Courtesy of Dr. Martens
“I had to go through that blues to be able to be here now,” said De’Wayne Jackson in 2019, as he’s poised to become one of the biggest names in hip-hop over the next decade. The Texas native relocated in Los Angeles to pursue his dreams of music superstardom. From working three minimum wage jobs at once (while still being ‘broke as hell’) to finally getting a foothold in the industry, De’Wayne knows those ‘blues.’ But, after working hard to find an audience for his brand of hip-hop, all that hard work is paying off. Dubbed the “New New Wave,” De’Wayne’s sound incorporates elements of punk, rock, industrial metal, and electronica. He cites Kendrick Lamar, The White Stripes, and Jimi Hendrix as influences, and his songs show this cross-genre mind. With cutting-edge beats and sharp verses, fans better get onboard with De’Wayne before he blows up.