DeShawn Rivers Music Interview: Sonic Transformations & New Headspaces

Multifaceted Seattle-based singer-songwriter Deshawn Rivers always had aspirations of being an artist, though he didn’t know what kind. He just wanted to express his inklings for creation.

Over time, these feelings dwindled due to societal and family pressures, and in college, Rivers decided to focus on engineering. But dealing with familial losses during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Rivers to reflect on the life and legacy he wanted to leave behind. It wasn’t until he saw successful famous producers and rappers he admired – such as Kenny Beats and Denzel Curry – making music in a similar manner, that he was inspired to once again pursue music.

“I know I can do this; I’m seeing people who are doing it, and what they’re doing is not far from what I’m doing, why shouldn’t I go for it?” Rivers reflects.

Photography by Kenneth Theophin

Sonic Transformations

Rivers has been making and publishing music since 2016. Originally hailing from Florida, Rivers moved to Seattle in 2020, where he continues to evolve and experiment with his musical style. Relocating profoundly reshaped the type of music Rivers creates.

“Stylistically, the shifts in my music kind of represent the shifts in who I am as a person. I feel like whether it was moving to Seattle – and simultaneously also just maturing as an individual – I kind of mellowed out, in a positive way,” Rivers shares. “[In] my earliest raps, I was turnt, angry, trying to get this anger out. And now I do things out of love… I’m appreciating everything more and becoming more present, and I think that it showcases itself in the music.”

His latest two EPs – 2024’s Lavender. and 2023’s sunday – showcase different types of artistry to listeners. These two projects are his first to highlight his venture into R&B. He captivates listeners with his melodic vocals, offering a refreshing departure from his signature style of rapid-fire rapping.

The opening track on sunday, “because of you,” demonstrates Rivers’ raspy but crisp vocals, as he sings over mellow groovy beats about experiencing loss. Rivers contrasts that with the song “pancakes,” where he raps about love and relationships, with his delivery becoming faster and faster as the song goes on.

“[In] my earliest raps, I was turnt, angry, trying to get this anger out. And now I do things out of love. – DeShawn Rivers

On Lavender., Rivers adopts a contemplative tone on the song “Nicotine,” as he delves into his vices atop a simple yet addictive guitar line. His soaring high notes add an emotional depth that draws the listener in. Various music styles can be heard on the song “Clay,” which is based on a sculpture Rivers saw in a gallery. The track’s hynotic acoustics and electrifying guitar riffs amplify his vocals, creating an energetic and immersive experience that connects the visual and auditory elements of his artistry.

With both records, Rivers had similar intentions.

“Prior to sunday, I released a rap album… everything before sunday was just all rap,” Rivers says. “With sunday, I wanted to expand, be more melodic, [and] get more into my songwriting roots, if you will… Lavender. was just a further progression of that.”

As an independent artist, Rivers is carefully navigating the Seattle music landscape, hoping to one day make it his full-time job. Rivers cites his biggest challenge as having too much freedom and no structure.

“Once you have a formula for creating [songs], you kind of lose the magic,” says Rivers. “For me, the process is: how can I get out of my own way?”

Rivers sets aside time to create and intentionally tries to rid himself of distractions. He explains, “If I’m just walking around waiting for inspiration, it’ll pretty much never come, because that’s kind of rare. It’s more of a craft where it’s like, you have to show up every day, like, make incremental progress, and every once in a while, you kind of reach that magic.”

Finding Collaboration and New Headspaces

Building community alongside other local musicians – such as soulful singer Ben Dyleuth, drummer L.A.Floyd, evocative songwriter Liv Victorino, and innovative rapper Oble Reed – has inspired Rivers’ music to be more introspective and inclusive of personal anecdotes. Rivers has also begun to incorporate various instrumentals into his songs, as a result of seeing bands perform for the first time.

“In Seattle, I’m seeing local live bands for the first time, so how can I make a project that’s very live?” Rivers questions. “I want live drums. I want guitar bass; I want musicians on this, making the music.”

Aside from being a performing artist, Rivers also writes and produces for other musicians. He is currently focused on songwriting and one of his goals “is to get a good amount of songs sent to artists locally in Seattle.” One of his favorites includes an upcoming R&B record with Dyleuth.

Rivers also wants to continue exploring other musical genres, such as funk, soul, and jazz. By thoughtfully blending his diverse influences, emphasizing personal storytelling, incorporating live instrumentation, leveraging visual song lyrics, and maintaining a balance of structure and spontaneity, Rivers has created a unique and authentic sound that has and will continue to resonate within the Seattle music scene and beyond.

“Creating art, in general, just gives you a safe space to be the truest version of yourself,” Rivers says. “When you start out, you might kind of hold back a little bit where you think: just make something that’s cool and fun. But then as you grow and you get more authentic, you get to the core of who you are.”

Rivers’ music is available to stream on Spotify and YouTube. New song collaborations with other local artists are set to be released in early 2025.