Maryland native Gabriel Deshon Hodges , Age 19 , also goes By “Deshon Hodges” Is a singer , rapper and songwriter. He has released three mixtapes and has more tracks on the way.
In this interview spotlight, we speak with Deshon about music, influences, and more.
Q&A, links, and streams below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
My Name Is Gabriel Hodges I Go By Deshon Hodges I see myself as a Hip Hop Artist but i can do so much more than just rap, i can sing, i write all my music, i can write for others also.Honestly I’m just all in dedicated to the music. When i was younger my dad played a lot of Hip Hop and R&B so thats what i grew up off of , its crazy i wasn’t even a rapper at first i was a dedicated singer. Growing up hearing Hip Hop & R&B from the 90’s the pain , the struggle , the joy, the love its so much emotion that is so relatable you become attached. So I started growing with the music as it evolved over the years but the music i grew up on shaped me because of the meaning and substance that not everything is about , B*tches , Drugs & Money. I Told Myself my music would have substance and be meaningful to people which helped me become the artist i am today.
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
Well i used to sing to myself a lot , in the car , in the shower, even when i used to wake up in the morning to get ready for school and MTV Jams would be on i used to jam out! i noticed growing up i wanted to do a lot Like Sports , Acting , Dancing , Etc everything i ever did i gave up on it i always quit but i always came back to the music its the only thing I’ve never given up on i love it to much and not just for the fame and money i truly have a passion for music that i wish to share with everyone.
Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?
I Used to be heavily influenced by like Jon B , Ne-Yo , Aaliyah. Believe it or not but Aaliyah is probably my favorite female singer of all time so much i can say about her that influenced me , true talent taken to soon. When was in 6 or 7th grade i lived in Hawaii cause my father was in the military , Drake had just dropped Best I Ever Had i remember my first time hearing that i thought it was amazing honestly haha that’s the reason i became a rapper that song exactly.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
My Main Goal With Every Project is to make great music and show my progression i am still young i still have so much to learn and I’m only getting better and better.
What was the last song you listened to?
the last song i listened to is ” Frank Ocean – Skyline To” i am such a huge frank ocean fan so you know how happy i was for the album its all i been listening to.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I honestly wish that i could experience listening to Kanye west college dropout On Vinyl i know there’s so many albums out but I’ve never heard anything on vinyl but if i could it would be that album , i grew up on CD’s and MP3’s so i guess i have a higher appreciation for it. One day we won’t even have CD’s anymore.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I Honestly Prefer Apple Music no matter what I’m looking for i can find it so easily and the playlists for your type of mood are the best i scan through them sometimes.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?
I Think The problem trying to connect with or find new fans is not trying hard enough you can get out there and find new fans or connect anywhere ,you get what you put in if you sit around you won’t gain any if you network and push yourself you’ll get em coming in wanting more.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
You Can Follow Me On Twitter @Deshonhodges
i release all my new music on Soundcloud Also All Of My Mixtapes are on Soundcloud
follow Me on Soundcloud : dreemysinatra
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
