, Renai$$ance VOL. 1, on the song "HIGHER." On that record, I talk about my friend Damien - who was killed some year ago. He's the one who gave me my name David E Beats. It's literally my actual name with "Beats" at the end because, at the time, I was only the producer for the friend group. It stuck.
What are your musical influences? D: I have a variety of influences, but I can boil them down to three genres: rock, rap, and soul. My mom would play MJ, Luther Vandross, etc. My stepdad would play Nirvana, Metallica, and Pantera. And I discovered rap from my friends with Jay-Z, Three 6 Mafia, and many other underground and mainstream rappers. I'd say my style is a mix of all of these things.
What are your musical inspirations? D: I don't really look for inspiration because that creates expectations and invites writer's block. I just let it flow and work on my mechanical ability to play my instruments, rap, and sing. The song already exists. I just need to keep myself open to receiving it and have the ability to lay it down.
If given the chance, what musician(s) would you like to collaborate with? Rather this is to either write a song or be featured on a track.
D: I'm down to work with literally anyone. You can hit me up on my socials (RealDavidEBeats everywhere) and if I like it, I'll do it!
So what's your new EP about? If you mind explaining a bit more about it for readers.
D: Renai$$ance VOL. 1 is my re-introduction to music. There are four songs in total, and each have a message and theme.
"ENOUGH" starts us off with the current state of the world we live in and the mindset that I had to take to succeed in it. It then moves on to "RESPECT," where I have been lucky enough to find success and take a victory lap. Next, we move on to "HIGHER," where we reflect over how lucky I have been to have survived, where my friend Damien didn't make it -amongst many others. The last song is "MOON," where I have made my peace with my past and survivor's guilt, and I am now ready to go to the moon, as they say. Each song's voice leads into each other, then back into the introduction.
What’s something you hope people take away from these four new tracks? D: I hope the music resonates with people and causes them to feel and reflect on their situations. I wish to inspire people to step up and take control of their lives and their destiny. Or they can just rock with it. Either or is fine with me [Laughs].
Which songs on the album were the most fun to write and which were the most challenging to write? D: All of the songs were pretty fun, but "HIGHER" was the most interesting. I freestyled the guitar solo on there in one take. My co-writer DocSenpai and Mr. Los did the singing and production work on that. Los and I had a little battle rap competition, and I must've won because once I laid my verse down, he let me have the record [Laughs]. What do you currently have planned for the remainder of the year? D: I just plan on continuing to drop beats, freestyles, and more projects. If this one is well received, then I'll probably drop a deluxe edition with five to ten extra songs, turning it into a full album.
Thanks for the time today, David! Is there anything else you may want to add before you go? D: Thanks for interviewing me! You can follow me on all my socials below! Beats can be found on my Beatstars page, along with a free download of Renai$$ance VOL. 1. You can listen to Renai$$ance VOL. 1 on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other music platforms!