Trying to put Brandon De’Sean into one creative box might be the quickest way to misunderstand him.
The Washington, D.C. artist has been developing a sound that moves between hip-hop, alternative influences, emotional storytelling, and now punk rock, using music to explore everything from ambition and relationships to pressure, love, disappointment, and personal growth.
Records including “No Smoke No Pressure,” “Meant To Be,” and “You Love Me” introduced different sides of Brandon’s evolving artistry, but his latest release, “Fake Love,” pushes that experimentation even further.
With a darker emotional edge and punk rock-inspired sound, “Fake Love” represents an artist increasingly willing to step outside of what listeners may expect from him.
And music is only one part of Brandon’s creative identity.
V-Henny: You’re an artist, but you’re also a manager, host, curator, and interviewer. You’re constantly helping other people be seen. Has there ever been a moment when you realized you were pouring so much into everybody else’s career that Brandon the artist wasn’t getting that same energy from you?
Brandon De’Sean: Brandon the artist will always be here regardless even in spirit. I’m like unlimited mimosas, I’ll keep pouring until the time is up and then its my turn to close lol
V-Henny: Your music touches on ambition, relationships, pressure, and personal growth. Which one of those subjects is the hardest for you to write about honestly—and what’s a truth you’ve put into a song that was difficult to admit outside of the studio?
Brandon De’Sean: It’s harder for me to write about pressure because people expect me to always be good and sometimes I’m not. Its a different type of vulnerability that I don’t like to share for real but I do what they beat tells me where to go. Every song I write is the truth I don’t lie in my music if i dont have it or don’t do something I wouldnt say it.
V-Henny: “No Smoke No Pressure,” “Meant To Be,” and “You Love Me” show different sides of your sound. If those three records represented three different versions of Brandon De’Sean, who is each version—and which one is closest to the man you are today?
Brandon De’Sean: Meant To Be and You Love Me is the lover boy while No Smoke No Pressure is me talking my shit and me telling people that its my time, I’m here.
No Smoke No Pressure is the staple it will always be me and forever be the closest but then again everything that I write comes from me and all of it is who I am today.
V-Henny: Then you make a record like “Fake Love” and step into punk rock influences. What was happening creatively or personally, that made your usual sound no longer enough to express what you wanted to say?
Brandon De’Sean: A “Ex” started doing weird shit outta no where after we been broken up for a while so I was confused and lost when things started happening. I was just like I don’t want it and F U too.
V-Henny: Let’s stay with “Fake Love.” Fake love can come from relationships, friendships, family, or even the music business. Without naming anybody you don’t want to name, what experiences taught you how to recognize when someone’s support isn’t as genuine as they make it seem?
Brandon De’Sean: I always know when somebody really don’t like me like how they say they do whether its friends, family, relationships, and more. I can feel it. I know when things change and i know that fake smile and can feel like coldness from a fake laugh because it has no soul in it
V-Henny: Crossing genres can be risky because once people understand an artist one way, they often want them to stay there. Have you ever worried that experimenting too much could confuse your audience, or is refusing to be predictable actually part of who Brandon De’Sean is?
Brandon De’Sean: I’m a music head and some people just not going to like everything but thats life. If the song good it will hit the way it should.
V-Henny: As a manager, you probably give artists advice about their careers, branding, consistency, and decisions. What’s one piece of advice you regularly give your artists that Brandon the artist is actually terrible at following himself?
Brandon De’Sean: I’m a hypocrite because I would tell you how you should do this or that because its the right thing but me I be like forget it or I don’t care. I just want people to win whereas me if I make a mistake its a learning lesson so my artist wouldn’t make that same mistake.
V-Henny: Being an interviewer means you’re normally the person asking the questions. So here’s one you might not normally get asked: What part of Brandon—the man, not the brand—do you think people around you benefit from the most, but rarely stop to ask if you’re okay giving?
Brandon De’Sean: My time I feel like even thought I may have it doesn’t mean I want to give it.
V-Henny: You’re actively trying to help push DMV music culture forward. From your perspective as both an artist and someone working behind the scenes, what does the DMV have creatively that the rest of the industry still hasn’t fully recognized—and what do you think is holding the region back from getting that recognition?
Brandon De’Sean: I always felt like pride and ego gets in the way and it’s mad annoying. We good but we can be so much further if every community in the music scene could come together, like actually come together so we can take it over like we should.
V-Henny: Imagine everything you’re building works: your music grows, the artists you manage succeed, your events expand, and your platforms become bigger. When you look back, which accomplishment would mean more to you—knowing Brandon De’Sean became successful or knowing other people became successful because Brandon De’Sean existed? Why?
Brandon De’Sean: To be honest I can’t answer that question correctly. How I feel at the moment and what happened during the process will determine that but I know I’m going to fucking love it when it does.
Hip-hop today. Alternative tomorrow. Punk rock when the emotion calls for it.
The sound may continue changing, but the intention remains.
For Brandon De’Sean, finding his voice and helping others find theirs don’t have to be two separate missions. They can be part of the same legacy.
Tre K may describe his music as Rage Drill, but there’s more behind the energy than simply turning up.
Coming out of South Orange, New Jersey, Tre has built his artistry around a life he describes as colorful, unpredictable, and personal. Since 2021, he’s consistently released projects, singles, and visuals while allowing pieces of his real life to find their way into records like “Laces,” “Whos Fav,” and “Cookout.”
But Tre’s relationship with music started long before he stepped behind a microphone.
Growing up in close proximity to Lauryn Hill’s family, music was a constant presence in his life. His introduction to the industry would eventually become more hands-on when he interned under his mentor DJ Bobby Trends of Hot 97, giving him an early look at the business behind the music.
Those experiences helped shape more than an artist.
Alongside his team, Tre developed Money Well Spent, a brand rooted in music, events, community involvement, and creating an impact for young people. His work has since taken him across the East Coast, including performances alongside artists such as Cash Cobain, Bay Swag, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, Rowdy Rebel, and more while working with Fluff Jones and We On Tour.
The résumé is growing, but résumés rarely tell you who an artist actually is.
So we wanted to go beyond the performances, connections, and turn-up records to find out who Tre K is when the music stops.
V-Henny: You describe your sound as “Rage Drill,” but you also put a lot of your personal life into your records. What’s something someone might completely misunderstand about Tre K if they only heard the energy of the music and never listened to what you were actually saying?
Tre K: They may think I was a wild child. When in reality I’m generally very calm.
V-Henny: You’ve described your life as “colorful” and “turnt up.” Give us one real-life Tre K story that sounds almost unbelievable but ultimately became inspiration for your music.
Tre K: Well recently I went to Curaçao with some friends and enjoyed the fruits of our labor, that turned into a song called Don’t Try, dropping on September 15th. While on this trip flexing was constant, I mean we did 10 bottles at club LIV (the only real club on the island) we hosted the afties at our pool air bnb, and we all tatted “Death Row” (my suggestion) because now the girls that came are gang for life. I could go more into detail on the trip but long story short it was a week of beaches and don juilo binge lol.
V-Henny: Growing up around Lauryn Hill’s family meant music wasn’t something you only experienced through TV or radio—it was close to home. What did being around that environment teach you about artistry before you even understood you were learning?
Tre K: Well, I think Mapso in general is a pretty artistic place compared to most places I’ve been in the world. It is very progressive. Ironically I remember one time being made fun of by Nathan Hill (her nephew) because I was singing in the back of the car when we were on our way to a sleepover. I remember thinking like “shouldn’t you be more accepting of this kind of thing” at the time. But that made me realize that most people only understand the things that they know. I would say knowing Lauren’s family has always given me Hope that it is possible to create my dream life.
V-Henny: Before becoming the artist, you got an inside look at the industry as an intern for DJ Bobby Trends at Hot 97. What did Tre the intern see behind the scenes that Tre the artist still carries with him today?
Tre K: EVERYTHING!! I think the memory that sticks with me the most is when I went to my first summer Jam when it was still in Met Life. Bobby introduced me to Fat Joe and he told me “every time you step outside you are a representative of your personal brand” I definitely still carry that one.
Overall I would say that internship helped me to understand what it takes to have consistent success and also how the entertainment industry in general can be erratic and a lot really depends on our current economy.
V-Henny: “Money Well Spent or no money at all” is a strong statement. Where did that philosophy come from, and what does Money Well Spent represent beyond just being the name of your brand or team?
Tre K: Money Well Spent is my Set. We are all about progress and improvement. Where were you 6 months ago? And where will you be in the next 6.
In order to associate yourself with us you will have to follow a certain set of rules that are meant to help people improve themselves. When we started we just wanted to have a positive impact on our community.
V-Henny: Your music carries a lot of high energy, but every artist has a side that doesn’t necessarily make it onto the stage. Who is Tre K when there’s no crowd, no music playing, no entourage and nobody to entertain?
Tre K: I’m an Anime Nerd, I’ll spend hours on Crunchyroll or playing Pokémon. Sometimes when I’m in a anime binge people won’t see me for 2 weeks lol.
V-Henny: You’ve performed alongside names like Cash Cobain, Bay Swag, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones and Rowdy Rebel. Instead of asking which performance was your favorite—what’s one backstage conversation, observation, or moment from being around established artists that changed the way you move in this business?
Tre K: I went to a Cash show on Coney Island (I did not perform this day) I think cash was opening for 50 cent actually. But that day I had a conversation with D Chambersz where he explained to me the importance of his relationships and how he was able to make himself a NYC staple.
V-Henny: You and your team have also made community impact and helping the youth part of what you’re building. Was there someone who poured into you when you were younger that made you realize, “If I ever get in position, I need to do the same for somebody else”?
Tre K: I honestly have plenty mentors. I’d say Bobby Trends was the most impactful. I saw first hand the way he helps and treats his team. Still to this day he is doing all the same things. I’ve been trying to catch up for a while lol. One day soon though!
V-Henny: You’ve been consistently releasing music since 2021. What’s one version of Tre K that you had to leave behind in order to become the artist and man you are right now?
Tre K: There was a version of me that was not willing to leave my friends behind for bigger opportunities.
I had to get rid of that version of myself because I was only holding myself back. I still struggle with this sometimes it’s just not in my nature to move without the people I came with.
V-Henny: Imagine somebody discovers Tre K through this article without hearing a single song first. They go listen immediately afterward. What three records would you tell them to play—in order—to understand your story, your personality, and where you’re headed next? And why those three?
Tre K: I would say
1. Last: a good look into me and my personality
2. Laces: fun song, representation of my outside life
3. New Chapter: a good look into life experiences.
It’s easy to see the performances, hear the records, recognize the names Tre K has shared stages with, and assume you understand the artist. But Tre K’s story exists somewhere between the turn-up and the lessons that came with it.
From South Orange to getting an early education inside the industry, building Money Well Spent with his team, developing his own lane within Rage Drill, and using his platform to reach beyond music, Tre is creating something that represents more than another record or performance.
And as his audience continues to grow, one thing becomes increasingly clear:
The energy might introduce you to Tre K, but the story behind it is what gives the music its value.
For Tre K, it really is Money Well Spent or no money at all.
For e$quire, that self-assurance is part of the music.
There’s confidence and then there’s the kind of confidence that comes from knowing exactly who you are.
Born in the Bronx, the birthplace of hip-hop, e$quire has developed an artistry fueled by sharp lyricism, bold personality, humor, sexuality, and an unmistakable New York edge. But rather than simply following the blueprint of the city that raised him, he’s determined to create one that belongs specifically to him.
And that personality doesn’t stop when the recording does.
A natural performer, e$quire has stepped onto one of New York’s most intimidating stages twice, performing during the world-famous Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater. In a room where audiences are known for letting performers know exactly how they feel, commanding that stage became another chapter in developing the confidence that now defines his artistry.
But eventually, e$quire took his New York perspective outside of New York.
Expanding into the DMV introduced him to a different market, different audiences, and another opportunity to evolve without losing the characteristics that made him e$quire in the first place.
Projects and records such as Youngest In Charge Vol. 1 and “95 South” have continued building his catalog while introducing listeners to an artist who isn’t interested in toning himself down to become more digestible.
The confidence is obvious. The personality is loud. The ambition is there.
But what created the person behind all of it?
We asked e$quire 10 questions to get beyond the records and discover the experiences, mentality, contradictions, and personality behind the artist.
V-Henny: Your music gives off the energy of somebody who knows exactly who he is. But confidence usually has a history. Were you always this unapologetic, or was there a version of you who had to learn how to stop caring about being misunderstood?
e$quire: I never cared necessarily about being misunderstood, more so about my appearance. When I was younger, I had insecurities about myself that I had to unlearn and stop caring about in order to have the confidence I do today.
V-Henny:You’re from the Bronx, a place with an enormous hip-hop legacy. Does being a Bronx rapper make you feel like you have something to uphold, or have you intentionally tried to separate yourself from what people expect a “Bronx rapper” to sound and look like?
e$quire: Being from the Bronx is definitely something I take pride in, but I don’t let it define me. I don’t make the same music or have the same look as other rappers that come from where I’m from, and it’s not necessarily intentional, it’s just what’s most comfortable for me to present to the public.
V-Henny: Your music allows humor, sexuality, rawness, and lyricism to exist in the same space. What’s something you’ve said in a record that made even you think, “I don’t know if I should say this”, but you kept it because it was authentically e$quire?
e$quire: I’ve definitely had more than a few moments where I’ve second guessed a line because it was overly trifling or too venomous. I usually get past it and keep the line in but I do give it thought; keeping lines like those in is part of what makes doing music so much fun for me
V-Henny: You performed at Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater twice, and that crowd has a reputation. Take us into your head right before you touched that stage for the first time. Were you nervous, and what did that experience reveal about yourself as a performer that you didn’t know before?
e$quire: When I say I was terrified!! I spent hours on end getting prepared the weeks before, but it never felt real until I hit the stage. But I definitely left it all out there, and the crowd loved me. It showed me a glimpse at my own potential; the realization that I could make good enough music to keep a crowd of almost 2,000 people engaged was pretty profound to me.
V-Henny: You called a project Youngest In Charge Vol. 1. When you say you’re “in charge,” what exactly are you taking ownership of? And looking back at that project now, where can you hear an e$quire who was still figuring himself out?
e$quire: “Youngest In Charge” came to me during one of my lowest moments. The title was a reminder to myself of how far I’d come up until that point. So I considered myself in charge of pretty much everything. It also was a nod to the fact that I get pretty much everything I want.
V-Henny: “95 South” feels significant because your own journey eventually took you from New York into the DMV. What did leaving your home market teach you about yourself once you couldn’t rely on being in familiar territory or surrounded by people who already understood your energy?
e$quire: The crazy thing is I actually wrote “95 South” on 95 North on my way home to visit, but 95 South sounded better. Leaving my home market definitely showed me how unique I am in this industry. Being a gay man already puts me down a few notches in the eyes of some other people, but in New York, I could go into most rooms and still get the whole crowd to vibe with me no matter who they are. Being outside of my market was an eye opener because a lot of people outside of NY aren’t as welcoming. So I learned to rely more on my talent speaking for itself than my personality, when back home it was more 50/50.
V-Henny: New York confidence can work in New York but different cities have their own cultures. What’s something about the DMV that challenged you creatively, and what’s something from the Bronx that you realized you’ll carry with you no matter where you live or make music?
e$quire: Being in the DMV has challenged me in a good way because their music has a different sound, so it opens me up to new ideas for my own music. But my sound is the most heavily influenced by back home so there’s no way it won’t be incorporated somehow no matter what region or market I’m in. They also are horrible drivers out here, no shade.
V-Henny: Your sexuality and personality aren’t hidden in your music. In hip-hop, artists can sometimes feel pressure to package themselves in ways audiences will accept. Have you ever been told, or made to feel, that you should tone down a part of yourself to become more marketable? How did you respond?
e$quire: When I was in college, there was a group album happening with the other students in my major. I submitted a song with a friend and we were told it was too vulgar, when it actually was pretty tame compared to both of our previous works. They asked us to change the lyrics, we decided we’d make an entirely new song because we liked the version of the song we originally did and missed the deadline. I don’t need to tone myself down to sell. There are plenty of people who talk way worse than me and make bank.
V-Henny: Strip away e$quire for a second, the confidence, performances, visuals, bars and persona. Who are you when you aren’t trying to command anybody’s attention, and what part of that person rarely makes it into the music?
e$quire: When I’m not e$quire, I live a pretty regular life. I’m a retail sales manager working full time, so it’s pretty boring in “regular” life. But that person is also the one who feels more. I can pretend I don’t care when I have the face on, to the point that I’ll actually stop caring; but when it’s off I’m forced to actually confront things, which isn’t always bad, I just don’t like to.
V-Henny: You’re trying to take your artistry beyond regional boundaries. Five years from now, if someone says, “e$quire changed the game because he ______,” what do you want to fill that blank with? What do you want your contribution to hip-hop to be that another artist couldn’t have given it?
e$quire: I want people to say something like “e$quire changed the game because of his authenticity”. A lot of men are apprehensive about coming out for so many different reasons, sometimes safety being one of them. But I’ve seen firsthand how living authentically can make someone more comfortable in their identity, and that’s ultimately what I want to do. A lot of artists, and people in general, have not gained the confidence it takes to do that.
There’s humor. There’s sexuality. There’s grit. There’s confidence. And underneath all of it is an artist who understands that standing out sometimes requires being comfortable enough to let people see exactly who you are.
As e$quire continues expanding beyond New York and the DMV, the goal isn’t simply to carry the energy of his city everywhere he goes.
It’s to make sure that wherever he goes, people remember the name e$quire.
In this episode of The Artistry Show, V-Henny sits down with Juju F’n baby for a conversation about motherhood, music, growth, and finding your way back to yourself.
Juju opens up about stepping away from music to focus on becoming a mother and what ultimately inspired her to return to her passion. We also take it back to how our journey first crossed paths when Juju entered one of my competitions, won, and earned a trip to Miami!
Since then, she’s experienced the industry firsthand, learned valuable lessons along the way, and continued building her brand alongside her cousin while balancing one of her biggest roles: being a mom.
This episode is especially for the mothers—and particularly the single moms who may feel like their dreams have to be put on hold because life and motherhood came first. Juju’s journey is a reminder that you can be present for your children and still make room for the woman you are, the goals you have, and the dreams you haven’t finished chasing.
If she can find her way back to her passion, so can you.
Tap in for a conversation about motherhood, sacrifice, music, entrepreneurship, resilience, and betting on yourself again.
Subscribe to The Artistry Show for new conversations with independent artists, creatives and entrepreneurs sharing the real stories behind their journeys.
In this episode of The Artistry Show, V-Henny sits down with comedian, content creator, and entrepreneur Yas Lugo for a real conversation about building a career by simply being yourself.
Yas opens up about her journey from creating content to stepping onto the stand-up comedy stage, finding her voice as a comedian, and navigating the entertainment industry as a gay woman.
We get into what it means to show up authentically, finding confidence in who you are, the importance of community and representation, entrepreneurship, and the experiences that have shaped the woman and entertainer she is today.
This conversation is about more than comedy — it’s about owning who you are and creating your own lane.
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5I1C2KRqNOvfnnsY1B5cV7
Subscribe to The Artistry Show for new conversations with independent artists, creatives and entrepreneurs sharing the real stories behind their journeys. #TheArtistryShow #AliciaMarie #VHenny #IndependentArtist #ArtistJourney #MusicIndustry #ChasingDreams #Podcast #ArtistInterview
In Episode 258 of The Artistry Show, V-Henny sits down with Alicia Marie for an honest conversation about the highs and lows that come with chasing a dream. Alicia opens up about her journey as an independent artist, staying committed to her goals through life’s challenges, balancing real-life responsibilities, dealing with criticism and backlash on social media, and continuing to bet on herself even when the road isn’t easy. This conversation is for anyone who knows what it feels like to have a vision for their life while navigating the setbacks, sacrifices, lessons and growth that come along with it.
🎙️ THE ARTISTRY SHOW — EP. 258
FOLLOW & CONNECT: Alicia Marie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamaliciamarieofficial
The Artistry Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartistryshow
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5I1C2KRqNOvfnnsY1B5cV7
Subscribe to The Artistry Show for new conversations with independent artists, creatives and entrepreneurs sharing the real stories behind their journeys. #TheArtistryShow #AliciaMarie #VHenny #IndependentArtist #ArtistJourney #MusicIndustry #ChasingDreams #Podcast #ArtistInterview
In Episode 257, we sit down with rising independent artist Asianae for an honest conversation about her musical journey, the realities of building a career as an independent artist, and the challenges that come with pursuing a dream in today’s music industry.
Tap in for a raw conversation about artistry, mental health, and evolution.
🎥 Hosted by Vee Henny 🎙️ The Artistry Show 📍 NYC Asianae: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasianae Vhenny: https://www.instagram.com/vhenny_ TheArtistryShow: https://www.instagram.com/theartistryshow
In Episode 256 of The Artistry Show, we sit down with Scott Morris for an honest conversation about growth, resilience, and navigating the challenges that come with success.
Scott opens up about addressing rumors, protecting his reputation, and staying focused despite outside noise. We also dive into his journey as an entrepreneur, artist, and executive discussing the lessons he’s learned while building businesses, creating opportunities, and evolving both personally and professionally.
This episode is packed with real talk on leadership, accountability, business development, and what it truly takes to grow in today’s entertainment and entrepreneurial landscape.
Some artists inherit talent. Others choose to nurture it into something unforgettable.
For Dre Tajai, it has always been both.
Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, into a family of musicians and vocalists, Dre Tajai discovered his passion for music at an early age. Writing and recording songs in the basement of his childhood home, he transformed everyday experiences into lyrics that reflected not only his own journey but the emotions many listeners struggle to put into words.
As a singer, songwriter, producer, and recording artist, also known as Yung Sensei. Dre Tajai has developed a style that blends introspective lyricism, melodic storytelling, and thought-provoking themes. His music explores personal growth, resilience, relationships, ambition, and self-reflection, creating songs that connect with listeners on a deeper level.
In an era where attention is often fleeting, Dre Tajai continues to focus on creating music with substance records that encourage people to think, feel, and find pieces of themselves within every verse.
In this exclusive interview with The Artistry Show, Dre Tajai opens up about his journey, creative process, and the experiences that continue to shape his artistry.
V-Henny: You grew up in a family of musicians and vocalists. Was there a specific moment when you realized music wasn’t just something around you, it was something you were meant to pursue?
Dre Tajai: I think around the age of 12 when I tried to push my dreams onto my friends at the time. Formed a rap group, gave everyone rap names and even wrote everyone’s verses. When no one showed up to the rehearsal I scheduled I realized this was something meant for me that I couldn’t force anyone else to care about or understand.
V-Henny: You started writing and recording in your childhood basement. Looking back, what do you remember most about those early sessions, and how did they shape the artist you’ve become today?
Dre Tajai: I remember my best friend and I putting our money together to buy a mic. It was only $100 or so but it was a good investment at the age of 13. At a point I remember being interested in basketball; when I wasn’t rapping, I was hooping. I told my best friend how I was thinking about letting rap go to pursue an NBA dream, he called me crazy. Not because he didn’t believe I could do it, but because he wholeheartedly believed music was the dream I was meant to pursue. That shaped my confidence along with my whole trajectory.
V-Henny: Your music often feels deeply personal. Is there a song in your catalog that taught you something about yourself while you were writing it?
Dre Tajai: Man’s Image, The Hunt and Tammy’s Voice come to mind; couldn’t pick just one. They all showed me that I can transmute dark into light. Any pain or vulnerability I felt in life I could turn to a strength with the right focus and perspective.
V-Henny: You wear many hats, artist, songwriter, and producer. Which role challenges you the most, and which one brings you the greatest sense of fulfillment?
Dre Tajai: I think the role of producer challenges me the most from a technical standpoint. I wasn’t familiar with the programming and software but I always knew how the music in my head should sound aloud. Greatest sense of fulfillment is definitely being an writer/artist. Seeing a vision be brought to life, seeing an album thru from its’ infancy all the way to its’ release date, can’t describe it.
V-Henny: Many artists create music for entertainment, but your records often encourage listeners to reflect. What conversations or emotions do you hope people walk away with after hearing your music?
Dre Tajai: I can tell you listened to my music by the way these questions are structured. I definitely encourage reflection but also discovery and alignment, things of that nature. I hope people feel heard and seen when they resonate with a bar or certain hook. I want people to embrace recapturing the truth we all are born knowing but inevitably lose sight of as we grow up.
V-Henny: You also go by Yung Sensei. What’s the story behind that name, and how does it represent your mindset both in music and in life?
Dre Tajai: I’ve been told ever since I was yung that I was wise beyond my years. Although I used to take it as a compliment and still do, it feels more like a burden at times. As pretentious as that may sound thats how the Yung Sensei alias came to be. Also something about the connection between the mind, body and spirit when it comes to martial arts and life in general led me to keeping the name.
V-Henny: Every artist reaches a point where they question themselves. Can you share a moment when you almost gave up or at least questioned the journey, and what helped you keep going?
Dre Tajai: I can name several moments, they all seem to have come in recent years more than ever. I think what has kept me going is how far I’ve come. When you account for all the years, resources and belief systems invested, it makes more sense to continue on than to let all that be for nothing.
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V-Henny: The music industry often rewards consistency as much as talent. What’s one lesson you’ve learned about patience, discipline, or perseverance that every independent artist should hear?
Dre Tajai: I would say you’re not going to always feel like doing what needs to be done in order to see results. In fact I would say it gets harder to continue the work or show up especially when the results you expected are minimal or not there at all. The compound effect is real though, I firmly believe that so I rather it be working for me instead of against me. Even if it’s 10% one day and 90% another, continue to show up with whatever energy and commitment you do have and one day you’ll be glad you did. Thats how I see it at least.
V-Henny: If someone had never listened to Dre Tajai before, which three songs would you recommend first, and what chapter of your story does each one represent?
Dre Tajai: I would say The Hunt, Forecast and Trips. The Hunt has been a fan favorite and definitely represents a moment of emergence for me. Forecast and Trips you get a good idea of my singing voice, especially Trips. Trips was very much a song I wanted to explore my R&B roots on, shoutout Keyshia Cole. Forecast is a song that gives me chills to this day because I can still feel how I felt when I first wrote it almost every time I return to listen to it.
V-Henny: Imagine it’s twenty years from now. When people look back at your career, what do you hope they remember most, not just about your music, but about the impact you made?
Dre Tajai: I hope they remember I wasn’t aspiring to be anyone other than myself. I hope that reflects in not only my music but the choices I made along the way. I hope when they find a new song or revisit an old one it captures a moment in time for them, an emotional experience they can access anytime in their own vault of media and memories.
For Dre Tajai, music has always been more than a passion, it’s a lifelong journey rooted in family, self-expression, and purpose. From writing songs in a childhood basement to building a career as an artist, songwriter, and producer, he continues to create music that reflects both his personal experiences and the emotions that connect us all.
Rather than following trends, Dre Tajai is focused on crafting timeless records that leave a lasting impression. As his catalog continues to grow, so does his commitment to authenticity, meaningful storytelling, and inspiring listeners through every verse. His story is still unfolding, and if the foundation he’s built is any indication, the next chapter is one worth watching.
Some artists master one craft. ERIC AZ has made it his mission to master them all.
A true multi-hyphenate entertainer, ERIC AZ is a singer-songwriter, music producer, choreographer, actor, host, clothing designer, and creative visionary whose artistry refuses to be confined by labels. Drawing inspiration from his West Indian heritage and the vibrant energy of the Bronx, New York, Eric has spent his life building a career rooted in fearless self-expression, innovation, and purpose.
His creative journey began at just 12 years old when he wrote his first song—a spark that would ignite a lifelong passion for music and performance. Since then, Eric has graced the stage in celebrated Off-Broadway productions including Dreamgirls, The Wiz, West Side Story, and A Colored Museum, sharpening the commanding stage presence that has become one of his trademarks.
Whether he’s producing music, choreographing unforgettable performances, designing fashion, or connecting with audiences as a host, ERIC AZ approaches every opportunity with the same philosophy: art should inspire people to embrace who they are without apology.
Blending the timeless soul of ’90s and 2000s music with modern production and fearless experimentation, ERIC AZ creates more than songs—he creates experiences. His work celebrates confidence, individuality, and self-love while reminding listeners that authenticity is always in style.
We caught up with ERIC AZ to talk about his creative journey, artistic influences, and the vision behind one of the most versatile careers in entertainment.
V-Henny: You’re known for wearing many creative hats, singer, songwriter, producer, actor, choreographer, host, and designer. Is there one role that feels most like home, or do all of them work together to define who ERIC AZ is?
ERIC AZ: At a point in time, they have all felt like home in one way or another, but after becoming a music artist, I find that they work together in defining who I am as a multi-disciplinary
V-Henny: How do these different passions fuel one another?
ERIC AZ: It starts with the music and works its way down the ladder from that. My music dictates my style, my branding, my energy, my choreography and the vibes, that I want to put out into the world
V-Henny: You wrote your first song when you were only 12 years old. What inspired that first piece of music, and did you already know then that entertainment would be your life’s calling? If you could speak to your 12-year-old self today, what would you tell him?
ERIC AZ: I knew that entertainment would be my calling as young as 4 years old. My first song was inspired by love. The ability to tell someone how you feel through song. I was probably talking about stuff I had no idea about such as paying bills, but I knew that it was a way to communicate my feelings in a way that didn’t make me nervous.
If I can speak to that 12 year old boy, I would tell him to Double Down, Go Harder, Stop Hesitating, Get Delusional! You have everything you need to succeed so believe in yourself!
V-Henny: Growing up with both West Indian roots and Bronx culture must have given you a unique perspective. How have those influences shaped your music, creativity, and identity as an artist? Are there traditions or experiences that still inspire your work today?
ERIC AZ: My upbringing has shaped my music in that, I understood how music could make you feel emotionally and how it connected people. Music was always in my home and someone was always singing, and it’s how we would come together to spend time. My upbringing influences my artistry by how I pay attention to detail, the strength in my performances, the conscious messaging in my writing and how to shift/lift a room, energetically.
Growing up in the islands, things move but they don’t. One of the things I carry with me is that you don’t have to rush. With that, it allows me to create at my pace with a certain peace. Don’t get me wrong, as a Virgo, there is always something to get done or fuss over, but I try not stress myself over it. I allow the lyrics, movement, design, vision to flow as it comes. Once it reaches a point where I hit a block, I don’t force the block. I take a step back, let what has been released so far marinate and then come back to it when the idea returns with a gusto. This energy only occurs 40% of the time because the perfectionist in me can be relentless but I’m learning.
V-Henny: Your stage credits include productions like Dreamgirls, The Wiz, West Side Story, and A Colored Museum. What has musical theater taught you that continues to influence your performances as a recording artist? How different is it performing a character compared to performing as yourself?
ERIC AZ: The Show Must Go On! and Let it go. Once you’re out there, you only have one moment, so if you’ve done everything you need to do (rehearse, know your lines, know your cues and marks etc), This Is Play Time so Let Go and Go Off!
As a character, I’m expressing a person who is not me, right?! But I as an actor can use my history of emotional, funny, or heart-tugging events from my own life to create this character and create something real of that character without truly exposing myself.
As an Artist, THIS. IS. ME. I am exposed. The music is my diary to a degree, capturing moments in time where the song was my only form of therapy of working my way through that specific feeling. One night I was listening to my record, “Miss Me” and I was completely brought to tears because mid-listen, I remembered this is my story. Those are my feelings. This is my truth.
The main difference though is the ability to hide behind a character as an actor vs. being the main character or related to the main character of the topic in the song.
V-Henny: Your music blends nostalgia from the ’90s and 2000s with a modern, experimental sound. What is it about those eras that continues to inspire you creatively? How do you balance honoring those influences while still creating something fresh and original?
ERIC AZ: The freedom with which they created. There was so much variety in music at that time. The fusing of hip-hop & R&B, the expansion of Rap, the British movement, boy bands, the Latin explosion and so forth! Music felt more colorful and vibrant. I miss when artists would put out a record and then have 5 other remixes of that same record for other genres.
By listening to the music inside my head cause it works in a funny way. But in all seriousness, I’m inspired by how the music made you FEEL. It moved you. Not just your behind but your mind and your body. Again, because we had variety and so many sounds to hear from, and not just the 90’s and 2000’s but MUSIC THROUGHOUT TIME. All great musicians that I admire created music that spoke to their people, that resonated in their hearts whether they wrote the song themselves or had it written for them. They made timeless music because they listened to the way music worked insideTHEIR head to innovate and bring something new to the landscape of music.
V-Henny: Self-love and individuality are recurring themes throughout your artistry. Why are those messages so important for you to share?
Has there been a personal experience that made those values central to your creative mission?
ERIC AZ: The world spends most of its time telling us who we should be, and that’s not usually a fulfilling or purposeful life. If i’m going to be remembered for something, I would want to be remembered for inspiring people to double down on who they are, take accountability for their flaws and to be themselves because it’s their authenticity that creates the world and the diversity that we have.
Has there been a personal experience that made those values central to your creative mission? Being undermined, undervalued and underestimated when it comes to my artistry.
V-Henny: As someone who creates music, choreography, fashion, and live experiences, where does your creativity come from?
When inspiration strikes, do you immediately know whether it belongs in a song, a performance, or another artistic medium?
ERIC AZ: In the words of one of the greatest entertainers in existence, Michael Jackson; “it’s very spiritual. There’s a connection, I’m just the source through which it (creativity) comes. I’m inspired by a lot of things but it comes from the heavens.
Sometimes they arrive all at once. When inspiration strikes, all I know to do is document. Whether it be an idea, a lyric, a melody (voice note), it needs to be documented because even if it’s not fully fleshed out, it’s the beginning of the bigger picture that will eventually fill out during the creative process. I don’t like to force it.
V-Henny: Entertainment has changed dramatically over the years. As someone with experience across multiple industries, what do you think today’s artists often overlook while pursuing success?
What advice would you offer creatives trying to build a lasting career rather than chasing short-term attention?
ERIC AZ: The business side of music. Everyone is so quick to throw out music without doing their proper research on samples, interpolations and chord progressions that they end with some lawsuit down the line. One of the most important things to me becoming an artist outside of the creative aspect is making sure that I am legally on the up and up. That meant trademarking my name, learning copyright info, publishing, split sheets and so forth. The product is only one aspect of this business. Knowing the business side saves you much headaches on the road ahead.
Be you. The more you are you, the more you create something unique. Trends are passive, Authenticity is forever.
V-Henny: Outside of the spotlight, what’s something fans would be surprised to learn about ERIC AZ?
Whether it’s a hidden talent, favorite pastime, or personal ritual, we’d love to hear something people don’t already know.
ERIC AZ: I like things chill and calm most of the time but I’m also somewhat adventurous. I love axe-throwing, zip-lining, the gun range, Snowboarding among a few others. When I’m not being adventurous though, I’m usually found watching “the making of” a film or some sci-fi/Comic book related content.
A personal resetting ritual of mine i do Every Sunday morning is I have what i call “old-school Sunday” where I put on a movie that is 20 years or older (the important part), I make myself a cup of tea and a full breakfast (because I’m usually intermittent fasting during the week), do a quick post on my stories and then spend the day relaxing. That includes, some more movies, video games, a hot salt bath and dinner! It’s one of the ways i return to the kid at heart. That’s the time we (12 yr old me and the me now) are able to #relaxrelaterelease and remember why we do what we do and what we love about it, through the art of classic entertainment.
V-Henny: Your mission is to transform lives through entertainment. When people look back on your career years from now, what do you hope your legacy will be?
What impact do you hope your music and artistry have made on future generations?
ERIC AZ: That I used my platform to make the world a better place to exist in while he was here and hopefully one that will linger long once I’m gone. That he used his platform to inspire, to uplift, to speak truth all while two-stepping and throwing that thang in a circle.
You don’t have to limit yourself to certain topics.That you can make uplifting conscious music (and fun party music), and it doesn’t have to be cheesy or corny. You don’t have to sacrifice your creative integrity to obtain mass appeal
ERIC AZ represents what it means to be a modern entertainer—fearless, versatile, and unapologetically authentic. Rather than limiting himself to one creative outlet, he’s built a career that celebrates every aspect of artistic expression, from music and theater to fashion and choreography.
His ability to blend timeless influences with contemporary sounds has created a style that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly original. More importantly, his work carries a message that extends far beyond entertainment: embrace your individuality, believe in your purpose, and never be afraid to stand out.
As ERIC AZ continues to expand his creative universe, he’s proving that true artistry isn’t about fitting into one lane—it’s about creating your own.
Whether you’re discovering him through his music, captivating stage performances, or visionary creative projects, one thing is certain: ERIC AZ isn’t simply entertaining audiences, he’s leaving a lasting impression.
Keep watching. His story is still unfolding, and the best chapters may be yet to come.
