Artist Spotlight

Exclusive interview with Dėnz

Dėnz, born Daniel Saad, is a rising artist from Montreal, Canada. Growing up in the Laval suburb, he was inspired by artists such as J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Joyner Lucas & many more. He gradually discovered his passion for poetry, writing stories, and lyrics, which inevitably led to rapping. He emerged into the Montreal hip-hop scene in 2019. We had an opportunity to interview Dėnz and this is what he had to say.

Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Dėnz- I was going through a hard breakup so music was a breakthrough to me. I needed to find a purpose to overcome all the tough situations I was facing. I found an old notebook filled with class notes and decided to write down my thoughts on blank pages. My thoughts turned to rhymes, I was lost but the words from my pen turned to lines and that’s when I knew it was time to try something new.

It was my passion for writing, hip hop and my desire to make a difference at a larger scale that led me to music.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

Dėnz- The most interesting story… not really a story but a lot of people from my past resurfaced into my life with praises and attempts to get close to me like the old days. I guess that my music really reflected the person that I am and just made them want to make amends. I don’t think that I’m successful (yet) so I know that it’s not the nonexistent fame that brought them back.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Dėnz- Paying for permanent placements on fake playlists, first “investment” I ever did. Turned out to be a scam obviously but I forgave myself for being this naive. 😂 I didn’t understand that this was not how the music industry worked and that it would take a lot more than just that to bring me to the top.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

Dėnz- My biggest project… taking my time. Can’t see too much about it since it’s not completed and I don’t want to “jinx it” . I’m just experimenting a lot right now and I’m having lots of fun while shaping my writing skills everyday. I try to stay consistent but it’s pretty hard with my work, responsibilities, taking care of my family, etc. I am taking it slow since I just want my next project to make a lot of noise in my city and just put out a classic.

Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

Dėnz- I met the majority of the artists I work with online, most of them are people I haven’t had the chance to meet in person because of different schedules and distance. Some of them are just born with a musical talent unlike anyone I’ve ever met, you know just the type of people who seem to have superpowers. It’s crazy. From people who can create/fix a melody on a bear just by listening to the first few seconds to people who can mix a song perfectly and produce a song with a mixing that fits the artist just after one session.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Dėnz- Take it slow, there is literally no rush. There’s no point in being in a studio 24/7 even if it’s your passion. You gotta find a balance and live life, otherwise what will you write your songs on? You gotta have experiences writing content.

You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

Dėnz- I don’t see myself as successful yet. But I believe that failure should be embraced and that every artist ever “sucked” no one started with a bang and stayed consistent all the time, some artists have very average projects. Failure is part of success.

Can you share with our readers any self care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Kindly share a story or an example for each.

Dėnz- I workout everyday and do my daily pushups and walking/running. I also write a few bars everyday just to stay consistent with my craft. Both are essential and work in symbiosis.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

Dėnz

1- Take your time, there is no rush at all to write your story.

2- Success doesn’t come overnight, I look up to J. Cole, Jay-Z, Eminem and more who all blew up in their mid/late twenties.

3- not everyone will support you, sometimes it’s the people in your own household who will try to crush your dreams.

4- Not everyone deserves to know what your aspirations are. Some people want to hear your plans to crush them and “sabotage” them in any way possible, just to get ahead of you.

5- It takes time to make great music.

Look at Kendrick Lamar. J. Cole, Drake, Joey Badass, and more, who wait a couple of years before dropping new projects and making their numbers.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Dėnz- Everything shall be accomplished in due time. Trust God. I used to wish for stuff to happen quickly but realized pretty soon that excellence takes time.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Dėnz- Yes! There are many people to whom I am very grateful for. My friends Emile, Amine, Manuel, Victor, Hossni, Moncef who is also my creative director and photographer, my friend and producer Deimas/DMAZ & many more to be honest. I owe it all to them, my circle is what brought me here. These are all people who uplifted me.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

Dėnz- End homelessness in my city, end the violence and educate the youth. There are too many things that I want to do but in the future I want to be a pioneer in my city. I want to change my city for the better.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂

Dėnz- Oh wow, there are so many… This is such a tough question ‘cause I have a huge admiration for so many people in all sorts of industries. In the entertainment/arts industry it would be Dave Chapelle, Joe Rogan, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Drake, Kanye West and so many more. In the business industry, I would be honoured to share a moment with Gary Vee who is an individual I have so much respect for. My dream is to be able to meet every single one of those people.

14 How can our readers follow you online?

Dėnz- On Instagram: @therealdenz_

On Twitter : @therealdenz_

On Tiktok : @therealdenz

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