Meet the super talented Singer, Actor, and Model – DēP (pronounced “Deep”). Though currently residing in Los Angeles, CA – DēP is a Houston, TX native who has made some MAJOR BOSS moves in the industry!
Although DēP came from a musical family, he pursued college for a degree in Education prior to music. However, his degree in Education was his backup plan – in case music didn’t work out.
“I have always wanted to sing. Yes, I grew up around music but ever since they put me on a table top at my Aunt Linda’s church and let me sing, I was hooked. Funny thing is my mom didn’t really want me to pursue a singing career. I’ve always had a fire for going after things I desire, especially when someone says I shouldn’t.”
So how did DēP make his grand entrance into the entertainment industry? DēP tells us that he got his first big break by winning a VIBE magazine talent competition for unsigned artists. While getting his first record contract with Versatile Records in Washington, DC – he realized that the industry was ready for him!
“Everyone thinks that there is this one magical moment that unlocks success in anything, and that’s just not the case.”
My life quote is “Nothing Is Happenstance!” – which means everything happens for a reason.”
DēP tells us that there were many experiences that made him a true contender in the industry. For DēP, growing up under the Southeast Inspirational Choir, attending HSPVA in Houston TX, taking piano lessons at All About Music, national/regional competitions, and local performance all over the place played a key role in his success. If you didn’t know, DēP has made major boss moves with various television appearances such as:
2015 Grammy Awards
2015 Grammy Salutes: Stevie Wonder
2016 TV Land Awards
2016 Espys
2016 White House Christmas
Will & Grace 2018
The Rookie 2018
AND MORE!
He has also made appearances in several music videos, commercials, and movies such as:
“Matrimony” (Wale ft. Usher)
“Bang Bang” (Jessie J ft. Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj)
“So In Love” (Jill Scott ft. Anthony Hamilton)
Dos Equis
Beats By Dre
The Preachers Son
AND MORE!
In the beginning stages of his career, various people had misconceptions about his image, but that did not stop him from pushing through! DēP tells us that the biggest challenge for him was actually choosing the right team – as he knew he couldn’t be successful on his own.
“In the beginning, they didn’t know what to do with me. I looked young, sounded, wrote, and spoke like an adult, didn’t really wanna promote a sexual image but that’s what they wanted. I was smart enough to know that I couldn’t be successful on my own and there was always some manager, fake ass label, or whoever that was going to “take me to the top”. I guess I wasn’t church enough because my discernment was off. It took me years to build the right team but the journey was necessary.”
Overcoming his initial challenges wasn’t the only thing that aided in his success, as the following business advice also helped:
- Count my own money
- Be involved with every facet of my career
- Learn the business just as much as i was learning my craft
- Network
- Never follow a no with a period.
“I wish I would have known that “I was enough,” in the beginning of my career. Growing up in the south, a Black man is flawed. We spend so much time trying to fit in a box or adapt to a definition that doesn’t work for a leader, entrepreneur, BOSS. When I accepted my power I was able to walk into any room and get just what I needed out of it be it a deal, a standing ovation or anything.”
DēP has shared the stage and opened up for some of the best of the best in music – from Beyonce to Kanye West, Chance The Rapper, Alicia Keys Jussie Smollett, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Boys II Men, and more. Touring is something that DēP enjoys, as it allows him to meet people and get paid to work in his passion. He recently was able to tour as a solo artist, but stated that it was also cool being able to bring in artists that he has formerly worked a couple of shows with. Make sure you keep up with DēP, as he will be touring again in the Spring and Summer of 2019!
“It’s going to be epic because I will be collaborating with some talented Artist You SHOULD Know from across the country. I am amped because the raw talent with this group is dumb.”
DēP has had an opportunity to perform live with quite a few artists, but says that his favorites were Beyonce and Kanye West!
“They are crazy passionate and it challenged me to work harder. I remember thinking, “Damn DeP, yea you grind but they grind grind”. It was crazy because they had reached levels where they could let up and not work so hard, yet they were easily outworking everyone on the team. I learned the equation to success by working with them.”
When asked about his dream artist, he states that he would love to work with Missy Elliott, as she has the ability to bring out the best in people! He calls Missy Elliott a BEAST with true raw creativity!
Make sure you are keeping up with DēP’s music journey, as he has an upcoming LP called “Edible and Elevation.” – and describes it as his most authentic body of work ever.
“It’s gonna shock everybody, in a good way. I have some dope producers and a few guest artist on there. This is a true artistic joint. It’s a whole mood.”
His talents also go beyond the stage, as you can catch him performing on the big screen in theaters in 2019! DēP will be starring in the film “This Side Up” – a true story film, about a slave named Henry Box Brown – who mailed himself to freedom; the only one to do so successfully.
“Filming THIS SIDE UP was amazing because it was completely opposite of what DeP stands for, looks like, acts like and so I had to really flex my acting muscles that had been pushed to the background for years.”
DēP ‘s talents doesn’t stop at music and acting, as he is also an Author! DēP’s first book “Fallback to Step up: Things to fallback from in order to step up your life” will be available mid-2019 and will be holding a book signing soon. He also has a single called “Fallback” to accompany his book!
“I realized that many times we aren’t able to fly because we have too many bags. too many things holding us back from ascension be it people, outlooks, finances, mindsets, or more. As an entrepreneur, I read a lot of self-help and success books like many of my peers. They simply tell us to believe in self yada yada yada and not any real answers. Sorta like a high priced counselor that gets paid to help us arrive at a revelation without persuasion. Forget that. Give me some answers and some things I can apply. That doesn’t typically happen. All of these books and No answers. I fixed that!”
DeP has also started his full-scale artist branding and development company called “Think Dep Entertainment (TDE).” The company has currently released music with clients Latin pop artist – Bianca Acosta and Hip Hop artist – Jai G. He is also vocal coaching the newest client currently making waves TeaMarr.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, DēP has the following advice,
“Know what you want out of the entertainment industry, before going in and don’t lose focus or stop until you get it. Treat it as a business but protect your heart – aka the passion.”
You can listen and purchase DēP ‘s music by going to www.ThinkDeP.com OR by searching him on your streaming service under “Think DeP” or “DeP.”
Make sure you keep you follow DēP on social media, to keep up with his career and music:
Instagram: @thinkdep
Website: www.ThinkDeP.com