There’s an indescribable feeling you get when you finally achieve a goal you’ve set for yourself. Anxiety, relief and contentment are all emotions DCMBR surely felt when he released his debut full-length project, Endless Winter.
The California native began his creative career as a songwriter, crafting hooks as a featured artist. Before landing placements with hometown champions like Jay Rock and Ye Ali, DCMBR started rapping at the age of 12 and transitioned to singing at 18 to prove to himself and others that singing was something he can carry out and pursue.
Fast forward to 2018, DCMBR released his EP 16/94, showcasing the artistry he’s honed since his adolescence. With Endless Winter, the energy of what he calls “mood music” is a common thread between the two projects but listeners get better acquainted with his singing side. Many of the tracks contain sharp, ear-catching melodies paired with adaptable cadences that are just calm enough to grab your attention with gentle force.
In an interview with Rated R&B, DCMBR talks about his evolution as an artist, his ability to balance singing and rapping, and the significance of Endless Winter.
Your debut EP 16/94 came out a year ago. How have you grown as an artist between the EP and your new project?
I’ve definitely been able to get more comfortable with myself as an R&B artist, seeing what works for me, as well as what sticks with the listeners. Experimenting and cutting new records in-between time, really expanding my range of singing and exploring different pockets of music. It’s helped me a lot in my writing and in my own work. My versatility is very important to me.
In previous interviews, you shared that you started rapping first, then got into singing. On songs like, “Temperature” and “Talk,” you switch between both talents. How has the balance of the two helped you craft and create your sound?
It’s definitely given me an unsuspecting approach, I guess you could say. I can switch up flows in an instant and still have the cohesiveness of that certain song. It actually allows me to open up a song, give it breathing room and gives me the ability to take the singing in a different direction. Bouncing back and forth is a trait that a lot of people don’t have. Unique writing styles and melodies in my raps definitely complement the singing for me.
There’s a common theme between your name DCMBR and the project title, Endless Winter. The tone is mellow, mood music. What direction do you see your next project going in based on that whole vibe?
Moving forward, I want to bring a little more life to the “mood” music. That is definitely my vibe of choice but I have so many abilities within the music that I want to bring out to the world. I’m full of life and I want people to feel ALIVE when listening to me, whether that be the mood music or the uptempo vibes. But you definitely can expect more fun and energy in upcoming music.
What’s one of your favorite moments from creating this project?
One of my favorite moments from creating this project was probably the moment I realized and felt in my heart that I was completely done and content with my own work. The long studio nights, up and down emotions, eagerness, anxiety, anything you can think of, I went through. But the feeling of knowing that 100 percent this is a representation of me was well worth it. The feedback that was brought from this was also very fulfilling. I know I have a long journey ahead of me but this is what this game is all about and I hope that all the new fans can relate and become lifelong fans.
How much does Endless Winter mean to you as an artist and as a creative starting out and navigating the industry?
It’s always going to mean a great deal to me. It’s my first ever full-length project,
the project that in a way introduces me to the masses apart from all of my feature work. It’s the framework of an even bigger picture that I plan to get my career to over time. And on top of that, I have gotten very good feedback from Endless Winter, so I am looking forward to giving the world more of DCMBR.
Stream Endless Winter by DCMBR on Spotify and Apple Music below.
