For our 11th Clapper Sounds Interview, we are highlighting a passionate Clapper rapper: Infamous D Gutter!
Infamous D Gutter, Derrick Curtis, is a rapper and hip-hop artist on Clapper. He is a passionate individual who has spent years pursuing his dreams and being authentically himself. We had an intimate Clapper Sounds interview with Derrick, where he shared his songwriting process, his beginnings as a musician, and told us how instant gratification is not the end goal for artist pursuing their dreams.
Clapper Sounds is meant to be an intimate musical experience, and we want that mission to translate into our written interviews too. As you read about @InfamousDGutter, play their music in the background and really get to know this artist’s unique sound.
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Let’s start from the beginning. What is your first memory of being involved with music? How did you start your artist journey?
My love for hip-hop goes way back to 1979. It goes back to when Sugarhill Gang had their first vinyl. I remember I was only 8 years old when I first heard it and I thought, that’s what I want to do. Unfortunately, you get caught up with other things and move from that path. With school and all these in-between stuff, it got me far from my dream, but I always had it with me. That’s what started my hip-hop journey.
How would you describe your musical style? Who are your biggest inspirations?
My biggest influence varies. Everybody has different unique styles. For me, it’s based on my first experiences and the things I went through now. It goes back to Jay Z, Nas, Busta Rhymes, and even Cardie B and Megan Stallion. It goes from J. Cole to Travis Scott. All in between. They are all part of my foundation as an artist.
What is your songwriting process like?
It’s based on my life experience. You only get good as a rapper doing your life experiences. Unfortunately, I spent so much time with stepbacks, but everybody experiences stepbacks. Never let those stepbacks define who you are. I always tell the children out there, to follow their dreams. You live your life according to what will make you happy. I went through a lot of shit in my life. I dropped out of college and then went back because my dad passed away. Also, I went through job termination and I put all of that into my music. When I rap, I rap with passion. Like the great Michael Jackson said, “If I sing it, I mean it.”
What are your thoughts on content creation as an artist? How do you feel about artists having to balance their social media presence and still be committed to their art?
I keep it simple. You got to know the difference between fiction and non-fiction. That’s just me in a nutshell. As Infamous D Gutter, I am just an entertainer. You need to have some time of morals and respect for yourself. I rap as an entertainer, but on the other side is my true self as Derrik Curtis. You need to be able to separate the two. Derrik is the grounded person that needs to act on his gut, I got to feel it. If it doesn’t come from the gut, I don’t do it.
Do you have any side hustles other than music?
I have a security side job and that helps pay the bills. I always tell the kids on social media, that it’s okay to pursue their dreams, but remember you need to have some sort of financial structure. There are levels to social media. When you see artists making millions of dollars, you are just looking at the success, but you don’t know what they did to get there. Always have a side hustle while pursuing your dreams. A job teaches you to finish what you start.
Deciding to be an artist can have its ups and downs. What advice would you give to that young artist who is just getting into music and whose dream is to be a musician?
My biggest advice is to stop looking for instant gratification. You have to work hard for it. It won’t come to you easily. Fight for your dreams.
Make sure to check our recorded live session on our account Clapper Sounds and in our reels on Instagram. Enjoy the Clapper Sounds live session of the week!