Dawson Bailey

Dawson Bailey moved to Scranton when he was 12, usually a hard time for youth, but this ambitious young man decided to make his mark. The New Jersey native is now a 16-year-old junior at Scranton Preparatory School and an up-and-coming rapper. His high-energy, uplifting melodies and thought-provoking lyrics tell his story, and it’s a story you want to listen to.

Q: How did you get involved in music?

A: Music has always been a part of me growing up. I played the trumpet and the drums, and my brother played the saxophone. I have been listening to music my whole life, whether it’s pop or hip-hop or alternative. I always loved music and the rhythm to it.

Q: What do you remember about the first time you performed in public?

A: I was really nervous just going out there. There were about 110 to 120 people in the audience, and I didn’t know what people would like (about) it, seeing it live and executed on the stage. Once it happened, I was in shock with everyone’s reaction, actually. Even though I was nervous, personally I was really comfortable, and everyone else seemed really comfortable and vibing out with me. It seemed like a good show.

Q: How did you get into rapping?

A: Rap was my favorite genre, so I just kind of tried it out. My friends from my old town in New Jersey liked the way I rapped, and it kind of just picked up in my (new) town, so I continued it.

Q: Is your music all original? What is your writing process?

A: Yes, all the lyrics are written by me. I do purchase my beats online. I’m not a producer; I don’t make my own beats. It is pretty common in the industry to do that. I pick the beat on the sound or on the vibe of it, and on how I am feeling at that moment. I pick the beat first, write the chorus, then write the lyrics. I write however I am feeling in that moment in my life, with my friends and my family. However that’s going, I just base it off that. All my lyrics are (taken from) personal experience or how I wish it was or how I want the future to turn out.

Q: How have you changed as a rapper?

A: Obviously I’ve matured lyrically, and my sound has changed to more of an R&B style from a melodic, upbeat style.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a musician?

A: Seeing everyone’s faces in the crowds, obviously my friends’ and families’, but then seeing how total strangers will pick up my music and start to follow me through my journey.

Q: How has the music scene changed over the years?

A: I have been in the area for three and a half years now, and personally I don’t think there has been a section for rap. There are people, myself included, who are trying to change that. We are just trying to keep doing shows in the area to make it a bigger demographic for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.

Q: Who has influenced you over the years?

A: My cousin is a rapper out in Pittsburgh, Devin Miles. He is a huge influence to me, obviously, because it’s in the family, but I also looked up to him growing up. Bryson Tiller and Fetty Wap are rappers who have influenced me as well.

Q: What is the biggest challenge in rapping?

A: I mean, I don’t even know. Probably, like, fear. People’s opinions or views of my music; I’m really picky about that. It has definitely hindered me before, but it is something I am working on every day.

Q: What are your future goals for the band?

A: Definitely continuing pursuing music, in whatever direction it takes me. Taking my music to the next level is my main goal, but maybe later in life, trying to start my own record label or a record company. I am releasing a new album, “When Times Are Slow,” with 10 original tracks in the new year.

Contact the writer:

sstanich@citizensvoice.com

Dawson Bailey

Age: 16

Genre: Rap

Upcoming: Tonight, 7, Levels on Linden, 519 Linden St.

Music: Buy his singles, “Dreamers” and “Hometown Music,” on iTunes. - Times Tribune