Introducing… Dasha

On this Valentine’s Day, we thought it would be appropriate to showcase a beautiful, talented, upcoming R&B singer. Dasha has been featured on Nobody Famous’ recent EP, Biscuits & Gravy, which was released exclusively on this site and has worked with other people in the industry, such as The Underdogs, Howard Hewett, Lil’ Fiz, K Irving, S-Dott, and Bedrock. Dasha is currently writing for various projects independently and with D.L.S., her writing team. Her priority is writing and recording her own album, which will be done this year. With a growing fan base and almost 150,000 plays on her Myspace page, she is definitely on the brink of something major… her destiny.

Beads: For people unfamiliar with you; can you briefly introduce yourself?

Dasha: Ok…my name is Dasha. I am a singer/songwriter originally from the Bay Area, now residing in Los Angeles.

Beads: Being a Bay Area native; how has the Bay influenced you?

Dasha: The Bay has influenced everything about me, who I am, how I think. We are a product of our environment but I think that the Bay has most influenced my hustle. People in the Bay grind and keep family and friends close to them, so I have brought that with me to LA. I am very resilient and about my business, tend to not hold my tongue and sugar coat things, and that is definitely the Bay, all day. I am grateful for it though.

Beads: You sound like you’re a product of your environment! Outside of the Bay; who has influenced you musically?

Dasha: Wow…there are so many, James Brown, Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, Maxwell, Jill Scott, Nina Simone, Aretha…but I find inspiration in everything, and that influences me, all genres including hip-hop…like with melodies and timing, when it comes to writing. I soak up as much as I can.

Beads: A lot of artists from the Bay Area are known for their distinct personalities and styles. What makes you stand out from other singers?

Dasha: Well, I do it all. I don’t just do R&B, I don’t just do Pop, I do music, period. I have studied a lot of styles, and you will definitely be able to hear that in my approach. I sing from my being, its me, not a character and that is unique because I am unique. I am what sets me apart from other singers.

Beads: We all know that the Bay is the home of the independent hustle as displayed so vividly over the years from E-40 to Yukmouth to Mistah FAB. As a singer from the Bay how is it different for you as opposed to the rappers?

Dasha: Well, for one, there isn’t a market in the Bay for singers, outside of being a “hook singer”, so most singers have to leave the Bay to get there opportunity, so that’s how it differs. But now, even that is changing, independent rappers aren’t getting the same kind of love from radio like before so their game is changing too.

Beads: You began writing and taking music seriously at a young age; when did you decide that the music industry is the path you want to follow?

Dasha: I seriously decided that I was going to be a singer at 12 years old but I had been singing since the age of 5. And at 13 years old, I starting recording. It took a while for everyone else to jump on, because despite my talents, they all thought I was a child who didn’t know what she wanted, but now they all on board.

Beads: While attending and graduating from UCLA, congrats by the way, did you put music on hold or were you always chasing the dream?

Dasha: Thank you! Well, yes and no. I studied music at UCLA and at San Francisco State University, which is where I transferred from, so music was always in the picture. It was hard to do both though, to chase the dream and study and get good grades. I was adjusting to a lot, living on my own, living in LA, going to a competitive school, while having this dream eating me alive everyday. Then there were things like personal challenges and challenges that I encountered in school which tested who I was as an artist and that was very difficult. Eventually, I took and break on the dream to focus on getting out of school and then rediscovering Dasha, the artist…but it wasn’t a long break.

Beads: We’ve heard you on a few tracks with Nobody Famous; how did that combo come about?

Dasha: Funny you should ask! I actually responded to an ad that Kareem, Famous’ and now, my manager, posted looking for a songwriter. There was a mixed tape that they were putting together and had tried a few other writers for his track that didn’t work, so they gave me 6 days to write a song and I came back with “Famous”. The rest is history.

Beads: Speaking of Nobody Famous, he produced your song, “Believe”; can you tell us a little about that track?

Dasha: “Believe” is basically my life struggles and beliefs set to music. Its about having a dream, that some may think is impossible or unrealistic, and believing it into existence. Its what I face being an artist. Its about knowing that you are destined to make your life as beautiful as you want it to be. Its what keeps me going daily, well that and my momma.

Beads: Upon listening to your music I noticed a lot of variety in styles. Is there a specific kind of song you prefer to write (i.e. Club banger, love joint, feel good song, etc.)?

Dasha: Well, the more and more a write, the more I notice that I kind of go through phases. I’ll go through a time where all I wanna do is write love ballads and times where I want to do something more heavy, up-tempo and melodic. Most people would say that I am a “ballad-love/heartbreak” kind of girl. I enjoy writing from emotion, its therapy for me.

Beads: Do you have any new projects that we should be looking out for?

Dasha: Yes, I am finishing up recording for my first EP release (for all my Myspacers who have been asking)! And I am very excited about it. I am always writing for others and you will definitely hear me on the upcoming Nobody Famous’ joints. So, I’m pretty busy.

Beads: At the end of the day, when people think of Dasha; what would you like us to think?

Dasha: Classic, timeless, talented and real.

Beads: One last question we ask all the artists we interview is favorite hip hop album of all time. We like to call it Desert Island Hip Hop. Since you’re R&B, we’ll leave the genre open for you.. So if you were stranded on a desert island, what one album would you want with you?

Dasha: I’m going to with Jay-Z – The Blueprint 2… I was knocking that today actually, front to back.

Beads: Any shout out before we let you go?

Dasha: Yea, I’d like to shout out Man Up Management, Nobody Famous, Stacey Owens, Motoe Blizzard, Elle B, Saja and Stan Green…for riding with me on this project no matter what…and my momma for giving me life, love you guys. 2009 is the take over!

Dasha – Believe [prod by Nobody Famous]

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Nobody Famous – Famous [feat Dasha]

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• Dasha on MySpace

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