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NEW song! D-WHY - "Own Eyes" — Listen and download below.

Photo by Sequoia Emmanuelle.

D-WHY - "Ballad Of An Asshole" (Prod. by Hit-Boy)

Video Directed by D-WHY & Jakob Owens

Video Shot & Edited by Jakob Owens

BACKGROUND:

As an artist, I generally don’t like to go into depth explaining my work. I prefer to let the music and imagery speak for itself. That’s the beauty of art—everyone creates their own opinion and takes something different away from it. However, I felt like it’d be beneficial to give a little insight on this song and video so you all can see where my head is conceptually and creatively.

“Ballad of an Asshole”…soak in that title for a second. The sheer ignorance and arrogance might be enough to get someone to listen to the song (and watch the video). It’s both funny and memorable. I think so, anyway. However, let’s think about that title for a second. The word 'ballad' has been traditionally used and associated with folk music and tales that are passed down generations in song form. Those songs are typically tales of tribulation and struggle, and are written to find a common ground between songwriter and listener and, more importantly, to tell real life situations and stories. These are the same reasons why I wrote this song. Sure, being an “asshole” may seem funny and 'cool'—but it's really not. The words 'Don't Flatter Yourself' are as much about me looking in the mirror as they are a cocky, profound album title. Sometimes—admittedly—I'm an asshole. Sometimes it’s out of necessity, sometimes it’s on accident. Sometimes it feels good, sometimes it doesn't. This song was written to celebrate those moments. The frustration, the anger, the ignorance, the arrogance. It’s a battle cry. It’s an attempt to champion those times when you just are an asshole.  I wanted the video to reflect that as well. The song is a rap track produced by one of the biggest producers in the game right now (shout out to Hit-Boy), so it felt right to make a ‘rap video’ to accompany it. Besides, my most popular videos to date have been ones where I’m just well-dressed and rapping. I guess people like that sort of thing. My personal taste sides with more artistic endeavors such as "New York Times" and "We Don’t Know" that stand alone as short films (more of those coming soon). I like to think, “I’m not a rapper, but sometimes I like to rap.” Rapping is fun. It’s entertainment. But it’s not everything to me. If you’ve listened to 'Don’t Flatter Yourself', you know that it’s just one part of who I am as an artist. I just do it when it feels right. But unlike my previous rap video releases, I wanted to go a little more in depth with the imagery this time. For starters, the girls in the cloaks have a multi-sided meaning. They represent the women that I have treated poorly in the past. They represent dark times. They represent ill-fated relationships and their transformation from fun, to cold, to bitter, as well as the lasting and haunting effect they have on me. Additionally, the girls in cloaks are also bound to garner “illuminati” accusations from viewers. Is the music industry run by some secret/elite group of people? Who knows. Is D-WHY in the illuminati? I’m trying to get my life figured out right now; do you think I really have time to give a fuck about being a part of secret society? But it’s cool that this will breed discussion and debate amongst viewers. They say you’re doing something right when you have haters—I think that applies to having conspiracy theories about you too.

The inclusion of the American flag in the video represents our great nation. With election season upon us and a slew of political fuckery in the air, this flag—being held up by two hooded figures—represents a land divided by party preference. Who is who? What is what? Politics and religion are two realms I don’t generally dwell in. They both come down to an understanding and belief in something greater—both things I find in writing songs and making music.

As far as the outfits go, I put together three that I thought showcased various extremes. I take pride in dressing myself and putting together everything that I wear. The all black with gold, the sweater-and-blazer combination, and the extreme prep look with the bandana tied around the neck are all outfits that represent my taste in fashion, but also my diverse taste in general. The gold chains (which I don’t think I’d wear in ‘real life’) are present in each outfit to add to the asshole-y overtone of the song and video, and also represent that you can wear things in countless different ways. I think it’s important for people to know (and pardon the cliché) it’s not what you wear, but it’s how you wear it.

With all of that said, I hope you enjoy the video. Watch it again and again. Share it with friends. I look forward to performing the song in a city near you soon!

Dear Friends, It's incredible for me to say this, but it's been exactly one year to the day since I released 'Don't Flatter Yourself.' Thank you all for making it such a special and important project. I put my heart and soul into it - it is an extension of me. Every day, people are still discovering it, still listening to it, and still getting to know me (if you don't have it yet, get it for free at D-WHY.com). The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and is more than what I had hoped for. It made all of the sleepless nights, stress and struggle worth it. I feel like it was the perfect project to lay the groundwork and open the doors for me as an artist to be ambitious, be creative and be myself. I know you all have been waiting for a while for new music, and I promise you that it's coming very soon. I'm a firm believer in quality over quantity. I want to make music that matters and lasts. I plan on being around for quite a long time and am in no rush. I let my music speak for me, and I choose my words wisely. What you hear on D.F.Y. is the foundation for what is next to come. The 'Young, Loved, Hated & Broke' EP is almost finished and will be yours within the next six weeks (6-8 new songs, release date announcement coming soon), followed by another full-length project sometime next year. I just wanted to take this time to write to you all to thank you, to praise you, and to tell you that this is just the beginning. I look forward to our journey ahead. Thank you for seeing, understanding, and supporting my music, my vision and my passion. I love you all. Your friend, David

D-WHY. Coffee Crewneck. http://store.D-WHY.com.

Young Bandito // Idaho Springs, CO. Shot by The Cleanest Corner: http://instagram.com/TheCleanestCorner