Photo by The Cleanest Corner
Directing, songwriting, and rapping are just some of the talents listed under David “D-WHY” Morris’ repertoire. Born in New York, raised in West Virginia, and now based in LA, Morris is hard at work on new music and his first tour, the Young, Loved, Hated, and Broke Tour, just 7 months after the release of his first full length project D.F.Y. (Don’t Flatter Yourself).While he may have model good looks, don’t let his effortless style and handsome face fool you; D-WHY spits fire. Tracks like “Shooter McGavin,” “Macchiato Music,” and “King David,” (just to name a few) are a testament to D’s lyrical genius. Despite having worked with producers such as D’Tray, T-Minus, and Hit-Boy for D.F.Y., this album is still very much slept on. But true D-WHY fans are still showing it as much love as when it first came out. As someone who believes in producing quality music over large quantities of music he may be taking his time making his name known, but those who do know it won’t soon forget it. Now in 2013, D is ready to step up his game working hard in the studio with his engineer Gregg Rominiecki, who he calls the 40 to his Drake. With the Young, Loved, Hated, and Broke Tour’s planning underway, make sure to catch D-WHY in a city near you! Read my interview below with the versatile artist to get familiar with the man behind the music.
HC: So we’re in the studio, you’re working on some new music today. And it’s been a while; you dropped D.F.Y. back in August…
D-WHY: Yeah, we dropped it in August. And I’m a firm believer in quality over quantity, you know? So we did that and people are still finding out about it and showing it super love and it’s still kind of resonating with people. We’re putting out a new music video for “Flattery” which is probably going to be the last video we put out for D.F.Y.
D-WHY – Flattery (watch in HD)
directed by Jakob Owens and David Morris
“Music videos are the main tool that I use to really relay my vision to the fans. Listening is one thing. But seeing–seeing is everything. ‘Seeing is believing,’ as they say.” D-WHY on his approach to music videos.
HC: Nice! So how did you get started doing music? Was it your upbringing, or did you fall into it later on in life?
D-WHY: No, it was one of those things where you’re always into music. I mean, everybody is and so I would always goof off with my friends and freestyle. You know, change the words to oldies songs. And when I was a freshman in college, I was 17, I kind of took it more seriously. A lot of my friends were writing and rapping and singers and guitarists, and I just kind of fell into it.
HC: So what did you study when you were in college?
D-WHY: I studied public relations and marketing.
HC: Since you ended up getting your master’s in marketing, did you know when you were in school that when you got out you were going to be focusing on music full time? Was that the plan?
D-WHY: Yeah that was the plan. PR was one of those things where I’m good at talking, I’m good at plotting s*** out. I knew straight from school I really wanted to do music. So I was able to do this master’s program and [West Virginia University] offered it online. I was the youngest in there; everyone else was in their thirties and they’re getting their companies to pay for it. So it was one of those things where if I stay in school, I can do the music. Whereas, if I don’t, I’m going to have to find a full time job and not be able to pursue it. So it worked out.
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HC: And your name, “D-WHY,” where did that come from? How did that originate?
D-WHY: Well, prior to me making music, and one of the other reasons I got into music, is [because] I was a hoodlum. I used to skateboard and write graffiti and my graffiti tag name started with the letters “DY.” And from there I spelled it out. So it was kind of a natural progression from that. I talked about it in this Google+ hangout I had and I actually wrote out the tag for everybody, so if you guys want to see the real story you can check that out!
D-WHY’s graffiti tag
HC: The whole concept behind D.F.Y./Don’t Flatter Yourself, how did you come up with that and what is it supposed to mean?
D-WHY: So D.F.Y. was this concept I had probably 3-4 years ago and it was kind of like a cool name. It was one of those things where: it’s memorable, it’s funny, it’s quotable. There’s a little charm to it, an edge to it, and basically it took me a long time to flesh it out. And it went through different phases of music. It ended up being this statement with me telling everyone, “Look, don’t flatter yourself, because I have a lot to offer. I kind of do it all, a little bit.” And it was also me looking in the mirror saying “Don’t flatter yourself…”
HC: Like a humbling thing.
D-WHY: Like a humbling thing where you’re young, you’re new, and you have a lot to prove. So that’s how it came out. I like acronyms. And D.F.Y., in itself, it just sounds good.
HC: And it’s actually a very eclectic mixtape/album. You have a lot of different sounds on there. “Hawaii” and “2000 Miles” are back to back, and those are on such different ends of the music spectrum. Why did you decide to make an album that was so varied?
D-WHY: Yeah, that also goes to the tile D.F.Y. It’s just basically saying I got more to offer, in a cocky kind of way. That’s why I started the project out purposely with “The Prelude,” and the people are like “Oh, s*** what’s gonna happen?” Then “Hawaii” comes in and hits ‘em. Then “2000 Miles” starts out with strings and it’s like “Wow, look what he just did in two tracks. I have to listen to more.” Song number two needs to be epic, because song one, people listen to it and they’re like okay. Second song, if you don’t have their attention by then you’re like, oh shit. They’re not going to f*** with you. I wanted the first two songs to be kind of statement [with] these polar opposites “Hawaii” and “2000 Miles.”
HC: When you dropped D.F.Y. you were how old?
D-WHY: When I dropped D.F.Y. I was 24 and I started working on it when I was like twenty-one or twenty-two.
HC: Wow, so it was a long time coming.
D-WHY: Yeah but it’s funny because the oldest records on D.F.Y. are “Good Will Stunting,” “All Good,” and “David and Goliath.” Those were from 2010 and all the other stuff is kind of newer.
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HC: And I know you don’t want to be classified as just a rapper, but rather more of an artist. What does that mean to you to be an artist versus just a rapper or a singer?
D-WHY: It means the world; it’s everything. People who hear about me for the first time are going to be like “Oh, D-WHY’s a white rapper,” and that’s fine but when people really listen to me and become fans I want them to know that there’s more to me than that. I knew coming into it that the way I looked, the way I dressed, the way I act, selling the rap thing is the hardest thing. And if I can do that, and people can f*** with me, the rest is an easy sell. People are like “You play guitar and you sing?” It’s like, yeah, I look like John Meyer. Of course! That’s an easy thing. So when I’m able to give the people more, it’s kind of shocking to them. But I’ve always been a songwriter, and I do a lot of folk music, a lot of pop music. And I just think that when it comes down to it, if you look at somebody like Michael Jordan – and I’m not saying I’m like Michael Jordan, I’m just saying I aspire to be – but you look at Michael Jordan and you’re like “Yo, he was one of the best point guards/shooting guards ever.” You’d be like “Yeah, that’s true.” But you’re negating the fact that he was an amazing athlete, an incredible MVP, all-star hall-of-famer… it’s very limiting and I just don’t want to be limited. Whether I drop a rap song, an indie song, I just want people to know like, man, that’s real s***.
HC: Like a whole well-rounded sound.
D-WHY: Exactly! I just want to be a blockbuster artist who makes real s***.
HC: Okay, so do you have a preferred setting for writing lyrics? Is there a certain type of atmosphere that you prefer?
D-WHY: It’s funny, I write a lot in this LA traffic. But, New York is the most inspiring place for me so a lot of D.F.Y. was written in New York riding on the subway and walking through the city.
Photo by The Cleanest Corner
HC: One line in “Hawaii” is “My daddy always told me ‘no such thing as competition.’” Can you explain what that means?
D-WHY: What I’m trying to do, I feel like, is rare, being able to really span the genres. I’ve released “Bad Bitch Concierge,” “All Good,” “Kill Me Now,” super rap, rap, rap, trap, hood songs. And I’ve released “Song for Newtown,” “The Reprise,” – folk songs. It’s cool for me to know that all those songs are me. But if you look, historically there aren’t many artists, if any, that have done that broad a range and that’s why there’s this like “daddy always told me ‘no such thing as competition.’” Because to me, what I’m trying to do, there isn’t. Even if people are doing the same thing, I’m not here to compete. Music is my life, music is everything to me, you know? It’s like my savior and it’s what keeps me going and s***. To kind of trivialize that and be like “So and so’s better,” it’s kind of like, c’mon man. You’re in the wrong industry. You’re not doing it for the right reasons. So if anyone were to ever [do a] “D-WHY diss track.” It’s like, I don’t have time for all that s***.
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HC: Nice. So for anyone who’s seen the “New York Times” video, they can see that it’s much more than just a music video. It’s kind of a short film that you did. So how did you come up with that concept, this David Bond character with this whole storyline?
D-WHY: Well, I don’t even know if he’s named David Bond. He’s just this James Bond-esque character and the “Flattery” video that we’re dropping is a follow up to [“New York Times.”] I’m also creative all around and I direct a lot – all my videos – alongside my buddy [Jakob Owens]. I wanted to push the envelope and say “Look, I’m an independent artist, I do this on no budget,” but the creativity is there, the vision is there and we can make it work. So, I just wrote the treatment for “New York Times,” and “Flattery.” We’re going to continue to explore this James Bond type of character in future videos. As the budgets get bigger I feel like it will be more exciting to see cooler effects and s***, just bring art to it.
HC: And speaking of directing some of your own videos, you also helped co-direct two of Hoodie Allen’s new videos, “Cake Boy,” and “FIFA/Fame is For Assholes.” Is that something that you want to explore a little bit more or is it just something you do for fun on the side?
D-WHY: No, no. I mean it’s both. In that instance, Hoodie just hit me up and said “Yo, man. I’m a fan of your work and your videos. I know you’re heavily involved in it. Do you want to be a part of [my videos]?” Definitely something I want to do in the future is direct and work on treatments for other artists’ videos and just collaborate. It’s cool because when it’s your song, you may have a set way you want something to be. But to have that outside help is cool. I like doing that; I like people giving me ideas.
HC: So you’re working on some new stuff but a couple of weeks ago you did release two new-ish songs, “A God Amongst Men,” and “The Rave.” Something people hadn’t heard before but you had them in the vault for a really long time. Why did you have them hidden away for so long?
D-WHY: You know, that’s a great question. Sometimes things… the stars don’t align, I guess. And for those two records, they were just so special to me. I guess I was just waiting for something and I guess the opportunity passed. It was “A God Amongst Men” which is over Kanye [West’s] “Devil in a New Dress,” is some of the realest rap bars I’ve ever [written] and we actually did a video for that probably back in 2010 that we’ve scrapped. We’ve scrapped songs, we’ve scrapped videos if they don’t work out and the video was cool back then but now it’s just outdated. “A God Amongst Men,” and this other song, “Taxi Cab Music” that were the original “Flattery” and “New York Times” with the suit and black and white. I was listening to them one day and was like man, these go so hard, the fans need this. And they’re bumping them like they’re brand new. It’s just an amazing feeling and I’m still so proud of them.
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HC: So you’re working on a new tour right now. What is it called?
D-WHY: The Young, Loved, Hated, and Broke Tour.
HC: And why is that?
D-WHY: it just because this is the first real tour I’ve done. And, the venues, it’s going to be intimate. It’s going to be really packed with fans. We’re doing s*** just for the fans. When they come up and they’re like “Oh my God, D-WHY, you’re a legend!” No, I’m not. I’m just a normal guy! I’m excited and nervous to meet these fans. And I wanted to let them know I’m just like them: I’m young, I’m loved, I’m hated, I’m broke. I’m grinding. So this first tour, we’re probably not going to make any money, whatever. As long as I get to see the fans, that’s all that matters. Because I just want it to be ground floor, day 1, same level as the fans letting them know…
HC: It’s relatable, something they can connect with.
D-WHY: Exactly.
HC: You have a wide ranging palette when it comes to your music. You put out so many different sounds. What can fans expect to hear from you this year? Some D-WHY stuff, some David Morris stuff?
D-WHY: A little bit of both, a continued exploration of music. I just want to be this musical expeditionary where whatever it is, fans love it because they fuck with me and they understand it’s me. So I think we’re going to release an EP pretty soon, the “Young, Loved, Hated, and Broke EP” which I haven’t even announced yet, but we’re going to do that for the tour to coincide. Probably like 5 songs, eclectic stuff that’s probably not going to fit on the next project but are really dope. The next project is going to be a continuation of D.F.Y., full length, very progressive but more cohesive this time, have more of a sound, have people be like “That sounds like D-WHY”. And D.F.Y. was kind of all over the place, for many reasons, but this will be kind of solidifying [myself] and [my sound].
HC: Sounds great. Well, thank you so much for sitting down with us for this interview!
D-WHY: Thank you, shout out to Her Campus and we’ll see you guys soon.
Interview by Lia Gonzalez
DOWNLOAD “D.F.Y.” here à http://dontflatteryourself.com/
Like D-WHY on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwhymusic
Follow D-WHY on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DWHY
WATCH all of D-WHY’s videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCleanestCorner