FALLING TOWARDS SUCCESS Rapper Don Da Menace – Interview

Falling Toward Success Vol. 1 is Hip-Hop rapper Don Da Menace’s newest album. Featuring both old and new songs, it is a culmination of his career so far. His songs encompass deep emotions while also revealing his thoughts about current events — such as the ongoing pandemic and Black Lives Matter.

Here, Don Da Menace (DDM) talks to Picture This Post (PTP) about his musical inspiration and provides further insights into his newly released album.

(PTP) It says that Falling Towards Success is filled with songs both new and old. In the wake of George Floyd, do you view your album or specific songs on your album any differently?

(DDM) I don’t view any of the songs (old q songs) differently from the day I made them. George Floyd’s death emphasized everything I’ve been saying these last five years. It’s nothing new for me, but for the audience, I can tell it’s a huge eye-opener.
Music holds a lot of purpose in any situation. People play music everywhere you go. It helps them vocalize what they want to say and express emotions you can’t convey without being seen as a threat. One of the biggest songs used in protests is K.dots-Alright. That’s something everyone wants to hear -we are gonna be alright. But, that’s not what we’re getting; people listen to music that resonates with them whether it’s about emotions, physical altercations, or special events. If the masses won’t listen to us in the streets, then we’ll let them know about racial injustice through the music.

My role in this movement is to be the voice of the people, for those that are great organizers, event planners, socialist, etc. I’m the one they can come to, to use my platform and spread awareness.

My music is the release of all the built-up tension created from the pandemic. It’s a sign of optimism, the poetry you can’t find the words to say aloud on how everyone is feeling. If this music doesn’t tell you my life matters just as much as my kinfolks out in the protest, run it back.

To backtrack, can you tell Picture This Post readers about your personal and professional background.

My dad, uncles, and cousins were always doing music stuff when I was a kid (4-8). I never really understood it until I won a poetry contest in middle school. From there, I decided to be a rapper and got myself involved with people that can help me get into the artist world. From spitting rhymes to my friends to open mics, it’s gotten me many connections and new artist friends.

Were there any major hurdles you had to overcome when beginning your career? Any highlights?

Getting people to believe I was a rapper and listen to my music. All it takes is some communication to up that ante. Also, finding people to be down for the cause. Some people are there in your life for a reason or only for a season. Luckily enough I don’t got no seasonal people around me.

Performing at Sobs, and The Paperbox are my highlights. Sold out both spots and had the crowd bumping hard. I ain’t never seen that before, for my music at least.

Are there any specific artists that you are inspired by or look up to?

Kanye West. Musically. He inspires my song structure, feature choice, and instrumental choice; along with Lil Wayne, Drake, and Mac Miller inspiring my bars & writing style. Kid Cudi and Travis Scott (The Scott’s) overall are fire project after project so I try to put the feel-good vibe in all my songs.

Can you give our readers insight into the process behind Falling Towards Success?

I needed a project that defined what I’ve done in the last couple of years. I figured why not give the fans these hit songs of mine again plus new ones since I got a bigger crowd watching me. All the songs are new to most people. The track listing is always purposeful for me. Transitions are hella cool to me so if the songs aren’t smoothly flowing, I fucked up. This is definitely my favorite project. It's hard to choose one song as ‘the one.’

Could you give us insight into one of your songs -- maybe Thoughts Everywhere or
Worth It?

Both songs are my two most emotional songs on the tape. Thoughts Everywhere is literally me scrabbling in my head about what I think about in a span of 2:30.

Worth It is about a mix of females I’ve fallen in love with at one point in my life, all combined to this one person I think it’s worth it for.

Writing these types of songs usually are my quickest one to do. These emotions are raw as f**k so it’s easier to say what you want when you know how you feel. Takes me about a full day to flesh out concepts like these, and if I really wanted to release it right away it would come out a week or two later, but I like to get multiple mixes before I master one. I’d release somewhere between four months to a year later after recording.

What is it like collaborating with other artists?

I love doing it but not everyone follows through on things like that, so I also hate it at the same time. For this record specifically, Robert Eberle got in contact with me through Versa The Band, who’s also on the song, and told me about the whole idea and how he wants to do something for the BLM movement. The chorus is powerful, the verses are speaking volumes and the beat is fire; I had to get on it. We got together, I did my verse, we shot the video, did an interview on a local Long Island channel, donated the proceeds to bailout funds and now we are up to 10K streams. Overall great experience working with those guys, and I’d do it again.

What do you hope listeners will take away from your music?

Be better humans. Life is short and you don’t wanna make it shorter. Live, Love, Laugh.

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Visit the Don Da Menace Youtube Channel to hear the songs mentioned in this interview and more.

Image courtesy of Don Da Menace