Amidst a strong new wave of artists coming out of Houston, few are as rooted in their identity as D Flowers. Being one of the first artists signed to Texas independent label Stomp Down, the “one of one” talent has become a force in his city, known for bellowing, high-octane vocals and a knack for inventive flows.
Beyond the music, Flowers makes it clear that he represents two things: poverty and the ability to overcome poverty. His unique approach to hip hop fused with his strong identity are already beginning to stand out. Houston is on the way up, and Flowers is among the leading factors.
After a run of buzzing singles released over the last two years, D Flowers is currently looking towards his debut project. He wants the upcoming release to represent who he is and where he’s from, much like his newest singles do today.
Catch up with a real one in this exclusive interview, where D Flowers touches on viewing poverty as a mindset, getting it out the mud, and what he has in store for 2021. Right now and only on Hype Off Life 👊🏾
Thanks for coming thru!! Your new singles, “Gang sh*t” and “Cold Showers” are currently going up, with dope visuals to match. How does it feel to have gained the amount of success and recognition you have so far?
It’s a great feeling to have, and I truly believe that there is a lot more to come. I’m excited about what’s going on for my career, and I can say that we’re really rolling now. I’m grateful!
You’ve made it clear that you represent TWO things: “poverty and the ability to overcome poverty”…Do you feel poverty is a mindset, a situation or both?
Poverty is both a mindset and a situation. There are people who experience poverty because of their circ*mstances, and there are others who let their mindset hold themselves back from opportunities and success. It’s also physical too because when you see poverty outside of America, there are those less fortunate who have lost all hope for better, and it can affect you and your way of thinking. People can be limited to what they see everyday.
I do this for my siblings who have always motivated me to do better, for everyone who believed in me and held it down for me, and for those who have helped to change my life.
What did you tell yourself to keep going while you where getting things off the ground?
I have this morning ritual where I tell myself to not be comfortable or complacent, I have to motivate myself to always want more. Life is the biggest thing with many levels for growth, it’s not limited to just the first floor. I can’t be content with just one win, have to rack them up along the way. I’m not praying to be the richest, I’m praying for the opportunities to grow even more so I can take care of my people, and motivate them to want more like me.
There are many I know who are at rock bottom, and there are those who are at the top or successful. I’m in the middle so I have to bring people who are at rock bottom with me up to a level of progress. It makes sense that way, and I know when they’re up, they’ll pay it forward. Everything you do is either done in vain, or done in gain.
You’ve made your way out of the bottom, but you haven’t made it quite to the top yet as you’re still on the rise. How does it feel to be in that weird transitional space?
I feel like it’s overwhelming to some people. For me, it does too, but I can handle it and get over it. I’m built for this, I worked my way up to get to a level where I can’t stop. With me being in the middle and my people are at the bottom, it just feels like I’m the first to make it to the top. I don’t feel like I’m limited from going all the way to the top, but I do have a responsibility to not stay at the bottom, and a responsibility to help people get to the top.
When I realized I’m at the same level as some of my peers who close to the top, it’s a good feeling. It’s a complicated feeling sometimes because you’re doing better than before, but you feel like you still have to get better. Naturally there will be haters whose motives will try to stunt your growth, but you have to continue the mission. It’s in my core to win.
You’re one of the first signees to Texas-based independent label, “Stomp Down”. How did that deal come about?
I’m currently rocking with Stomp Down to the tenth power as we have a great relationship. They’ve helped me with a lot, but at the same time I’m working on my own label, 9700 International. I’m building it from the ground up to form an empire with some people that share the same ideals and ambitions as me. Stomp Down saw my potential and invested in me from day one, so we’ll always make a lot of moves together. It’s a blessing to be here.
So, you have your debut album coming soon. What makes you most proud of the project?
I’m excited for the release, and am very proud, as many are anticipating it. From folks who have heard the early version, they said this is what the streets need, and I’m very happy to be making it a possibility. I’m really excited about what this project is gonna do for the world, and it was very therapeutic recording it.
I do this for my siblings who have always motivated me to do better, for everyone who believed in me and held it down for me, and for those who have helped to change my life. This album is gonna be the light for people in the dark. This album is for the people, and I am definitely looking forward to feedback when it’s out. As for the release date? I want you to anticipate it like a kid on Christmas Eve.
2020 has been a crazy year. Do you feel the downtime has helped or hindered your career?
It’s both, but more helpful than being a hinderance. It’s unfortunate for what’s happening so far, and it’s crazy that this pandemic has forced restrictions on where you wanna go and what you wanna do, and this disease has taken away so many lives. I have family members that have experienced COVID-19 so I’m not ignorant to what the world is going through. It has truly hindered a lot of things personally and otherwise, but it has helped me as I got time to look into myself and family more, and work on a few things including the music. I hope and pray that we all can move past this pandemic, and get better.
Everything you do is either done in vain, or done in gain.
What’s your #1 intention going into the new year?
I want to be the biggest the world has ever seen and heard. I don’t care who is hot out there, it’s all about D Flowers. I can’t let anyone or anything slow down my grind because I have people to take care, and things to build. I want to be the biggest!
Anything else we should know before you go?
Look out for my album dropping real soon! I also got a dance for 2021 that I know everyone will get hip to. Got to show y’all different sides of me. Look out for more D Flowers. Thanks for having me Hype Off Life, stay blessed and safe out there.
Follow: @dflowers
