Today we’d like to introduce you to Darien Brielle.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Darien. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started in the arts with modeling and acting. I could not sing if my life depended on it, but my angels never fail me and it never killed my dream of being a singer. I remembered singing everywhere I went: the car, the shower, the store with my mom …. anywhere else. My mother never took it seriously because of how horrible I sounded. I was anxious to improve so I started practicing. I was a Disney girl, so I began to search YouTube videos and in the search box, I would type in “how to sing like Demi Lovato” or “vocal techniques that Miley Cyrus would use”. If that isn’t embarrassing enough, I had a whole karaoke game where Demi would lead vocal exercises, and I’d be in my room loudly failing to hit all the higher notes. I’m naturally a shy person, but even in auditions I attended for modeling and acting, I made sure to mention I was a singer every time and sang for whoever was in front of me. My mother would laugh nervously, trying to direct the attention back to what we came for.
Fast forwarding to the day my practice had paid off. I was singing in my room one day, and my mother stopped to take a listen. She asked, “Is that you singing?” I replied, “Yes”, and from that day on, my musical journey began. I started taking vocal lessons, attended DeKalb School of the Arts with a vocal major and drama/media minor, composing musical compilations for our women’s choir ProArté, doing more singing auditions, joined multi-talent companies, performed at festivals, talent shows, charity events, fashion shows, open mics and songwriting became my best friend. I didn’t even know I liked to write songs until I attempted it! Eventually, my stepfather built a home studio for me when he was aware of my love for music. My friends and I started a group called “3’s A Company” around 8th grade, but eventually, we broke off and I’m the only one still pursuing music. My studio became a place of youthful and creative energy, as several artists came to record and I enjoyed every bit of pressing record and play.
Some wanted me to feature on their tracks, and even gave me a little monetary love to show their appreciation. I used to stay up for hours and hours recordings songs I had written, sometimes 4 or 5 songs at a time, which used to be creative non-sensical words on cool beats. I had a songbook on my computer with all my song lyrics typed out, but I’ve always written thoughts, ideas and lyrics on my phone to keep it mobile. As my passion became more serious, my mother and I hit the city to meet up with producers, managers and artist developers who could strengthen my talent and possibly spark up a career. Unfortunately, some were lasting relationships, but others were contracts that weren’t in my favor or connections that never went anywhere. But everyday, I kept pushing and I started to perform again whether it was modeling or singing. My freshman and sophomore year in college, I hit the ground running and had been in 3 fashion shows, 2 of which I also sang in, joined Panther Entertainment Group and did various open mics and talent shows. Most of my days were in 12 to 16 hours long balancing everything with school. Here I am now, way better, stronger, more fierce, more positive and more active than I was before, steadily back on the incline. I’m currently still networking, making connections with various photographers, videographers, artists, designers, producers, singers, rappers, models and people who know people.
I recently came out with my first professional single called “Killer Psycho” feat. Coley Xavier, which is available on Apple Music, Spotify, Instagram and more. I had a release party/21st birthday, and I had a GREAT turnout with hype energy. I’ve collaborated with producers who have sent me beats, featured on an up and coming app called CoCalm, modeled for photographers who have stumbled upon my page, been invited to perform at open mics, and been asked to be a main model in a few music videos. People are reposting my music, forwarding me more opportunities to showcase my talent, I’m gaining more followers regularly, and receiving uplifting paragraphs from people I inspire. They are especially the ones that keep my crown from slipping, as well as other creatives that never stop grinding no matter their circumstances. I’m currently rehearsing for a fashion show for an organization I’ve modeled in for three years now, which is the African Student Association spring fashion show at Georgia State University called “Transpire” happening tomorrow. If you love something, do it. I can look at where I was to where I am now and give myself a high five. I went from being a model and actress to being a model, singer, songwriter, dancer, compilation composer, beat maker, engineer, performer, and psychologist lol. Immerse yourself into your passions and never come out for air. Every day is a battle. It’s not about the external (the what happens). Life starts with the internal (what’s you’re going to do about it).
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
At some point, I hit a low. My creative juices weren’t flowing anymore to make many beats, I had writer’s block, artists stopped coming to record, I wasn’t performing as much and I was already battling with depression. My motivation had altered. There were many times when I felt like giving music up for good and just pursuing a medical plan. Eventually, I came down crashing. My depression had taken a turn for the worse and I had never experienced a low that before, but something in me still wrote lyrics. Something in me used my music as an escape instead. An outlet. A public diary if you will. I managed to somehow reach my hand out of such a dark hole and music snatched me. My parents and loved ones were always my motivators. They always remind me how special I am and how special my music will always be. They tell me I’m not even aware of how admirable and talented I am and I shouldn’t let it go to waste. The world needs to hear me. That sounds great when you’re 16, but when you get older, things get more difficult. But even though those difficult times, I remembered that I’m not in this world alone and music will never leave me.
Darien Brielle – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am known for being my own kind of person. Different. Weird. Unique. An acceptable outcast. I’ve never wanted to fit in and I’ve never had a problem with peer pressure. I have always known who I am. I’ve just been faced with questioning myself just as every human does. I am most proud of my ability to keep a loving heart. I am most proud of my ability to love in mentally unconventional ways and love my ways more and more everyday. I am never anyone’s type. I’m always the exception. I’ve come across many walks of life and they all have something to offer, both beneficial and detrimental. Life is balance.
Along the way, I learned that my balance has to be between subjectivity and objectivity. I have to learn to both give AND receive. I’ve learned that I’m not supposed to be perfect, and I’m willing to experience the pain and mistakes that I know will come. Life doesn’t just happen to me. It happens for me. It happens in me. I can’t change the inevitabilities of life, but I can change my perception of them. I can then control what seems uncontrollable. Life is a physical way to evolve all my abstract properties. I am beautiful. I am more than human. I am mind and soul. I’m everything to a certain extent. I promote self-love. Loving yourself is the best thing you could do in life. It is the answer to every question you can ask and the elixir to any emotional illness. It is my favorite color and my favorite heartbreak medicine. It is my favorite thing to talk about and my favorite piece of advice. “Self-love is the best love.”
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success does not come from being the most famous woman on the planet or having piles of money to spend on materialistic, pretty, shiny things. Success comes when I have reached a balance in life; MY balance in life. Success comes when I can fully and repeatedly surround myself with something I’m deeply passionate about and never grow tired. Success comes when I have everything I need in a given moment and my heart and mind are filled with peace. Success comes from failure. Success comes from knowing failure will inevitably arise and still grinding for that dream. Success is both a skill set and a mindset. Success comes from finding joy in life, whatever that means for me. For me, it’s my loved ones, good vibes, and creativity. Period.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: IG: @iamdarienbrielle
- Facebook: Facebook: Darien Brielle
- Twitter: Twitter: Darien Brielle
- Other: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/darienbrielle/killer-psycho-feat-coley-xavier-2
Image Credit:
Des.Flix (Destiny Lester), JordanTPhotography, BWDiaries (Jerrode Lawson), Q Wojcik, NBSPhotography (Natural Born Shooter)
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