Rising Higher: DaeShawn Forrest's Next Chapter in Hip Hop (Interview)
DaeShawn Forrest has proven himself to be an artist who continuously pushes boundaries, not only within his music but also in the broader cultural landscape. Since our last conversation in 2022, DaeShawn has expanded his creative horizons, launching the thought-provoking podcast "Unrehearsed."
Alongside co-host Morrianna Jack, DaeShawn Forrest delves into the complex layers of society, culture, mental health, and relationships, creating a space for raw and authentic dialogue. This new venture highlights his dedication to engaging with his audience beyond the music, offering insights into the issues that shape our world today.
Even with his podcast taking off, DaeShawn has remained firmly rooted in the music industry, performing at showcases and events across California and releasing new music that has kept him on the radar of industry insiders.
His mixtape, "THE DREAM," is a testament to his relentless drive and passion, with singles like "SHOW UP," "BETTER MYSELF," and "Ain't A Thing" making waves on the Global Top 150 Independent Airplay charts. With his name now recognized by record executives and coverage from major outlets like XXL magazine, DaeShawn Forrest is solidifying his place in the Hip Hop world while continuing to evolve as an artist and cultural commentator.
As we sit down for our second interview, it's clear that DaeShawn's journey is far from over. His relentless ambition, paired with his deep understanding of the world around him, makes him an artist to watch—one who is not just making music, but also making a difference.
It’s been a while since we last spoke! In what ways have you grown personally, professionally, and creatively?
I’ve healed and made peace with the issues I was dealing with the last time we spoke. Back then I was dealing with depression, heartbreak, and a plethora of other things. At that time I was making progress in getting through my situation, but still had some work to do.
Nowadays, I feel amazing because of how much I’ve grown from it all. The growth was much needed. And it’s spilled over into my professional and creative life. When I feel like I’m in the right headspace it reflects in the quality of the music I make. It also keeps me locked in and focused when it’s time to handle business in general.
So, you’re on the second season of your podcast, “Unrehearsed”. Who or what inspired you to start it?
It started off by noticing there was a need: A need to create a safe space to have and promote healthy, real-life conversations about things that are often swept under the rug. You can sort of say that it was also started out of frustration.
Like, how is it that we are able to relate to so many heavy emotions like depression, anxiety, and different degrees of trauma, but aren’t always able to find spaces where we can build community by helping each other through it and sharing our experiences?
My co-host Morrianna and I wanted to figure out a way to fill in that gap, but still have lots of fun doing so. Sure, we dive into deep topics, but we also make sure we have fun with it, too. I truly love what we’re building here.
What differences and similarities have you noticed between putting out music vs. putting out a podcast?
Regarding the actual release of it, it feels almost the same. You have a product and a plan for it. Then, you do what you can to create engaging content derived from it, execute as sharply as you can on the promotional side of things, and engage with your audience.
The creative process for making the podcast is a little more free-flowing since we’re having a conversation. Sometimes, I go onto the set with a couple of bullet points, and other times I just let the conversations flow naturally. However, with music, I find myself overthinking a lot more on even the tiniest details. I’m definitely in my head a lot more when it comes to that.
How have you been able to juggle so many creative ventures while still having time for yourself?
Like budgeting your money, I believe one has to be able to budget their time. In the midst of everything my team and I are chasing after, I make sure I’m intentional with setting time aside for things like exercising, praying, being out in nature, and making sure I’m in a good headspace overall.
For me, it’s all about finding a balance that works and knowing how to listen to my mind and body when it tells me it’s time to slow down a bit. I’m still figuring it out, but I’m learning as I go.
Your last project, “Transparency 2” delved into the many facets of life - the good, bad, and ugly. What headspace were you in while creating your new mixtape?
Everything about “Transparent 2” was wild. It was a rough time, but a lot of good came from it. I believe it ultimately led me to the new headspace I was in while creating “THE DREAM”. Since I was able to grow and get past the issues I was dealing with, I ended up in a much more positive and delighted mood.
For this project, I was very determined to push myself creatively to make something that was authentic and unique in sound while continuing to tell my story. I gravitate to a lot of different styles of music, so I made it a point to figure out how I can incorporate some of those styles into this project.
This is why there are songs that incorporate jazz, soul, or funk, along with your typical hip-hop tracks. Thus far, I believe this project best represents me as a musician and lover of music.
Speaking of new project, what are some of your favorite tracks from it?
“I’ve Searched”, “I Got Somewhere To Go”, and “DAE-DAE” are my three personal favorites. Possibly, in that order. I love those three a lot, especially “I’ve Searched”, because they’re all so different from what I’ve done before. Yet, they came out so great in my eyes. I learned while making this mixtape that that’s something I truly seek after: To do and create something different, yet still great. Those three songs felt like a step towards that for me.
Which ones were your therapy?
Without a doubt, “A Better Way To Live”. We often get caught up in only seeing the glory of success, but the journey of getting there can be very challenging. At times it can feel like an uphill battle that never levels out. I strongly believe it’ll be worth it all in the end, though. “A Better Way To Live” is about acknowledging those battles, the long road ahead of me, and that the journey takes a toll. But, as I express in the song, it’s always better to lock in and move forward than to bow out of the race when things get hard.
There are many different definitions of success, with no one’s being the same. What does success look like to you?
I have a pretty grand view of what I want my success to look like. But, if I were to put it in general terms, success for me is being able to greatly impact people’s lives through the art that I make and being able to live off of doing it. I really am passionate about music and I see how it affects people. Man, I know how great of an impact it has had on my life. If God were to bless me to do this forever, I would in a heartbeat.
What markers and milestones do you have, so you’ll know it when you see it?
The main milestone for me is being able to leave my full-time job without having the need to add on a side hustle. That’s when I’ll know for sure that I’m coming up huge.
If you could title this chapter in your life, what would you call it?
Funny thing is, I actually would call it “THE DREAM”. I believe this whole concept currently embodies my mentality, my ambitions, my mood, the way I move through life, all of that. Everything I do right now is in efforts to make this dream of mine a reality and this new mixtape is sort of like a musical documentation of it.
