Don Jamal is rapidly rising in the scene. He dropped by to talk about the Duelist EP, his dubstep influences, his current guilty pleasure track, and more!
Don Jamal is exactly as his name suggests: a don. This powerhouse of talent first set his eyes on a controller, and within six months, he knew his potential could reach further. Fast-forward to today, and this artist has caused a whirlwind in the scene with his musical creations. If he can cause this much damage in a year, imagine what he will achieve in the next five.
Over the course of his career, Don Jamal has already achieved milestones that even some figureheads have yet to cross off their bucket lists. One timestamp that stands out to many is his infamous back-to-back with none other than Skrillex and Zeds Dead. Don Jamal’s duality pulls support from other top names like Skream and Justin Jay, who represent different ends of the genre spectrum.
Speaking of duality, Don Jamal’s latest EP, Duelist, widens the lens on his dichotomy. From irresistible trap punchlines to UK rap lyrics that inspire rebellion, buckle up because this EP’s twists and turns will leave you with whiplash.
With his latest EP fresh off the press and so many curious new followers, we thought it would be the perfect time to shed some light on the one and only Don Jamal. Read on to dig into his inspirations, guilty pleasure track, and more while listening to his massive mix filled with edits and hot tracks galore.
Stream EDMID Guest Mix 441 || Don Jamal on SoundCloud:
Hey Don Jamal! Thanks for chatting with us today. First, congratulations on releasing your debut EP, Duelist! You stated that your EP was a blend of old-gen and new-gen dubstep. Can you name some of your influences from each generation?
Thank you! From the old-gen, I would say TroyBoi was definitely an influence for the third track on the EP “Wippin,” with the new-gen being Lyny. Gentlemen’s Club are OGs I resonate with. Their blends of different styles are exactly what I’m going for in my project.
“My Ones” is a statement track with powerhouse lyrics from Rakjay mashed with an “I demand your attention” type beat to match. Can you share how you and Rakjay first connected and what drew you to collaborate?
I remember seeing him collaborate with Torcha and thinking that he had a unique voice, so I reached out to him on Instagram. He immediately responded and sent in the vocals for this track within a week. It’s one of the fastest tracks I’ve finished, so it feels good to get a lot of support on this one.
Your second collab, “SHOW U (HOW IT’S DONE)” with skxllflower, exemplifies your take on trap. I couldn’t ignore the sample from an old Vine, which might age those who recognize it. What is your favorite sample you have ever found in a song?
That sample was all skxllflower’s idea! [Laughs] My favorite sample from a song would be from EAZYBAKED’s “NO.” That’s the freshest one that pops into my head. They sampled Andrew’s daughter, which I think is very wholesome, and the way they turned it into a banger is cool.
The past year has been rapid-fire for you, with so many notable moments. Can you explain how it feels to be a fresh face on the scene receiving so much love from your more seasoned peers?
It feels surreal, to be honest. Just two years ago, I was bugging my roommates to listen to my music and give me feedback every day. Hustling to play shows, I used to email every promoter daily and pitch myself. Now everything feels full circle, and I am getting the craziest traction and offers I could have ever imagined.
Turning back the clock quickly, everyone has a defining moment that ignites their passion for producing music. Can you transport us to that day and explain how it shaped your journey as an artist?
To be honest, I owe it to one of my really good friends, River. He pretty much got me into producing and DJing. We met during my sophomore year of college, and he convinced me to buy my first DJ board. Fast-forward six months, and I wanted a bigger challenge. That’s when I started producing and realizing I was good at it. I never looked back.
What’s a guilty pleasure song you have been listening to lately, even if you might not admit it to everyone?
Stromae’s “Alors On Danse.”
Now that Duelist is out, what is on the horizon for your project that fans can look forward to?
New music, new merch, a variety of genres, and a whole lotta’ shows.
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