Today we’d like to introduce you to Delanea Jones a.k.a DLane.
Hi DLane, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story begins in Detroit Michigan. I was around 6 years old when I accepted Christ as my savior. My mom and dad were not church-going people, so I attended church with my aunt who was an evangelist at the time. I started writing poetry and songs at the age of 6 and performing my original songs at church. I dabbled in and out of the arts (music, dance, and poetry) throughout high school and began to stray away from the church during those years. I rededicated my life to Christ at the age of 23 and began to write Gospel/Christian music and poems. I never aspired to rap let lone become a Christian Hip Hop artist. I rapped for fun throughout high school, but never took it serious or wanted to pursue it as a career. A friend of mine by the name of Jason Palmer had a Christian rock group called Seasons, JP heard me rap one day and asked if I could write a verse to his song called “I’ve been searching.” I was hesitant at first but agreed to record the verse. The verse ended up turning into an entire song and we received so much amazing feedback as to how much the song blessed people. JP advised me to do my own Christian Hip-Hop album and changed my performance name to D Lane, which was a more swagged-out version of Delanea. After seeking God about the album, I begin to write music and recorded my first 2 songs at the studio. I started performing at local venues and churches and from there D lane was born. I am currently an independent artist who has had the opportunity to open up for major Christian Hip-Hop artists such Flame, Bizzle, D-Maub, and 1KPhew just to name a few. Since relocating to Dallas in 2014, I have had the opportunity to perform at lots of venues around the DFW area and I have many events coming up in the summer. My EP Princess is currently out on all streaming platforms, as well as my single Dresses and Stilettoes. My new single K.I.M. (Keep It Moving) will be available for streaming on Memorial Day. I am honored that God chose me to share the gospel through rap. I do not take any opportunity to perform for granted and I’m forever indebted to being a positive figure that young girls and woman can look up to. The music industry is a male-dominated industry, but I know that God has called me for such a time as this. Our culture is saturated with half-dressed woman who use their sexuality to push music and culture. I vow to be a light for our woman during this time and will continue to represent Christ in a cute and classy manner everywhere I go.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being that music is such a male-dominated industry, as a female artist I feel like you have to go hard or go home. You have to be confident in your ability and earn the respect you deserve from your peers. I have been on many shows where I was the only female on the ticket, and of course, when you’re the only female you are always asked to perform first. I have also experienced men asking me to feature on one of their songs, and them never putting the song out, out of fear that I rapped better than them on their song. There has also been some venues and churches that will ask you to come and perform and won’t offer you a bottle of water but want you to drive all over the globe to come share your gift with them. It has not been a smooth road, and I continue to deal with these type of things on a regular basis. However, I always look at the people and places that do support me and not focus on the ones who don’t. Nothing in life comes easy, it’s how you handle and deal with the obstacles and struggles that come your way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a female Christian Hip-Hop artist. I re-released my first EP titled Princess on all streaming platforms May of this year. I have another single on streaming platforms as well titled Dresses and Stilettoes. My new single K.I.M (Keep it moving) will be available on all streaming platforms on Memorial Day. I am proud to be a woman who can represent for woman in a positive godly way without having to sale a sexual image. Putting my music out independently on digital platforms, writing and composing my own songs, and owning 100% of my own publishing makes me so proud and I am willing to help other artists do the same.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
God gets all of the credit for pouring these gifts inside and me and stirring them up on a daily basis. My friends, family, and especially my son DaRon, are constantly encouraging me to use my gifts and never sit on them. If it wasn’t for Jason Palmer, I would not be an artist today. He poured into me and believed in me when no one would take a chance on me, and he even gave me my name. I cannot forget about my grandmother who was a musician and powerhouse vocalist. She was never able to record her own music, as she passed away December 2020. Every time I write or record music, I’d like to believe that she is in the studio right with me cheering me on. I am dedicating my first full-length album to her. In addition, I have to thank my fans and sisters, and brothers in the ministry. People do not have to purchase, download, nor share music, and do not have to support you and show up to your events either. I am grateful and thankful for each one of them and blessed to be able to be reachable to them and talk to them about God and music.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://linktr.ee/dlanemusic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuteclassysaved
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cuteclassysaved
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/DLANEPMG
Image Credits
N.E. Photography
