Today we’d like to introduce you to Deon Hanna.
Deon, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began writing short stories when I was 9-10, I wrote a fantasy/mystery about the Jersey Devil, an urban legend in the Midwest. But that same year one of my closest friends convinced me to try writing a song. Hip-Hop has finally made its way into my life, my mom took me to buy my first three albums and the rest was only a matter of time. Throughout middle and high school is where I took rapping “serious” as a creator. Improving my lyrics, making variations of my flow patterns, choosing better beats, and developing my character behind the mic. I was obsessed, from then on I could hear and feel music differently. Being able to relate to artists put me in a different seat from regular listeners. I studied it and improved along with aging and gaining experience this changed my life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all… being an upcoming artist is not a rewarding position. At least, not early in the game. Especially, as we enter the age of Hip-Hop being the #1 genre of music in the world, it has become more unlikely and stressful. We live in a time where people can go viral from posting a parody track. With the social media being a rage there’s a lack of need for authenticity in music. Making room for inauthentic or at least music for the moment. For the many artists like myself that find a passion for music want to make something timeless. Something that can always be remembered once we the artist pass on and the next generation begins. You add that on top of being from a relatively unknown city and you’ve got a tall order for San Diego creatives. And these are obstacles that I still face today. As an artist, we battle confidence, outside pressures from school, sports, and other activities, lack of support from friends and family. All because we want to inspire people or touch them through our craft. There’s a lot that goes into being a musician, songwriter, rapper or singer. And goes with producers, DJs, hosts, designers, painters or graphic designers, etc. we all come together as a community or a “scene” and all have to work together to represent San Diego on the grand map of the music industry. I feel like they’ve overlooked San Diego and that is a MAJOR obstacle for us all.
Please tell us about Fresh Heir.
Well, as Fresh Heir, I represent two collectives:
Eclectik Worldwide
Six19 Movement
As part of Eclectik I’m the co-founder along with my partner and DJ, “JoshGiggin”, he and I formed Eclectik in 2016 in hopes of building a team of creatives in the SD, OC/LA, and bay areas. We’ve had a slew of fellow artists, DJs, designers, and photographers. We’ve had to undergo many changes and adaptations but to our core, there’s a few of us left all representing the “South Bay” out in Chula Vista. As Eclectik, we’ve been able to make a name for ourselves by throwing several local shows focusing on performances by local artists and showcases of art by painters as well. Channel 933 has shouted us out on the air twice. Josh is one of the hottest upcoming DJs in San Diego and has done shows all over downtown even hosting his own series of shows in clubs and bars downtown. And aside from myself, he’s DJ’d for almost every artist making a name for them self in SD. He and I have done shows in Vegas, LA, all over the bay, and are in the middle of planning a trip to Toronto to perform. We’ve made our growth through collaboration and networking. We had to build it with no outside support and very little following and I’m proud to say we are going to be one of the hottest groups coming out of SD.
I also represent Six19 which I’m sure Sir Karri will explain in much more detail. They are a collective also representing Chula Vista stacked with talent from all over that part of town. And In the same fashion have begun to build a name for ourselves in the community through events. We just recently had a successful event as I write this actually. So, be on the lookout for them as well.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Ummm there aren’t any moments I’d go back and change because I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. However there is a specific moment I’d love to go back and relive. For when I need motivation. Listening to the first three albums I ever got. I remember my mom let me get three albums off the shelf at Best Buy one day. I think my 11th birthday was coming up. And I grabbed Thank Me Later, by Drake, Tha Carter 3 by Lil Wayne, and Graduation by Kanye West. And I remember for the Christmas before I had gotten a DVD player so when I got home, I turned it on and I listened to all three albums and stared at the tv as if something was going to show up on the screens. I always consider that the beginning of my story because I was never the same after that night.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eclectikworldwide.com
- Email: freshheir.otw@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshest_heir/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/freshest_heir/
Image Credit:
Jerrod Stevenson, Pette Villanueva, Luke Elegino, Damian ARiZA, Joshgiggin, In photos with me is Joshgiggin and Eric Swagginson
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
