Meet Rising Lyricist Trev Deshon
We have entertainers in this industry and then we have rap, a league that separates the real from the fake. South Central LA’s Trev Deshon is sure to keep you on your heels when he spits level A bars on tracks. While he started off his career as an actor, he soon realized his love for music as well.
From that time on, he worked hard to perfect his craft and eventually decided when it was time to let his talents be heard. In 2016, he released full-length mixtape Budlong. He didn’t stop there, over the next couple of years he released 5 projects, Prayers – Replay Value – Spare Time – Summer Jam and Goodnight. Two out of the five projects included a feature from TDE signee Reason and West Coast talent Casey Veggies.
Continuing to prove and showcase his undeniable rap skills, this past Friday (July 19th) he released his first official album, “Stressin.” He shares the highs and lows of adulthood, his musical journey thus far and remaining patient until his time comes. The project includes features from Casey Veggies, Garren, Xian Bell and more.
Rizemag: Tell us a little about growing up in South Central LA, do you have any “fun” facts about yourself that people may not know?
- Growing up here was cool. It’s not as bad as people make it out to be, like any other area it has it’s good times and bad times. It’s good being from here though cause people around the world always wonder what LA is like or because of movies like Friday they get to see LA, whereas I basically grew up here, so that’s dope. Lol. Something people might find weird is that I like my food separated, it’s suss (suspect) when it touches. I like long walks on the beach. Lol. And I love watching baseball even though I don’t know how to play. Maybe it’s the beer ‘cause I like beer a lot.
Rizemag: If somebody asked you what makes you different or stand out in this industry, what would you say?
- I feel like my sound and my cadences, plus how I change cadences in my verses, makes me different. A lot of people try to say I sound like different artists, but since I’ve been doing this my way for such a long time, you can’t really say I sound like anyone because I’ve been consistent in how I rap. Other things that allow me to standout is my ear for beats and my delivery. I pick beats that I’m able to vibe to or that touch me and usually base the song off of that. Then I combine that with my delivery, where not only am I able to capture your ear but I deliver words or thoughts in my verses that are real and not outlandish.
Rizemag: A lot of music artists come in the game being someone they are not, why is it important for you to be authentic and speak your truth?
- For the same reason why you’re asking me this question, because I’m me and there are so many fakes in the game. I want people that hear my music to hear me and to feel the realness in what I say, because at the end of the day it’s really me and I can stand by that and even if someone can’t relate I know someone will and that’s what makes it worth it.
Rizemag: Out of all the projects you have released over the past couple years, which one would you say is your favorite and why?
- Budlong is my favorite project so far. I released it in 2015 and that was the first time I sat down with a project and came up with a concept and was really able to execute. That project is important to me because it was my first completed work that I felt everyone noticed. It allowed me to value the process and the product of making a genuine project with music people could relate to. Plus, it was for where I’m from and made with my people I grew up around so yea that would have to be my favorite so far.
Rizemag: You’ve collaborated with two West Coast staples in Reason and Casey Veggies, have they given you any advice that has helped you thus far in your career?
- Yea, tons of advice. Something that sticks out to me all the time with CV is he’s been in the game for a while, so he’s shown me how to execute in the studio or to professionally execute when it’s time to work.
With Rob he’s very encouraging all the time and just let’s me know to keep working and keep working and to never let up. So I make sure to keep those things in mind all the time on this journey and I’m going to keep building with their advice as I continue to grow as an artist.
Rizemag: What is the message behind the title for your new album “Stressin” and how long have you been working on the project?
- We’ve been working on this project for about a year and a half. Took time to get everything right from features, verses, beats and visuals. Some songs took longer than others but all in all it was a good process. The project talks about pain and struggle like day to day problems. It has its ups and downs but it’s all real and I wanted people to be able to connect to the project emotionally. I basically wanted to give people the opportunity to relate to specific things that are said on the project or portrayed and be like damn I know exactly what he means.
Rizemag: What are your TOP 3 favorite tracks off the project?
- “The Rant”
- “Greedy”
- “Demons and Demands”
Rizemag: Do you like to freestyle or do you prefer to write down your verses?
- I prefer to write my verses because I feel like when you write you’re able to spend more time with the verse and really think out what your writing. Rather than when most people freestyle it’s easier to get scattered in your thoughts and not really take the time with what you’re saying. That’s nothing against freestylers though because there are a lot of great freestyler like Wayne, Thug, Kendrick and Jay-Z, etc. who just have it and can put things together like that.
Rizemag: Any artists you would like to collaborate with?
- Dom Kennedy
- Schoolboy Q
- Andre 3000
- Gunna
- Young Thug
- Dr. Dre
- Jay-Z
- Roddy Ricch just to name a few that stick out in my head right now, but I love making music so I want to work with a lot of people.
Rizemag: Lastly, any specific goals you want to accomplish the rest of this year going into next?
- My goals realistically for the rest of the year are all really centered around music. I want to work with new artist/producers and build more with ones I already worked with. Release more music (I have a couple joint projects in the works and an EP). Other than those another big thing for me is doing a lot more shows by years end and hopefully get on someone’s tour.
