Today we’d like to introduce you to Dedrick Dickson aka Blaze “The Wave”.
Hi Dedrick, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For me, music began in the early 90’s. I remember seeing The Jackson’s American Dream at my grandmother’s house and watching the moonwalk for the first time. I knew instantly I wanted to be an entertainer. As I got older, I started to notice my voice developing. I realized the notes I could hold and how I began to vocalize so naturally. I started unlocking my vocal potential in the church choir and started stand out amongst my peers. By the time middle school rolled around, every student was required to take band or choir. Naturally, I was an athlete but my musical talents just couldn’t go ignored. So I joined the choir and my voice really started to develop. Hip-hop was always a part of the equation listening to greats like Tupac, Biggie & Bone Thugs. I guess u could say these artists molded me. I recorded my first ever feature as freshman in high school with my cousin’s mom’s boyfriend at the time. A cat named John Nix. It was the first time hearing my voice recorded, and I was hooked. Shortly after that, I linked up with another cousin of mine who had his own recording equipment. It was so crazy cuz all we had was an MSN messenger mic and some old recording software. We thought we was raw as hell but it was the first time I could be fully creative and start to build my sound. Around this time, it was during the crank that era. Soulja Boy was hot and everyone had to have a dance with their music. For me, it was creating a vibe that outlasted the popular fad. Me and my cousin Drank became a duo and quickly formed together our first mixtape with our infamous “In The Rain” as our first single. We would then go on to be known as “Thuggin In & Out.” We created a crazy buzz all over the area. By this time I was stepping my lyrical content up as a rapper. Throughout this whole experience everyone always told me, stick to singing D rapping ain’t really your thing. It was definitely discouraging because I knew I wasn’t as good a rapper as my dawg but I was determined to hold my own weight. We release about 4 mixtapes together, and things started to take a turn. We flooded the streets with the new sound and we were no longer kids. Respect was earned amongst our peers and we soon came to be known as Thuggin. During my time with Thuggin, I developed the name D.J. Not the DJ. Silly I know but as I evolved a new name emerged and I was known as D.Blaze. Prodigally from the heavy smoke of marijuana, the fire hooks I produce, and heat verses I started to lace. I was ready to start branching out on my own and creating my own style. A series of unfortunate events lead to the split of “Thuggin” and things were never the same. I put away music 3 years of my life, started a family moved to Amarillo, and worked in the oilfield. As much as I wanted to be completely focused on my family, music pumped through my veins harder than ever. I watched my marriage unfold right before my eyes. It left me empty emotional, and heartbroken. I quit my job when things just became too hard to focus. The only outlet I truly had was my music. From then on I took all that pain & anger and put it into my music. I spent most nights and days writing whatever came to mind. I could hear vivid melodies playing in my head constantly. By 2016 I released my first solo single Loyal it was really underground but it was the first step toward my solo career. Over the course of 3 years I was consistently making music again. Coming into my own being more creative than I had ever been, making connections, even working with so of my old friends. It wasn’t till Covid hit and everything changed. I took the time during quarantining to think of a way to rebrand myself, research, and find better ways to market my music. In 2020, Turnt Lyfe was born. A new sound a new wave just a complete 180 of growth to appeal to the masses. After the world slowly opened back up, I opened back up with it with a new brand, label, and logo to push my music. I reached out to my dawg Yung X.O and eagerly started to put together my first solo album “Cold Hearted” it was released Jan. 2021. One my most proud and accomplished albums. It gave me a sense of independence my own voice & style. I first released this on SoundCloud under the name D.Blaze but as time went on the name would soon fade. I dropped my second solo project in 2022 with a few features called “HEATWAVE.” I really started to out do myself at this point. My bars were sharp, the vibe was incredibly relatable and trauma made it realistic. I had then signed up with a distributor United Masters so I could further make my music available to the world. It was then the name D. Blaze was no more. I was now known as Blaze “The Wave” for my melodic flow and serendipitous voice. The wave just seem to be the perfect fit. Throughout 2022, I dropped a few Eps & singles. Just tryna stay consistent, but I knew my next project was nearing. I wanted to capture the same feel of my first solo project with the vibe of my new sound. With singles already out like “Seriously¿¿” & “ Stay Bossin,” it was inevitably the best work I had ever imagined. Here we are now, with the new project in works. “Too Cold Hearted” coming to you soon in 2024!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road travelled definitely hasn’t been smooth. Struggling with doubt from others, especially loved one’s n sacrifices made to make this thing a reality has been most trying. I really struggled with the ones I thought had my best interest and suddenly realized they didn’t believe in me like I assumed. Loyalty is a huge characteristic I value. I went through some really trying relationships with guys I considered my brothers. They were family to me, and once respect was lost so was the relationship. I’ve never been the type to shy away from adversity. Rising to the occasion is in my blood and I will always push forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an Artist/founder of Turnt Lyfe Ent. I specialize in songwriting, chorus & hooks. Wat separates me from the others is the way I listen to music the creativity I bring with the melodic intensity of an r&b singer but the soul of a trapper. I’m most proud of my originality and diversity. My authenticity and stayin true to me as an individual. I’m currently workin on the sequel to my first solo project, “Cold Hearted”. I wanted to capture the essence and authenticity of the first album on a higher frequency. “Too Cold Hearted”, will be my greats project. With singles like “Seriously¿¿” & “Stay Bossin”, leading the vibe. I’m also working and designing new merchandise as well as creating visuals and recording the rest the album. I’m taking my time with this one because I want to stand out n showcase my greatness.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood member is riding through the hood with my uncle jamming Tupac pulling up to the 4th of July block party. Riding up seeing all my cousins and family just enjoy one another. Adults playing dominoes, the kids running around with supper soakers. Pops on the grill, all my aunties dancing just having a good time. My music feels like that. Like a barbecue vibe mixed with some motivation and little drama.
That feel good vibe definitely is what has influenced my take on music.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: thewave_22
- Facebook: Turnt Lyfe Ent.
- Twitter: Djamell_88
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCHjJf7gxgo1etyNxXCSzg6Q?si=izpwbZByluzvKCo5
Image Credits
HotShotsbyDana@photoreflect.com
