From Cardboard Speakers to Award Stages: Meet Denville Cole
If you ask Denville Cole—better known as Progress Boss or DJ Dangles—where his journey began, he won’t start with award shows or studio collaborations.
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Prin$e Alexander's music has grown and evolved significantly since his first album. His songwriting, production techniques, and arrangement skills have matured, and he's explored a wider range of genres and styles. This artistic growth has led to more nuanced lyrics and themes, and advances in production techniques have further enhanced the quality and creativity of his music.
Being American of Bengali descent has shaped his music as well, allowing him to blend cultures authentically, despite early challenges.
The Psychological Challenges and the Art of Listening
The biggest, unexpected challenge for Prin$e Alexander has been psychological, requiring a firm belief in his own success to overcome obstacles and make his dreams a reality. A key piece of advice that has guided him through these challenges is to talk less and listen more, an insight that has helped him navigate and adapt to various situations in the upper echelons of the music industry.
The Dream Collaboration and Pre-Performance Ritual
His dream collaboration is with Kendrick Lamar, an artist he regards as one of the most creative and impactful musicians. Both share a talent for spitting bars and crafting catchy melodies. His pre-performance ritual involves a trip to the mall or a vintage clothing store to shop, an activity that relaxes him before he takes the stage. He often picks up something special for the event, like merch from a local band in the town he's performing in.
Balancing Commercial and Authentic Aspects of Music
In terms of balancing commercial considerations with authenticity, Prin$e Alexander holds a firm belief that overthinking this balance is a pitfall. He argues that the importance lies in simply making good music, without getting bogged down in categorizing it as either commercial or authentic.
Music as a Source of Motivation
Whenever Prin$e Alexander needs motivation, he turns to artists like Future, Meek Mill, and Wiz Khalifa, especially during gym workouts or car rides. Once caught in the cycle of constantly listening to his own music, he now appreciates being a fan again and relishes in the energy these artists bring to his life.
Follow him here:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6GtK54p4lFUqWt0QipiMSy?si=RlgJkfIbQnmGrjxG3iKgpA
Valerie is the writer of Wavy Music Magazine, a premier destination for music industry professionals. Through her interviews, reviews, and expert insights, she keeps readers up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the world of music.
If you ask Denville Cole—better known as Progress Boss or DJ Dangles—where his journey began, he won’t start with award shows or studio collaborations.
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