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“For some newcomers, it’s hard to ever break out. For Darnell Williams, a rapper and director from Los Angeles, breaking out will not be hard, but inevitable.” – Hillydilly
“Combining his ability to direct and edit with powerful lyrics and a commanding delivery, Williams gives us an honest look at what heâs been going through the past few years.” – Pigeons & Planes
“Darnell Williams is ready for the spotlight.” – XXL
Darnell Williams is a double-threat visionary who makes incredible art on both sides of the camera. Managed by Jay-Zâs Roc Nation and signed to 12 Tone Music Group, the 27-year-old rapper captivates audiences with versatile songs which cover a spectrum of experiences, life lessons, and thoughtful reflections on the world at large. Behind the lens, this seasoned and industry-savvy rapper and director is among those raising the bar in a new age of music videos, with television and film projects also in the works.
[wpex click for full bio]âI donât think I ever felt like I wasnât gonna make it, but I just didnât know when,â reflects Darnell. From the West 7 Mile section of Detroit, Williams has been possessed by drive his whole life. Raised by a single mother, if he wanted something, he learned he had to make it happen to get it. That mentality poised Williams for a career in entertainment. Since his teens, Williams chased a dream that led him to Chicago, New York, Hollywood, and South Central. That journey also included periods of sleeping on friendsâ couches and living out of his car.
Williamsâ uses his actual name to remind himself of what he comes from and to show others that their dreams are possible. âNo matter where I go, it always sticks out. It also makes me prove myself, cause it looks like an R&B singer, comedian, or an athlete,â he says with a hearty laugh, before adding that he wants to be approachable.
Songs like 2019âs âF*CK HOLLYWOODâ unmask the fake veneers that Darnell has witnessed. He admits that navigating the perils of the ghetto is much easier than a place where networking, royalty statements, and âso, what do you do?â dominate relationship dynamics. 2017âs âPornoâ was a similar angsty assessment of life, matched with an imaginative video that blurred the lines between reality and XXX. Meanwhile, the Skrillex-backed, JOYRIDE-assisted âNew Breedâ brought Williamsâ music to another genre entirely. A million viewers have tuned into the video, and more than double that have streamed the song. âI want to make sure everything gets taken in as a piece of art,â he says of his catalog which garnered attention since 2014âs âBoss Up Den Flex.â He emphasizes quality above quantity. His music possesses energy, thought, and wide appeal. For 2019, Williams has an assortment of new songs and videos strategically planned.
After nearly a decade of patience and persistence, Darnell Williamsâ uphill climb is shifting. âI feel like Iâm ahead of my time right now,â he notes. âI feel like my stuff is revolutionary and groundbreaking, and people will realize it eventually. But right now, itâs just a blueprint.â
[/wpex]Press Releases
Darnell Williams Shares “Turbo,” A Sinister Strip Club Anthem
Darnell Williams Takes a “Trip” Back Home for “Coney Island” Banger
Darnell Williams and Hudson Mohawke Drop New Tracks for the “Silicon Valley” Official Soundtrack
Press Photos
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https://youtu.be/sQ8bonw_9uo
https://youtu.be/B4Mn_elFLzQ
https://youtu.be/xNyHGoDk3ek
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