Hailing from the vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa, Daniel J Dunn is not your average 17-year-old. With music coursing through his veins since childhood, he embodies a fresh blend of pop, R&B, and trap, weaving soulful melodies with captivating beats. Marcel recently caught up with this budding artist to delve into his journey and aspirations.
Embracing Pop
In a music landscape where pop may not reign supreme, Daniel stands out as a beacon of innovation. When asked about his affinity for pop music, Daniel credits his upbringing and early influences.
Daniel says, ‘I’ve always been into pop music from the get-go. I was brought up listening to Rihanna, Ariana Grande, and all these really big artists, and I fell in love with that type of music. I feel like my voice suits the genre very well.’
The Beginning
Every artist has an origin story, and Daniel is no exception. Raised in a musically inclined household, he inherited his talent from his musician father.
Daniel shares, ‘My dad is a really good musician. He plays guitar, and he’s a vocalist, so I definitely get my music side from him. I’ve always been singing from a young age, and ever since then I started joining choirs. Eventually, in 2017, I joined a professional children’s choir for South Africa called the Tygerberg Children’s Choir, and things just went up from there. The choir definitely shaped my voice at a young age.’
Stepping into the Studio
The transition from bedroom rehearsals to professional studio sessions can be daunting, but Daniel navigated it with ease and credits a former Sludge guest for making the process seamless.
Daniel expresses, ‘The whole process was a breeze; it was so easy working with Mark Haze. I went in, recorded a few takes of the verses and a few takes of the choruses, and we put it together, and Mark did his magic on the computer, and it came out so good. The combination of piano, guitar, beats, that hi-hat—it's literally like an ear orgasm; it’s so good.’
SA Top Picks
Despite his global ambitions, Daniel remains grounded in his admiration for South African talent. He and Marcel delve into Daniel’s local influences.
Daniel says, ‘I love Loyiso; his voice is next level. Will Linley, Elaine, and Shekhinah—these are all artists I’ve been listening to from a young age. They’re such inspirations for how far they’ve gotten in the scene as local artists; they really make us proud as a country.’
Conclusion
Daniel J Dunn is more than a musician; he's a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. As he continues to carve his path in the music industry, one thing remains certain: the world hasn't seen the last of this Cape Town prodigy. Check out his latest single here, and catch the full audio episode here.
