Desta Dawn is a rising R&B singer from Oakland, CA. She has been singing her entire life; at the age of four in her kindergarten class she began teaching herself how to read books by singing each word she would sound out, and the rest is history.
The Nuance Magazine team got to catch up with Desta, one of the winners of 'The Cut'. In the exclusive interview, you will find out more about her, her experience on ‘The Cut’, and creative processes in front of a camera. It's a special Q&A for a special person.
What's the biggest challenge you had to overcome in music? On the Cut?
I would say that the biggest challenge I had to overcome in music was simply comparing my talent to other artists. Especially when it came to timelines. Like I would sit and scroll on insta looking at other singers around my age who are more advanced in their career, and then wonder what I was doing wrong. I mean, if I’m being honest here, I still do it from time to time. But now that I’m more aware of it I try to catch myself and stop. Now the biggest challenge I had on “The Cut” was when I had writer's block while creating the second song. Usually, I wouldn’t get as frustrated if I can’t come up with lyrics right off the bat, but because of the time restraint, I was kinda freaking out internally lol.
If you didn't become a musician, what would you be doing right now?
If I wasn’t a musician I would be a teacher. I looooove kids!! Like I’m seriously obsessed with children. All of my siblings are in relationships and older than me so I’m like *cough cough* pop out some kids why don’t ya?! Give me a chance to be a fun auntie and spoil some babies! 😁 hahaha
Describe the feeling when you found out you’d be on Red Bull’s The Cut?
Man! Ok so, I was hungover as sh*t in bed with two of my best friends. It was the day after my birthday, so we were just hanging out watching movies. And then I got the call from the casting director Asjai saying they wanted me to be on the show, and we all (my friends and I) just screamed!! I was so so happy. Even though I still really didn’t know what to expect going into it, I had a strong feeling this was going to be something that could possibly change my life.
What was it like collaborating with people you had never met?
You know, at first, I was nervous to meet my partner because I had thought “what if he/she doesn’t like the type of music I like?” But then after taking a step back and just giving myself a breather, I was just like “bruh, this opportunity is dope af! It’ll be fine. I’m easy to get along with an I’ll be flexible. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy myself”. So I felt like going in with that mindset helped ease my nerves a lot!
Did the presence of a camera crew add pressure to your creative process?
Naw, the camera crew was so fun! I think the time limit put more pressure on me if anything. But there were times where I would say an inappropriate joke to Rami or something, and then I would look up like 😳 ummm... oops. Can we cut that? Lol
What was it like working with OG Parker?
OG Parker is dope! He was really chill and laid back. Was giving an equal amount of attention and help to all of us on set, so he wasn’t showing any favoritism at all. I’ve kept in touch with him since the show so it’s nice to know that “The Cut” helped me make connections with more producers and artists.
What are your plans after appearing on The Cut?
If you would have asked me this two months ago, I would have said to continue working on my upcoming project and writing for other artists and staying completely focused on that. Cutting out all other distractions. But now with everything that is happening in the world, I've gotta say my plan is to continue to grow. To grow as an artist, as a black woman, as a lover, as a daughter, as a sister, as a friend. Everything. Music is so so important, but I also never want to get so wrapped up in my career where I feel like I lose myself and/or ignore other aspects of my life that are just as important and beautiful to me. So I’m allowing myself to take it one day at a time, the soulful sounds will come.